Michael Chong
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Incumbent | |
|---|---|
| Riding | Wellington-Halton Hills |
| In office since | 2004 Federal Election |
| Preceded by | New district |
| Born | November 22, 1971 Windsor, Ontario |
| Residence | Elora, Ontario |
| Political party | |
| Profession(s) | Information technology executive |
| Spouse | Carrie Davidson |
Michael David Chong PC, MP (Traditional Chinese: 莊文浩; Simplified Chinese: 庄文浩; pinyin: Zhuàng Wénhào) (born November 22, 1971) is a Canadian politician. He has represented the riding of Wellington—Halton Hills in the Canadian House of Commons since 2004. He served in the cabinet of Prime Minister Stephen Harper as Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Sport, as well as the President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada from February 6, 2006 to November 27, 2006. Chong is a member of the Conservative Party.
Contents |
[edit] Personal life
Chong was born in Windsor and was raised near Fergus in Wellington County, where he graduated from Centre Wellington District High School. His background is Chinese and Dutch. He studied for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History from the University of Toronto's Trinity College, but left before graduating to take a job with Canadian Tire.[1] He later worked in information technology, holding senior positions at Barclays Bank and the Research Capital Corporation. Prior to his election, he worked as chief information officer for the National Hockey League Players Association and was a senior technology consultant at the GTAA for the redevelopment of Toronto Pearson International Airport.[2]
Chong was a founding member of The Dominion Institute, an organization committed to raising national awareness of Canadian history.[3] He served on the board of the Groves Memorial Hospital from 2002 to 2004, later serving on the board of the Elora Festival and Elora Festival Singers as well as the Corporation of Trinity College.
Chong is married to Caroline Joan Davidson who is a descendant of William Whiteway, a pro-Confederation politician who served as Premier of Newfoundland in the 1890s.[4]
[edit] Politician
Chong became involved with both the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada and the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario in the late 1980s.[5] He first ran for parliament in the 2000 federal election as a Progressive Conservative, and finished third in the riding of Waterloo—Wellington against incumbent Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) Lynn Myers. In 2003, Chong supported Peter MacKay for the leadership of the federal PC party.[6]
[edit] Conservative MP
In early 2004, the Progressive Conservatives merged with the Canadian Alliance to create the Conservative Party of Canada. Chong joined the new party, and in March 2004 defeated Marty Burke to win its nomination for Wellington—Halton Hills.[7] He was elected in the 2004 federal election, defeating Liberal Bruce Hood by over 2,000 votes.
Chong is primarily known as a fiscal conservative, and is considered a moderate in his party. He declared his personal support for the Kyoto Protocol during the 2004 federal election, despite his party's opposition to the measure.[8] He supported Elizabeth Witmer's bid to lead the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario in 2001-02, and supported John Tory for the same position in 2004.[9]
Chong wrote an opinion editorial for the Globe and Mail newspaper in late 2004 entitled "Canadians without hyphens", criticizing John Barber's suggestion that there were not enough Chinese-Canadian MPs representing areas with large Chinese populations. Chong noted he had been elected in a riding with a 97% caucasian population, while a candidate named McCallum had been elected in Markham—Unionville, which is more than 60% Asian. Chong wrote that these results reflected his idea of Canada, and encouraged the creation of a "common Canadian identity that will allow for greater understanding among ethnic groups".[10]
Chong voted against the legal recognition of same-sex marriage in Canada in 2005. On February 2, 2006, the Globe and Mail newspaper reported that he had changed his position and would vote in favour of same-sex marriage if the issue is revisited by parliament. Chong corrected this report the following day, saying that he was undecided and would consult his constituents before making a decision.[11] In December 2006, Chong was one of thirteen Conservative MPs who voted against re-opening the marriage debate.[12]
[edit] Cabinet minister
Chong was re-elected in the 2006 federal election. In February 2006, he was appointed to the cabinet in Stephen Harper's government as Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs,President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, and Minister of Sport. He was the second Chinese-Canadian cabinet minister in Canadian history, after Raymond Chan. On November 27, 2006, Michael Chong resigned his cabinet post as he did not support a government motion recognizing the Québécois as a nation within a united Canada.
[edit] Intergovernmental Affairs Minister
In the buildup to the 2006 federal budget, Chong met with various provincial representatives to discuss ways of approaching Canada's equalization formula between the federal government and the provinces. Prior to the budget's release, he described the existing system as "a mess".[13] Some politicians in Ontario expressed concern that the deal would be unduly favourable to Quebec and unfavourable to their province.[14] Later in the year, Harper government indicated that it would automatically transfer future surpluses to the provinces.[15]
In September 2006, the Canadian media reported that the Harper government was considering a plan to transfer $3 billion to the provinces each year. Every province except Newfoundland and Labrador would gain revenue, with Quebec gaining the most at $1.1 billion.[16]
[edit] Minister of Sport
In early 2006, Chong said that his government would fulfill an election pledge to devote 1% of federal health spending (about $350 million) to health promotion and amateur sports.[17] He represented the Harper government as a representative at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia.[18] This funding did not appear in the 2006 budget, although the Harper government introduced an annual sports tax credit of $80 per child.[19]
In June 2006, Chong indicated that the federal government would not provide federal funding to the "Out Games", a gay-and-lesbian themed athletic competition held in Montreal.[20] The following month, Chong provided $395,000 to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, to make its collection accessible online.[21] He has also discussed the possibility of restarting Canada's ParticipACTION program, which encourages ordinary citizens to become more involved in sports and athletic events.[22]
Chong pledged $3.5 million to the 2008 North American Indigenous Games in early November 2006.[23] Later in the same month, he announced the creation of Podium Canada to consolidate Canada's medal strategies for the Summer and Winter Olympics.[24]
[edit] Other
Chong opposes using the Great Lakes as a water source for inland communities. He has expressed concern about depopulation in rural Ontario, and supports continued door-to-door rural mail service programs.[25]
[edit] Resignation
Chong unexpectedly resigned from cabinet on November 27, 2006, to express his opposition to a motion before the House of Commons, put forward by Prime Minister Harper, which recognized "the Québécois as a nation within a united Canada". Chong said that the motion was akin to ethnic nationalism, which he opposes. During the press conference he held to announce his decision, he said "I believe in one nation, undivided, called Canada".[26]
[edit] Table of offices held
| 28th Ministry - Government of Stephen Harper | ||
| Cabinet Posts (2) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Predecessor | Office | Successor |
| Lucienne Robillard | President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada (2006) |
Peter Van Loan |
| Lucienne Robillard | Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs (2006) |
Peter Van Loan |
| Special Cabinet Responsibilities | ||
| Predecessor | Title | Successor |
| Stephen Owen | Minister for Sport (2006) |
Peter Van Loan |
| Preceded by riding created in 2004 |
Member of Parliament for Wellington—Halton Hills 2004- |
Succeeded by incumbent |
[edit] External links
[edit] Electoral record
| 2006 federal election : Wellington—Halton Hills edit | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | Expenditures | ||
| Conservative | (x)Michael Chong | 27,907 | 50.67 | $73,992.80 | ||
| Liberal | Rod Finnie | 16,065 | 29.17 | $55,604.90 | ||
| New Democratic Party | Noel Duignan | 6,785 | 12.32 | $5,495.97 | ||
| Green | Brent Bouteiller | 3,362 | 6.10 | $1,102.36 | ||
| Christian Heritage | Carol Ann Krusky | 606 | 1.10 | $4,944.18 | ||
| Independent | Mike Wisniewski | 355 | 0.64 | $1,173.51 | ||
| Total valid votes | 55,080 | 100.00 | ||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots | 162 | |||||
| Turnout | 55,242 | 71.05 | ||||
| Electors on the lists | 77,756 | |||||
| 2004 federal election : Wellington—Halton Hills edit | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | Expenditures | ||
| Conservative | Michael Chong | 21,479 | 42.81 | $62,705.07 | ||
| Liberal | Bruce Hood | 19,173 | 38.21 | $69,352.69 | ||
| New Democratic Party | Noel Duignan | 5,974 | 11.91 | $13,605.90 | ||
| Green | Brent Bouteiller | 2,725 | 5.43 | $799.48 | ||
| Christian Heritage | Pat Woode | 826 | 1.65 | $2,304.09 | ||
| Total valid votes | 50,177 | 100.00 | ||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots | 205 | |||||
| Turnout | 50,382 | 67.03 | ||||
| Electors on the lists | 75,160 | |||||
| 2000 federal election : Waterloo—Wellington edit | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | Expenditures | ||
| Liberal | (x)Lynn Myers | 19,619 | 43.66 | $64,568.53 | ||
| Canadian Alliance | John Reimer | 14,797 | 32.93 | $47,962.31 | ||
| Progressive Conservative | Michael Chong | 7,999 | 17.80 | $24,282.50 | ||
| New Democratic Party | Allan Douglas Strong | 1,845 | 4.11 | $1,588.58 | ||
| Green | Brent Bouteiller | 432 | 0.96 | $206.62 | ||
| N/A (Christian Heritage) | Peter Ellis | 249 | 0.55 | $2,148.45 | ||
| Total valid votes | 44,941 | 100.00 | ||||
| Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots | 156 | |||||
| Turnout | 45,097 | 58.11 | ||||
| Electors on the lists | 77,610 | |||||
All electoral information is taken from Elections Canada. Italicized expenditures refer to submitted totals, and are presented when the final reviewed totals are not available.
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Richard Brennan, "2 accidents helped forge new minister", Toronto Star, 9 February 2006, A09.
- ^ Chong, personal biography, accessed 2006.
- ^ Jon Willing, "Group preserves memories of aging war veterans before it's too late", Guelph Mercury, 20 August 2004, A3.
- ^ Judith Tenenbaum, "Caroline Davidson and Michael Chong", National Post, 30 January 2003, AL2.
- ^ Jon Willing, "New riding up for grabs", Guelph Mercury, 25 May 2004, A4.
- ^ Dave Pink, "Leadership drama 'what we wanted'", Kitchener-Waterloo Record, 2 June 2003, A1.
- ^ Joanne Shuttleworth, "Fergus man is Conservative nominee", Guelph Mercury, 10 March 2004, A3.
- ^ "Tory candidate likes Kyoto, even if his party doesn't", Guelph Mercury, 26 June 2004, A5.
- ^ Ross Marowits, "Eves may be front-runner but he's no shoo-in to lead Tory party, say members", Canadian Press, 2 December 2001, 11:49 report; Joanne Shuttleworth, "Tory takes over", Guelph Mercury, 20 September 2004, A1.
- ^ Michael Chong, "Canadian without hyphens", Globe and Mail, 23 November 2004, A25.
- ^ Stephanie MacLellan, "Chong stands by free vote for same-sex marriage legislation", Guelph Mercury, 2 February 2006, A3.
- ^ Janice Tibbetts, "Same-sex debate's over, Harper says", Montreal Gazette, 8 December 2006, A1.
- ^ Elizabeth Thompson, "Federal Throne Speech must address fiscal imbalance", Montreal Gazette, 28 March 2006, A14; "Parliament is back, but don't panic", Winnipeg Free Press, 3 April 2006, A11.
- ^ Tonda MacCharles and Robert Benzie, "Officials deny deal made with Quebec", Toronto Star, 29 July 2006, A4.
- ^ Bill Curry, "Ottawa offers provinces surplus money", Globe and Mail, 11 August 2006, A13.
- ^ John Ivison, "$3B more for provinces in plan payments", National Post, 21 September 2006, A1.
- ^ "The high price of gold", Ottawa Citizen, 28 February 2006, A8.
- ^ James Christie, "Canadian team falls short of 100-medal goal", Globe and Mail, 27 March 2006, S6.
- ^ John Kernaghan, "Sports tax credit saves $80 a year per child", Hamilton Spectator, 3 May 2006, A11.
- ^ Susan Riley, "Liberals: please call home", Ottawa Citizen, 9 June 2006, A14.
- ^ "Grant of $395,000 to put Canada's Sports Hall of Fame info on Internet", Canadian Press, 26 July 2006, 15:16 report.
- ^ "What government is doing to fight obesity", CTV Question Period, 3 September 2006.
- ^ Jeff Rud, "Ottawa puts $3.5 million in Games", Vancouver Sun, 4 November 2006, B8.
- ^ James Christie, "New Podium Canada body created", Globe and Mail (Breaking News), 24 November 2006.
- ^ Greg Mercer, "Water protection high on Chong's list", Guelph Mercury, 17 February 2006, A1; Vic Kirsch, "Ont. MP promises Tories will fight move to end rural home mail delivery", Canadian Press, 17 October 2006, 20:49 report.
- ^ Bill Curry, "Canada's history, family's history held sway", Globe and Mail, 28 November 2006, A8; "Three cheers for Michael Chong" [editorial], National Post, 28 November 2006, A18; Tonda MacCharles, "Tory minister quits over Quebec vote", Toronto Star, 28 November 2006, A1.
Categories: Members of the 28th Ministry in Canada | 1971 births | Current Members of the Canadian House of Commons | Members of the Canadian House of Commons from Ontario | Conservative Party of Canada MPs | Chinese Canadians | Dutch Canadians | Members of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada | University of Toronto alumni | People from Wellington County, Ontario | People from Windsor, Ontario | Overseas Chinese politicians | Living people
