Tom Wappel

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Thomas William Wappel
Tom Wappel
Incumbent
Riding Scarborough West (1988-1997);
Scarborough Southwest (1997-present)
In office since 1988 election
Preceded by Reg Stackhouse
Born February 9, 1950
Toronto
Residence Scarborough
Political party

Liberal
Profession(s) Barrister and solicitor, lawyer
Religion Roman Catholic
Spouse Separated

Thomas William Wappel, MP (born February 9, 1950) is a Canadian Member of Parliament. He has been a member of the House of Commons since 1988, and currently represents the Toronto riding of Scarborough Southwest. Wappel is a member of the Liberal Party. He is separated, with five children.

Wappel is a member of the Liberal Party's "family caucus", and is a staunch social conservative. He is a prominent opponent of abortion and gay rights, and has made controversial comments on immigration and the role of religion in government. Wappel opposes the death penalty, and describes himself as holding liberal views on economic issues.[1]

Contents

[edit] Early life and career

Wappel was born in Toronto, to Hungarian parents. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto (1971), and a Bachelor of Laws from Queen's University (1974). He was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1976 and worked in civil litigation and corporate law as well as teaching classes in negotiation. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus.[2]

[edit] 1988 election

Wappel won the Scarborough West Liberal nomination in 1988 in an upset over Patrick Johnston, a star candidate who had been personally recruited by party leader John Turner.[3] Relatively unknown before the campaign, Wappel was supported by members of the anti-abortion group Campaign Life, and his platform included a promise of "respect for human life, from conception to the natural end of life".[4] He also opposed the proposed Canada-United States free trade agreement, and criticized the media for portraying him as a single-issue candidate.[5]

He was narrowly elected, defeating Progressive Conservative incumbent Reg Stackhouse by 440 votes. During the election, Campaign Life activists circulated a pamphlet which described Stackhouse as supporting "baby-killing" in some circumstances.[6] There is no evidence that Wappel personally endorsed the pamphlet.

[edit] Leadership candidate

Wappel was the first declared candidate for the Liberal Party's 1990 leadership convention, announcing his candidacy on June 29, 1989. In announcing his candidacy, he described himself as the only candidate willing to make abortion a leadership issue.[7] He spoke against abortion in all circumstances, and was quoted as saying that while rape and incest are terrible tragedies, "they cannot possibly be compounded by the further tragedy of destroying human life."[8] Wappel also called for increased immigration to Canada and harsher penalties against drug traffickers, while opposing the Meech Lake Accord and "distinct society" status for Quebec.[9] After declaring his candidacy, he advised pro-life groups in Canada against forming their own political party.[10]

He opposed federal daycare programs at one all-candidates meeting, arguing that the Canadian government should promote stay-at-home parenting.[11] Late in the campaign, he said that he did not consider single-parent households or homosexual couples to be families.[12]

He was endorsed in March 1990 by Liberals for Life, an anti-abortion pressure group working inside the Liberal Party.[13] In his nomination speech at the convention, Wappel called for abortion to be made a criminal offence with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.[14] He finished in fourth place, as Jean Chrétien was elected on the first ballot.

[edit] Opposition MP, 1988-1993

Wappel was appointed as the Liberal Party's immigration critic in January 1991. Late in the year, he issued a report calling for the creation of special detainment camps (to be called Welcome Centres) for refugees arriving in Canada. Claimants would be provided with food, lodging and clothing, but would not be permitted to work outside the centre until receiving formal approval. His proposal also called for any claimant with HIV to be automatically denied status. Wappel's suggestions were immediately rejected by the Liberal Party leadership, and were widely criticized in the Canadian media.[15] He was removed as the Liberal Party's immigration Critic in early 1992, and appointed critic for the Solicitor-General.[16] In the latter capacity, he called for increased safeguards within Canada's parole system.[17]

Wappel was endorsed by the Canadian Police Association in the 1993 federal election, and focused his campaign on "law and order" and crime prevention issues.[18] He was easily re-elected as the Liberals won a majority government across the country.

[edit] Government backbencher, 1993-2006

[edit] Chrétien government

Wappel was not appointed to Chrétien's cabinet, and served as a government backbencher. He introduced a private member's bill soon after the election to create a national witness protection program, and called for tougher provisions under Canada's Young Offenders Act.[19]

As a social conservative, Wappel was a frequent critic of his own government's social legislation. He was a vocal opponent of the Chrétien government's plan to extend anti-discrimination protection to homosexuals in 1994, and was quoted as describing homosexuality as "statistically abnormal, [...] physically abnormal and [...] morally immoral".[20] Some politicians and journalists called for Chrétien to expel Wappel from caucus after this remark, but no disciplinary action was taken.[21] Later in the same year, Wappel described homosexuality as "not genetic, but a choice", while simultaneously arguing that religion is "virtually genetic, since it is passed from generation to generation".[22]

He was re-elected for a third term in the 1997 election, again running on a "law and order" platform. After the election, he introduced a private member's bill designed to prevent persons convicted of serious crimes (and their relatives and collaborators) from receiving any financial benefit resulting from artistic depictions of their crimes. The bill was supported by some members of the law enforcement community, but was criticized by artists and was often described as poorly drafted. Toronto journalist Michael Valpy dismissed it as "legal gibberish" and "a piece of junk".[23] Despite last-minute modifications, it was rejected by the Canadian Senate in 1998.[24]

Wappel campaigned to become Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons in 2001, seeking support from backbench Liberals and opposition members. He was eliminated after the first ballot in a secret vote by all Members of Parliament (MPs).[25]

He faced increased media scrutiny in May 2001 after refusing to help a constituent, a veteran, whom he suspected of supporting a rival candidate in the previous election. Wappel wrote a letter that said, in part, "How is it that you are writing me for my help if you did not think enough of my abilities to justify voting for me?"[26] These comments were widely criticized in the national media[27], and by MPs from all parties. Chrétien reprimanded Wappel after the letter was made public, and Wappel was forced to issue an apology.[28] He later described the letter as a "stupid mistake", and called for voters to forgive him.[29]

Wappel joined with fifteen other Liberal MPs to call for Jean Chrétien resignation in July 2002, and endorsed Paul Martin's bid to succeed Chrétien as party leader.[30] Later in 2002, he was unexpectedly elected chair of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans in a free vote of other committee members.[31]. In June 2003, he issued a report arguing that federal bureaucrats had "badly managed" the sockeye salmon fishery in British Columbia's Fraser River in 2001.[32]

[edit] Martin government

Wappel was a prominent opponent of the Martin government's same-sex marriage legislation in 2005, describing it as "discriminatory, a sham, and a hoax".[33] According to one report, Wappel told Martin at a private caucus meeting that he was "profoundly disappointed" with his handling of the issue.[34] There was some media speculation that Wappel would join fellow MP Pat O'Brien in leaving the Liberal caucus over the matter, but he chose to stay within the party.[35]

[edit] Opposition MP, 2006-present

Wappel was re-elected to the House of Commons in the 2006 federal election, as the Conservative Party won a national minority government. He is now a member of the Official Opposition, and chairs the Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics committee.[36]

In May 2006, Wappel was one of 24 Liberal MPs to vote for an extension of Canada's mission in Afghanistan.[37] He renewed his call for abortion legislation in the same month, describing Canada as "the only western democracy that has absolutely no law whatsoever when it comes to protecting the unborn child".[38]

Wappel declined to officially endorse anyone in Liberal leadership convention, due to the absence of a socially conservative candidate.[39] He said that he would personally vote for Joe Volpe.[40]

He is chairman of the Canada-Hungary Parliamentary Friendship Group, vice-chairman of the Canada-China Legislative Association, and vice-chairman of the Canada-Syria Friendship Group.[41]

[edit] Food labels

Wappel introduced legislation in 1998, to provide better nutritional labels on food products sold in grocery stores. His measure was supported by the Alliance for Food Label Reform, and he argued that the bill would help consumers reduce the risk of fatal diseases.[42] In 2004, he introduced a separate private member's bill requiring fast food restaurants to list salt and fat content on their menus. Wappel withdrew the legislation later in the 38th Canadian parliament, but reintroduced it in late 2006.[43] It was defeated by a vote of 198-64 in November 2006.[44]

[edit] Table of offices held

Preceded by:
riding established in 1997		 Member of Parliament for Scarborough Southwest
1997-present		 Succeeded by:
Incumbent
Preceded by:
Reg Stackhouse		 Member of Parliament for Scarborough West
1988-1997		 Succeeded by:
riding abolished in 1997

[edit] External links

[edit] Electoral record

2006 federal election : Scarborough Southwest edit
Party Candidate Votes % Expenditures
     Liberal (x)Tom Wappel 19,930 47.83 $27,826.59
     Conservative Vincent Veerasuntharam 10,017 24.04 $68,687.04
     New Democratic Party Dan Harris 9,626 23.10 $20,560.69
     Green Valerie Philip 1,827 4.38
     Independent Trevor Sutton 147 0.35
     Communist Elizabeth Rowley 120 0.29 $279.95
Total valid votes 41,667 100.00
Total rejected ballots 189
Turnout 41,856 62.37
Electors on the lists 67,109


2004 federal election : Scarborough Southwest edit
Party Candidate Votes % Expenditures
     Liberal (x)Tom Wappel 18,776 49.46 $47,511.37
     Conservative Heather Jewell 9,028 23.78 $63,039.96
     New Democratic Party Dan Harris 8,471 22.31 $21,396.64
     Green Peter Van Dalen 1,520 4.00 not listed
     Communist Elizabeth Rowley 168 0.44 $300.29
Total valid votes 37,963 100.00
Total rejected ballots 215
Turnout 38,178 57.16
Electors on the lists 66,797


2000 federal election : Scarborough Southwest edit
Party Candidate Votes % Expenditures
     Liberal (x)Tom Wappel 21,466 60.01 $47,145.55
     Progressive Conservative Ellery Hollingsworth 5,251 14.68 $14,019.21
     Canadian Alliance Nabil El-Khazen 4,912 13.73 $30,429.11
     New Democratic Party Dan Harris 3,638 10.17 $10,666.41
     Canadian Action Walter Aolari 336 0.94 $4,886.23
     Communist Dora Stewart 165 0.46 $202.33
Total valid votes 35,768 100.00
Total rejected ballots 237
Turnout 36,005 53.43
Electors on the lists 67,382


1997 federal election : Scarborough Southwest edit
Party Candidate Votes % Expenditures
     Liberal (x)Tom Wappel 20,675 53.40 $35,520
     Reform Tom Ambas 7,918 20.45 $41,884
     Progressive Conservative Brian McCutcheon 5,294 13.67 $16,872
     New Democratic Party Dave Gracey 4,345 11.22 $7,984
     Green David James Cooper 482 1.25 $0.00
Total valid votes 38,714 100.00
Total rejected ballots 273
Turnout 38,987 62.95
Electors on the lists 61,932


1993 federal election : Scarborough West edit
Party Candidate Votes %
     Liberal (x)Tom Wappel 21,335 54.44
     Reform Aubrey Millard 8,314 21.21
     Progressive Conservative Reg Stackhouse 5,664 14.45
     New Democratic Party Steve Thomas 2,771 7.07
     National Greg Gogan 578 1.47
     Green Jim MacLeod 276 0.70
     Natural Law Ron Robins 212 0.54
     Abolitionist Alfred Morton 40 0.10
Total valid votes 39,190 100.00
Rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 346
Turnout 39,536 64.21
Electors on the lists 61,574


1988 federal election : Scarborough West edit
Party Candidate Votes %
     Liberal Tom Wappel 15,363 36.80
     Progressive Conservative (x)Reg Stackhouse 14,923 35.75
     New Democratic Party Dave Gracey 11,000 26.35
     Libertarian Anna Young 459 1.10
Total valid votes 41,745 100.00
Rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 226
Turnout 41,971 73.15
Electors on the lists 57,376

All electoral information is taken from Elections Canada. Italicized expenditures from elections after 1997 refer to submitted totals, and are presented when the final reviewed totals are not available. Expenditures from 1997 refer to submitted totals.

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Tom Wappel, "Being a Christian in politics", Theological Digest & Outlook, March 2000.
  2. ^ Tom Wappel, official curriculum vitae.
  3. ^ Stevie Cameron, "An avalanche of bad news leaves pre-election Liberals gloomy", Globe and Mail, 15 September 1988, A2.
  4. ^ "Scarborough West Swing riding could be 3-way fight", Toronto Star, 16 November 1988, A14.
  5. ^ Deborah Wilson, "Liberal is trying to shake anti-abortion label", Globe and Mail, 19 November 1988, A16.
  6. ^ "Metro's 15 new faces in Parliament", Toronto Star, 27 November 1988, A8. The original newspaper notice indicated that Stackhouse was described as a "babykiller", but this was later corrected (see Lorne Manly, "Pledging a return", listed below).
  7. ^ Susan Delacourt, "Anti-abortion MP is first to seek Liberal leadership", Globe and Mail, 30 June 1989, A5. Rival candidate John Nunziata later endorsed a pro-life position as well.
  8. ^ Lorne Manly, "Wappel runs for leadership", Toronto Star, 4 July 1989, E1.
  9. ^ Lorne Manly, "Pledging a return to family values, Scarborough West MP Tom Wappel has entered the race for the federal Liberal leadership", Toronto Star, 30 June 1989, A12.
  10. ^ Leonard Shifrin, "Abortion issue stalks the Grits", Toronto Star, 17 July 1989, A13.
  11. ^ Carol Goar, "Copps steals show from Chretien", Toronto Star, 29 January 1990, A11.
  12. ^ "Candidates differ on family issues", Toronto Star, 22 April 1990, A18.
  13. ^ "Pro-life group supports Wappel", Toronto Star, 10 March 1990, A8.
  14. ^ William Walker, "The Liberal tradition in politics should include protecting unborn children from abortion, leadership candidate Tom Wappel said in his major convention speech", Toronto Star, 23 June 1990, A14. Walker's original report incorrectly asserted that Wappel supported the death penalty for women who have abortions and doctors who perform them. This was corrected the next day. Wappel opposes capital punishment.
  15. ^ Paul Watson, "Liberal MP proposes special camps for refugees". Toronto Star, 15 November 1991, A2; Toronto Star Editorial, 13 January 1992, A12.
  16. ^ "Marchi, Tobin take on Liberal campaign role", Toronto Star, 16 January 1992, A12.
  17. ^ Kellie Hudson, "Mom outraged sex offender to be released from prison", Toronto Star, 1 November 1992, A4.
  18. ^ Deborah Kyvrikosaios, "Police to back campaigns of 'law and order' politicians", Globe and Mail, 19 July 1993, A2; "Scarborough West", Toronto Star, 22 October 1993, A9.
  19. ^ Rudy Platiel, "Witness protection", Globe and Mail, 21 April 1994, A6; David Vienneau, "New bill to double teen killers' terms", Toronto Star, 2 June 1994, A16.
  20. ^ Tu Thanh Ha, "Dissident Liberals fight bills on gays", Globe and Mail, 28 September 1994, A1.
  21. ^ for instance, William Neville, "A poor response from Chretien", Winnipeg Free Press, 6 October 1994, Editorial Page.
  22. ^ "A God gene? Gosh", Globe and Mail, 18 November 1994, A24.
  23. ^ Michael Valpy, "Dump the Son of Sam bill", Globe and Mail, 28 November 1997, A21.
  24. ^ Janice Tibbetts, "Senate sinks profit-from-crime bill", Winnipeg Free Press, 11 June 1998, B1.
  25. ^ Fred Chartrand, "New Speaker Milliken fulfils dream", Toronto Star, 30 January 1999, p. 1.
  26. ^ Robert Fife and Joseph Brean, "Chretien tells MP to help veteran following snub", National Post, 10 May 2001, A06.
  27. ^ Rex Murphy, "Tom Wappel," CBC, May 10, 2001
  28. ^ "Canadian PM raps own MP for snubbing war veteran", Reuters News, 9 May 2001, 15:43 report.
  29. ^ Catherine Dunphy, "Liberals' Wappel hoping voters have forgiven him", Toronto Star, 14 June 2004, B02.
  30. ^ Anne Dawson, "16 Liberal MPs willing to declare PM should resign", National Post, 25 July 2002, A01; James Travers, "Dummies fall silent as political season changes", Toronto Star, 5 September 2002, A23.
  31. ^ Kelly Toughill, "Unusual committee casting --- Plum job for backbencher", Toronto Star, 16 November 2002, H05
  32. ^ "Commons committee says Ottawa mismanaged Fraser River salmon fishery", Associated Press Newswires, 12 June 2003, 11:48 report.
  33. ^ Tonda MacCharles, "Liberal MP slams bill on marriage", Toronto Star, 19 February 2005, A06.
  34. ^ Jane Taber, "Liberal MPs clash over gay marriage", Globe and Mail, 3 February 2005, A1.
  35. ^ John Ivison, "Martin lives to die another day", National Post, 7 June 2005, A6.
  36. ^ Elizabeth Thompson, "Ministers have right to know who asks for information", Montreal Gazette, 5 October 2006, A10.
  37. ^ John Ivison, "Vote on Afghanistan reveals the Grit divide", National Post, 19 May 2006, A4.
  38. ^ "Pro-life debate", Countdown, 11 May 2006.
  39. ^ Deborah Gyapong, "Grits bereft of pro-life nominee", Western Catholic Reporter, 1 May 2006.
  40. ^ Mike Adler, "Scarborough MPs leaning toward Ignatieff in Liberal leadership contest", The Mirror, 27 September 2006.
  41. ^ Liberal Party of Canada official website, entry for Tom Wappel (accessed 8 March 2006).
  42. ^ "A Canadian member of parliament, backed by 13 medical, consumer and food organizations", Food Chemical News, 30 November 1998, Volume 40 Number 41.
  43. ^ Andre Picard, "Want fries, calories, fats with that burger?", Globe and Mail, 9 December 2003, A3; Dana Flavelle, "MP wants tougher labelling", Toronto Star, 18 September 2006, D1.
  44. ^ "National: MPs defeat fast-food fat-content bill", Ottawa Citizen, 9 November 2006, A5.
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