Tom Weihmayr
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Oliver Thomas "Tom" Weihmayr CD is a political activist, sales manager, and Canadian Forces veteran living in London, Ontario, Canada.
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[edit] Background
Weihmayr was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala. After migrating to Canada in 1982, escaping from what would eventually become a 30-year-long civil war, Weihmayr learned to speak English and focused on his studies and extra-curricular activities. He attended Richview Collegiate Institute, graduating as an Ontario Scholar. He was accepted and the University of Western Ontario where he earned a combined Honours B.A. in German and Spanish1 from the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures of the Faculty of Arts. Upon Graduation he was honoured with the Ambassador of Switzerland Book Prize. He is fluent in German, Spanish and English and has a working knowledge of French.
As a member of the Canadian Forces, Weihmayr began as a flying instructor for the Air Cadet Gliding Program, logging over 2,000 flights. In 1999, he became the first Flight Commander of the Greater Toronto Gliding Centre (GTGC), at Markham Airport in Markham, Ontario and was promoted to the rank of Acting Major. He complimented his practical flying experience as a Protocol Officer and Conference Secretary on more than 12 international army (CAA) and air force (SICOFAA) conferences across Canada and the United States. He was the first Canadian Reserve Officer ever and only the sixth Canadian military officer in history to be awarded the SICOFAA Legion of Merit Medal5 in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 2001. He was also awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration6 in 2002, and the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal7 also in 20021. He was honourably discharged in 2004 after 14 years of service.
Weihmayr's military experience has enabled him to facilitate for the Defence Diplomacy Program (Wise Counsel in Integrated Peace Operations), conducted by the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre (PPC). This program works to ensure selected military, police, civilian and diplomatic personnel from around the globe have better tools to respond to the challenges of modern peace operations.
Weihmayr is also known for his association with the Masonic Order. He is a Life Member and Past Master of the Tuscan Lodge No. 195 G.R.C., in London, and a life member of other appendant bodies, including the York Rite, Scottish Rite and Shriners.
[edit] London North Centre Conservative Nomination Contest: November 27 2006 By-Election
On October 13 2006 Weihmayr announced his intention to seek the Conservative nomination for the riding of London North Centre2. The seat had been vacated by Joe Fontana in an unsuccessful bid for Mayor of London.
On October 22 2006 Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that the by-election for London North Centre would be held Monday November 27 2006.3 Weihmayr was defeated at the October 24 2006 nomination meeting by former London Mayor Dianne Haskett4.
[edit] Notability
Weihmayr is included in Wikipedia as a result of local media and online coverage of the controversy surrounding the timing of the October 24 2006 nomination meeting.[1] [2][3] [4]
[edit] Citations
1Biographical information provided by Tom Weihmayr to members of the London North Centre Conservative Association.
2London Free Press October 20 2006 [5]
3CTV.ca October 22 2006[6]
4London Free Press October 26 2006 [7]
5SICOFAA Website - Legion of Merit Handbook (Spanish).pdf[8]
6Governor General of Canada - Awards and Honours - Canadian Forces Decoration[9]
7Governor General of Canada - Awards and Honours - Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal[10]
[edit] External links
altlondon.org: Grass roots democracy, new way of doing politics [11]
