Bryon Wilfert

The Honourable Bryon J. Wilfert PC
Member of Parliament
for Richmond Hill
In office
1997–2011
Preceded by Riding created
Succeeded by Costas Menegakis
Personal details
Born July 14, 1952
Toronto, Ontario
Political party Liberal
Spouse(s) Elizabeth Wilfert
Residence Richmond Hill, Ontario
Profession Teacher

Bryon J. Wilfert, PC (born July 14, 1952) was a Canadian politician. He was a member of the House of Commons of Canada, representing the riding of Richmond Hill for the Liberal Party from 1997 to 2011. He was the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment until the defeat of the Martin government in the 2006 federal election.

Wilfert has Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Toronto, as well as a degree in Public Administration from St. Lawrence College in Kingston. In addition, he is an Accredited Municipal Clerk. He taught History and Political Science at Havergal College in Toronto from 1977 to 1997.

Wilfert was elected as a Richmond Hill councillor in 1985. He was first elected to the House of Commons in the 1997 federal election, scoring an easy victory in the Greater Toronto Area riding of Oak Ridges. He was re-elected by an increased majority in the election of 2000, and won another easy victory in his new riding in the 2004 election.

He is generally regarded as being on the fiscally conservative wing of the Liberal Party. He served as parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Finance in 2002-03, and was named parliamentary secretary to the Minister of the Environment after the 2004 election. After the election in 2006, Wilfert was appointed to be official opposition critic of Foreign Affairs (Asia-Pacific).

Wilfert was the Caucus Liaison in the successful 2006 Liberal leadership bid by Stéphane Dion. He is believed to be one of Stéphane Dion's closest confidants, having served as Mr. Dion's parliamentary secretary during his tenure as Minister of the Environment.

During his first term in parliament, he brought forward a private member's bill that would have created "Sir John A. Macdonald Day" as a national holiday on January 11.

In June 2011, Wilfert was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, Japan's second highest honor, by Emperor Akihito.

External links

Parliament of Canada
Preceded by
The electoral district was created in 1996. See Markham—Whitchurch-Stouffville		 Member of Parliament for Oak Ridges
1997-2004 		Succeeded by
The electoral district was abolished in 2003.
Preceded by
The electoral district was created in 2003.		 Member of Parliament for Richmond Hill
2004-2011 		Succeeded by
Costas Menegakis