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John Williamson (Canadian politician)

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John Williamson
MP
Member of Parliament
for New Brunswick Southwest
Incumbent
Assumed office
October 21, 2019
Preceded byKaren Ludwig
In office
May 2, 2011 – October 19, 2015
Preceded byGreg Thompson
Succeeded byKaren Ludwig
Chair of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts
In office
March 1, 2022 – January 6, 2025
Preceded byTom Kmiec
Director of Communications to the
Prime Minister of Canada
In office
August 2009 – March 2010
Preceded byKory Teneycke
Succeeded byDimitri Soudas
Personal details
Born (1970-01-30) January 30, 1970 (age 55)
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Political partyConservative
Spouse
​
(m. 2013)​
[1]
Children1
ResidenceSaint Andrews, New Brunswick[2]

John S. L. Williamson MP (born January 30, 1970) is a Canadian politician who represents the riding of New Brunswick Southwest in the House of Commons of Canada as a member of the Conservative Party of Canada. He was first elected in the 2011 Canadian federal election,[3] and served until his defeat in 2015. In 2019, he won his seat back by defeating the Liberal incumbent Karen Ludwig[4] and was re-elected in 2021.[5]

Education

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Williamson graduated from Fredericton High School, and then McGill University with a degree in economics and political science. He later went on to receive a master's degree in economic history at the London School of Economics.[6]

Arms

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Mr. Williamson is an heraldic heir, entitled to inherit a coat of arms. [2].

Early career

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Williamson joined the National Post as an editorial writer and was a founding member of the newspaper's editorial board (1998-2001)[7] before moving on to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation in September 2002. After opening up the organization's Toronto office, as provincial director for Ontario, he was promoted to federal director in January 2004. He remained in this position until his departure from the CTF in September 2008.[8][9]

In 2009, Williamson was hired by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to become director of communications in the PMO and oversaw government-wide communications. He stepped down in 2010 in order to prepare his campaign after deciding to run in the 2011 Canadian federal election, and was succeeded as director of communications by Dimitri Soudas.

Member of Parliament

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As a Member of Parliament, Williamson has focused on issues relating to protecting taxpayer funds from waste and corruption, development of natural resources, crime reduction, and protecting firearms ownership.

Policy positions

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Sunshine lists

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Williamson has called repeatedly for the creation of a federal Sunshine list that would publish the salary information of public servants who earn over $100,000 per year, as is done in some provinces.[10] For example, Williamson seconded Brent Rathgeber's Private Member's Bill C-461[11] when the bill was first introduced[12] and then upon reintroduction.[13] This bill would have required the public disclosure of the names and salaries of every federal employee earning in excess of $188,000. Williamson suggested that the threshold should be set at $157,000, the rate of pay of MPs at the time.[14]

Bill C-30

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On multiple occasions, Williamson has spoken up against his own government policies, such as Bill C-30,[15] a bill that ignited controversy about online anonymity and was eventually withdrawn.[16]

Natural resource development

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Williamson is also responsible for creating public calls for an oil pipeline from Alberta to Saint John, New Brunswick that would carry undistilled petroleum product to the east and across the St. Lawrence River for refining at the J. D. Irving plant.[17]

Opposition to Bev Oda's travel expenses

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On June 1, 2012 a story about Williamson's dismay in regard to International Cooperation Minister Bev Oda's travel expense claims surfaced in a CBC article.[18] Williamson stated that he had brought the claims up in a caucus meeting but would not specify what he said due to caucus confidentiality. A member of his staff did, however, mention it could be taken in context of Williamson's past days as the National Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

Warawa affair

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In March 2013 Williamson joined several backbench Conservative MPs in speaking to a point of privilege launched by MP Mark Warawa to the Speaker. Williamson advocated to increase the freedom of individual MPs to speak in the House of Commons by encouraging the Speaker to recognize any MP who wishes to make a Member's statement and also to pose a question in Question Period. The practice of the Speaker up to that point had been to recognize MPs who were allocated speaking spots by each party's leadership.[19]

Chair of Public Accounts Committee

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On March 1, 2022, Williamson was elected Chair of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.[20]

Under Williamson, the Public Accounts Committee studied a wide range of issues, most notably the outsourcing on government contracts related to ArriveCAN,[21] the investigation into conflicts of interest at Sustainable Development Technology Canada,[22] and audits of the government's COVID-19 programs.[23]

On December 27, 2024, Williamson used his ability as chair to schedule a committee meeting on January 7, 2025, to discuss "a motion of non-confidence in the Liberal Government."[24] However, the day before the scheduled meeting, Justin Trudeau prorogued Parliament, cancelling all business of the House, including scheduled committee meetings.[25]

Canada-China Committee

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In 2019, two scientists, Xiangguo Qiu and her husband, Keding Cheng, were escorted out of the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) in Winnipeg and had their security clearances revoked. Four months prior, Qui had sent samples of deadly viruses, inclusing Ebola and Henipah, to China without proper authorization. This led to investigations by the RCMP and CSIS.[26]

Having previously served on the Special Committee on Canada-China Relations, Williamson was selected to be the Conservative member on an ad hoc committee to examine documents relating to the NML, along with Liberal MP Iqra Khalid, Bloc Quebecois MP René Villemure, and NDP MP Heather McPherson.[27]

On February 19, 2024, the ad hoc committee sent their report to the house leaders of each recognized party in the House of Commons, stating that "the majority of the PHAC material should be lifted," and "[t]he information appears to be mostly about protecting the organization from embarrassment for failures in policy and implementation, not legitimate national security concerns, and its release is essential to hold the Government to account."[28] The mostly unredacted documents were tabled on February 28, 2024.[29]

According to the documents, Qiu had "intentionally" worked to the benefit of the People's Republic of China, "without regard for the implications to her employer or to Canada's interests." It also noted her "reckless judgement regarding decisions that could have impacted public safety and the interests of Canada."[30]

Bills sponsored

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Throughout his tenure as MP, Williamson has sponsored two pieces of legislation, both in the 41st Parliament.

Bill C-518, Protecting Taxpayers and Revoking Pensions of Convicted Politicians Act, would have removed pensions from politicians convicted of certain offences in the Criminal Code. [31]

Bill C-519, Ending Gasoline Tax on Tax Act, would have prevented the GST and HST from being levied on provincial or federal excise taxes levied on fuel. [32]

Committee work

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As an MP, Williamson has served on the following committees:

Controversies

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On April 5, 2012, following the Senate vote to scrap the long-gun registry, Williamson quoted Martin Luther King Jr. saying "free at last, free at last", accompanied by cheers by other Conservative MPs.[33]

On March 8, 2015, the media reported that Williamson made this remark about the Temporary Foreign Workers Program: "It makes no sense to pay 'whities' to stay home while we bring in brown people to work in these jobs." Williamson later apologized on Twitter for his "offensive and inappropriate language".[34][35]

In April 2012 Williamson visited Toronto restaurant owner, Naveen Polapady, who was charged by Toronto Police with assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon and administering a noxious substance (a reference to the thrown spices) after allegedly defending his property from a repeated thief using spices from his kitchen. Williamson was quoted[36] as saying "[l]ike a lot of Canadians, when I heard this story I was outraged and concerned that once again the Toronto Police had targeted the wrong individual" referring to the previous case of David Chen who had been charged when he apprehended a thief who had been stealing from his Chinatown store.[37]

Electoral record

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2021 Canadian federal election: New Brunswick Southwest
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Conservative John Williamson 18,309 50.0 +0.8 $75,984.11
Liberal Jason Hickey 8,750 23.9 -1.6 $51,273.87
New Democratic Richard Trevor Warren 4,893 13.4 +5.2 $814.71
People's Meryl Sarty 3,090 8.4 +5.3 $6,020.69
Green John Reist 1,587 4.3 -9.2 $3,397.49
Total valid votes/expense limit 36,629 99.4 – $105,371.47
Total rejected ballots 239 0.6
Turnout 36,868 67.4
Eligible voters 54,730
Conservative hold Swing +1.2
Source: Elections Canada[38]
2019 Canadian federal election: New Brunswick Southwest
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Conservative John Williamson 19,451 49.15 +10.59 $88,037.67
Liberal Karen Ludwig 10,110 25.54 -18.38 $77,377.08
Green Susan Jonah 5,352 13.52 +8.57 $7,039.17
New Democratic Doug Mullin 3,251 8.21 -4.36 $0.00
People's Meryl Sarty 1,214 3.07 - $5,133.77
Veterans Coalition Abe Scott 200 0.51 - $0.00
Total valid votes/expense limit 39,578 100.00    
Total rejected ballots 301 0,75 +0.17
Turnout 39,879 74,46 +0.21
Eligible voters 53,556
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +14.49
Source: Elections Canada[39][40]
2015 Canadian federal election: New Brunswick Southwest
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Karen Ludwig 16,656 43.92 +30.36 $58,390.36
Conservative John Williamson 14,625 38.56 -18.10 $115,782.35
New Democratic Andrew Graham 4,768 12.57 -10.74 $14,930.22
Green Gayla MacIntosh 1,877 4.95 -0.15 $1,331.74
Total valid votes/expense limit 37,926 100.00   $198,596.97
Total rejected ballots 220 0.58 -0.01
Turnout 38,146 74.25 +9.54
Eligible voters 51,376
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +24.23
Source: Elections Canada[41][42]
2011 Canadian federal election: New Brunswick Southwest
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Conservative John Williamson 18,066 56.64 -1.68 $46,347.59
New Democratic Andrew Graham 7,413 23.24 +6.69 $7,703.67
Liberal Kelly Wilson 4,320 13.54 -6.03 $25,159.26
Green Janice Harvey 1,646 5.16 -0.40 $7,546.35
Christian Heritage Jason Farris 450 1.41 – $2,698.60
Total valid votes/expense limit 31,895 100.0     $81,201.04
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 188 0.59 -0.01
Turnout 32,083 64.71 +3.54
Eligible voters 49,578
Conservative hold Swing -4.18
Sources:[43][44]

References

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  1. ^ "John Williamson, MP". Canada Strong and Free Network. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  2. ^ "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  3. ^ Election 2011: New Brunswick Southwest. The Globe and Mail, May 2, 2011.
  4. ^ 2 Conservatives retake the N.B. seats they lost in 2015. CBC News, Oct 22, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  5. ^ 8 out of 10 New Brunswick ridings will get same MP as last time. CBC News, Sep 21, 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  6. ^ "John Williamson, MP". Canada Strong and Free Network. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  7. ^ "About John Williamson". John Williamson MP. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  8. ^ "Canadian Newswire, Media Advisory — John Williamson to leave Canadian Taxpayers Federation". Archived from the original on 2015-05-18. Retrieved 2013-05-16.
  9. ^ Landriault, Sarah (26 May 2008). "John Williamson to leave the Canadian Taxpayers Federation". Western Standard. The Shotgun Blog. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  10. ^ Canada.com, Archived May 18, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ parl.gc.ca: "LEGISInfo - Private Member’s Bill 41st Parliament, 2nd Session, C-461"
  12. ^ parl.gc.ca: "HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA 41st PARLIAMENT, 1st SESSION Journals No. 176 Monday, November 5, 2012 11:00 a.m."
  13. ^ openparliament.ca: "John Williamson on CBC and Public Service Disclosure and Transparency Act", 26 Mar 2013
  14. ^ "Debates (Hansard) No. 229 - March 26, 2013 (41-1) - House of Commons of Canada".
  15. ^ "Facing a backlash, Ottawa moves to retool cybercrime bill". The Globe and Mail. 15 February 2012. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  16. ^ Ibbitson, John (2013-02-11). "Harper government kills controversial Internet surveillance bill". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  17. ^ "Pipe Alberta oil east, New Brunswick MP says". The Chronicle Herald. 6 February 2012. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  18. ^ "Oda's travel expenses cause dissent in Tory caucus". CBC News. 1 June 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  19. ^ "Tory backbenchers plead for greater freedom from Harper's tight grip". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. April 2, 2013.
  20. ^ "Minutes of Proceedings: Public Accounts Committee (Meeting 7, 44th Parliament, 1st Session)". House of Commons of Canada. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  21. ^ Kady O'Malley (12 October 2023). "Auditor general to update MPs on ArriveCAN review". iPolitics. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  22. ^ Christopher Nardi (3 September 2024). "Commons committee calls for second audit on green 'slush fund'". National Post. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  23. ^ Darren Major (2 December 2024). "Federal auditor says pandemic loan program lacked control over contract spending". CBC News. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  24. ^ John Williamson [@JohnWilliamson_] (27 December 2024). "Public Accounts will meet starting January 7..." (Tweet). Retrieved 30 January 2025 – via Twitter.
  25. ^ Sean Boynton (6 January 2025). "Trudeau has prorogued Parliament. Here's what that means". Global News. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  26. ^ Saba Aziz (17 May 2023). "Why were 2 scientists fired from Winnipeg lab? MPs to examine documents". Global News. Retrieved 3 February 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. ^ Hon. Mark Holland (17 May 2023). "Membership of ad hoc committee and Panel of Arbiters is announced". Government of Canada. Retrieved 3 February 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  28. ^ "Winnipeg lab document". Probe International. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  29. ^ "Official Report (Hansard) - Wednesday, February 28, 2024". House of Commons. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  30. ^ "Scientist fired from Winnipeg disease lab intentionally worked to benefit China: CSIS report". CBC News. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  31. ^ "Private Member's Bill 41st Parliament, 2nd Session, C-518". Leginsinfo. 16 October 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  32. ^ "Private Member's Bill 41st Parliament, 2nd Session, C-519". Leginsinfo. 16 October 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  33. ^ Long-Gun Registry: Tory MP John Williamson Quotes Martin Luther King In Speech Celebrating Destruction Of Records (VIDEO). Huffington Post., April 5, 2012.
  34. ^ John Williamson apologizes for 'offensive' comment on temporary workers program. CBC News, Published and retrieved 8 March 2015.
  35. ^ "Chris Selley on John Williamson: Why claim insight into a stranger's character based on a single statement?". National Post. 10 March 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  36. ^ QMI: [1][usurped]
  37. ^ "Toronto Chinatown grocer found not guilty". CBC News. 29 October 2010. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  38. ^ "Confirmed candidates — New Brunswick Southwest". Elections Canada. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  39. ^ "List of confirmed candidates". Elections Canada. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  40. ^ "Election Night Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  41. ^ Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for New Brunswick Southwest, 30 September 2015
  42. ^ Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates
  43. ^ Elections Canada – Official voting results, Forty-first general election, 2011
  44. ^ Elections Canada – Candidate's electoral campaign return, 41st general election
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