Parliamentary Secretaries

THE HONOURABLE JAMES ABBOTT, P.C.

Parliamentary Secretary for Canadian Heritage

Kootenay–Columbia (British Columbia)

James Abbott was first elected to the House of Commons in 1993, and was re-elected in 1997, 2000, 2004 and 2006. On October 15, 2007, he became a member of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Canadian Heritage in February 2006. Mr. Abbott was previously the Critic for Sport, for the Leader of the Government in the Senate, for Canadian Heritage and for the Solicitor General. He has also served on many standing committees, including the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage. Mr. Abbott brings to his work as a parliamentarian a background of sales, marketing and business management with his own firm as well as with small, medium-sized and international businesses. Mr. Abbott and his wife, Jeannette, have three children.

GERALD KEDDY

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

South Shore–St. Margaret's (Nova Scotia)

Gerald Keddy was first elected to the House of Commons in 1997 and was re-elected in 2000, 2004 and 2006. Most recently, Mr. Keddy served as chair of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. He has held numerous positions in previous Parliaments, including Whip of the Progressive Conservative Party. Prior to his career in politics, Mr. Keddy worked as a farmer, a driller in Nova Scotia’s offshore oil industry and a Christmas tree producer and exporter. He is a past president of the Christmas Tree Council of Nova Scotia. Mr. Keddy lives in New Ross, Nova Scotia, with his partner, Judy, and their children.

DEEPAK OBHRAI

Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs

Calgary East (Alberta)

Deepak Obhrai was first elected to the House of Commons in 1997 and was re-elected in 2000, 2004 and 2006. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in February 2006. Previously, Mr. Obhrai served as Critic for Multiculturalism, for International Cooperation, for the Canadian International Development Agency, and for International Trade. Mr. Obhrai is former chair of the Globalization and Competitiveness Task Force. He has served as vice-chair and member of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade and the related Subcommittee on Human Rights. He is the past president of the India-Canada Association, the Monterey Community Association and the Hindu Society of Calgary, and vice-president of the National Indo/Canadian Council. Mr. Obhrai and his wife, Neena, have three children.

BRIAN PALLISTER

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade and to the Minister of International Cooperation 

Portage–Lisgar (Manitoba)

Brian Pallister was first elected to the House of Commons in 2000 and was re-elected in 2004 and 2006. Mr. Pallister has served on several House of Commons committees and was the Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance. In Opposition, he served as the Senior Opposition Critic for several portfolios. Previous to his career in federal politics, Mr. Pallister was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba where he served as the Minister of Government Services and as chair of the Advisory Panel on Business Regulations. Before entering politics, Mr. Pallister taught in a high school in rural Manitoba and later founded Pallister Insurance and Financial Services. Mr. Pallister was born and raised on a fourth generation family farm southwest of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. He and his wife, Esther, have two children.

DAVID L. ANDERSON

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and for the Canadian Wheat Board

Cypress Hills–Grasslands (Saskatchewan)

David Anderson was first elected to the House of Commons in 2000 and was re-elected in 2004 and 2006. Mr. Anderson was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for the Canadian Wheat Board in February 2006. He has also served as a member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food. In Opposition, he served as Critic for the Canadian Wheat Board. Mr. Anderson has a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Regina and a Master’s of Divinity from the Canadian Theological Seminary. Mr. Anderson was born in 1957 and has been a resident of Frontier, Saskatchewan, for most of his life. He is married to Sheila and they have two children. 


BETTY HINTON

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs

Kamloops–Thompson–Cariboo (British Columbia)

Betty Hinton was first elected to the House of Commons in 2000 and was re-elected in 2004 and 2006. She was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs in February 2006. Previously, Ms. Hinton served as Critic for Veterans Affairs, for Public Health, for Status of Women and for Multiculturalism. Ms. Hinton has been vice-chair of the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs and a member of the standing committees on Veterans Affairs, on National Defence, on Status of Women, on Health and on Canadian Heritage. In February 2004, she became the Deputy Speaker of the House following a unanimous vote by all parties. She is also a recipient of the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in Public Affairs. Ms. Hinton lives in Kamloops. She is married to Jamie and they have two children.



JAMES MOORE

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works and Government Services and for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics 

Port Moody–Westwood–Port Coquitlam (British Columbia)

James Moore was first elected to the House of Commons in 2000 and was re-elected in 2004 and 2006. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works and Government Services in February 2006 and assigned additional responsibilities for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics in April 2006. Previously, Mr. Moore served as Critic for Transport. His parliamentary experience also includes periods as Critic for Sport, for Public Works and Government Services, and Deputy Critic for Foreign Affairs and National Revenue. Mr. Moore has been a member of the standing committees on Government Operations and Estimates, on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, and on Environment and Sustainable Development. Mr. Moore was born in New Westminster and raised in Coquitlam. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Northern British Columbia.

LYNNE YELICH

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development

Blackstrap (Saskatchewan)

Lynne Yelich was first elected to the House of Commons in 2000 and was re-elected in 2004 and 2006. She was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development in February 2006. Previously, Ms. Yelich was a member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities. Ms. Yelich has also been a member of the standing committees on the Status of Women, on Transport, on Government Operations and Estimates, and on Citizenship and Immigration. Prior to her election, she was the executive assistant to the Member of Parliament for Blackstrap. Ms. Yelich was born in 1953 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She is married to Matt and is the mother of two daughters.   


COLIN CARRIE

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry
Oshawa (Ontario)

Colin Carrie was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004 and was re-elected in 2006. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry in February 2006. He has been a member of the standing committees on Industry, Science and Technology, and on Health. Dr. Carrie has been a vocal advocate for Hepatitis C patients, and families dealing with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Prior to his election, he was the co-owner and operator of a chiropractic clinic in Oshawa, Ontario. Dr. Carrie has a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Waterloo and is a graduate of the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College where he earned a doctor of chiropractic medicine degree. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have three children.



STEVEN JOHN FLETCHER

Parliamentary Secretary for Health

Charleswood–St. James–Assiniboia (Manitoba)

Steven Fletcher was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004 and re-elected in 2006. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Health in February 2006. Previously, he served as the Official Opposition Critic for Health and was a member of the Standing Committee on Health. Prior to his election, Mr. Fletcher worked as an engineer in the mining industry until an automobile collision with a moose left him paralyzed from the neck down. Afterwards, he returned to university where he obtained a Master’s in Business Administration. Mr. Fletcher was twice elected president of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba and has played a leading role in many community organizations. He is also the recipient of Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee Medal, the King Clancy Award and is a Terry Fox Hall of Fame inductee. He is the first permanently disabled Canadian to be elected to the House of Commons. He was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1972, and he lives in Winnipeg.  


RUSS HIEBERT

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification

South Surrey–White Rock–Cloverdale (British Columbia)

Russ Hiebert was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004 and was re-elected in 2006. Previously, Mr. Hiebert was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence in February 2006. He has also served as a member of several House of Commons standing committees, including the standing committees on National Defence and on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities. Prior to being elected, Mr. Hiebert practised law and owned a software company.  He is a member of the Law Society of British Columbia. In 2006 and again in 2007, Mr. Hiebert was elected chair of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Originally from Steinbach, Manitoba, he is married to Andrea and they have one daughter. 

 

BRIAN JEAN

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities

Fort McMurray–Athabasca (Alberta)

Brian Jean was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004 and re-elected in 2006. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in February 2006. Most recently, he served as a member of the standing committees on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, on Environment and Sustainable Development and as a member of the legislative committees on Bills C-30 and C-38. Prior to his election, he practised law and was an instructor at Keyano College, an entrepreneur and a publisher. He has a Bachelor of Science degree and a law degree. He also has a Master’s in Business Administration. He was chair of the Alberta Summer Games and president of the Fort McMurray Downtown Business Association as well as a director of the local chamber of commerce and honorary chair of the Children’s Health Foundation. Mr. Jean was born in 1963 in Kelowna, British Columbia.


RANDY KAMP

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

Pitt Meadows–Maple Ridge–Mission (British Columbia)

Randy Kamp was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004 and was re-elected in 2006. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans in February 2006. Most recently, he has been a member of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans and has been actively involved in the issue of the Fraser River sockeye fishery. Mr. Kamp was also the chair of the Conservative Party Caucus Task Force on Crystal Meth. He and his family lived in the Philippines where he was the regional director for an organization doing linguistic work among minority language communities. He was born in 1953 in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, and has a bachelor’s degree in theology. Mr. Kamp and his wife, Ruth, have three children.

 

ED KOMARNICKI

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

Souris–Moose Mountain (Saskatchewan)

Ed Komarnicki was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004 and was re-elected in 2006. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration in February 2006. Previously, he served as Critic for Housing and Labour. He has been a member of the standing committees on Citizenship and Immigration and on Human Resources, Skills Development, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities. Prior to his election, Mr. Komarnicki was a practising lawyer and chaired the Saskatchewan Law Society’s branch on professional standards, on legislation and policy, and on equity diversity. He also served as vice-chair of the society’s discipline committee. He was born and raised in rural Saskatchewan. Mr. Komarnicki and his wife have eight children.

GUY LAUZON

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario

Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry (Ontario)

Guy Lauzon was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004 and was re-elected in 2006. Mr. Lauzon has served as a member of several House of Commons standing committees and was chair of the Standing Committee on Official Languages. He was also Deputy Government Whip, and in Opposition served as Critic for the Treasury Board and Official Languages. Prior to being elected, Mr. Lauzon had a distinguished career in the federal public service and in the agriculture industry. Mr. Lauzon was born and educated in Stormont, Dundas and South Glengarry. He is active in the community and has been both a member and chair of numerous boards and organizing committees. 
 


TOM LUKIWSKI

Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform

Regina–Lumsden–Lake Centre (Saskatchewan)

Tom Lukiwski was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004 and was re-elected in 2006. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform in February 2006. Mr. Lukiwski has served on the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. Prior to his election, he was general manager of the Saskatchewan Party from 1997 to 2004. In addition to operating a small business, he has been an active volunteer in his community. He served as chair for the Peter Gzowski Fundraiser for Literacy, and played key roles with the Bill Clarke fundraiser in support of the fight against Parkinson’s disease, the 1992 Labatt Brier and Skate Canada 1989. He was also a member of the marketing board of directors for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Mr. Lukiwski was born in 1951 and is married to Diane. They have two children.

 

DAVE MACKENZIE

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety

Oxford (Ontario)

Dave MacKenzie was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004 and re-elected in 2006. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety in February 2006. Previously, he served as Critic for National Defence. He has also served as a member of the standing committees on Public Safety and National Security and on National Defence and Veterans Affairs. From 1967 to 1997, Mr. MacKenzie served as a constable, detective, inspector, deputy chief and chief of police with the Woodstock City Police. He retired from the police force in 1997. Mr. MacKenzie is actively involved in his community and has worked extensively with the Woodstock General Hospital Foundation and the Woodstock Seniors Centre. He was born in 1947, and lives in Woodstock, Ontario, with his wife, Lynda. They have three children. 


TED MENZIES

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance

Macleod (Alberta)

Ted Menzies was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004 and was re-elected in 2006. Mr. Menzies was first appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation in February 2006 and re-appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade and to the Minister of International Cooperation in January 2007. He has also served on a number of House of Commons standing committees, including the Standing Committee on International Trade. In Opposition, Mr. Menzies was the Critic for Inter-Provincial Trade, International Cooperation and the Canadian International Development Agency. He was also president of the Canadian Agri-Food and Trade Alliance and vice-president of the Grain Growers of Canada. Mr. Menzies was born in Claresholm, Alberta, where he has owned and operated a farm for over 30 years. He and his wife, Sandy, have two children.

 

ROB MOORE

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Fundy Royal (New Brunswick)

Rob Moore was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004 and was re-elected in 2006. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada in February 2006. Previously, he served as Critic for Agriculture and Agri-Food and as a member of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. He was also a member of the Legislative Committee on Bill C-38, the Civil Marriage Act, and a member of the Subcommittee on the process for appointment to the Federal Judiciary. From 2001 to 2003, Mr. Moore was the justice policy adviser in the Office of the Leader of the Opposition.  He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a bachelor of laws degree from the University of New Brunswick. He was called to the New Brunswick Bar in June 2000. Mr. Moore was born in 1974 in Gander, Newfoundland.


PIERRE POILIEVRE

Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board

Nepean–Carleton (Ontario)

Pierre Poilievre was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004 and re-elected in 2006. Mr. Poilievre was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board in February 2006. Previously, he has been a member of the standing committees on Public Accounts and on Government Operations and Estimates and also served as the Vice-Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Official Languages. Mr. Poilievre owned and operated a communications and market research firm before taking his seat in Parliament. He was born in Calgary, Alberta, in 1979 and studied international relations at the University of Calgary, where he received debating and model diplomacy awards. A resident of Ottawa, he is a member of the Royal Canadian Legion.

MARK WARAWA

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment

Langley (British Columbia)

Mark Warawa was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004 and re-elected in 2006. Mr. Warawa was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment in February 2006. Previously, he has served as a member of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. He was a municipal councillor and a regional district director for 13 years. Mr. Warawa has 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur. He was born in 1950. He and his wife, Diane, live in Langley and have five children.



SYLVIE BOUCHER

Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and for Status of Women

Beauport–Limoilou (Quebec)

Sylvie Boucher was first elected to the House of Commons in 2006.  Ms. Boucher was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister in February 2006 and assigned additional responsibilities for La Francophonie and Official Languages in April 2006. Since being elected, Ms. Boucher has served on a number of House of Commons standing committees, including the standing committees on Official Languages and on Canadian Heritage. Ms. Boucher has studied in a wide variety of fields, including gerontology, literature, and office systems and information technology. She has worked in the private sector, specializing in marketing and sales, and moved to politics where she assumed various roles in the Quebec National Assembly, including on the staff of the Quebec Minister of Tourism. Ms. Boucher is an active member of a number of community groups. She has two teenage daughters. 
 


ROD BRUINOOGE

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians

Winnipeg South (Manitoba)

Rod Bruinooge was first elected to the House of Commons in 2006. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians in February 2006. Previously, Mr. Bruinooge served as a member of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. Prior to his election, he owned a consulting firm and was, until recently, executive director of the Winnipeg International Film Festival. He has also been a director of the River View Health Centre and the Manitoba Children’s Museum and a member of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. He has a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Manitoba. Mr. Bruinooge, an Aboriginal Canadian, was born in 1973 and is originally from Thompson, in northern Manitoba.
 


JACQUES GOURDE

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

Lotbinière–Chutes-de-la-Chaudière (Québec)

Jacques Gourde was elected to the House of Commons for the first time in 2006. In February 2006, Mr. Gourde was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, and in January 2007, he was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources. He has served on several House of Commons standing committees, including the standing committees on Natural Resources and on Agriculture and Agri-Food. Mr. Gourde has a diploma in farm management and until recently was a producer and exporter of hay in Saint-Narcisse de Beaurivage. He was president of the Development Committee of Saint-Narcisse and parish council church warden for six years. Mr. Gourde and his wife, Chantal, have five children.

 

LAURIE HAWN

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence

Edmonton Centre (Alberta) 

Laurie Hawn was first elected to the House of Commons in 2006. Over the past year, Mr. Hawn has served on numerous House of Commons committees, including the standing committees on National Defence, and on Public Safety and National Security, and as chair of the Legislative Committee on Bill C-30. Previous to his career in federal politics, Mr. Hawn had a distinguished career in the Royal Canadian Air Force. During his 30 years of service, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel before retiring in 1994. He also served an additional five years as Honourary Colonel of the 417 Combat Support Squadron. Upon retirement, Mr. Hawn entered the financial services business. He is a founding member of the Investment Advisors Association of Canada. Mr. Hawn was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He has been married for 38 years to Judy and they have two children.

PIERRE LEMIEUX

Parliamentary Secretary for Official Languages

Glengarry–Prescott–Russell (Ontario)

Mr. Lemieux was first elected to the House of Commons in 2006. Over the past year, he has sat on a number of standing committees of the House of Commons, including the standing committees on International Trade and on Official Languages. Recently, Mr. Lemieux was Deputy Government Whip. In 2006, he had the honour of being selected by the Prime Minister to give the first speech in the 39th Parliament, moving the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne. Mr. Lemieux began his career as an officer in the Canadian Forces where he served for 20 years before retiring at the senior rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He is also a professional engineer and is certified with the Project Management Institute. After working as a manager in the high tech sector, he started his own company offering project management and consulting services. Mr. Lemieux is married and has five children.   

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