Departmental Officials

The Honourable Greg Thompson
Minister of Veterans Affairs

When most Canadian boys were dreaming about playing in the National Hockey League, Greg Thompson grew up with his own goal of one day representing his province in the House of Commons. He realized his dream in 1988, when he was first elected to serve as an MP in Prime Minister Brian Mulroney's government.

He is now into his fifth term as the Conservative MP for New Brunswick Southwest, a largely rural and sprawling riding that runs along the international border with the United States. Minister Thompson likes to proudly point out that he is the only Member of Parliament who must travel through a foreign country to reach a portion of his riding – a novelty which occurs each time he goes to Campobello Island, through the American state of Maine.

This geographical reality has also helped make Minister Thompson a leading voice on Canada-U.S. issues and relations. His peers recognized this expertise in November 2004 by electing him co-chair of the prestigious Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group, which is dedicated to promoting better understanding on issues of common interest to legislators from both countries.

Among his numerous cross-border accomplishments, Minister Thompson was instrumental in founding the non-partisan New Brunswick-Maine Trade Corridor Committee, which has successfully lobbied for the building of a third international bridge and other border improvements between St. Stephen, New Brunswick and Calais, Maine.

During his distinguished 15-year parliamentary career, Minister Thompson has championed many other local and national causes, and worked on a wide range of parliamentary portfolios from health care to regional economic development and human resources.

As Minister of Veterans Affairs, he has earned high praise for his commitment to the care of our Veterans and recognition for their great sacrifices and achievements. He uses every speaking opportunity to express his deep admiration for Canada's Veterans, ordinary men and women who have done extraordinary things.

"Our men and women in uniform forged this nation's identity on the distant battlefields of a past century," Minister Thompson said in a Veterans' Week speech to Parliament. "Our Veterans have willingly stood in the face of oppression and tyranny to protect the values that all Canadians cherish: Freedom, Democracy and the Rule of Law."

He added that current Canadian Forces members are carrying on this proud tradition in military and peacekeeping operations around the world.

"Regardless of our political stripes, or where we come from, we all agree that our men and women in uniform are the best in the world," Minister Thompson said to loud applause in the House of Commons. "They are the best trained, the most professional and the most disciplined. And they have always committed themselves – 100 per cent – to the mission."

Minister Thompson is also the Regional Minister for New Brunswick. Since his appointment to the federal cabinet, he has visited all corners of the province to support worthy development projects and to hear the concerns, needs and priorities of fellow New Brunswickers.

At home in his riding, Minister Thompson is committed to providing leadership on the files and issues important to his constituents, and he has been active with a number of local initiatives and committees. He has served on the boards of such groups as Theatre New Brunswick, the Charlotte County Hospital and the New Brunswick Drug and Alcohol Dependency Commission.

He obtained his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Prior to politics, he was a teacher and a financial planner.

He is married to Linda and they have two sons: Gregory and Christian.