Glenn Thibeault

Glenn Thibeault
MPP
Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament
for Sudbury
Assumed office
February 5, 2015
Preceded by Joe Cimino
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Sudbury
In office
October 14, 2008 – January 5, 2015
Preceded by Diane Marleau
Succeeded by Paul Lefebvre
Personal details
Born (1969-10-23) October 23, 1969
Sudbury, Ontario
Political party Ontario Liberal (2014-present)
Other political
affiliations		 New Democratic (2008-2015)
Spouse(s) Yolanda Thibeault
Profession journalist, executive director

Glenn Thibeault (born October 23, 1969) is a Canadian politician. From 2008 to 2015 he represented the federal electoral district of Sudbury in the Canadian House of Commons as a member of the New Democratic Party.

On December 16, 2014, Thibeault announced that he would be resigning from the House of Commons in order to run for the provincial Ontario Liberal Party in a by-election in the provincial riding of Sudbury for a seat in the Ontario legislature after being recruited by Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne. His resignation became official on January 5, 2015, shortly before Wynne called the by-election.[1][2][3] He won the by-election on February 5, 2015.[4]

Background

Thibeault was born in Sudbury, and was a newscaster and reporter at local stations CIGM and CJRQ during the 1990s. He later graduated from the developmental services worker program at Cambrian College, and was hired as a behavioural consultant for the West Vancouver School Board in British Columbia. He worked for five years as coordinator at the Mainstream Association for Pro-Active Community Living in Vancouver, and returned to Sudbury in 2003 to become campaign director of the United Way of Sudbury and District.[5] In June 2005, he was promoted to executive director.[6] The United Way held several successful campaigns in this period, increasing its total from $1.3 million in 2003 to $2.3 million in 2007.[7]

Federal politics

Thibeault won the New Democratic Party's Sudbury nomination in September 2008, after the resignation of previously nominated candidate Gerry McIntaggart and the withdrawal of Dave Battaino from the contest.[8] He received endorsements from the Sudbury Star newspaper, the Sudbury and District Labour Council and United Steelworkers of America Local 2020, and won an upset victory over six-term Liberal Party incumbent Diane Marleau.[9]

The Conservative Party won a minority government in this election, and Thibeault entered parliament as a member of the opposition. He was appointed as his party's critic for consumer protection and amateur sport in late November 2008.[10] Along with other New Democratic Party MPs, he later called for an investigation into the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's handling of tainted milk that was sold in Sudbury and other parts of Ontario.[11] Thibeault supported a planned coalition government of Liberals and New Democrats in late 2008, and wrote an editorial describing Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper as a "coward" for proroguing parliament when it appeared his government would be defeated by the coalition in a motion of non-confidence.[12] The coalition was abandoned when Michael Ignatieff became Liberal Party leader, and decided to support the Conservative government's January 2009 budget.

Thibeault called on the federal government to regulate interest rates and fees on credit cards and debit cards in March 2009, describing existing rates as "out of control" and a hindrance to consumers and businesses during an economic downturn.[13] Finance Minister Jim Flaherty later announced that his government would launch an education campaign and provide for increased disclosure on credit-card statements, but would not regulate rates. Thibeault described this as "disappointing".[14] On June 18, 2010, Thibeault introduced a private member's bill to cap annual interest rates on credit cards to no more than five per cent above the current Bank of Canada target for overnight rates.[15]

Thibeault also introduced a private member's bill in April 2009 to ensure the cost of Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) and Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) for autistic persons is provided by health insurance programs in every province.[16] He later introduced another private bill to have the third Saturday in June recognized as Emergency Services Appreciation Day in Canada.[17]

Thibeault stood with striking workers from Vale Inco in the summer of 2009, and criticized Industry Minister Tony Clement's announcement that the federal government would not intervene to stop job and production cuts in Sudbury.[18] He called for Clement's resignation after the minister stated that Vale had "saved Sudbury" from becoming a "Valley of Death" by purchasing Inco in 2006.[19] He also protested cuts to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Northern Ontario radio services in this period.[20]

Thibeault, as the New Democrat critic for Sport, has been instrumental in raising national awareness about the very serious increase of violence in amateur sport and the ongoing concussion epidemic plaguing amateur hockey. He called for a Royal Commission to study violence in sports in February 2010; his call has been echoed by others, including Jaime Watt, a conservative strategist.[21] In February 2011, Thibeault introduced Bill C-616, calling for a national strategy to reduce the incidence of serious injury in amateur sport.[22]

He was successfully re-elected in the 2011 election.[23] The next year he supported Thomas Mulcair's successful bid to become leader of the NDP.[2] Thibeault served as caucus chairperson from April 2014 until resigning on December 2, 2014 citing family reasons.[2][24]

Provincial politics

Thibeault supported Gilles Bisson's bid to lead the Ontario New Democratic Party at its 2009 leadership convention.[25]

Following the resignation of Ontario NDP Sudbury Member of Provincial Parliament Joe Cimino, Thibeault announced on December 16, 2014, that he would be resigning as an NDP MP in order to run in the upcoming by-election in the provincial Sudbury riding as the Ontario Liberal Party's candidate after being appointed the party's candidate by Premier Kathleen Wynne.[2] His appointment faced some controversy when Andrew Olivier, the party's candidate in the 2014 election, alleged that he had been offered a job or appointment by party strategists in exchange for withdrawing his candidacy from the nomination contest.[26]

Thibeault is now Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.[27]

Electoral record

Ontario provincial by-election, February 5, 2015: Sudbury
Resignation of Joe Cimino
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
LiberalGlenn Thibeault 10,618 41.21 -1.03
New DemocraticSuzanne Shawbonquit 9,026 35.03 -4.31
IndependentAndrew Olivier 3,183 12.35 –
Progressive ConservativePaula Peroni 1,927 7.48 -6.32
GreenDavid Robinson 822 3.19 -0.40
PauperJohn Turmel 85 0.33 –
People's Political PartyJean-Raymond Audet 39 0.15 –
IndependentJ. David Popescu 24 0.09 -0.22
IndependentEd Pokonzie 22 0.09 –
IndependentJames Waddell 21 0.08 –
Total valid votes 25,780
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 1440.56
Turnout 25,911
Liberal gain from New Democratic Swing +1.63
Independent candidate Andrew Olivier lost 27.02 percentage points from the 2014 election, when he ran as a Liberal.
Canadian federal election, 2011
Party Candidate Votes%∆%Expenditures
New DemocraticGlenn Thibeault 22,684 49.9 – –
ConservativeFred Slade 12,916 28.4 – –
LiberalCarol Hartman 8,172 18.0 – –
GreenFrederick Twilley 1,349 3.0 – –
First Peoples NationalWill Morin 228 0.5 – –
IndependentDavid Popescu 116 0.3 – –
Total valid votes – 100.0%–
Canadian federal election, 2008: Sudbury
Party Candidate Votes%∆%Expenditures
New DemocraticGlenn Thibeault 15,094 35.15 +3.20 $71,329
LiberalDiane Marleau 12,969 30.20 −11.37 $50,177
ConservativeGerry Labelle 11,073 25.79 +4.11 $85,730
GreenGordon Harris 3,330 7.75 +5.02 $8,704
First Peoples NationalWill Morin 397 0.92 $0
IndependentDavid Popescu 80 0.19 +0.08 $148
Total valid votes/Expense limit 42,943100.00$82,461
Total rejected ballots 1920.45−0.03
Turnout 43,13558.51−7.48
Electors on the lists 73,724
Note: italicized expenditure totals refer to data that has not yet been finalized by Elections Canada.

References

  1. ↑ "NDP MP defects to run for Wynne's Liberals in Sudbury". December 16, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "NDP's Glenn Thibeault to defect to Ontario Liberals: Wynne". CBC News. December 16, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Kathleen Wynne calls Sudbury byelection for Feb. 5". Toronto Star. January 7, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Sudbury decides to go red, despite controversy". Northern Life. February 5, 2015.
  5. ↑ Lara Bradley, "United Way director glad to be back home", Sudbury Star, 10 September 2003, A1.
  6. ↑ "United Way to get new boss", Sudbury Star, 10 June 2005, A3.
  7. ↑ Rachel Punch, "'It was a team approach'", Sudbury Star, 11 October 2003, A3.
  8. ↑ Rachel Punch, "Parties ready for fall vote", Sudbury Star, 29 August 2008, A1; "Thibeault lone NDP contender", Sudbury Star, 30 August 2008, A3.
  9. ↑ "Thibeault in Sudbury" [editorial], Sudbury Star, 11 October 2008, A10; "NDP candidates get council's nod", Sudbury Star, 13 October 2008, A3; "Vote NDP, say Steelworkers", Sudbury Star, 14 October 2008, A2; Denis St. Pierre, "Sudbury goes orange", Sudbury Star, 15 October 2008, A1.
  10. ↑ "Thibeault named to NDP posts", Sudbury Star, 26 November 2008, A3.
  11. ↑ Lara Bradley, "Federal agency concealed tainted milk: MPs", Sudbury Star, 29 November 2008, A1; Rachel Punch, "Milk contained steel powder", Sudbury Star, 9 December 2008, A1.
  12. ↑ Glenn Thibeault, "Prime Minister a coward" [editorial], Sudbury Star, 5 December 2008, A11.
  13. ↑ Rita Trichur, "MPs press for curbs on credit card firms", Toronto Star, 12 March 2009, B4; "POLL SHOWS THAT CANADIANS SUPPORT NEW DEMOCRAT PROPOSAL TO PROTECT CONSUMERS" [press release], States News Service, 27 March 2009; "NEW DEMOCRATS TABLE PLAN FOR CREDIT CARD RELIEF" [press release], States News Service, 22 April 2009.
  14. ↑ Sarah Schmidt, "New regulations on credit cards needed, but users must wise up, too -- Flaherty", Edmonton Journal, 9 May 2009, G8; Rita Trichur, "Credit-card firms ordered to come clean with clients", Toronto Star, 21 May 2009, A1; "CONSERVATIVES FAIL TO STOP CREDIT CARD FLEECING" [press release], States News Service, 21 May 2009.
  15. ↑ ``http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=4329978&Language=e&Mode=1&File=30``
  16. ↑ "Federal Autism Legislation, Bill C-360, a 'Step in the Right Direction' [press release]". Market News. April 15, 2009.
  17. ↑ "MP wants to recognize emergency response workers". Sudbury Star. July 17, 2009. p. A3.
  18. ↑ "MPs blast government over jobs". Sudbury Star. June 11, 2009. p. A3.
  19. ↑ Mulligan, Carol (July 21, 2009). "Calls erupt for Clement's resignation". Sudbury Star. p. A1.
  20. ↑ "Fuming over funding cuts". Timmins Daily Press. March 30, 2009. p. A5.
  21. ↑ "Watt: Royal Commission needed on hockey violence". cbc.ca. March 16, 2011.
  22. ↑ "New Democrats applaud talks to curb concussion epidemic". New Democratic Party of Canada. March 15, 2011.
  23. ↑ "Riding results from across Canada". Edmonton Journal. May 3, 2011. p. A6.
  24. ↑ http://www.parl.gc.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/Glenn-Thibeault(59047)/Roles
  25. ↑ "NDP candidate nets support". Sudbury Star. February 6, 2009. p. A3.
  26. ↑ "Sudbury byelection candidate Andrew Olivier says tapes show Liberals discussed ‘jobs’ with him". Toronto Star. January 15, 2015.
  27. ↑ Fisher, Robert (March 9, 2015). "Adding up a scandal: the Sudbury byelection by the numbers: A rundown of how Sudbury-obsessed Queen's Park has become". CBC News.

External links

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