Tom Lukiwski

Tom Lukiwski
MP
Member of Parliament
for Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan
Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre (2004-2015)
Assumed office
June 28, 2004
Preceded by Larry Spencer
Chairman of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates
Assumed office
February 16, 2016
Preceded by Pat Martin
Personal details
Born (1951-10-05) October 5, 1951
Esterhazy, Saskatchewan
Political party Conservative
Spouse(s) Diane Lukiwiski
Residence Regina, Saskatchewan
Profession small business owner, political administrator

Tom Lukiwski (born October 5, 1951) is a Canadian politician. He is the current Conservative Member of Parliament for the Saskatchewan riding of Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan. Born in Esterhazy, Saskatchewan, he was a businessman and political administrator.

Political career

Lukiwski was first elected in 2004, winning by 122 votes over Liberal Gary J. Anderson. His predecessor, Larry Spencer, was denied the opportunity to run as a Conservative, despite having served as a member of the Canadian Alliance, due to inflammatory comments he made regarding homosexuality. At the time, Lukiwski criticized Spencer for making the remarks and approved of revoking Spencer's party membership.[1]

Lukiwski was re-elected in the 2006, 2008, and 2011 general elections. He served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, the Hon. Peter Van Loan.[2]

Filibustering

Lukiwski is well known on Parliament Hill for his ability to stall Parliamentary Committee business by "filibustering".[3][4] An example of this ability includes speaking for almost 120 minutes to prevent the Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development from studying a private member's bill to implement the Kyoto Accord on October 26, 2006.[5][6][7] Lukiwski admitted later that he deliberately stalled the proceedings.[8] Further examples include the February 5, 2008 and February 7, 2008 Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs meetings, in which Lukiwski blocked any inquiry into allegations that the Conservative Party spent over the maximum allowable campaign limits during the 2006 election.[9][10][11][12][13]

Equalization

As an Opposition MP, Lukiwski argued that non-renewable natural resource revenues, such as revenues from oil and gas, should be excluded from the calculations of the equalization formula. Despite acknowledging that Saskatchewan was no longer a "have-not" province,[14] Lukiwski estimated that Saskatchewan would be between $800 million to $1.5 billion wealthier each year if non-renewable resources were removed from the equalization formula.[15][16]

On March 22, 2005, Lukiwski introduced a motion into the House of Commons calling for changes to the equalization formula.[17] During his speech introducing the motion, Lukiwski stated that "[w]hat we are asking today in this motion is that the non-renewable natural resources should be removed from the equalization formula."[18]

Lukiwski, along with the Conservatives, promised during the 2006 federal election that a Conservative government would remove non-renewable natural resource revenue from the equalization formula.[19] On January 19, 2006, only days before the 2006 election, Lukiwski stated that Saskatchewan would be "$2 to 2.5 billion wealthier each and every year" as a result of the changes.[20]

However, once elected, the Conservatives began to indicate that any future equalization program changes would not necessarily be what was promised.[21][22]

In the federal budget introduced on March 19, 2007, the Conservatives introduced changes to the equalization system which imposed caps on payments. This resulted in Saskatchewan not being able to retain 100% of its non-renewable resource revenue.[23][24] Lukiwski acknowledged that the Conservative changes did not exactly fulfill the Conservative's promise with the changes,[25][26] stating "If you want to say we didn't fulfil the commitment or keep our promise, fair enough."[27]

The 2007 federal budget passed with the support of the Bloc Québécois.

Videotape controversy

On April 3, 2008, the New Democratic Party of Saskatchewan released a videotape showing Lukiwski, then 40 years old, making homophobic remarks in 1991. At the time the videotape was made, Lukiwski was the general manager of the Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan led by Grant Devine.[28] In the video, he says:

"There's A's and there's B's. The A's are guys like me, the B's are homosexual faggots with dirt under their fingernails that transmit diseases."[29][30]

The release of the tape provoked immediate controversy, including calls for Lukiwski's resignation or removal as a Parliamentary Secretary.[31][32][33][34][35]

Lukiwski apologized for the comments, saying "If I could take those comments back I would... They do not reflect the type of person that I am."[28]

Lukiwski subsequently promised that "I can assure you, Mr. Speaker, and all of my colleagues in this House that I will spend the rest of my career and my life trying to make up for those shameful comments."[36]

However, he failed to attend a May 31, 2008 Regina gay pride parade to which he was invited. Gay groups said they were disappointed that Lukiwski failed to respond at all to the invitation. "Mr. Lukiwski stated in his public apology... that he would spend the rest of his life making amends," said gay pride spokesman Nathan Markwart. "Well, when exactly does that kick in? "It is clear that his apology is less than sincere and is, in fact, hollow as it has not been followed up with any concerted effort to join our celebrations as an elected official who represents gays and lesbians in Regina and surrounding area." Markwart noted that the disappointment was heightened by their understanding that Lukiwski was in the Regina area on the date of the parade.[37]

Videotape controversy 2

During his victory speech on October 19, 2015, Mickey Djuric, then with the Moose Jaw Times Hearld, asserted that Lukiwski called the NDP candidate in the upcoming Saskatchewan elections a "whore".[38] Lukiwski denied the claim, insisting that he referred to "an NDP horde" in his speech.[38] The Times-Hearld eventually decided not to run the story, causing Djuric to resign her position in protest, while interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose stated she was satisfied with Lukiwski's explanation.[38]

Other apologies

In 2005, Lukiwski was sued for libel by former Liberal MP Reg Alcock for wrongly claiming Alcock had given his campaign manager a job with the Canadian Wheat Board.[39][40] Lukiwski stated that the matter was settled out of court in 2007 in Alcock's favour,[41] with Lukiwski apologizing to Alcock in a statement.[42]

In November 2009, Lukiwski apologized in the House of Commons for mailing out Parliamentary flyers to the riding of Liberal MP Larry Bagnell which wrongly stated how Bagnall had voted on a private member's bill on the long-gun registry.[43][44][45]

Electoral record

Canadian federal election, 2015: Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan
Party Candidate Votes%∆%Expenditures
ConservativeTom Lukiwski 23,273 55.5 -5.46 –
New DemocraticDustan Hlady 9,978 23.8 -8.72 –
LiberalPerry Juttla 7,545 18.0 +14.22 –
GreenShawn Setyo 961 2.3 -0.41 –
RhinocerosRobert Thomas 208 0.5 +0.2 –
Total valid votes/Expense limit 41,965100.0   $222,512.72
Total rejected ballots 142––
Turnout 42,107––
Eligible voters 57,471
Conservative hold Swing -7.09
Source: Elections Canada[46][47]
Canadian federal election, 2011: Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre
Party Candidate Votes%∆%Expenditures
ConservativeTom Lukiwski 18,076 53.2 +2.1 $76,585
New DemocraticBrian Sklar 12,518 36.2 +7.7 $21,302
LiberalMonica Lysack 2,467 7.3 -7.6 $44,964
GreenBilly Patterson 911 2.7 -2.8 $195
Total valid votes/Expense limit 33,972100.0 $83,129
Total rejected ballots 89 0.30.0
Turnout 34,06167.6 +5
Eligible voters 50,387 ––
Canadian federal election, 2008: Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre
Party Candidate Votes%∆%Expenditures
ConservativeTom Lukiwski 16,053 51.1 +8.9 $68,988
New DemocraticFred Kress 8,963 28.5 -0.4 $16,804
LiberalMonica Lysack 4,668 14.9 -11.3 $47,936
GreenNicolas Stulberg 1,737 5.5 +3.2 $3,513
Total valid votes/Expense limit 31,421100.0 $80,038
Total rejected ballots 83 0.3 +0.1
Turnout 31,50463-5
Canadian federal election, 2006: Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre
Party Candidate Votes%∆%Expenditures
ConservativeTom Lukiwski 14,176 42.1 +8.9 $60,131
New DemocraticMoe Kovatch 9,467 28.1 +1.3 $47,556
LiberalGary J. Anderson 8,956 26.6 -6.2 $73,596
GreenWilliam Sorochan 1,035 3.1 +0.8 $730
Total valid votes 33,634100.0  –
Total rejected ballots 73 0.2-0.1
Turnout 33,70768+5
Canadian federal election, 2004: Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre
Party Candidate Votes%∆%Expenditures
ConservativeTom Lukiwski 10,290 33.2 -9.7 $57,639
LiberalGary J. Anderson 10,167 32.8 +18.8 $53,396
New DemocraticMoe Kovatch 8,300 26.8 -15.6 $60,642
IndependentLarry Spencer 1,506 4.9 – $21,488
GreenFiorindo Agi 716 2.3 –  
Total valid votes 30,978100.0  –
Total rejected ballots 790.3 -0.1
Turnout 31,05763 0

References

  1. ↑ "Turfed MP Spencer doesn't think Lukiwski should be ousted". The StarPhoenix. Saskatoon: Canada.com. April 3, 2008. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  2. ↑ Maher, Stephen (May 13, 2014). "Both sides claim victory as Fair Elections Act clears the Commons". Canada.com. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  3. ↑ Alexander Panetta (2008-04-03). "Tory's loose lips an asset - until now". Toronto: The Canadian Press. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  4. ↑ Catherine Clark, Tom Lukiwski (July 27, 2009). "Beyond Politics interview (at 19:11)". CPAC.
  5. ↑ "Parties trade blame for House logjam". Toronto: The Canadian Press. 2006-10-26. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
  6. ↑ "Filibuster fixer sent to block bill". The Gazette. Montreal: Canada.com. October 27, 2006. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  7. ↑ "Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development". Parliament of Canada. October 26, 2006. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
  8. ↑ "Tories accused of stalling their own green agenda". Canada.com. October 27, 2006. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  9. ↑ "Angry chairman suspends session". The Leader-Post. Regina: Canada.com. February 6, 2008. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  10. ↑ "Tories accused of stalling ad scheme review". The Ottawa Citizen. Canada.com. February 7, 2008. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  11. ↑ Kady O'Malley. "Filibuster ahoy! Liveblogging the Procedure and House Affairs Committee for as long as it takes...". www.macleans.ca. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
  12. ↑ Kady O'Malley. "Liveblogging PROC: We’ll stop blogging when he stops talking – the return of the killer filibuster (From the archives)". www.macleans.ca. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
  13. ↑ Kady O'Malley. "Liveblogging the Procedure and House Affairs Committee for as long as it takes... (Part 3)". www.macleans.ca. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
  14. ↑ Tom Lukiwski. "MP writes a letter to the Carillon...and we write back". Carillon. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
  15. ↑ "Hansard". Parliament of Canada. April 12, 2005.
  16. ↑ "Hansard". Parliament of Canada. October 6, 2005.
  17. ↑ Burton, Randy (April 10, 2007). "Taxes reflect complacent council". The StarPhoenix. Saskatoon: Canada.com. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  18. ↑ "Hansard". Parliament of Canada. March 22, 2005.
  19. ↑ "Calvert expects quick action on equalization". CBC News. 2006-01-18. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  20. ↑ "Provinces spat over Harper's mystery promise". CBC. 2006-01-19. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
  21. ↑ "Conservative MPs respond following equalization letter leak". CBC News. 2006-08-23. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  22. ↑ Mandryk, Murray (August 18, 2006). "Now you see them, and now you don't". The Leader-Post. Regina: Canada. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  23. ↑ "Sask. will sue over equalization: Calvert". CBC. 2007-06-13. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
  24. ↑ Murray Mandryk. "Tories squirm over our dough". www.canada.com. Retrieved 2010-02-22.
  25. ↑ Mandryk, Murray (May 8, 2007). "Tory MPs choose Harper over voters". The Leader-Post. Regina: Canada.com. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  26. ↑ "Premiers stand united". The StarPhoenix. Saskatoon: Canada.com. January 24, 2007. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  27. ↑ Wood, James (April 3, 2007). "Layton blasts PM over broken promise". The StarPhoenix. Saskatoon: Canada.com. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  28. 1 2 "Saskatchewan MP apologizes for anti-gay slur". CBC. 2008-04-04. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  29. ↑ Wood, James; De Souza, Mike (April 4, 2008). "Sask. MP, premier caught in videotape scandal". The StarPhoenix. Saskatoon: Canada.com. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  30. ↑ "Sask. MP Lukiwski's homophobic comment". National Post. Retrieved 2008-04-03.
  31. ↑ Mandryk, Murray (April 4, 2008). "Lukiwski must resign for his remarks". The Leader-Post. Regina: Canada.com. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  32. ↑ "Lukiwski seeks forgiveness as Liberals slam Tories". CTV News. April 4, 2008. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  33. ↑ "Lukiwski still under siege after apologies". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
  34. ↑ "Protesters rally outside Lukiwski's office". CBC. 2008-04-08. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  35. ↑ John Gormley. "Tasteless tape sparks tacky outrage". www.canada.com. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
  36. ↑ "Hansard". Parliament of Canada. April 4, 2008.
  37. ↑ "Sask. Tory MP skips Regina gay pride event". CTV. January 1, 2008. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  38. 1 2 3 "Sask. MP Tom Lukiwski denies calling female politician a 'whore'". CBC News. November 19, 2015. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  39. ↑ Paul Samyn (February 19, 2005). "Alcock suing Conservative MP for ’defamatory’ letter to the editor". National Post.
  40. ↑ "Harper libel suit could be costly to taxpayers if House pays Liberal legal fees". The Canadian Press. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
  41. ↑ Naumetz, Tim. "Libel threats have become a practice". Law Times. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  42. ↑ MacCharles, Tonda (2008-04-04). "Tory MP apologizes for gay slurs". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  43. ↑ Chris Hall. "Libel threats have become a practice". CBC. Retrieved 2010-02-14.
  44. ↑ Elliot, Louise (November 27, 2009). "The flyer fight". CBC. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  45. ↑ "Hansard". Parliament of Canada. November 18, 2009.
  46. ↑ Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan, 30 September 2015
  47. ↑ Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates

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