Greg Thompson

For other people named Greg Thompson, see Greg Thompson (disambiguation).
The Honourable
Gregory Francis Thompson
PC
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for New Brunswick Southwest
In office
June 2, 1997 – May 2, 2011
Preceded by new riding
Succeeded by John Williamson
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Carleton—Charlotte
In office
1988–1993
Preceded by Fred McCain
Succeeded by Harold Culbert
Personal details
Born (1947-03-28) March 28, 1947
St. Stephen, New Brunswick
Political party Conservative
Other political
affiliations		 Progressive Conservative (1988–2003)
Spouse(s) Linda Thompson
Children Gregory Thompson Jr., Christian Thompson
Residence Bayside
Profession Teacher, financial planner
Portfolio Minister of Veterans Affairs

Gregory Francis Thompson, PC, MP (born March 28, 1947 in St. Stephen, New Brunswick) is a Canadian politician who served six terms as an MP.

Thompson, a high school teacher, a businessman and financial planner was first elected into the Canadian House of Commons in the Canadian federal election, 1988 as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. He was elected in the riding of Carleton—Charlotte. His bid for re-election in the Canadian federal election, 1993 was unsuccessful and he was defeated by Harold Culbert of the Liberal Party of Canada by fewer than 1,000 votes.

Thompson however ran again in the next election and was re-elected in the riding of Charlotte, where he defeated Culbert. Thompson was re-elected in the Canadian federal election, 2000 in the riding of New Brunswick Southwest and again the Canadian federal election, 2004 in the riding of St. Croix—Belleisle. Shortly before the 2004 election, he joined the new Conservative Party of Canada. He was re-elected in the 2006 federal election. In the 2008 federal election he was elected for a sixth term in the riding of New Brunswick Southwest by garnering over 58% of the vote.

During his time in parliament, he has served as the critic of Human Resources Development, the Treasury Board, Regional Development, Health, and Public Accounts, as well as critic of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. On February 6, 2006, he was appointed Minister of Veterans Affairs in Stephen Harper's Cabinet. In April 2007, he and Harper told the press in Kitchener, Ontario that a Veterans' Bill of Rights would come into effect soon and there would be a new ombudsman for veterans along with it.[1]

He was formerly a high school history teacher at Fundy High School from 1975-1980.[2]

He resigned from his position in Cabinet on January 16, 2010, because years of travel had worn him down and he wasn't looking forward to making a trip to New Zealand due to the length and time he had to invest in the trip. He also announced he would not run in the 2011 federal election.[3][4]

Veterans Affairs privacy issues

Thompson speaking with veterans at the ceremony marking the 89th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge

In October 2010, Canada's Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart uncovered evidence that widespread privacy abuses had been occurring at Veterans Affairs Canada. Among the cases where privacy issues were investigated is that in which highly personal information of an outspoken critic of Veterans Affairs, including confidential medical and financial information, was included in briefing notes prepared for then-minister Greg Thompson.[5][6][7]

Electoral record

Canadian federal election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
Conservative(x)Greg Thompson 17,474 58.3 +3.5
LiberalNancy MacIntosh 5,863 19.6 -7.2
New DemocraticAndrew Graham 4,958 16.5 +0.9
GreenRobert Wayne Boucher 1,667 5.6 +2.8
Total valid votes 29,962
Total rejected ballots 180
Total number of votes 30,142
Canadian federal election, 2006
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
Conservative(x)Greg Thompson 18,155 54.8 +1.7
LiberalStan Smith 8,877 26.8 -4.7
New DemocraticAndrew Graham 5,178 15.6 +3.9
GreenErik Millett 922 2.8 -0.3

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Canada's veterans get bill of rights". CBC News. April 3, 2007. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Canada Votes 2006: New Brunswick Southwest". CBC News. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Veterans Affairs minister Thompson resigns". CBC News. January 16, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Go to NZ? No way - I quit, says minister". The New Zealand Herald. January 18, 2010. Retrieved October 2, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Veterans Affairs critic's confidential medical information given to minister". The Globe and Mail. September 21, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Privacy Commissioner finds evidence of systemic abuse at Veterans Affairs". The Globe and Mail. September 28, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Vet alleges government tried to hospitalize him". Toronto Sun. October 10, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
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