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David Christopherson

David Christopherson (born October 5, 1954) is a Canadian politician. From 2004 until 2019, he represented the riding of Hamilton Centre in the House of Commons of Canada. He previously served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1990 to 2003, and was a cabinet minister in the provincial government of Bob Rae. Christopherson is a member of the New Democratic Party.

David Christopherson
Member of Parliament
for Hamilton Centre
In office
June 28, 2004 – September 11, 2019
Preceded byRiding Established
Succeeded byMatthew Green
Deputy Leader of the New Democratic Party
In office
April 19, 2012 – March 11, 2019
Serving with Libby Davies and Megan Leslie from 2012 to 2015
LeaderThomas Mulcair
Jagmeet Singh
Preceded byLibby Davies
Thomas Mulcair
Succeeded byAlexandre Boulerice
Sheri Benson
Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament
for Hamilton West
In office
May 5, 1999 – September 2, 2003
Preceded byLillian Ross
Succeeded byJudy Marsales
Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament
for Hamilton Centre
In office
September 6, 1990 – May 5, 1999
Preceded byLily Oddie
Succeeded byRiding Abolished
Hamilton City Councillor
In office
December 1, 1985 – September 6, 1990
Serving with Geraldine Copps
Preceded byDon Gray and Vince Scott
Succeeded byGeraldine Copps and Dave Wilson
ConstituencyWard Four
More...
Chair of the Standing Committee on
Public Accounts
In office
June 15, 2011 – August 2, 2015
MinisterTony Clement
Preceded byJoe Volpe
Succeeded byKevin Sorenson
Personal details
Born (1954-10-05) October 5, 1954 (age 68)
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Political partyNew Democratic Party
SpouseDenise Christopherson (née Doyle)
Residence(s)Hamilton, Ontario
Professiondirector, political assistant, union officer

Early life and career

Christopherson was born in Hamilton, Ontario. He is self-educated, having dropped out of high school in the ninth grade. A voracious reader, he is a particular fan of books on politics. He began working with International Harvester in Hamilton at age 19, and remained with the company for eleven years. He was active with the United Auto Workers union, becoming plant chairman in 1978 and president of the Local 525 in 1979.[1]

Christopherson campaigned in Hamilton East in the 1984 federal election, finishing second against Liberal candidate Sheila Copps. He was elected to Hamilton, Ontario City Council the following year for the city's fourth ward, and re-elected in 1988. Christopherson became chairman of Hamilton's licensing committee, and made a concerted effort to reform the city's notorious regulatory practices.[2] He developed a reputation on as a hard worker, and was one of three councillors to decline a pay increase in 1988.[3]

Christopherson was also a constituency assistant for NDP Member of Parliament (MP) Ian Deans in the mid-1980s.[4] He sought the NDP nomination for Hamilton Mountain after Deans's retirement in 1986, but lost to Marion Dewar.[5]

Provincial politics

Government backbencher

Christopherson was elected to the Ontario legislature in the 1990 provincial election, defeating Liberal cabinet minister Lily Oddie Munro in Hamilton Centre as the NDP won a majority government across the province. He was chair of caucus and parliamentary assistant to Provincial Treasurer Floyd Laughren from 1990 to 1992.[6]

Cabinet minister

Christopherson was respected by all parties for his legislative work ethic and contributions to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, and was widely considered as one of the most skilled backbenchers in the government caucus.[7] There was little surprise when he was appointed to cabinet as Minister of Correctional Services on September 23, 1992, notwithstanding that Hamilton already had three representatives in cabinet.

Christopherson's portfolio was extremely challenging, and was described by one journalist as "one of the worst jobs in government". The Correctional Services ministry had previously been damaged by reports of sexual abuse and intimidation involving staff at Ontario jails and training centres, and Christopherson was required to enact substantial internal reforms.[8] He supported former NDP leader Stephen Lewis's recommendations on race relations in the criminal justice system, and made efforts to address racism in Ontario prisons.[9]

On February 3, 1993, Christopherson was given additional cabinet responsibilities as Solicitor General of Ontario.[10] This was also a difficult portfolio, and Christopherson has since acknowledged that relations between the Rae government and Ontario police services were extremely tense when he entered the ministry. He has been credited with improving this situation, winning the respect of many in the police community. Julian Fantino, then an executive member of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, commented that there was "marked improvement" in relations following Christopherson's appointment.[11]

Christopherson allowed semi-automatic weapons to be issued to officers in late 1993.[12] This was supported by many in the police service, but was criticized by some in the legal community on the grounds that the new weapons were not safer than the .38 models they replaced.[13] Christopherson also introduced new guidelines for targeting hate crimes, and mandated stricter standards for police investigations of spousal assault.[14] Early in 1995, he announced that police would soon be given the right to warn the general public about sex offenders released into residential neighbourhoods.[15]

In May 1994, Christopherson introduced a pilot project to reduce illegal gun ownership in Ontario. For a three-month period, Ontarians were permitted to turn over illegal or unwanted firearms to the police without risking prosecution for illegal possession. The policy was endorsed by the police community.[16] After three months, the ministry announced that 1,000 pistols and revolvers, 2,000 rifles and shotguns and over 150,000 rounds of ammunition had been turned over to the police.[17]

In addition to his official cabinet portfolios, Christopherson was also responsible for articulating the Rae government's strategy for the proposed Red Hill Creek Expressway in Hamilton. Although he had previously opposed the project for environmental and other reasons, Christopherson argued in 1994 that a scaled-back four-lane highway would be the "best possible compromise" under the circumstances.[18] The Rae government approved the plan, although it was later rejected by the succeeding ministry.

Christopherson was widely respected for his abilities in cabinet, and often won praise from members of the opposition. Progressive Conservative Bob Runciman credited him for his competence and managerial skills, while Liberal Tim Murphy described him as "the best of a bad bunch".[11] He served until the defeat of the Rae government in 1995.

Cabinet positions

Ontario provincial government of Bob Rae
Cabinet posts (2)
Predecessor Office Successor
Allan Pilkey Solicitor-General
1993–1995
Bob Runciman
Allan Pilkey Minister of Correctional Services
1992–1995
Bob Runciman

Opposition member

The Rae government was defeated in the 1995 election, falling to only seventeen seats out of 130. Christopherson, still personally popular, was narrowly re-elected for Hamilton Centre. He served in the next legislature as NDP critic for labour issues and the Workers' Compensation Board.[19]

Rae resigned as party leader in 1996, and there was considerable media speculation that Christopherson would run to succeed him. Toronto Star journalist Thomas Walkom indicated that he would be a powerful candidate on the centrist wing of the party, and would likely win the support of pro-Rae trade unions such as the Steelworkers.[20] He decided against running and gave his support to Howard Hampton, the eventual winner.[21]

Christopherson was a prominent supporter of Hamilton's amalgamation with neighbouring municipalities in the late 1990s.[22] The policy, which was supported by some members of all three major parties, was enacted by the Progressive Conservative government of Mike Harris in 2000. Christopherson considered leaving politics to run for the leadership of the Ontario Federation of Labour in 1997, but ultimately declined.[23]

The Hamilton Centre riding was eliminated by redistribution in 1996, and Christopherson chose to contest the expanded riding of Hamilton West for the 1999 provincial election against incumbent Progressive Conservative Lillian Ross. He was re-elected, and became one of only nine New Democrats returned to the reduced 103-seat legislature. He served as his party's Finance and Labour Critic, and was appointed as House Leader.[24] He considered campaigning for Mayor of Hamilton in 2000, but reluctantly declined.[25]

Christopherson resigned as NDP House Leader in 2001, amid rumours of a rift with Hampton.[26] He continued to serve as his party's critic for Consumer and Business Services and the Management Board of Cabinet, and was a deputy speaker in the legislature from 2001 to 2003.

Mayoral campaign

Christopherson did not seek re-election to the legislature in 2003. He instead campaigned for mayor of Hamilton in that year's municipal campaign. He promised to reform the city's disclosure laws, requiring municipal politicians to declare their assets, debts and holdings.[27] He also spoke out against plans to build an incinerator in the city for waste disposal.[28] He was supported by two teachers' unions and the city firefighters' union, as well as by Liberal MPP Dominic Agostino from Hamilton East. Initially considered the frontrunner, he was ultimately defeated by rival candidate Larry Di Ianni. Hamilton's amalgamation with the more right-leaning suburbs was a factor, as was Christopherson's opposition to a revised Red Hill Expressway.[29]

Federal politician

Christopherson returned to political life a few months later, defeating Liberal cabinet minister Stan Keyes to win the Hamilton Centre riding in the 2004 federal election. The Liberal Party won a minority government, and Christopherson served as NDP critic for cities, community infrastructure, labour and steel policy in the 38th parliament. He was part of a Canadian delegation that observed presidential elections in Ukraine in late 2004.[30]

He was re-elected in the 2006 federal election with an increased majority, as the Conservatives won a minority government nationally. In May 2006, he called for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police rather than the government to investigate a leak of the Auditor General's report into the Canadian gun registry. Christopherson suspected that someone connected to the government may have been responsible for the leak, given its "self-serving" nature.[31] He has also criticized the previous Liberal government for allowing billions in unpaid tax monies to remain uncollected.[32]

Christopherson was re-elected to his federal seat again in the 2008 federal election, and the 2011 federal election.

Christopherson is often described as a pragmatic politician. He once said that he has never been a "hard-line ideologue", but "the NDP is where I'm most comfortable."[11]

He was appointed Defence Critic for the NDP after Jack Layton's death, and appointed one of the three deputy leaders, by Layton's successor Thomas Mulcair.

After the 2015 federal election, Christopherson was appointed as the NDP's critic for the Planning and Priorities Committee and for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.[33]

Christopherson was involved in the so-called 'Elbowgate' political confrontation on 18 May 2016. Video of the floor of the House of Commons appears to show the MP moving from side to side impeding the path of Conservative whip, Gord Brown MP.

Planned retirement

On July 5, 2018, Christopherson announced his plan to retire[34] at the end of the 42nd Canadian Parliament, and to not seek re-election in the 2019 federal election.

"It has been my distinct honour to have served as the councillor for Ward 4, the Member of Provincial Parliament for Hamilton Centre and now as the federal Member of Parliament for Hamilton Centre," Christopherson wrote in his statement. "I truly love our city and the people who call it home. To have earned the trust and confidence of the people of Hamilton for so many years is truly humbling and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to join with so many dedicated people working to help build a stronger, more fair and diverse community."

Electoral record

2015 Canadian federal election: Hamilton Centre
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic David Christopherson 18,719 45.6 -11.4
Liberal Anne Tennier 13,718 33.4 +19.3
Conservative Yonatan Rozenszajn 6,018 11.8 -8.86
Green Ute Schmid-Jones 1,778 4.3 +4.6
Marijuana Michael James Baldasaro 348 0.8
Libertarian Rob Young 316 0.8
Independent Maria Anastasiou 186 0.5
Total valid votes/expense limit 41,083 100.0     $201,952.89
Total rejected ballots 269 0.6 -0.2
Turnout 41,343 60.72 +5.57
Eligible voters 68,087
New Democratic hold Swing -17.5
Source: Elections Canada[35][36]
2011 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic David Christopherson 23,849 57.0 +7.7
Conservative James Byron 11,020 26.4 +4.1
Liberal Anne Tennier 5,912 14.1 -3.5
Marijuana Michael Baldasaro 780 1.9 n/a
Marxist–Leninist Lisa Nussey 252 0.6 +0.3
Total valid votes 41,813 100.0
Total rejected ballots 320 0.8
Turnout 42,133 54.7
Eligible voters 77,077
2008 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
New Democratic David Christopherson 20,010 49.3% -1.99
Conservative Leon O'Connor 9,051 22.3% +2.01
Liberal Helen Wilson 7,164 17.6% -5.89
Green John Livingstone 3,625 8.9% +4.67
Libertarian Anthony Giles 528 1.3%
Marxist–Leninist Lisa Nussey 126 0.3%
Communist Ryan Sparrow 125 0.3%
Total valid votes 40,629 100.0%
Total rejected ballots 247 0.6%
Turnout 40,876 50.9% -14.9%
2006 Canadian federal election: Hamilton Centre
Party Candidate Votes % Expenditures
New Democratic David Christopherson 24,503 51.29 $79,917.66
Liberal Javid Mirza 11,224 23.49 $71,436.13
Conservative Eliot Lewis Hill 9,696 20.29
Green John Livingstone 2,022 4.23 $1,353.15
Canadian Action Tony Des Lauriers 332 0.69
Total valid votes 47,777 100.00
Total rejected ballots 279
Turnout 48,056 59.21
Electors on the lists 81,161
Sources: Official Results, Elections Canada and Financial Returns, Elections Canada.
2004 Canadian federal election: Hamilton Centre
Party Candidate Votes % Expenditures
New Democratic David Christopherson 20,321 45.81 $72,723.37
Liberal Stan Keyes 14,948 33.70 $71,403.14
Conservative Leon Patrick O'Connor 6,714 15.13 $25,596.37
Green Anne Marie Pavlov 1,422 3.21 $1,174.56
Christian Heritage Stephen Downey 520 1.17 $1,581.38
Independent Michael James Baldasaro 345 0.78 $413.20
Marxist–Leninist Jamilé Ghaddar 91 0.21 $10.00
Total valid votes 44,361 100.00
Total rejected ballots 328
Turnout 44,689 55.32
Turnout 80,778
Percentage change figures are factored for redistribution. Conservative Party percentages are contrasted with the combined Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative percentages from 2000.
Sources: Official Results, Elections Canada and Financial Returns, Elections Canada.
Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Mayoral Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Larry DiIanni 70,539 50.92% -
David Christopherson 54,298 39.20% -
Dick Wildeman 4,462 3.22% -
Michael Peters 3,270 2.36% -
Tom Murray 2,881 2.08% -
Michael Baldasaro 2,569 1.85% +0.75%
Matt Jelly 510 0.37% -
Total votes 139,902 37.97%
Registered voters 368,480 100%
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [37]
1999 Ontario general election: Hamilton West
Party Candidate Votes % Expenditures
New Democratic David Christopherson 15,625 37.84 $63,891.36
Progressive Conservative Lillian Ross 12,261 29.70 $58,588.68
Liberal Frank D'Amico 12,037 29.15 $48,994.28
Green Phyllis McColl 495 1.20 $6,090.89
Family Coalition Lynne Scime 403 0.98 $1,100.80
Marxist–Leninist Wendell Fields 236 0.57 $0.00
Natural Law Rita Rassenberg 231 0.56 $0.00
Total valid votes 41,288 100.00
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 549
Turnout 41,837 57.87
Electors on the lists 72,295
1995 Ontario general election: Hamilton Centre
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic David Christopherson 8,012 36.81 -18.49 $40,543.33
Liberal Filomena Tassi 7,322 33.64 +2.84 $34,483.85
Progressive Conservative Angie Tomasic 5,723 26.29 +17.99 $18,222.88
Family Coalition Tom Wigglesworth 376 1.72 +0.32 $1,548.28
Natural Law Monique Poudrette 331 1.53 $0.00
Total valid votes 21,764 100.0  
Total rejected ballots 372 1.68 -0.04
Turnout 22,136 54.71 -5.07
Eligible voters 40,459
New Democratic hold Swing -10.66
1990 Ontario general election: Hamilton Centre
Party Candidate Votes %
New Democratic David Christopherson 14,029 55.32
Liberal Lily Oddie Munro 7,814 30.81
Progressive Conservative Graham Snelgrove 2,116 8.34
Green Brent Monkley 605 2.39
Libertarian Julien Frost 429 1.69
Family Coalition Jewell Wolgram 365 1.44
Total valid votes 25,358 100.00
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 446
Turnout 25,804 59.78
Electors on the lists 43,166
Summary of the November 14, 1988 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Four Alderman Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Geraldine Copps (incumbent) 8,174 69.38% n/a
David Christopherson (incumbent) 8,055 68.38% n/a
Bob Fanjoy 2,319 19.67% n/a
Total votes 11,787 Note 1
Registered voters 28,764 40.90% n/a
Note 1: Each ward elected two aldermen and percentages are specific to each candidate, not for the overall total.
Note 2: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note 3: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: Benedetti, Paul. "Clean campaign for a dirty job in Ward 4", The Hamilton Spectator,
November 15, 1988, Metro, B2.
Summary of the November 12, 1985 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Four Alderman Election
Candidate Popular vote   Elected?
Votes %
Geraldine Copps 5,992 48.33%  
David Christopherson 4,958 40%  
Don Gray (incumbent) 3,069 24.75%
Vince Scott (incumbent) 2,883 23.25%
John Ellis 2,373 19.14%
Gaspare Bonomo 878 7.08%
Larry Wheaton 535 4.32%
Bob Fanjoy 289 2.33%
Total votes 12,398
Registered voters
Note 1: Each ward elected two aldermen and percentages are specific to each candidate, not for the overall total.
Note 2: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note 3: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: Wilson, Paul. "That old Copps magic still works", Hamilton Spectator,
November 13, 1985, A7.
1984 Canadian federal election: Hamilton East
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Sheila Copps 14,533 37.88
New Democratic David Christopherson 11,872 30.95
Progressive Conservative Jack MacDonald 11,711 30.53
Social Credit Vince G. Vostrez 102 0.27
Communist Elizabeth Rowley 87 0.23
Commonwealth of Canada Ken Perry 59 0.15
Total valid votes 38,364 100.00
Total rejected ballots 348
Turnout 38,712 74.87
Electors on the lists 51,705

All federal election information is taken from Elections Canada. All provincial election information is taken from Elections Ontario. The 2003 municipal election results are taken from official results provided by the City of Hamilton, available . Italicized expenditures refer to submitted totals, and are presented when the final reviewed totals are not available.

The 1999 provincial expenditure entries are taken from official candidate reports as listed by Elections Ontario. The figures cited are the Total Candidate's Campaign Expenses Subject to Limitation, and include transfers from constituency associations.

References

  1. ^ Jill Morrison, "Great expectations", Hamilton Spectator, 13 February 1993, B3.
  2. ^ Terry Cooke, "Licensing mess could consume council term", Hamilton Spectator, 10 February 2007, A19.
  3. ^ "3 Hamilton aldermen refuse pay raise", Globe and Mail, 28 April 1988, A22.
  4. ^ "Political infighting erupts in race for Deans' Hamilton riding", Toronto Star, 19 January 1987, A8.
  5. ^ "Dewar wins Hamilton nomination", Globe and Mail, 24 January 1987, A5.
  6. ^ Emilia Cassella, "Sunday shopping", Hamilton Spectator, 13 May 1992, A1; Emilia Cassella, "NDP betting on optimistic projections", Hamilton Spectator, 1 May 1992, A1.
  7. ^ Emilia Cassella, "Christopherson touted for NDP cabinet shuffle", Hamilton Spectator, 14 August 1992, A1.
  8. ^ Richard Mackie, "Critics brand cabinet shuffle 'damage control'", Globe and Mail, 24 September 1992, A7 and "Hiring, Property and Internal Investigations", Hamilton Spectator, 22 July 1993, B4.
  9. ^ "Ontario unveils policy for police race relations", Globe and Mail, 6 April 1993, A12; Sean Fine, "Prison racism rampant, panel finds", Globe and Mail, 2 February 1994, A5.
  10. ^ "Rae shuffles deck", Hamilton Spectator, 3 February 1993, A1.
  11. ^ a b c Richard Brennan, "Street smarts", Hamilton Spectator, 28 December 1994, B3.
  12. ^ "New guns for police estimated at $17M", Financial Post, 22 October 1993, p. 51. See also "Solicitor General announces new handgun and training for police", Canada NewsWire, 27 January 1994.
  13. ^ Robert Sheppard, "Ready, aim and hope for the best", Globe and Mail, 31 January 1994, A11.
  14. ^ "Guidelines on hate crimes issued", Globe and Mail, 23 July 1993, A4; "Hate crime, wife assault crackdown launched", Financial Post, 20 January 1994, p. 55.
  15. ^ "Sex offender warnings", Globe and Mail, 10 February 1995, A2.
  16. ^ Amber Nasrulla, "Firearms amnesty launched", Globe and Mail, 17 May 1994, A4 and Ross Longbottom, "Amnesty for guns way to safer streets", Hamilton Spectator, 17 May 1994, B3.
  17. ^ "Success of province-wide firearms program", Canada NewsWire, 1 September 1994.
  18. ^ Emilia Cassella, "Too little, too late say PCs, Grits", Hamilton Spectator, 3 March 1994, B2; Sharon Oosthoek, "Friends of valley road embrace", Hamilton Spectator, 22 March 1994, B1.
  19. ^ Lee Prokaska, "Critics lambast WCB cuts", Hamilton Spectator, 26 July 1995, B3.
  20. ^ Thomas Walkom, "NDP needs an identity as well as a leader", Toronto Star, 16 January 1996, A15.
  21. ^ "Hampton to seek NDP leadership", Globe and Mail, 20 February 1996, A11.
  22. ^ "Just one MPP opposes H-W supercity", Hamilton Spectator, 4 December 1996, A11.
  23. ^ "Race for top post reveals crack in house of labour", Toronto Star, 1 November 1997, p. 1.
  24. ^ "Hampton announces critic portfolios", Canada NewsWire, 28 June 1999, 15:14 report.
  25. ^ Eric Mcguinness, "Morrow throws his hat into the ring", Hamilton Spectator, 31 May 2000, A01.
  26. ^ Richard Brennan, "Signs of rift in NDP as house leader quits", 19 April 2001, A11.
  27. ^ Chinta Puxley, "Mayoral hopeful pushes disclosure rule", Hamilton Spectator, 16 June 2003.
  28. ^ Fred Vallance-Jones, "Incinerator fuels mayoral clash", Hamilton Spectator, 8 September 2003, A04.
  29. ^ "Expressway dispute", Broadcast News, 12 November 2003, 03:24 report.
  30. ^ "Hamilton New Democrat M-P David Christopherson is heading to Ukraine for Christmas", Broadcast News, 17 December 2004, 03:58 report.
  31. ^ "Who leaked Fraser's report? Harper to probe", Winnipeg Free Press, 13 May 2006, A11.
  32. ^ Carly Weeks, "Agency lets billions in tax money slip away: Problems reported in 1994 never fixed", Ottawa Citizen, 17 May 2006, A5.
  33. ^ Kirkup, Kristy (12 November 2015). "Tom Mulcair taps Nathan Cullen, Charlie Angus, Guy Caron for top critic roles". CBC News. The Canadian Press. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  34. ^ . Archived from the original on 2018-07-06.
  35. ^ Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for Hamilton Centre, 30 September 2015
  36. ^ Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates August 15, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  37. ^ "City of Hamilton Election Summary Report". old.hamilton.ca. Retrieved February 13, 2021.

External links

  • David Christopherson – Parliament of Canada biography
  • David Chistopherson, page on NDP website
  • Ontario Legislative Assembly parliamentary history

david, christopherson, born, october, 1954, canadian, politician, from, 2004, until, 2019, represented, riding, hamilton, centre, house, commons, canada, previously, served, legislative, assembly, ontario, from, 1990, 2003, cabinet, minister, provincial, gover. David Christopherson born October 5 1954 is a Canadian politician From 2004 until 2019 he represented the riding of Hamilton Centre in the House of Commons of Canada He previously served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1990 to 2003 and was a cabinet minister in the provincial government of Bob Rae Christopherson is a member of the New Democratic Party David ChristophersonMember of Parliamentfor Hamilton CentreIn office June 28 2004 September 11 2019Preceded byRiding EstablishedSucceeded byMatthew GreenDeputy Leader of the New Democratic PartyIn office April 19 2012 March 11 2019Serving with Libby Davies and Megan Leslie from 2012 to 2015LeaderThomas MulcairJagmeet SinghPreceded byLibby DaviesThomas MulcairSucceeded byAlexandre BoulericeSheri BensonMember of the Ontario Provincial Parliament for Hamilton WestIn office May 5 1999 September 2 2003Preceded byLillian RossSucceeded byJudy MarsalesMember of the Ontario Provincial Parliament for Hamilton CentreIn office September 6 1990 May 5 1999Preceded byLily OddieSucceeded byRiding AbolishedHamilton City CouncillorIn office December 1 1985 September 6 1990Serving with Geraldine CoppsPreceded byDon Gray and Vince ScottSucceeded byGeraldine Copps and Dave WilsonConstituencyWard FourMore Chair of the Standing Committee on Public AccountsIn office June 15 2011 August 2 2015MinisterTony ClementPreceded byJoe VolpeSucceeded byKevin SorensonPersonal detailsBorn 1954 10 05 October 5 1954 age 68 Hamilton Ontario CanadaPolitical partyNew Democratic PartySpouseDenise Christopherson nee Doyle Residence s Hamilton OntarioProfessiondirector political assistant union officer Contents 1 Early life and career 2 Provincial politics 2 1 Government backbencher 2 2 Cabinet minister 2 3 Cabinet positions 2 4 Opposition member 3 Mayoral campaign 4 Federal politician 5 Planned retirement 6 Electoral record 7 References 8 External linksEarly life and career EditChristopherson was born in Hamilton Ontario He is self educated having dropped out of high school in the ninth grade A voracious reader he is a particular fan of books on politics He began working with International Harvester in Hamilton at age 19 and remained with the company for eleven years He was active with the United Auto Workers union becoming plant chairman in 1978 and president of the Local 525 in 1979 1 Christopherson campaigned in Hamilton East in the 1984 federal election finishing second against Liberal candidate Sheila Copps He was elected to Hamilton Ontario City Council the following year for the city s fourth ward and re elected in 1988 Christopherson became chairman of Hamilton s licensing committee and made a concerted effort to reform the city s notorious regulatory practices 2 He developed a reputation on as a hard worker and was one of three councillors to decline a pay increase in 1988 3 Christopherson was also a constituency assistant for NDP Member of Parliament MP Ian Deans in the mid 1980s 4 He sought the NDP nomination for Hamilton Mountain after Deans s retirement in 1986 but lost to Marion Dewar 5 Provincial politics EditGovernment backbencher Edit Christopherson was elected to the Ontario legislature in the 1990 provincial election defeating Liberal cabinet minister Lily Oddie Munro in Hamilton Centre as the NDP won a majority government across the province He was chair of caucus and parliamentary assistant to Provincial Treasurer Floyd Laughren from 1990 to 1992 6 Cabinet minister Edit Christopherson was respected by all parties for his legislative work ethic and contributions to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs and was widely considered as one of the most skilled backbenchers in the government caucus 7 There was little surprise when he was appointed to cabinet as Minister of Correctional Services on September 23 1992 notwithstanding that Hamilton already had three representatives in cabinet Christopherson s portfolio was extremely challenging and was described by one journalist as one of the worst jobs in government The Correctional Services ministry had previously been damaged by reports of sexual abuse and intimidation involving staff at Ontario jails and training centres and Christopherson was required to enact substantial internal reforms 8 He supported former NDP leader Stephen Lewis s recommendations on race relations in the criminal justice system and made efforts to address racism in Ontario prisons 9 On February 3 1993 Christopherson was given additional cabinet responsibilities as Solicitor General of Ontario 10 This was also a difficult portfolio and Christopherson has since acknowledged that relations between the Rae government and Ontario police services were extremely tense when he entered the ministry He has been credited with improving this situation winning the respect of many in the police community Julian Fantino then an executive member of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police commented that there was marked improvement in relations following Christopherson s appointment 11 Christopherson allowed semi automatic weapons to be issued to officers in late 1993 12 This was supported by many in the police service but was criticized by some in the legal community on the grounds that the new weapons were not safer than the 38 models they replaced 13 Christopherson also introduced new guidelines for targeting hate crimes and mandated stricter standards for police investigations of spousal assault 14 Early in 1995 he announced that police would soon be given the right to warn the general public about sex offenders released into residential neighbourhoods 15 In May 1994 Christopherson introduced a pilot project to reduce illegal gun ownership in Ontario For a three month period Ontarians were permitted to turn over illegal or unwanted firearms to the police without risking prosecution for illegal possession The policy was endorsed by the police community 16 After three months the ministry announced that 1 000 pistols and revolvers 2 000 rifles and shotguns and over 150 000 rounds of ammunition had been turned over to the police 17 In addition to his official cabinet portfolios Christopherson was also responsible for articulating the Rae government s strategy for the proposed Red Hill Creek Expressway in Hamilton Although he had previously opposed the project for environmental and other reasons Christopherson argued in 1994 that a scaled back four lane highway would be the best possible compromise under the circumstances 18 The Rae government approved the plan although it was later rejected by the succeeding ministry Christopherson was widely respected for his abilities in cabinet and often won praise from members of the opposition Progressive Conservative Bob Runciman credited him for his competence and managerial skills while Liberal Tim Murphy described him as the best of a bad bunch 11 He served until the defeat of the Rae government in 1995 Cabinet positions Edit Ontario provincial government of Bob RaeCabinet posts 2 Predecessor Office SuccessorAllan Pilkey Solicitor General1993 1995 Bob RuncimanAllan Pilkey Minister of Correctional Services1992 1995 Bob RuncimanOpposition member Edit The Rae government was defeated in the 1995 election falling to only seventeen seats out of 130 Christopherson still personally popular was narrowly re elected for Hamilton Centre He served in the next legislature as NDP critic for labour issues and the Workers Compensation Board 19 Rae resigned as party leader in 1996 and there was considerable media speculation that Christopherson would run to succeed him Toronto Star journalist Thomas Walkom indicated that he would be a powerful candidate on the centrist wing of the party and would likely win the support of pro Rae trade unions such as the Steelworkers 20 He decided against running and gave his support to Howard Hampton the eventual winner 21 Christopherson was a prominent supporter of Hamilton s amalgamation with neighbouring municipalities in the late 1990s 22 The policy which was supported by some members of all three major parties was enacted by the Progressive Conservative government of Mike Harris in 2000 Christopherson considered leaving politics to run for the leadership of the Ontario Federation of Labour in 1997 but ultimately declined 23 The Hamilton Centre riding was eliminated by redistribution in 1996 and Christopherson chose to contest the expanded riding of Hamilton West for the 1999 provincial election against incumbent Progressive Conservative Lillian Ross He was re elected and became one of only nine New Democrats returned to the reduced 103 seat legislature He served as his party s Finance and Labour Critic and was appointed as House Leader 24 He considered campaigning for Mayor of Hamilton in 2000 but reluctantly declined 25 Christopherson resigned as NDP House Leader in 2001 amid rumours of a rift with Hampton 26 He continued to serve as his party s critic for Consumer and Business Services and the Management Board of Cabinet and was a deputy speaker in the legislature from 2001 to 2003 Mayoral campaign EditChristopherson did not seek re election to the legislature in 2003 He instead campaigned for mayor of Hamilton in that year s municipal campaign He promised to reform the city s disclosure laws requiring municipal politicians to declare their assets debts and holdings 27 He also spoke out against plans to build an incinerator in the city for waste disposal 28 He was supported by two teachers unions and the city firefighters union as well as by Liberal MPP Dominic Agostino from Hamilton East Initially considered the frontrunner he was ultimately defeated by rival candidate Larry Di Ianni Hamilton s amalgamation with the more right leaning suburbs was a factor as was Christopherson s opposition to a revised Red Hill Expressway 29 Federal politician Edit Wikinews has related news CanadaVOTES NDP incumbent David Christopherson running in Hamilton Centre Christopherson returned to political life a few months later defeating Liberal cabinet minister Stan Keyes to win the Hamilton Centre riding in the 2004 federal election The Liberal Party won a minority government and Christopherson served as NDP critic for cities community infrastructure labour and steel policy in the 38th parliament He was part of a Canadian delegation that observed presidential elections in Ukraine in late 2004 30 He was re elected in the 2006 federal election with an increased majority as the Conservatives won a minority government nationally In May 2006 he called for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police rather than the government to investigate a leak of the Auditor General s report into the Canadian gun registry Christopherson suspected that someone connected to the government may have been responsible for the leak given its self serving nature 31 He has also criticized the previous Liberal government for allowing billions in unpaid tax monies to remain uncollected 32 Christopherson was re elected to his federal seat again in the 2008 federal election and the 2011 federal election Christopherson is often described as a pragmatic politician He once said that he has never been a hard line ideologue but the NDP is where I m most comfortable 11 He was appointed Defence Critic for the NDP after Jack Layton s death and appointed one of the three deputy leaders by Layton s successor Thomas Mulcair After the 2015 federal election Christopherson was appointed as the NDP s critic for the Planning and Priorities Committee and for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness 33 Christopherson was involved in the so called Elbowgate political confrontation on 18 May 2016 Video of the floor of the House of Commons appears to show the MP moving from side to side impeding the path of Conservative whip Gord Brown MP Planned retirement EditOn July 5 2018 Christopherson announced his plan to retire 34 at the end of the 42nd Canadian Parliament and to not seek re election in the 2019 federal election It has been my distinct honour to have served as the councillor for Ward 4 the Member of Provincial Parliament for Hamilton Centre and now as the federal Member of Parliament for Hamilton Centre Christopherson wrote in his statement I truly love our city and the people who call it home To have earned the trust and confidence of the people of Hamilton for so many years is truly humbling and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to join with so many dedicated people working to help build a stronger more fair and diverse community Electoral record Editvte2015 Canadian federal election Hamilton CentreParty Candidate Votes ExpendituresNew Democratic David Christopherson 18 719 45 6 11 4 Liberal Anne Tennier 13 718 33 4 19 3 Conservative Yonatan Rozenszajn 6 018 11 8 8 86 Green Ute Schmid Jones 1 778 4 3 4 6 Marijuana Michael James Baldasaro 348 0 8 Libertarian Rob Young 316 0 8 Independent Maria Anastasiou 186 0 5 Total valid votes expense limit 41 083 100 0 201 952 89Total rejected ballots 269 0 6 0 2Turnout 41 343 60 72 5 57Eligible voters 68 087New Democratic hold Swing 17 5Source Elections Canada 35 36 2011 Canadian federal electionParty Candidate Votes ExpendituresNew Democratic David Christopherson 23 849 57 0 7 7 Conservative James Byron 11 020 26 4 4 1 Liberal Anne Tennier 5 912 14 1 3 5 Marijuana Michael Baldasaro 780 1 9 n a Marxist Leninist Lisa Nussey 252 0 6 0 3 Total valid votes 41 813 100 0 Total rejected ballots 320 0 8 Turnout 42 133 54 7 Eligible voters 77 077 2008 Canadian federal electionParty Candidate Votes New Democratic David Christopherson 20 010 49 3 1 99Conservative Leon O Connor 9 051 22 3 2 01Liberal Helen Wilson 7 164 17 6 5 89Green John Livingstone 3 625 8 9 4 67Libertarian Anthony Giles 528 1 3 Marxist Leninist Lisa Nussey 126 0 3 Communist Ryan Sparrow 125 0 3 Total valid votes 40 629 100 0 Total rejected ballots 247 0 6 Turnout 40 876 50 9 14 9 vte2006 Canadian federal election Hamilton CentreParty Candidate Votes ExpendituresNew Democratic David Christopherson 24 503 51 29 79 917 66Liberal Javid Mirza 11 224 23 49 71 436 13Conservative Eliot Lewis Hill 9 696 20 29Green John Livingstone 2 022 4 23 1 353 15Canadian Action Tony Des Lauriers 332 0 69Total valid votes 47 777 100 00Total rejected ballots 279Turnout 48 056 59 21Electors on the lists 81 161Sources Official Results Elections Canada and Financial Returns Elections Canada vte2004 Canadian federal election Hamilton CentreParty Candidate Votes ExpendituresNew Democratic David Christopherson 20 321 45 81 72 723 37Liberal Stan Keyes 14 948 33 70 71 403 14Conservative Leon Patrick O Connor 6 714 15 13 25 596 37Green Anne Marie Pavlov 1 422 3 21 1 174 56Christian Heritage Stephen Downey 520 1 17 1 581 38Independent Michael James Baldasaro 345 0 78 413 20Marxist Leninist Jamile Ghaddar 91 0 21 10 00Total valid votes 44 361 100 00Total rejected ballots 328Turnout 44 689 55 32Turnout 80 778Percentage change figures are factored for redistribution Conservative Party percentages are contrasted with the combined Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative percentages from 2000 Sources Official Results Elections Canada and Financial Returns Elections Canada Candidates for the November 10 2003 Hamilton Ontario Mayoral Election Candidate Popular voteVotes Larry DiIanni 70 539 50 92 David Christopherson 54 298 39 20 Dick Wildeman 4 462 3 22 Michael Peters 3 270 2 36 Tom Murray 2 881 2 08 Michael Baldasaro 2 569 1 85 0 75 Matt Jelly 510 0 37 Total votes 139 902 37 97 Registered voters 368 480 100 Note All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non partisan Note Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items signs literature etc and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates Sources 37 vte1999 Ontario general election Hamilton WestParty Candidate Votes ExpendituresNew Democratic David Christopherson 15 625 37 84 63 891 36Progressive Conservative Lillian Ross 12 261 29 70 58 588 68Liberal Frank D Amico 12 037 29 15 48 994 28Green Phyllis McColl 495 1 20 6 090 89Family Coalition Lynne Scime 403 0 98 1 100 80Marxist Leninist Wendell Fields 236 0 57 0 00Natural Law Rita Rassenberg 231 0 56 0 00Total valid votes 41 288 100 00Total rejected unmarked and declined ballots 549Turnout 41 837 57 87Electors on the lists 72 295vte1995 Ontario general election Hamilton CentreParty Candidate Votes ExpendituresNew Democratic David Christopherson 8 012 36 81 18 49 40 543 33Liberal Filomena Tassi 7 322 33 64 2 84 34 483 85Progressive Conservative Angie Tomasic 5 723 26 29 17 99 18 222 88Family Coalition Tom Wigglesworth 376 1 72 0 32 1 548 28Natural Law Monique Poudrette 331 1 53 0 00Total valid votes 21 764 100 0 Total rejected ballots 372 1 68 0 04Turnout 22 136 54 71 5 07Eligible voters 40 459New Democratic hold Swing 10 66vte1990 Ontario general election Hamilton CentreParty Candidate Votes New Democratic David Christopherson 14 029 55 32Liberal Lily Oddie Munro 7 814 30 81Progressive Conservative Graham Snelgrove 2 116 8 34Green Brent Monkley 605 2 39Libertarian Julien Frost 429 1 69Family Coalition Jewell Wolgram 365 1 44Total valid votes 25 358 100 00Total rejected unmarked and declined ballots 446Turnout 25 804 59 78Electors on the lists 43 166Summary of the November 14 1988 Hamilton Ontario Ward Four Alderman Election Candidate Popular voteVotes Geraldine Copps incumbent 8 174 69 38 n aDavid Christopherson incumbent 8 055 68 38 n aBob Fanjoy 2 319 19 67 n aTotal votes 11 787 Note 1Registered voters 28 764 40 90 n aNote 1 Each ward elected two aldermen and percentages are specific to each candidate not for the overall total Note 2 All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non partisan Note 3 Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items signs literature etc and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates Sources Benedetti Paul Clean campaign for a dirty job in Ward 4 The Hamilton Spectator November 15 1988 Metro B2 Summary of the November 12 1985 Hamilton Ontario Ward Four Alderman Election Candidate Popular vote Elected Votes Geraldine Copps 5 992 48 33 David Christopherson 4 958 40 Don Gray incumbent 3 069 24 75 Vince Scott incumbent 2 883 23 25 John Ellis 2 373 19 14 Gaspare Bonomo 878 7 08 Larry Wheaton 535 4 32 Bob Fanjoy 289 2 33 Total votes 12 398Registered votersNote 1 Each ward elected two aldermen and percentages are specific to each candidate not for the overall total Note 2 All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non partisan Note 3 Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items signs literature etc and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates Sources Wilson Paul That old Copps magic still works Hamilton Spectator November 13 1985 A7 vte1984 Canadian federal election Hamilton EastParty Candidate Votes Liberal Sheila Copps 14 533 37 88New Democratic David Christopherson 11 872 30 95Progressive Conservative Jack MacDonald 11 711 30 53Social Credit Vince G Vostrez 102 0 27Communist Elizabeth Rowley 87 0 23Commonwealth of Canada Ken Perry 59 0 15Total valid votes 38 364 100 00Total rejected ballots 348Turnout 38 712 74 87Electors on the lists 51 705All federal election information is taken from Elections Canada All provincial election information is taken from Elections Ontario The 2003 municipal election results are taken from official results provided by the City of Hamilton available here Italicized expenditures refer to submitted totals and are presented when the final reviewed totals are not available The 1999 provincial expenditure entries are taken from official candidate reports as listed by Elections Ontario The figures cited are the Total Candidate s Campaign Expenses Subject to Limitation and include transfers from constituency associations References Edit Jill Morrison Great expectations Hamilton Spectator 13 February 1993 B3 Terry Cooke Licensing mess could consume council term Hamilton Spectator 10 February 2007 A19 3 Hamilton aldermen refuse pay raise Globe and Mail 28 April 1988 A22 Political infighting erupts in race for Deans Hamilton riding Toronto Star 19 January 1987 A8 Dewar wins Hamilton nomination Globe and Mail 24 January 1987 A5 Emilia Cassella Sunday shopping Hamilton Spectator 13 May 1992 A1 Emilia Cassella NDP betting on optimistic projections Hamilton Spectator 1 May 1992 A1 Emilia Cassella Christopherson touted for NDP cabinet shuffle Hamilton Spectator 14 August 1992 A1 Richard Mackie Critics brand cabinet shuffle damage control Globe and Mail 24 September 1992 A7 and Hiring Property and Internal Investigations Hamilton Spectator 22 July 1993 B4 Ontario unveils policy for police race relations Globe and Mail 6 April 1993 A12 Sean Fine Prison racism rampant panel finds Globe and Mail 2 February 1994 A5 Rae shuffles deck Hamilton Spectator 3 February 1993 A1 a b c Richard Brennan Street smarts Hamilton Spectator 28 December 1994 B3 New guns for police estimated at 17M Financial Post 22 October 1993 p 51 See also Solicitor General announces new handgun and training for police Canada NewsWire 27 January 1994 Robert Sheppard Ready aim and hope for the best Globe and Mail 31 January 1994 A11 Guidelines on hate crimes issued Globe and Mail 23 July 1993 A4 Hate crime wife assault crackdown launched Financial Post 20 January 1994 p 55 Sex offender warnings Globe and Mail 10 February 1995 A2 Amber Nasrulla Firearms amnesty launched Globe and Mail 17 May 1994 A4 and Ross Longbottom Amnesty for guns way to safer streets Hamilton Spectator 17 May 1994 B3 Success of province wide firearms program Canada NewsWire 1 September 1994 Emilia Cassella Too little too late say PCs Grits Hamilton Spectator 3 March 1994 B2 Sharon Oosthoek Friends of valley road embrace Hamilton Spectator 22 March 1994 B1 Lee Prokaska Critics lambast WCB cuts Hamilton Spectator 26 July 1995 B3 Thomas Walkom NDP needs an identity as well as a leader Toronto Star 16 January 1996 A15 Hampton to seek NDP leadership Globe and Mail 20 February 1996 A11 Just one MPP opposes H W supercity Hamilton Spectator 4 December 1996 A11 Race for top post reveals crack in house of labour Toronto Star 1 November 1997 p 1 Hampton announces critic portfolios Canada NewsWire 28 June 1999 15 14 report Eric Mcguinness Morrow throws his hat into the ring Hamilton Spectator 31 May 2000 A01 Richard Brennan Signs of rift in NDP as house leader quits 19 April 2001 A11 Chinta Puxley Mayoral hopeful pushes disclosure rule Hamilton Spectator 16 June 2003 Fred Vallance Jones Incinerator fuels mayoral clash Hamilton Spectator 8 September 2003 A04 Expressway dispute Broadcast News 12 November 2003 03 24 report Hamilton New Democrat M P David Christopherson is heading to Ukraine for Christmas Broadcast News 17 December 2004 03 58 report Who leaked Fraser s report Harper to probe Winnipeg Free Press 13 May 2006 A11 Carly Weeks Agency lets billions in tax money slip away Problems reported in 1994 never fixed Ottawa Citizen 17 May 2006 A5 Kirkup Kristy 12 November 2015 Tom Mulcair taps Nathan Cullen Charlie Angus Guy Caron for top critic roles CBC News The Canadian Press Retrieved 12 November 2015 David Christopherson for Hamilton Centre Canada s NDP Archived from the original on 2018 07 06 Elections Canada Confirmed candidates for Hamilton Centre 30 September 2015 Elections Canada Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates Archived August 15 2015 at the Wayback Machine City of Hamilton Election Summary Report old hamilton ca Retrieved February 13 2021 External links EditDavid Christopherson Parliament of Canada biography David Chistopherson page on NDP website How d They Vote David Christopherson s voting history and quotes Ontario Legislative Assembly parliamentary history Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title David Christopherson amp oldid 1129301857, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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