Glen Pearson

Glen Douglas Pearson MP
Member of the Canadian Parliament for London North Centre
In office December 7, 2006 – 2011
Preceded by	Joe Fontana
Succeeded by	Susan Truppe
Personal details
Born	December 26, 1950 (1950-12-26) Calgary, Alberta
Political party	Liberal
Spouse(s)	Jane Roy
Residence	London, Ontario
Profession	firefighter
Religion	United Church of Canada

Glen Douglas Pearson (born December 26, 1950) is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He is a former Member of Parliament for London North Centre, and is a member of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Life and career

Pearson was born in Calgary, Alberta. He is a professional firefighter in London, Ontario, Canada, well known for his charitable and humanitarian activities. He has recently retired as a captain in the London Fire Department, where he has worked for the past 29 years, but he is perhaps better known as the co-founder and volunteer executive director of the London Food Bank for the past 20 years. He has also previously been involved in the Ontario Association of Food Banks as a Board member, serving one term as Chairperson.

In 1998, along with his wife, Jane Roy, Pearson worked on human rights and development projects in Sudan. This work included building schools and infrastructure, general community development and campaigning against slavery.

On August 15, 2007, Pearson reunited his Sudanese born adoptive daughter, Abuk Roy, with her twin sister, Achan and brother Ater, who were previously thought to be dead.

Politics

Pearson originally stood as the Liberal candidate in London—Fanshawe in the general election of January 23, 2006, losing to Irene Mathyssen of the New Democratic Party.

Following the resignation of Joe Fontana in London North Centre, he was elected in the resulting by-election on November 27, 2006. His closest competition was Green Party of Canada leader Elizabeth May, who received 26% of the vote.

His campaign emphasized environmental, health care and accountability issues.

A father of seven and grandfather of three, Pearson lives with his wife and their adopted children, Abuk, Achan and Ater in London, Ontario.

He supported Stéphane Dion in the Liberal leadership election, and introduced him on the night of the candidate speeches.

Electoral record

London North Centre - Canadian federal election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Glen Pearson	21,018	39.13%	+4.27%
	Conservative	Paul Van Meerbergen	17,712	32.97%	+8.49%
	New Democrat	Steve Holmes	9,387	17.47%	+3.39%
	Green	Mary Ann Hodge	5,603	10.43%	-15.41%
Total valid votes			53,720
Total rejected ballots			222
Turnout			53,942

By-election, November 27, 2006 London North Centre
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Glen Pearson	13,287	34.85%	-5.27%
	Green	Elizabeth May	9,864	25.87%	+20.38%
	Conservative	Dianne Haskett	9,309	24.42%	-5.48%
	New Democrat	Megan Walker	5,388	14.13%	-9.62%
	Progressive Canadian	Steven Hunter	145	0.38%	-0.09%
	Independent	Robert Ede	77	0.20%	-
	Canadian Action	Will Arlow	53	0.14%	-
Total			38,123	100.00%

London—Fanshawe - Canadian federal election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	New Democrat	Irene Mathyssen	16,067
	Liberal	Glen Pearson	15,199
	Conservative	Dan Mailer	12,034
	Green	David McLaughlin	1803

External links

• Parliament Webpage