Glen Pearson
Glen Pearson | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for London North Centre | |
| In office November 27, 2006 – May 2, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Joe Fontana |
| Succeeded by | Susan Truppe |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 26, 1950 Calgary, Alberta |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Spouse | Jane Roy |
| Residence | London, Ontario |
| Profession | Firefighter |
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, well known for his charitable and humanitarian activities. He retired as a captain in the London Fire Department, where he worked for 29 years, but he is perhaps better known as the co-executive director of the London Food Bank for over 25 years.[1] He has also previously been involved in the Ontario Association of Food Banks as a board member, serving one term as Chairperson.[2]
Since 1998, along with his wife, Jane Roy, Pearson has worked on human rights and development projects in Sudan. This work included building schools and infrastructure, general community development and campaigning against slavery.[3]
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.[4]
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.[5]
Following the resignation of Joe Fontana in London North Centre, he was elected in the resulting by-election on November 27, 2006.[6] His closest competition was Green Party of Canada leader Elizabeth May, who received 26% of the vote.[7]
His campaign emphasized environmental, health care and accountability issues.
He supported Stéphane Dion in the Liberal leadership election, and introduced him on the night of the candidate speeches.[8]
Pearson was re-elected in the 2008 federal election,[1] but was defeated by Conservative Susan Truppe when he ran for re-election in 2011.[9]
Electoral record
| 2011 Canadian federal election | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures | |||
| Conservative | Susan Truppe | 19,468 | 36.96 | +3.99 | – | |||
| Liberal | Glen Pearson | 17,803 | 33.80 | -5.33 | – | |||
| New Democratic | German Gutierrez | 12,996 | 24.67 | +7.20 | – | |||
| Green | Mary Ann Hodge | 2,177 | 4.13 | -6.30 | – | |||
| Animal Alliance | AnnaMaria Valastro | 229 | 0.43 | – | – | |||
| Total valid votes | 52,673 | 100.00 | – | |||||
| Total rejected ballots | 231 | 0.44 | +0.03 | – | ||||
| Turnout | 52,904 | 59.69 | – | |||||
| Eligible voters | 88,624 | – | – | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | Glen Pearson | 21,018 | 39.13% | +4.27% | |
| Conservative | Paul Van Meerbergen | 17,712 | 32.97% | +8.49% | |
| New Democratic | 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 | ||||
| Canadian federal by-election, November 27, 2006: London North Centre Resignation of Joe Fontana | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Democratic | 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 | ||||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Democratic | Irene Mathyssen | 16,067 | |||
| Liberal | Glen Pearson | 15,199 | |||
| Conservative | Dan Mailer | 12,034 | |||
| Green | David McLaughlin | 1803 | |||
References
- ^ a b "An unpolitical farewell". London Free Press. May 16, 2011. Archived from the original on 2017-08-04. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
- ^ "Rookie Liberal MP Pearson's Sudan story". The Hill Times. January 28, 2008. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
- ^ "Lost and found in Africa". Toronto Star. April 25, 2007. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
- ^ "MP reunites long-lost Sudanese siblings in Canada". CTV News. August 17, 2007. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
- ^ "Canada Votes 2006: London-Fanshawe". CBC News. January 23, 2006. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
- ^ "Tories shut out of two federal byelections". Canada.com. November 27, 2006. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
- ^ "Green party 'has arrived' after finishing 2nd in byelection". CBC News. November 28, 2006. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
- ^ "Dion promises Liberals will "be ready for an election"". Canada.com. December 4, 2006. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
- ^ "London North Centre turns blue". The Londoner. May 5, 2011. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
External links
