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{{Short description|Canadian politician|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Short description|Canadian politician and lawyer (born 1974)}}
{{use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{use mdy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix =
| honorific-prefix =
| name = Will Amos
| name = Will Amos
| honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|country=CAN|MP|size=100%}}
| honorific-suffix =
| image =
| image =
| imagesize = 200px
| imagesize = 200px
| riding = [[Pontiac (electoral district)|Pontiac]]
| riding = [[Pontiac (federal electoral district)|Pontiac]]
| parliament = Canadian
| parliament = Canadian
| term_start = October 19, 2015
| term_start = October 19, 2015
| term_end =
| term_end = September 20, 2021
| predecessor = [[Mathieu Ravignat]]
| predecessor = [[Mathieu Ravignat]]
| successor =
| successor = [[Sophie Chatel]]
| birth_name = William Amos
| birth_name = William Amos
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|12|4}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|12|4}}
Line 19: Line 20:
| death_place =
| death_place =
| profession = {{hlist|Lawyer|lecturer}}
| profession = {{hlist|Lawyer|lecturer}}
| alma_mater = [[McMaster University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts and Science|BASc]])<br />[[University of British Columbia]] ([[Master of Arts|MA]])<br />[[McGill University]]
| alma_mater = [[McMaster University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts and Science|BASc]])<br />[[University of British Columbia]] ([[Master of Arts|MA]])<br />[[McGill University]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]], [[Bachelor of Civil Law|BCL]])
| party = [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]]
| party = [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]]
| residence = [[Chelsea, Quebec]]
| residence = [[Chelsea, Quebec]]
Line 26: Line 27:
| children = 2
| children = 2
}}
}}
'''William Amos''' {{post-nominals|country=CAN|MP}} (born December 4, 1974) is a Canadian politician and lawyer serving as the [[Member of Parliament (Canada)|member of Parliament]] for the [[Electoral district (Canada)|riding]] of [[Pontiac (electoral district)|Pontiac]], [[Quebec]]. A member of the [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal Party]], he was first elected to represent the riding in the [[House of Commons of Canada|House of Commons]] in the [[2015 Canadian federal election|2015 federal election]] and was re-elected in the [[2019 Canadian federal election|2019 federal election]]. In December 2019, Amos was appointed [[Parliamentary secretary#Canada|parliamentary secretary]] to the [[Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry]]. In May 2021, he temporarily stepped away from that position after two on-camera incidents during parliamentary sessions: one in which he was naked on a non-public video feed and a second in which he urinated on-camera during a non-public session. Amos described both incidents as accidental and apologized for them, while also calling for an investigation into how a photo of the first incident was leaked to the press. In June 2021, Amos's urination incident was ruled a prima facie case of contempt against the House of Commons by House Speaker [[Anthony Rota]] and the matter was referred to the chamber's procedure and affairs committee.
'''William Amos''' (born December 4, 1974) is a Canadian politician and lawyer who served as [[Member of Parliament (Canada)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for the [[Electoral district (Canada)|riding]] of [[Pontiac (federal electoral district)|Pontiac]], [[Quebec]] from 2015 to 2021. A member of the [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal Party]], he was first elected in the [[2015 Canadian federal election|2015 federal election]] and was re-elected in the [[2019 Canadian federal election|2019 federal election]]. In December 2019, Amos was appointed [[Parliamentary secretary#Canada|parliamentary secretary]] to the [[Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry]].


In May 2021, he temporarily stepped away from his role after two on-camera incidents during parliamentary sessions: one in which he was naked on a non-public video feed and a second in which he urinated into a coffee cup on camera during a non-public session. Amos described both incidents as accidental and apologized for them, while also calling for an investigation into how a photo of the first incident was leaked to the press. In June 2021, Amos's urination incident was ruled a ''[[prima facie]]'' case of contempt against the [[House of Commons of Canada|House of Commons]] by Speaker [[Anthony Rota]], and the matter was referred to the chamber's [[Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs|Procedure and House Affairs Committee]]. In August 2021, he announced that he would not seek re-election.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/three-liberal-mps-not-reoffering-1.6134329| title = 3 Liberal MPs say they will not run in the next federal election {{!}} CBC News}}</ref>
⚫
Before entering politics, Amos was a lawyer for [[Ecojustice Canada]], a lecturer at the [[University of Ottawa Faculty of Law]], and director of the uOttawa-Ecojustice Environmental Law Clinic.

⚫
Before entering politics, Amos was a lawyer for [[Ecojustice Canada]], a lecturer at the [[University of Ottawa Faculty of Law]], and director of the uOttawa Ecojustice Environmental Law Clinic.


==Education and career==
==Education and career==
Amos attended [[McMaster University]], earning a [[Bachelor of Arts and Science]] degree and a [[Master of Arts]] degree from the [[University of British Columbia]]. He went on to attend [[McGill University]]'s [[Civil law (legal system)|civil]]/[[common law]] program, graduating in 2004.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Schmitz|first=Cristin|date=November 6, 2015|title=Lawyers back with a vengeance, business people will cede power|url=https://www.thelawyersdaily.ca/articles/2196/lawyers-back-with-a-vengeance-business-people-will-cede-power|website=Lawyers Weekly|access-date=April 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Twenty-five McGillians off to Parliament : McGill Reporter|url=https://reporter.mcgill.ca/twenty-five-mcgillians-off-to-parliament/|date=October 21, 2015|website=publications.mcgill.ca|access-date=April 3, 2021}}</ref> Amos was called to the bar in both [[Ontario]] and Quebec and worked for a large [[Montreal]] law firm. He advised former Cabinet minister [[David Anderson (British Columbia politician)|David Anderson]] on issues related to [[species at risk]] and worked in the [[Office of the Prime Minister (Canada)|Prime Minister's Office]] under [[Jean Chrétien]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Berthiaume|first=Lee|date=January 25, 2016|title=Pontiac MP Will Amos on caring for the local environment|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/politics/q-a-pontiac-mp-will-amos-on-caring-for-the-local-environment|access-date=January 25, 2016|website=[[Ottawa Citizen]]}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Turnbull|first=Amanda|title=Will Amos New Director of uOttawa-Ecojustice Environmental Law Clinic {{!}} Common Law Section News|url=http://dev15.commonlaw.uottawa.ca/Common-Law-Section-News/will-amos-new-director-of-uottawa-ecojustice-environmental-law-clinic.html|access-date=May 23, 2016|website=dev15.commonlaw.uottawa.ca}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Mandel|first=Charles|date=October 21, 2015|title=Warren Kinsella dishes on who will be Trudeau's Minister of Environment|url=https://www.nationalobserver.com/2015/10/21/news/warren-kinsella-dishes-who-will-be-trudeaus-minister-environment|website=National Observer|access-date=May 23, 2016}}</ref>
Amos attended [[McMaster University]], earning a [[Bachelor of Arts and Science]] degree and a [[Master of Arts]] degree from the [[University of British Columbia]]. He went on to attend [[McGill University]]'s [[Civil law (legal system)|civil]]/[[common law]] program, graduating in 2004.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Schmitz|first=Cristin|date=November 6, 2015|title=Lawyers back with a vengeance, business people will cede power|url=https://www.thelawyersdaily.ca/articles/2196/lawyers-back-with-a-vengeance-business-people-will-cede-power|website=Lawyers Weekly|access-date=April 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Twenty-five McGillians off to Parliament : McGill Reporter|url=https://reporter.mcgill.ca/twenty-five-mcgillians-off-to-parliament/|date=October 21, 2015|website=publications.mcgill.ca|access-date=April 3, 2021}}</ref> Amos was called to the bar in both [[Ontario]] and Quebec and worked for a large [[Montreal]] law firm. He advised former Cabinet minister [[David Anderson (British Columbia politician)|David Anderson]] on issues related to [[species at risk]] and worked in the [[Office of the Prime Minister (Canada)|Prime Minister's Office]] under [[Jean Chrétien]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Berthiaume|first=Lee|date=January 25, 2016|title=Pontiac MP Will Amos on caring for the local environment|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/politics/q-a-pontiac-mp-will-amos-on-caring-for-the-local-environment|access-date=January 25, 2016|website=[[Ottawa Citizen]]}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Turnbull|first=Amanda|title=Will Amos New Director of uOttawa-Ecojustice Environmental Law Clinic {{!}} Common Law Section News|url=http://dev15.commonlaw.uottawa.ca/Common-Law-Section-News/will-amos-new-director-of-uottawa-ecojustice-environmental-law-clinic.html|access-date=May 23, 2016|website=dev15.commonlaw.uottawa.ca}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Mandel|first=Charles|date=October 21, 2015|title=Warren Kinsella dishes on who will be Trudeau's Minister of Environment|url=https://www.nationalobserver.com/2015/10/21/news/warren-kinsella-dishes-who-will-be-trudeaus-minister-environment|website=National Observer|access-date=May 23, 2016}}</ref>


=== Ecojustice Canada and University of Ottawa ===
=== Ecojustice Canada and University of Ottawa ===
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==Political career==
==Political career==
In October 2014, Amos won the Liberal nomination to run in [[Pontiac (electoral district)|Pontiac]] for the [[2015 Canadian federal election|2015 federal election]].<ref name=":4" /> He won the riding in the 2015 election, unseating incumbent [[Mathieu Ravignat]] of the [[New Democratic Party]] (NDP).<ref>[http://www.lapresse.ca/le-droit/dossiers/elections-federales-2015/201510/19/01-4911707-will-amos-rafle-pontiac.php Will Amos rafle Pontiac], ''[[La Presse (Canadian newspaper)|La Presse]]'', October 19, 2015.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://ottawacitizen.com/news/politics/federal-election-pontiac|title = Liberals win decisive victory in the Pontiac|date = 2015-10-16 |access-date = 2021-04-03|work = Ottawa Citizen}}</ref> At the time of his election, Amos was teaching law at the University of Ottawa as the director of the uOttawa-Ecojustice Environmental Law Clinic.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Smyth|first=Catrina|date=October 20, 2015|title=Sea of red washes over orange crush|url=http://www.ottawasun.com/2015/10/20/sea-of-red-washes-over-orange-crush|website=[[Ottawa Sun]]|access-date=May 23, 2016}}</ref>
In October 2014, Amos won the Liberal nomination to run in [[Pontiac (federal electoral district)|Pontiac]] for the [[2015 Canadian federal election|2015 federal election]].<ref name=":4" /> He won the riding in the 2015 election, unseating incumbent [[Mathieu Ravignat]] of the [[New Democratic Party]] (NDP).<ref>[http://www.lapresse.ca/le-droit/dossiers/elections-federales-2015/201510/19/01-4911707-will-amos-rafle-pontiac.php Will Amos rafle Pontiac], ''[[La Presse (Canadian newspaper)|La Presse]]'', October 19, 2015.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://ottawacitizen.com/news/politics/federal-election-pontiac|title = Liberals win decisive victory in the Pontiac|date = 2015-10-16 |access-date = 2021-04-03|work = Ottawa Citizen}}</ref> At the time of his election, Amos was teaching law at the University of Ottawa as the director of the uOttawa-Ecojustice Environmental Law Clinic.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Smyth|first=Catrina|date=October 20, 2015|title=Sea of red washes over orange crush|url=http://www.ottawasun.com/2015/10/20/sea-of-red-washes-over-orange-crush|website=[[Ottawa Sun]]|access-date=May 23, 2016}}</ref>


Amos was re-elected following the [[2019 Canadian federal election|2019 election]].<ref name="CBC2019">{{cite news|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=October 21, 2019|title=Liberal Will Amos victorious in Pontiac|work=[[CBC News]]|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/pontiac-federal-election-2019-1.5325968|access-date=December 11, 2019}}</ref> On December 12, 2019, Amos was appointed [[Parliamentary secretary#Canada|parliamentary secretary]] to the [[Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry]], with a focus on science.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Blewett|first=Taylor|date=December 13, 2019|title=Mandate letters and parliamentary secretaries: What the NCR needs to know|work=[[Ottawa Citizen]]|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/mandate-letters-and-parliamentary-secretaries-what-the-ncr-needs-to-know|access-date=May 27, 2021}}</ref>
Amos was re-elected following the [[2019 Canadian federal election|2019 election]].<ref name="CBC2019">{{cite news|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=October 21, 2019|title=Liberal Will Amos victorious in Pontiac|work=[[CBC News]]|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/pontiac-federal-election-2019-1.5325968|access-date=December 11, 2019}}</ref> On December 12, 2019, Amos was appointed [[Parliamentary secretary#Canada|parliamentary secretary]] to the [[Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry]], with a focus on science.<ref>{{cite news|last=Blewett|first=Taylor|date=December 13, 2019|title=Mandate letters and parliamentary secretaries: What the NCR needs to know|work=[[Ottawa Citizen]]|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/mandate-letters-and-parliamentary-secretaries-what-the-ncr-needs-to-know|access-date=May 27, 2021}}</ref> On August 8, 2021, Amos announced he would not seek re-election.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Amos|first=Will|date=August 8, 2021|title=Statement by Member of Parliament Will Amos|url=https://www.facebook.com/willamoscanada/posts/2438562332953846|website=Facebook|language=en-ca|access-date=August 8, 2021}}</ref>


=== On-camera incidents ===
=== On-camera incidents ===
On April 14, 2021, Amos apologized for appearing naked during a hybrid parliamentary session with other members of parliament.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Levesque|first=Catherine|date=April 14, 2021|title=Liberal MP issues apology after appearing naked in virtual House of Commons|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7758780/liberal-mp-naked-house-of-commons/|website=Global News|language=en-US|access-date=April 15, 2021}}</ref> He stated that he had just gone out for a jog and that his video was "accidentally turned on." In response to the incident, [[Bloc Québécois]] member [[Claude DeBellefeuille]] said that members should remember always to be fully clothed, and [[Anthony Rota]], [[Speaker of the House of Commons (Canada)|Speaker of the House of Commons]], replied by saying that members should "always be vigilant when they are near a camera and a microphone."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Jones|first1=Ryan Patrick|last2=Rands|first2=Chris|date=April 14, 2021|title=Liberal MP apologizes after appearing naked on House of Commons video feed|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/william-amos-liberal-mp-naked-parliament-1.5988128|website=[[CBC News]]|access-date=April 14, 2021}}</ref>
On April 14, 2021, Amos apologized for appearing naked during a hybrid parliamentary session with other members of parliament.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Levesque|first=Catherine|date=April 14, 2021|title=Liberal MP issues apology after appearing naked in virtual House of Commons|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7758780/liberal-mp-naked-house-of-commons/|website=Global News|language=en-US|access-date=April 15, 2021}}</ref> He stated that he had just gone out for a jog and that his video was "accidentally turned on." In response to the incident, [[Bloc Québécois]] member [[Claude DeBellefeuille]] said that members should remember always to be fully clothed, and [[Anthony Rota]], [[Speaker of the House of Commons (Canada)|Speaker of the House of Commons]], replied by saying that members should "always be vigilant when they are near a camera and a microphone."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Jones|first1=Ryan Patrick|last2=Rands|first2=Chris|date=April 14, 2021|title=Liberal MP apologizes after appearing naked on House of Commons video feed|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/william-amos-liberal-mp-naked-parliament-1.5988128|website=[[CBC News]]|access-date=April 14, 2021}}</ref>


The incident occurred on a video feed that only Members of Parliament and House of Commons staff can see, separate from the public-facing video system. It is against House of Commons rules to share video or images of non-public parliamentary proceedings. On April 15, Liberal [[House Leader]] [[Pablo Rodríguez (Canadian politician)|Pablo Rodriguez]] called the leak of the photograph potentially "criminal" and an act of "callous disrespect". Rodriguez also called for an investigation into the leak of the photograph to be conducted by House Speaker [[Anthony Rota]]. Amos issued a statement on April 15, supporting the call for an investigation. Liberal [[Whip (Canadian politics)|Whip]] [[Mark Holland]] said that his counterparts from the NDP and Bloc reached out saying that the image had not originated from any of their offices.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Tunney|first=Catharine|date=April 15, 2021|title=Government House leader calls for investigation into leaked photo of naked Liberal MP|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/william-amos-liberal-mp-naked-parliament-1.5988649|work=[[CBC News]]|access-date=April 15, 2021}}</ref> On April 21, 2021, Bloc MP [[Sébastien Lemire]] apologized for taking the image of Amos that had been spread online and said he was not sure how the image reached the media.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Raycraft |first=Richard |date=21 April 2021 |title=Bloc MP apologizes for taking picture of naked House of Commons colleague |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/bloc-mp-apologize-photo-naked-1.5996800 |work=[[CBC News]] |access-date=21 April 2021}}</ref>
The incident occurred on a video feed that only Members of Parliament and House of Commons staff can see, separate from the public-facing video system. It is against House of Commons rules to share video or images of non-public parliamentary proceedings. On April 15, Liberal [[House Leader]] [[Pablo Rodríguez (Canadian politician)|Pablo Rodriguez]] called the leak of the photograph potentially "criminal" and an act of "callous disrespect". Rodriguez also called for an investigation into the leak of the photograph to be conducted by House Speaker [[Anthony Rota]]. Amos issued a statement on April 15, supporting the call for an investigation. Liberal [[Whip (Canadian politics)|Whip]] [[Mark Holland]] said that his counterparts from the NDP and Bloc reached out saying that the image had not originated from any of their offices.<ref>{{cite news|last=Tunney|first=Catharine|date=April 15, 2021|title=Government House leader calls for investigation into leaked photo of naked Liberal MP|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/william-amos-liberal-mp-naked-parliament-1.5988649|work=[[CBC News]]|access-date=April 15, 2021}}</ref> On April 21, 2021, Bloc MP [[Sébastien Lemire]] apologized for taking the image of Amos that had been spread online and said he was not sure how the image reached the media.<ref>{{cite news |last=Raycraft |first=Richard |date=21 April 2021 |title=Bloc MP apologizes for taking picture of naked House of Commons colleague |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/bloc-mp-apologize-photo-naked-1.5996800 |work=[[CBC News]] |access-date=21 April 2021}}</ref>


On May 27, 2021, Amos released a statement apologizing for urinating while on camera the day before,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Austen |first1=Ian |title=Canadian Lawmaker Is Exposed on Camera for a Second Time |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/28/world/canada/canada-lawmaker-urinate.html |access-date=29 May 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=28 May 2021}}</ref> saying that while it was accidental and not visible to the public, it was still unacceptable. He also announced that he was temporarily stepping aside from his role as parliamentary secretary to Industry Minister [[François-Philippe Champagne|Francois-Philippe Champagne]] and from his committee work to seek assistance.<ref>{{Cite news|date=May 27, 2021|title=Liberal MP caught on camera — again — during virtual House of Commons|work=[[CBC News]]|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberal-mp-caught-on-camera-again-during-virtual-house-of-commons-1.6043751|access-date=May 27, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Cousins|first=Ben|date=May 27, 2021|title=MP says he urinated on camera 'without realizing' month after being caught naked|work=[[CTV News]]|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/mp-says-he-urinated-on-camera-without-realizing-month-after-being-caught-naked-1.5446268|access-date=May 27, 2021}}</ref> On June 7, 2021, Speaker Rota ruled that Amos's urinating incident was a prima facie case of contempt of the House of Commons, and said that the procedure and House Affairs committee should investigate further. A motion to refer the incident was then passed without objection.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bryden|first=Joan|date=June 7, 2021|title=Speaker rules conduct of urinating MP constitutes prima facie case of contempt|work=[[The Globe and Mail]]|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-speaker-rules-conduct-of-urinating-mp-constitutes-prima-facie-case-of/|access-date=June 8, 2021}}</ref> On June 8, Amos's office stated that Amos was receiving help with stress and time management.<ref>{{Cite news|date=June 8, 2021|title=MP who exposed himself seeking help for stress and time management|work=[[The Globe and Mail]]|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-mp-who-exposed-himself-seeking-help-for-stress-and-time-management-2/|access-date=June 9, 2021}}</ref>
On May 27, 2021, Amos released a statement apologizing for urinating while on camera the day before,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Austen |first1=Ian |title=Canadian Lawmaker Is Exposed on Camera for a Second Time |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/28/world/canada/canada-lawmaker-urinate.html |access-date=29 May 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=28 May 2021}}</ref> saying that while it was accidental and not visible to the public, it was still unacceptable. He also announced that he was temporarily stepping aside from his role as parliamentary secretary to Industry Minister [[François-Philippe Champagne|Francois-Philippe Champagne]] and from his committee work to seek assistance.<ref>{{cite news|date=May 27, 2021|title=Liberal MP caught on camera — again — during virtual House of Commons|work=[[CBC News]]|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberal-mp-caught-on-camera-again-during-virtual-house-of-commons-1.6043751|access-date=May 27, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Cousins|first=Ben|date=May 27, 2021|title=MP says he urinated on camera 'without realizing' month after being caught naked|work=[[CTV News]]|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/mp-says-he-urinated-on-camera-without-realizing-month-after-being-caught-naked-1.5446268|access-date=May 27, 2021}}</ref> On June 7, 2021, Speaker Rota ruled that Amos's urinating incident was a [[prima facie]] case of contempt of the House of Commons, and said that the procedure and House Affairs committee should investigate further. A motion to refer the incident was then passed without objection.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bryden|first=Joan|date=June 7, 2021|title=Speaker rules conduct of urinating MP constitutes prima facie case of contempt|work=[[The Globe and Mail]]|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-speaker-rules-conduct-of-urinating-mp-constitutes-prima-facie-case-of/|access-date=June 8, 2021}}</ref> On June 8, Amos's office stated that Amos was receiving help with stress and time management.<ref>{{cite news|date=June 8, 2021|title=MP who exposed himself seeking help for stress and time management|work=[[The Globe and Mail]]|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-mp-who-exposed-himself-seeking-help-for-stress-and-time-management-2/|access-date=June 9, 2021}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
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==Electoral record==
==Electoral record==
{{Canadian federal election, 2019/Pontiac}}
{{2019 Canadian federal election/Pontiac}}
{{2015 Canadian federal election/Pontiac}}

{{Canadian election result/top|CA|2015|Pontiac (electoral district)|Pontiac|percent=yes|change=yes|expenditures=yes}}
{{CANelec|CA|Liberal|Will Amos|34,154|54.54|+39.35|&ndash;}}
{{CANelec|CA|NDP|[[Mathieu Ravignat]]|14,095|22.51|-24.76|&ndash;}}
{{CANelec|CA|Conservative|Benjamin Woodman|8,721|13.93|-12.26|&ndash;}}
{{CANelec|CA|BQ|Nicolas Lepage|4,327|6.91|-2.64|&ndash;}}
{{CANelec|CA|Green|Colin Griffiths|1,089|1.74|+0.11|&ndash;}}
{{CANelec|CA|FD|Pascal Médieu|131|0.21|&ndash;|&ndash;}}
{{CANelec|CA|Marxist-Leninist|Louis Lang|108|0.17|&ndash;|&ndash;}}
{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes/Expense limit|&ndash;|100.0 &nbsp;|&nbsp;|$253,773.13}}
{{Canadian election result/total|Total rejected ballots|&ndash;|&ndash;|&ndash;}}
{{Canadian election result/total|Turnout|&ndash;|&ndash;|&ndash;}}
{{Canadian election result/total|Eligible voters|86,585}}
{{CANelec/source|Source: [[Elections Canada]]<ref>[http://www.elections.ca/Scripts/vis/candidates?L=e&ED=24057&EV=41&EV_TYPE=1&PC=&PROV=QC&PROVID=24&MAPID=&QID=8&PAGEID=17&TPAGEID=&PD=&STAT_CODE_ID=-1 Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for Pontiac, 30 September 2015]</ref><ref>[http://www.elections.ca/content2.aspx?section=can&dir=cand/canlim&document=index&lang=e Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates]</ref>}}
{{end}}


==References==
==References==
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* {{Canadian Parliament links|ID=18585}}
* {{Canadian Parliament links|ID=18585}}


{{Current Members of the Canadian House of Commons}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:Members of the House of Commons of Canada from Quebec]]
[[Category:Members of the House of Commons of Canada from Quebec]]
[[Category:Politicians from Ottawa]]
[[Category:Politicians from Ottawa]]
[[Category:Canadian lawyers]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian lawyers]]
[[Category:University of British Columbia alumni]]
[[Category:University of British Columbia alumni]]
[[Category:University of Ottawa faculty]]
[[Category:Academic staff of the University of Ottawa]]
[[Category:Environmental lawyers]]
[[Category:Canadian environmental lawyers]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century members of the House of Commons of Canada]]
[[Category:McGill University Faculty of Law alumni]]
[[Category:McGill University Faculty of Law alumni]]

Latest revision as of 22:12, 23 September 2024

Will Amos
Member of Parliament
for Pontiac
In office
October 19, 2015 – September 20, 2021
Preceded byMathieu Ravignat
Succeeded bySophie Chatel
Personal details
Born
William Amos

(1974-12-04) December 4, 1974 (age 49)
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Political partyLiberal
SpouseRegina Amos
Children2
ResidenceChelsea, Quebec
Alma materMcMaster University (BASc)
University of British Columbia (MA)
McGill University (JD, BCL)
Profession
  • Lawyer
  • lecturer

William Amos (born December 4, 1974) is a Canadian politician and lawyer who served as Member of Parliament (MP) for the riding of Pontiac, Quebec from 2015 to 2021. A member of the Liberal Party, he was first elected in the 2015 federal election and was re-elected in the 2019 federal election. In December 2019, Amos was appointed parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.

In May 2021, he temporarily stepped away from his role after two on-camera incidents during parliamentary sessions: one in which he was naked on a non-public video feed and a second in which he urinated into a coffee cup on camera during a non-public session. Amos described both incidents as accidental and apologized for them, while also calling for an investigation into how a photo of the first incident was leaked to the press. In June 2021, Amos's urination incident was ruled a prima facie case of contempt against the House of Commons by Speaker Anthony Rota, and the matter was referred to the chamber's Procedure and House Affairs Committee. In August 2021, he announced that he would not seek re-election.[1]

Before entering politics, Amos was a lawyer for Ecojustice Canada, a lecturer at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, and director of the uOttawa Ecojustice Environmental Law Clinic.

Education and career

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Amos attended McMaster University, earning a Bachelor of Arts and Science degree and a Master of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia. He went on to attend McGill University's civil/common law program, graduating in 2004.[2][3] Amos was called to the bar in both Ontario and Quebec and worked for a large Montreal law firm. He advised former Cabinet minister David Anderson on issues related to species at risk and worked in the Prime Minister's Office under Jean Chrétien.[4][5][6]

Ecojustice Canada and University of Ottawa

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By 2007, Amos was a lawyer for Ecojustice Canada, an environmental law charity which had partnered with the University of Ottawa (uOttawa) Faculty of Law to create the uOttawa-Ecojustice Environmental Law Clinic, which provided legal advice to individuals and community groups involved in environmental law cases.[5] During his time at the environmental law clinic, Amos collaborated as an author on four books, three of which were about the mining industry in Quebec, and one on holding the Canadian government accountable for environmental enforcement.[7] Amos was a part-time lecturer and staff lawyer at the University of Ottawa before being promoted to director of the uOttawa-Ecojustice Environmental Law Clinic in August 2010.[5][8]

Political career

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In October 2014, Amos won the Liberal nomination to run in Pontiac for the 2015 federal election.[9] He won the riding in the 2015 election, unseating incumbent Mathieu Ravignat of the New Democratic Party (NDP).[10][11] At the time of his election, Amos was teaching law at the University of Ottawa as the director of the uOttawa-Ecojustice Environmental Law Clinic.[2][12]

Amos was re-elected following the 2019 election.[13] On December 12, 2019, Amos was appointed parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, with a focus on science.[14] On August 8, 2021, Amos announced he would not seek re-election.[15]

On-camera incidents

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On April 14, 2021, Amos apologized for appearing naked during a hybrid parliamentary session with other members of parliament.[16] He stated that he had just gone out for a jog and that his video was "accidentally turned on." In response to the incident, Bloc Québécois member Claude DeBellefeuille said that members should remember always to be fully clothed, and Anthony Rota, Speaker of the House of Commons, replied by saying that members should "always be vigilant when they are near a camera and a microphone."[17]

The incident occurred on a video feed that only Members of Parliament and House of Commons staff can see, separate from the public-facing video system. It is against House of Commons rules to share video or images of non-public parliamentary proceedings. On April 15, Liberal House Leader Pablo Rodriguez called the leak of the photograph potentially "criminal" and an act of "callous disrespect". Rodriguez also called for an investigation into the leak of the photograph to be conducted by House Speaker Anthony Rota. Amos issued a statement on April 15, supporting the call for an investigation. Liberal Whip Mark Holland said that his counterparts from the NDP and Bloc reached out saying that the image had not originated from any of their offices.[18] On April 21, 2021, Bloc MP Sébastien Lemire apologized for taking the image of Amos that had been spread online and said he was not sure how the image reached the media.[19]

On May 27, 2021, Amos released a statement apologizing for urinating while on camera the day before,[20] saying that while it was accidental and not visible to the public, it was still unacceptable. He also announced that he was temporarily stepping aside from his role as parliamentary secretary to Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne and from his committee work to seek assistance.[21][22] On June 7, 2021, Speaker Rota ruled that Amos's urinating incident was a prima facie case of contempt of the House of Commons, and said that the procedure and House Affairs committee should investigate further. A motion to refer the incident was then passed without objection.[23] On June 8, Amos's office stated that Amos was receiving help with stress and time management.[24]

Personal life

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Amos currently resides in Chelsea with his wife and two children.[9] He is fluently bilingual.[5]

Electoral record

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2019 Canadian federal election: Pontiac
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Will Amos 30,217 48.9 -5.64 $95,087.19
Conservative Dave Blackburn 10,416 16.8 +2.87 $17,989.25
Bloc Québécois Jonathan Carreiro-Benoit 9,929 16.1 +9.19 $2,059.60
New Democratic Denise Giroux 6,503 10.5 -12.01 none listed
Green Claude Bertrand 3,762 6.1 +4.36 none listed
People's Mario Belec 775 1.3 $0.00
Veterans Coalition Shawn Stewart 194 0.3 none listed
Marxist–Leninist Louis Lang 51 0.1 -0.07 $0.00
Total valid votes/expense limit 61,847 100.0
Total rejected ballots 661
Turnout 62,508 68.2
Eligible voters 91,656
Liberal hold Swing -4.26
Source: Elections Canada[25][26]
2015 Canadian federal election: Pontiac
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Will Amos 34,154 54.54 +39.35 $127,717.07
New Democratic Mathieu Ravignat 14,095 22.51 -24.76 $47,758.81
Conservative Benjamin Woodman 8,721 13.93 -12.26 $35,653.16
Bloc Québécois Nicolas Lepage 4,327 6.91 -2.64 –
Green Colin Griffiths 1,089 1.74 +0.11 $7,418.25
Strength in Democracy Pascal Médieu 131 0.21 – $379.41
Marxist–Leninist Louis Lang 108 0.17 – –
Total valid votes/expense limit 62,625 100.0   $254,590.45
Total rejected ballots 467 – –
Turnout 63,092 – –
Eligible voters 87,365
Source: Elections Canada[27][28]

References

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  1. ^ "3 Liberal MPs say they will not run in the next federal election | CBC News".
  2. ^ a b Schmitz, Cristin (November 6, 2015). "Lawyers back with a vengeance, business people will cede power". Lawyers Weekly. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  3. ^ "Twenty-five McGillians off to Parliament : McGill Reporter". publications.mcgill.ca. October 21, 2015. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  4. ^ Berthiaume, Lee (January 25, 2016). "Pontiac MP Will Amos on caring for the local environment". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  5. ^ a b c d Turnbull, Amanda. "Will Amos New Director of uOttawa-Ecojustice Environmental Law Clinic | Common Law Section News". dev15.commonlaw.uottawa.ca. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  6. ^ Mandel, Charles (October 21, 2015). "Warren Kinsella dishes on who will be Trudeau's Minister of Environment". National Observer. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  7. ^ "PARLINFO - Parliamentarian File - Complete File - AMOS, William". Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  8. ^ "New uOttawa-Ecojustice Clinic Director announced - Ecojustice". Eco Justice. Ecojustice Canada. August 24, 2010. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  9. ^ a b McCooey, Paula (August 12, 2015). "Will bellwether Pontiac keep riding the orange wave?". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  10. ^ Will Amos rafle Pontiac, La Presse, October 19, 2015.
  11. ^ "Liberals win decisive victory in the Pontiac". Ottawa Citizen. October 16, 2015. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  12. ^ Smyth, Catrina (October 20, 2015). "Sea of red washes over orange crush". Ottawa Sun. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  13. ^ "Liberal Will Amos victorious in Pontiac". CBC News. October 21, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  14. ^ Blewett, Taylor (December 13, 2019). "Mandate letters and parliamentary secretaries: What the NCR needs to know". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  15. ^ Amos, Will (August 8, 2021). "Statement by Member of Parliament Will Amos". Facebook. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  16. ^ Levesque, Catherine (April 14, 2021). "Liberal MP issues apology after appearing naked in virtual House of Commons". Global News. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  17. ^ Jones, Ryan Patrick; Rands, Chris (April 14, 2021). "Liberal MP apologizes after appearing naked on House of Commons video feed". CBC News. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  18. ^ Tunney, Catharine (April 15, 2021). "Government House leader calls for investigation into leaked photo of naked Liberal MP". CBC News. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  19. ^ Raycraft, Richard (April 21, 2021). "Bloc MP apologizes for taking picture of naked House of Commons colleague". CBC News. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  20. ^ Austen, Ian (May 28, 2021). "Canadian Lawmaker Is Exposed on Camera for a Second Time". The New York Times. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  21. ^ "Liberal MP caught on camera — again — during virtual House of Commons". CBC News. The Canadian Press. May 27, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  22. ^ Cousins, Ben (May 27, 2021). "MP says he urinated on camera 'without realizing' month after being caught naked". CTV News. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  23. ^ Bryden, Joan (June 7, 2021). "Speaker rules conduct of urinating MP constitutes prima facie case of contempt". The Globe and Mail. The Canadian Press. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  24. ^ "MP who exposed himself seeking help for stress and time management". The Globe and Mail. The Canadian Press. June 8, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  25. ^ "List of confirmed candidates". Elections Canada. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  26. ^ "Election Night Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  27. ^ Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for Pontiac, 30 September 2015
  28. ^ Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates
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