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James Moore (Canadian politician)

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For the Ontario politician, see James Percy Moore.

The Honourable
James Moore
PC
Minister of Industry
In office
July 15, 2013 – November 4, 2015
Prime MinisterStephen Harper
Preceded byChristian Paradis
Succeeded byNavdeep Bains (Innovation, Science and Economic Development)
Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
In office
October 30, 2008 – July 15, 2013
Prime MinisterStephen Harper
Preceded byJosée Verner (Canadian Heritage and Status of Women)
Succeeded byShelly Glover
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Trade
In office
June 25, 2008 – October 29, 2008
Prime MinisterStephen Harper
Preceded byPosition abolished
Succeeded byPosition established
Member of Parliament
for Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam
(Port Moody—Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam; 2000–2004)
In office
November 27, 2000 – October 19, 2015
Preceded byLou Sekora
Succeeded byConstituency abolished
Personal details
Born (1976-06-10) June 10, 1976 (age 48)
New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Political partyConservative
Other political
affiliations		Canadian Alliance (2000–2003)
Spouse
Courtney Moore
​
(m. 2011)​
Residence(s)Port Moody, British Columbia
Alma materUniversity of Northern British Columbia (B.A.)
University of Saskatchewan (M.A.)
OccupationPublic policy advisor, director, broadcaster

James Moore PC (born June 10, 1976) is a Canadian politician who formerly served as the Minister of Industry in the cabinet of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Moore was the Conservative Member of Parliament from 2000 to 2015, representing Port Moody—Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam (2000–2004) and then Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam (2004–2015). He also served as Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages and as the Secretary of State for Official Languages, Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics before becoming Industry Minister. Prior to entering cabinet, he was the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works and to the Minister for the Pacific Gateway & 2010 Olympics.

Moore did not run in the 2015 federal election, and in November 2015, it was announced that he would be the 6th Chancellor of the University of Northern British Columbia, starting May 2016.

Background

Moore was born in New Westminster, British Columbia on June 10, 1976[1] and was raised in the city of Coquitlam. Following his graduation from Centennial Sr. Secondary, he pursued studies in economics and business administration at Douglas College. In 1996, he started working as a broadcaster at CKST AM1040 in Vancouver. In 1997, he moved to Ottawa to work as the Communications Advisor for the Official Opposition, which at that time was the Reform Party of Canada. In 1998, Moore returned to broadcasting in Vancouver before moving to Prince George to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science at the University of Northern British Columbia. While in Prince George he continued in broadcasting by guest hosting at 550 CKPG and launching his own talk show entitled "’Behind the Headlines’ with James Moore." In 2011, Moore earned his Master of Arts degree in Political Studies from the University of Saskatchewan.[2]

Political career

Opposition member

In the 2000 federal election Moore was the Canadian Alliance candidate in the federal riding of Port Moody—Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam. At the age of 24 Moore defeated Liberal Party incumbent Lou Sekora by a 20 percentage point margin.[3] With his election win Moore became the youngest member of Parliament ever elected in the province of British Columbia.[4] As a member of the Official Opposition Moore served as Deputy Foreign Affairs Critic and Deputy National Revenue Critic, and was later promoted to serve as the Senior Transport Critic and Vice-Chair of the Commons Transport Committee.[2] In 2003, the Canadian Alliance merged with the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada to form the Conservative Party of Canada.[5] In the 2004 federal election Moore was re-elected in the new riding of Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, winning 41% of the popular the vote.[6] Following his re-election he served as the Official Opposition Transportation Critic, as well as Amateur Sport Critic.[2]

In 2004, Moore was one of the few members of his caucus to vote in favour of same-sex marriage.[7] After taking a long time to study the issue he stated "In short, I believe in equality under the law for all Canadians for civil marriages, which in a perfect world would be termed civil unions".[8][9]

Government member

In the 2006 federal election the Conservative Party won a minority government and Moore was re-elected in his riding over former Coquitlam mayor, Jon Kingsbury.[6] On February 7, 2006, Moore was appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister Public Works and Government Services Canada and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics.[2] Moore was responsible for answering questions regarding Public Works and Government Services during Question Period due to the minister, Michael Fortier, being a senator as opposed to a member of Parliament.[10]

On June 25, 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed Moore as the Secretary of State for the 2010 Olympics, the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Official Languages. With his appointment he became the youngest Cabinet Minister in British Columbia's history and the fourth youngest Cabinet Minister in Canadian history.[2][11] Less than three months later Harper called an election for October 14, 2008.[12] Moore was easily re-elected in the 2008 federal election and the Conservative Party won their second minority government.[6]

Minister of Canadian Heritage

On October 30, 2008, Moore was appointed Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.[13] Moore's appointment came after Harper had sparked controversy during the recent election campaign when he made comments that "ordinary people" didn't care about arts funding.[14][15] The comments were negatively received, particularly in Quebec, and it is thought to have contributed to the Conservatives not winning a majority government.[16]

In the 2011 federal election Moore was once again re-elected in his riding and the Conservative Party won their first majority government.[6] It was speculated that Moore could be promoted to a higher profile ministry when Harper shuffled his cabinet, however he remained Minister of Heritage when the new cabinet was sworn in.[17][18] The resignation and defeat of several ministers did lead to his appointment as the senior regional Minister from British Columbia, he became the youngest person to ever hold the post.[2][19][20] Moore was seen as one of the most influential members within his caucus, and with Prime Minister Harper.[21] Though Harper did not appoint a Deputy Prime Minister, Jason Kenney was seen by many as the de facto Deputy Prime Minister.[22][23] Maclean's columnist Paul Wells wrote in 2011 that Moore, whose views contrast with the more socially conservative Kenney, was a near-equal to Kenney within cabinet.[21] Moore's portfolio was an important one to Quebeckers and, with only four Conservative members of Parliament in the province, Moore became a central figure in the province for the party, despite hailing from British Columbia.[24]

CBC

As Minister of Canadian Heritage Moore was nominally responsible for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), a Crown corporation. On November 19, 2008, Moore warned CBC executives to rein in their spending practises after it was revealed that CBC's executive vice-president for French services, racked up more than $80,000 in 2006 on expenses such as theatre tickets, hotels, and catering.[25][26] The information was revealed the same week that other Canadian broadcasters were announcing hiring freezes and layoffs.[27] The President of CBC announced on November 21, 2008 that the corporation would be cutting spending and reviewing its major projects.[28]

Moore has been a defender of the CBC and has spoken about its importance as a key cultural institution.[29] This despite calls from some within the Conservative Party to stop funding or sell the CBC.[30] Downsizing and decentralizing of the broadcaster is a goal for Moore and the Conservative government. In December 2011, he stated that under his leadership staffing at the CBC had decreased by about 25%.[31][32]

Interim Minister of Aboriginal Affairs

On February 15, 2013, Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed Moore as acting Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development after the sudden resignation of John Duncan. Duncan resigned after improperly advocating to a tax court on behalf of a constituent in June 2011.[4] Moore remained interim minister until Bernard Valcourt was appointed on February 22, 2013.

Minister of Industry

On July 15, 2013, Moore was appointed Minister of Industry.[33] As Minister of Industry, Moore Chaired the Cabinet Committee on Economic prosperity, which was responsible for considering all economic proposals.

Internal Free Trade

in 2014 Moore made a major effort to open Canada's internal markets to greater free trade. Tabling a report entitled "One Canada, One National Economy," he outlined options for improving Canada's existing Agreement on Internal Trade or starting anew with default open market access across Canada for domestic goods and services.[1]

Digital Policy

While serving as Minister, Moore successfully passed Bill S-4, also known as the "Digital Privacy Act," a sweeping set of changes to modernize Canada's online privacy laws, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). He also implemented a series of spectrum auctions (700 MHz, 2500 MHz and AWS-3) to put as much spectrum into the market for use by wireless providers to create competition. He also established the "Connecting Canadians" program to bring internet connectivity to rural and remote communities, as well as the modernized "Computers for Schools" program for those without access to computers. He also implemented a new cell tower sharing policy to encourage competition and mandatory community consultations on cell tower placement and construction.

Space Policy

As Minister, Moore developed and implemented a new space policy framework for Canada, including funding and full participation in the James Webb Space Telescope, the international 30 Metre Telescope, renewed membership in the European Space Agency, and a commitment to the International Space Station through 2024 with funding for 2 Canadian astronauts to complete missions to space.

On December 15, 2013 while commenting on a report that B.C. had the worst rate of child poverty in Canada, Moore said, "Is it my job to feed my neighbour's child? I don't think so" to Vancouver radio station News1130 reporter Sara Norman. His comments were criticized[who?] as "dismissive" and Scrooge-like, especially given the Christmas season. Initially the minister denied making any such statement in a series of tweets. On December 16, Moore issued a written apology on his website.[34][35]

Out of politics

On June 19, 2015, Moore announced he was not running as a candidate in the 2015 federal election.[36] In November 2015, it was announced that Moore had been chosen to be the next chancellor of the University of Northern British Columbia, his alma mater, starting a three-year term in May 2016.[37] He also works at the global law firm Dentons as a senior business advisor, and a policy advisor at the global firm Edelman. In September 2016, it was announced that Moore joined the national board of the Canadian Cancer Society as vice chair.

Election results

2000 Canadian federal election: Port Moody—Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Alliance James Moore 28,631 49.68 +14.12 $59,661
Liberal Lou Sekora 16,937 29.39 -9.97 $71,922
New Democratic Jamie Arden 5,340 9.26 -7.72 $25,248
Progressive Conservative Joe Gluska 4,506 7.82 +3.00 $4,011
Green Dave King 839 1.45 -0.87
Marijuana Paul Geddes 818 1.41 – $647
Canadian Action Will Arlow 452 0.78 +0.24 $2,886
Communist George Gidora 98 0.17 – $189
Total valid votes 57,621 100.00  
Total rejected ballots 187 0.32
Turnout 57,808 63.37
Alliance gain from Liberal Swing +12.04
Change for the Canadian Alliance is based on the Reform Party.
2004 Canadian federal election: Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam
Party Candidate Votes % Expenditures
Conservative James Moore 18,664 40.94 $65,906
Liberal Kwangyul Peck 12,445 27.30 $69,875
New Democratic Charley King 12,023 26.37 $54,851
Green Richard Voigt 1,971 4.32 $643
Libertarian Lewis Dahlby 276 0.60
Canadian Action Pat Goff 111 0.24 $869
Communist George Gidora 94 0.20 $389
Total valid votes 45,584 100.00  
Total rejected ballots 169 0.37
Turnout 45,753 62.96
This riding was created from parts of Port Moody—Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, where Canadian Alliance candidate James Moore was the incumbent.
2006 Canadian federal election: Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Conservative James Moore 19,961 41.12% +0.18% $73,294.85
Liberal Jon Kingsbury 13,134 27.05% -0.25% $60,974.96
New Democratic Mary-Woo Sims 11,196 23.06% -3.31% $25,808.51
Independent Greg Watrich 2,317 4.77% $26,557.70
Green Scott Froom 1,623 3.34% -0.98% $1,530.93
Libertarian Lewis Dahlby 309 0.63% +0.03% $508.06
Total valid votes 48,540
Total rejected ballots 141
Turnout 48,681 63.19% +0.23%
Conservative hold Swing +0.22
2008 Canadian federal election: Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Conservative James Moore 25,535 54.61% +13.49% $76,521.14
New Democratic Zoë Royer 10,418 22.28% -0.78% $14,957.53
Liberal Ron McKinnon 6,918 14.79% -12.26% $32,213.85
Green Rod Brindamour 3,568 7.63% +4.29% $2,240.25
Libertarian Lewis Dahlby 321 0.69% +0.06%
Total valid votes 46,760
Total rejected ballots 168
Turnout 46,928 59.72% -3.47%
Conservative hold Swing +7.14
2011 Canadian federal election: Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Conservative James Moore 27,181 56.07 +1.46 $83,988.73
New Democratic Mark Ireland 14,600 30.12 +7.84 $2,513.96
Liberal Stewart McGillivray 4,110 8.48 -6.31 $3,574.30
Green Kevin Kim 2,161 4.46 -3.17 $1,335.48
Libertarian Paul Geddes 421 0.87 +0.18 $0.00
Total valid votes/expense limit 48,473 100.00 – $91,072.64
Total rejected ballots 188 0.39 +0.03
Turnout 48,661 57.23 -2.49
Eligible voters 85,028
Conservative hold Swing -3.19

References

  1. ^ "Profile - Moore, James". Lop.parl.ca. Retrieved 2018-07-01.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Biography". www.jamesmoore.org. Archived from the original on 29 March 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  3. ^ "History of Federal Ridings Since 1867". Parliament of Canada. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
  4. ^ a b Morton, Brian. "James Moore the right man for the job as aboriginal affairs minister, fellow MP says". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  5. ^ "Alliance leader admits 'significant concessions' to get unite the right merger". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 16 October 2003. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  6. ^ a b c d "History of Federal Ridings Since 1867". Parliament of Canada. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  7. ^ "Same-sex marriage law passes 158-133". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 29 June 2005. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  8. ^ "Statement on Same-Sex Marriage". Jamesmoore.org. 18 December 2004. Archived from the original on 6 July 2007. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  9. ^ "B.C. Tory sees no 'public harm' in gay marriage". Vancouver Sun. 8 December 2006. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  10. ^ "PM gives unelected minister a big role in spending". Ottawa Citizen. 15 February 2006. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  11. ^ "Who's who in cabinet mini-shuffle". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 25 June 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  12. ^ "The race is on: Harper calls election for Oct. 14". CTV News. 7 September 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  13. ^ "Harper shuffles cabinet to create 'right team for these times'". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 30 October 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  14. ^ "Harper defends arts cuts during stop in Saskatoon". The Journal Pioneer. 23 September 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  15. ^ Benzie, Robert (24 September 2008). "Ordinary folks don't care about arts: Harper". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  16. ^ MacDonald, Nancy (29 April 2011). "James Moore: a new breed of Tory". Maclean's. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  17. ^ "Baird to get Foreign Affairs in cabinet shuffle". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 17 May 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  18. ^ Kennedy, Mark (14 May 2013). "Harper's reputation rests on new cabinet". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  19. ^ McMahon, Tamsin (18 May 2011). "Baird, Clement and rookie MPs promoted in cabinet shuffle". National Post. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  20. ^ "Parlinfo". Parliament of Canada. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  21. ^ a b Wells, Paul (12 September 2011). "Harper's single white males". Maclean's. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  22. ^ Castonguay, Alec (2 February 2013). "The inside story of Jason Kenney's campaign to win over ethnic votes". Maclean's. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  23. ^ Oliver, Craig (22 May 2011). "Craig's Take: Jason Kenney's new gig". CTV News. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  24. ^ Hebert, Chantal (16 April 2012). "Hébert: James Moore can't repair Quebec rift on his own". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  25. ^ "Heritage minister warns CBC about excessive spending". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  26. ^ "CBC defends itself against report on expenses". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 21 November 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  27. ^ "Hiring freeze, layoffs to come at CTV: memo". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 18 November 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  28. ^ "CBC to cut spending, review major projects in tough times: president". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 21 November 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  29. ^ "CBC funding secure, heritage minister says". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 3 May 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  30. ^ "CBC Cuts: Conservative MPs' Petitions Call For End Of Government Funding Or Sale As Salary Info Released". The Huffington Post. 31 January 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  31. ^ "Downsized, decentralized CBC remains key goal for Tories: Heritage Minister James Moore". National Post. 30 December 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  32. ^ Delacourt, Susan (29 November 2011). "Heritage Minister Moore defends CBC". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  33. ^ Dobby, Christine (15 July 2013). "James Moore to replace Christian Paradis as federal industry minister". Financial Post. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  34. ^ "Federal minister says child poverty not Ottawa's problem". NEWS1130 (Interview). Interviewed by Sara Norman. Vancouver, British Columbia. 15 December 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  35. ^ "James Moore apologizes for poverty comment: 'Is it my job to feed my neighbour's child? I don't think so'". National Post. 16 December 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  36. ^ "James Moore, Conservative cabinet minister, leaving federal politics". CBC News. June 19, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
  37. ^ Chan, Cheryl (1 December 2015). "Ex-Conservative Minister James Moore faces backlash over B.C. university appointment". National Post. Retrieved 13 February 2023.

Table of offices held

28th Ministry – Cabinet of Stephen Harper
Cabinet posts (3)
Predecessor Office Successor
John Duncan Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
February 15–22, 2013 		Bernard Valcourt
Josée Verner Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
2008–2013 		Shelly Glover
Christian Paradis Minister of Industry
2013–2015 		Navdeep Bains
Sub-Cabinet Post
Predecessor Title Successor
Position created in 2008 Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(2008/06/25 – 2008/10/29) 		Position abolished in 2008
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