John McCallum
The Honourable John McCallum PC |
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Canadian Ambassador to China | |
Taking office 2017 |
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Prime Minister | Justin Trudeau |
Succeeding | Guy Saint-Jacques |
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship | |
In office November 4, 2015 – January 10, 2017 |
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Prime Minister | Justin Trudeau |
Preceded by | Chris Alexander |
Succeeded by | Ahmed Hussen |
Minister of National Revenue | |
In office July 19, 2004 – February 5, 2006 |
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Prime Minister | Paul Martin |
Preceded by | Stan Keyes |
Succeeded by | Carol Skelton |
Minister of Veterans Affairs | |
In office December 12, 2003 – July 19, 2004 |
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Prime Minister | Paul Martin |
Preceded by | Rey Pagtakhan |
Succeeded by | Albina Guarnieri |
35th Minister of National Defence | |
In office May 26, 2002 – December 11, 2003 |
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Prime Minister | Jean Chrétien |
Preceded by | Art Eggleton |
Succeeded by | David Pratt |
Member of the Canadian Parliament for Markham—Thornhill |
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In office October 19, 2015 – February 1, 2017 |
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Preceded by | Riding Established |
Succeeded by | TBD |
Member of the Canadian Parliament for Markham—Unionville Markham (2000-2004) |
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In office November 27, 2000 – October 19, 2015 |
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Preceded by | Jim Jones |
Succeeded by | Bob Saroya |
Personal details | |
Born | Montreal, Quebec |
April 9, 1950
Political party | Liberal |
Spouse(s) | Nancy Lim |
Children | 3 |
Residence | Oakville, Ontario |
Alma mater | Queens' College, Cambridge Université de Paris McGill University |
Profession | Author, Economist, Academic |
John McCallum PC (born April 9, 1950) is a Canadian politician, economist, university professor and diplomat and a former Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) from the 2000 election until February 1, 2017 when he was appointed Canadian Ambassador to China, which was announced on January 10, 2017. He also represented Markham—Thornhill, and has previously represented Markham—Unionville and Markham. He is a member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, and was until 10 January 2017 the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
McCallum has previously been Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions), Minister of National Defence and Minister of Veterans Affairs in the Cabinets of prime ministers Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin, respectively.
Contents
Overview[edit]
McCallum was born in Montreal, Quebec, the son of Joan (Patteson) and Alexander Campbell McCallum.[1] He received his secondary education at Selwyn House School and Trinity College School.[2] He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Queens' College, Cambridge University, a diplôme d'études supérieures from Université de Paris and a Doctorate in economics from McGill University. He was a professor of economics at the University of Manitoba from 1976 until 1978, Simon Fraser University from 1978 until 1982, the Université du Québec à Montréal from 1982 until 1987, and McGill University from 1987 until 1994. He is an honorary member of the Royal Military College of Canada, student #S139. He was also Dean of the Faculty of Arts at McGill University. He then became Senior Vice-President and Chief Economist of the Royal Bank of Canada.
Academic career (1976-94)[edit]
One of his most influential academic contributions was an article in The American Economic Review,[3] which introduced the concept of the home bias in trade puzzle. It has spawned an ongoing international debate[citation needed] on whether trade within a nation state is greater than trade among nations, as compared with the predictions of standard economic models.
As McGill University’s Dean of Arts, McCallum secured a $10 million contribution from Charles Bronfman for the establishment of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada.[4]
He also participated in the national unity debates of the early 1990s, editing the Canada Round Series of the C. D. Howe Institute and engaging in debate with then Opposition Leader Jacques Parizeau at Quebec's National Assembly.[5]
Private sector career (1994-2000)[edit]
McCallum was the Royal Bank of Canada’s chief economist for six years. He consistently achieved the highest media coverage of bank chief economists, making regular appearances on CBC's The National as an economics panellist. He also engaged in social issues, notably a 1997 Royal Bank conference designed to align the business community with the recommendations of the 1996 Report on the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. His paper at that conference, "The Cost of Doing Nothing," was highlighted ten years later in Aboriginal Times Magazine.[6]
Political career[edit]
Backbencher and social issues[edit]
McCallum successfully nominated Nelson Mandela as the second honorary citizen in Canadian history.[7]
McCallum was quite vocal in Canada's debate on same-sex marriage. He told the Edmonton Sun in August 2003, "If people want to do something and it doesn’t hurt other people, doesn’t reduce other people’s rights, we should let them do it. Why not?"[8] He also significantly contributed to the final debate before the vote on same-sex marriage on 21 March 2005[9] saying:
I believe we should always seek to expand the rights of our fellow citizens as long as we do not thereby reduce the rights of others. We should seek to ensure that no group is denied full participation in society. As members of Parliament, we should not ask the question, why should we extend this right? Rather our question should be, why should we not extend the right? Let the burden of proof be on those who wish to limit fundamental rights.
...
Many Canadians will want to accept both of these principles: protect the traditional definition of marriage and protect the rights of minorities. The essence of my message today is that we cannot do both. We cannot have it both ways. We must make a choice between traditional marriage and the protection of minority rights.
Defence Minister (2002-2003)[edit]
As Defence Minister, McCallum achieved what was then the largest increase in the annual defence budget ($1 billion) in more than a decade in return for offering up $200 million in savings from reducing low priority spending.[10] He also retroactively reversed an inequity which awarded up to $250,000 to military personnel who lost their eyesight or a limb while on active service - but only to those with the rank of colonel or above. Now all Canadian Forces members are covered by the plan regardless of rank.[11] Working with Germany, he successfully persuaded NATO to take control over the security mission in Kabul, Afghanistan, while also ensuring that the mission was led by Canada.[12] He also determined that the army, rather than the navy or air force, was to be the top priority in budget allocations.[13]
He became widely known and criticized in 2002 when he admitted, while serving as the Minister of National Defence, that he had never heard of the 1942 Dieppe raid, a fateful and nationally significant operation for Canadian Forces during the Second World War.[14] Ironically, he wrote a letter to the editor of the National Post in response, but committed a further gaffe, confusing Canadian participation in the 1917 Battle of Vimy Ridge in France with Vichy France from 1940 to 1944. Response at the continued historical ignorance prompted outrage and humour among the press.
In November 2002, while still serving as Defence Minister, McCallum encountered further controversy when officials refused to allow him to board an Air Canada flight because his breath smelt heavily of alcohol. McCallum announced soon thereafter that the incident prompted him to abstain completely from alcohol consumption. He reportedly also intended to lose weight and give up smoking.[15]
In January 2003, McCallum suggested Canadian troops could avoid so-called "friendly fire" incidents by wearing some of female Conservative MP Elsie Wayne's clothes.[16] McCallum later apologized both inside and outside the House of Commons for using inappropriate language, blaming the excitement of the moment, and had his apologies accepted by Wayne.[16]
Veterans Affairs Minister (2003-2004)[edit]
McCallum introduced a new charter for younger, postwar veterans who have been physically or mentally injured while serving in the Canadian Forces. This charter, which became law in 2005, is modelled on the range of services provided for returning veterans after World War II. This "new model" stripped veterans of a monthly pension opting for a lump sum payment.[citation needed]
Expenditure Review Committee[edit]
As Chair of Expenditure Review Committee, McCallum achieved expenditure reductions of $11 billion over five years.[17]
Minister of Immigration, Citizenship and Refugees (2015 to 2017)[edit]
On November 4, 2015, he was appointed the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship in Justin Trudeau's cabinet.[18] As a senior cabinet minister, McCallum was then fourth in line to succeed Justin Trudeau.[19]
Ambassador to China[edit]
On January 10, 2017, McCallum was announced as Canada’s ambassador to China.[20]
Personal life[edit]
He is married to Nancy Lim and has three sons.
Electoral record[edit]
Canadian federal election, 2015: Markham—Thornhill | ||||||||
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Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ∆% | Expenditures | |||
Liberal | John McCallum | 23,878 | 55.7 | +18.59 | – | |||
Conservative | Jobson Easow | 13,849 | 32.3 | -4.09 | – | |||
New Democratic | Senthi Chelliah | 4,595 | 10.7 | -12.69 | – | |||
Green | Joshua Russell | 535 | 1.2 | -1.42 | – | |||
Total valid votes/Expense limit | 42,857 | 100.0 | $203,521.96 | |||||
Total rejected ballots | 240 | – | – | |||||
Turnout | 43,097 | – | – | |||||
Eligible voters | 70,484 | |||||||
Liberal hold | Swing | +11.34 | ||||||
Source: Elections Canada[21][22] |
Canadian federal election, 2011: Markham—Unionville | ||||||||
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Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ∆% | Expenditures | |||
Liberal | John McCallum | 19,429 | 38.9 | -16.0 | ||||
Conservative | Bob Saroya | 17,734 | 35.5 | +5.3 | ||||
New Democratic | Nadine Hawkins | 10,897 | 21.8 | +11.6 | ||||
Green | Adam Poon | 1,597 | 3.2 | -1.0 | ||||
Libertarian | Allen Small | 231 | 0.5 | – | ||||
Total valid votes | 49,888 | 100.0 | ||||||
Total rejected ballots | 290 | 0.6 | – | |||||
Turnout | 50,178 | 55.1 | +2.8 | |||||
Eligible voters | 91,057 | – | – | |||||
Liberal hold | Swing | -10.65 |
Canadian federal election, 2008: Markham—Unionville | ||||||||
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Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ∆% | Expenditures | |||
Liberal | John McCallum | 25,195 | 54.9 | -6.7 | $58,875 | |||
Conservative | Duncan Fletcher | 13,855 | 30.2 | +3.2 | $58,523 | |||
New Democratic | Nadine Hawkins | 4,682 | 10.2 | +2.2 | $4,250 | |||
Green | Leonard Aitken | 1,931 | 4.2 | +2.0 | $2,524 | |||
Libertarian | Allen Small | 229 | 0.5 | N/A | $348 | |||
Total valid votes/Expense limit | 45,892 | 100.0 | $90,945 | |||||
Turnout | – | 52.31 | ||||||
Liberal hold | Swing | -4.95 |
Canadian federal election, 2006: Markham—Unionville | ||||||||
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Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ∆% | ||||
Liberal | John McCallum | 32,797 | 61.6 | -4.7 | ||||
Conservative | Joe Li | 14,357 | 27.0 | +4.5 | ||||
New Democratic | Janice Hagan | 4,266 | 8.0 | -0.7 | ||||
Green | Wesley Weese | 1,151 | 2.2 | -0.3 | ||||
Progressive Canadian | Fayaz Choudhary | 363 | 0.7 | |||||
Independent | Partap Dua | 297 | 0.6 | |||||
Total valid votes | 53,231 | 100.0 | ||||||
Liberal hold | Swing | -4.6 |
Canadian federal election, 2004: Markham—Unionville | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |||||
Liberal | John McCallum | 30,442 | 66.3 | |||||
Conservative | Joe Li | 10,325 | 22.5 | |||||
New Democratic | Janice Hagan | 3,993 | 8.7 | |||||
Green | Ed Wong | 1,148 | 2.5 | |||||
Total valid votes | 45,908 | 100.0 |
Canadian federal election, 2000: Markham | ||||||||
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Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ∆% | ||||
Liberal | John McCallum | 32,104 | 66.6 | +29.9 | ||||
Alliance | Jim Jones | 9,015 | 18.7 | +7.9 | ||||
Progressive Conservative | David Scrymgeour | 5,085 | 10.6 | -34.1 | ||||
New Democratic | Janice Hagan | 1,129 | 2.3 | -0.9 | ||||
Green | Bernadette Manning | 493 | 1.0 | – | ||||
Independent | Akber Choudhry | 222 | 0.5 | – | ||||
Canadian Action | Jim Conrad | 130 | 0.3 | -0.2 | ||||
Total valid votes | 48,178 | 100.0 | ||||||
Liberal gain from Progressive Conservative | Swing | +32.0 |
Bibliography[edit]
- — (1980). Unequal Beginnings: Agriculture and Economic Development in Quebec and Ontario until 1870. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0-8020-5455-2.
- Barber, Clarence; — (1980). Unemployment and Inflation: The Canadian Experience. Canadian Institute for Economic Policy. Toronto: James Lorimer Limited. ISBN 0-88862-293-7.
- Barber, Clarence; — (1982). Controlling Inflation: Learning from Experience in Canada, Europe and Japan. Canadian Institute for Economic Policy. Toronto: James Lorimer Limited. ISBN 0-88862-587-1.
- —; Green, Christopher (1991). Parting as friends: the economic consequences for Quebec. Canada Round. Toronto: C.D. Howe Institute. ISBN 0-88806289-3. ISSN 1183-6253.
- Baldassarri, Mario; McCallum, John; Mundell, Robert, eds. (1992). Global Disequilibrium in the World Economy. Central Issues in Contemporary Economic Theory and Policy. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 0-31207984-2.
References[edit]
- ^ http://necrologie.genealogiequebec.com/avis-de-deces/896503-MCCALLUM-Alexander-Campbell
- ^ http://www.selwyn.ca/podium/default.aspx?t=204&nid=1006021
- ^ McCallum, John (1995). "National Borders Matter: Canada-U.S. Regional Trade Patterns". The American Economic Review. 85 (3): 615–623. JSTOR 2118191.
- ^ McGill gets $10 million for studies on Canada. Montreal Gazette 16 June 1993, pg A4
- ^ Anti-Quebec vitriol aids PQ: economist McGill professor, Pequiste chief Parizeau wage war of charts. Montreal Gazette 5 December 1991 pg A9
- ^ Aboriginal Times Magazine. Vol 12, Issue 4, May–June 2007
- ^ Nelson Mandela, Citizen. Toronto Star, 14 June 2001 pg A32
- ^ Edmonton Sun, 13 August 2003
- ^ Hansard - Civil Marriage Act (C-38) debate - John McCallum (Lib)
- ^ The Budget Plan 2003, page 163
- ^ Bill C-44, An Act to compensate military members injured during service, 37th Parliament, 2nd session
- ^ Canadian troops to be deployed to Afghanistan: 2,000 soldiers to join NATO force in Kabul; National Post 6 May 2003, pg A4
- ^ McCallum sets top priorities; Hill Times, 8 September 2003 pg 1
- ^ "MQUP prank".
- ^ Lunman, Kim (29 November 2002). "McCallum on the wagon after incident at airport". Globe and Mail. Toronto. pp. A13.
- ^ a b "Defence minister apologizes twice for insensitive remarks". CBC News. 29 January 2003.
- ^ McCallum on the hunt for $1-billion more in savings. Hill Times 5 March 2005, pg 56
- ^ "Full list of Justin Trudeau's cabinet: 31-member cabinet includes 15 women, attempt at regional balance". CBC News. 2015-11-04.
- ^ McGregor, Janyce (7 November 2015). "Justin Trudeau's cabinet: 6 changes found in the fine print". CBC News. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
- ^ "Chrystia Freeland becomes foreign minister as Trudeau shuffles cabinet". CBC News. 10 January 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
- ^ Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for Markham—Thornhill, 30 September 2015
- ^ Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates
External links[edit]
- Official website
- "Canadian Who's Who 1997 entry". Retrieved 2006-05-01.
- John McCallum – Parliament of Canada biography
29th Ministry – Cabinet of Justin Trudeau | ||
Cabinet Post (1) | ||
---|---|---|
Predecessor | Office | Successor |
Chris Alexander | Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 2015-2017 |
Ahmed Hussen |
27th Ministry – Cabinet of Paul Martin | ||
Cabinet Posts (2) | ||
Predecessor | Office | Successor |
Stan Keyes | Minister of National Revenue 2004–2006 |
Carol Skelton |
Rey Pagtakhan | Minister of Veterans Affairs 2003–2004 |
Albina Guarnieri |
26th Ministry – Cabinet of Jean Chrétien | ||
Cabinet Post (1) | ||
Predecessor | Office | Successor |
Art Eggleton | Minister of National Defence 2002–2003 |
David Pratt |
Sub-Cabinet Post | ||
Predecessor | Title | Successor |
Jim Peterson | Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions) (2002) |
Maurizio Bevilacqua |
Diplomatic posts | ||
Preceded by Guy Saint-Jacques |
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the People's Republic of China 2017- |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
- 1950 births
- Academics in Quebec
- Alumni of Queens' College, Cambridge
- Ambassadors of Canada to China
- Anglophone Quebec people
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