Tom Wappel
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Thomas William Wappel, MP (born February 9, 1950) is a Canadian Member of Parliament. He has served in the House of Commons since 1988 as a member of the Liberal Party, and currently represents the Toronto riding of Scarborough Southwest. Wappel chairs the Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. He is separated, with five children.
Wappel is a member of the Liberal Party's "family caucus", and is a staunch social conservative. He is a prominent opponent of abortion and gay rights, and has made controversial comments on immigration and the role of religion in government. He opposes the death penalty and describes himself as holding liberal views on economic issues.Template:Ref
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Early life and career
Wappel was born in Toronto, to Hungarian parents. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto (1971), and a Bachelor of Laws from Queen's University (1974). He was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1976 and worked in civil litigation and corporate law as well as teaching classes in negotiation. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus.Template:Ref
1988 election
Wappel won the Scarborough West Liberal nomination in 1988 in an upset over Patrick Johnston, a star candidate who had been personally recruited by party leader John Turner.Template:Ref Relatively unknown before the campaign, Wappel was supported by members of the anti-abortion group Campaign Life, and his platform included a promise of "respect for human life, from conception to the natural end of life".Template:Ref He also opposed the proposed Canada-United States free trade agreement, and criticized the media for portraying him as a single-issue candidate.Template:Ref
He was narrowly elected, defeating Progressive Conservative incumbent Reg Stackhouse by 440 votes. During the election, Campaign Life activists circulated a pamphlet which described Stackhouse as supporting "baby-killing" in some circumstances.Template:Ref There is no evidence that Wappel personally endorsed the pamphlet.
Leadership candidate
Wappel was the first declared candidate for the Liberal Party's 1990 leadership convention, announcing his candidacy on June 29, 1989. In announcing his candidacy, he described himself as the only candidate willing to make abortion a leadership issue.Template:Ref He spoke out against abortion in all circumstances, and was quoted as saying that while rape and incest are terrible tragedies, "they cannot possibly be compounded by the further tragedy of destroying human life."Template:Ref Wappel also called for increased immigration to Canada and harsher penalties against drug traffickers, while opposing the Meech Lake Accord and "distinct society" status for Quebec.Template:Ref After declaring his candidacy, he advised pro-life groups in Canada against forming their own political party.Template:Ref
He opposed federal daycare programs at one all-candidates meeting, and argued that the Canadian government should promote stay-at-home parenting.Template:Ref Late in the campaign, he said that he did not consider single-parent households or homosexual couples to be families.Template:Ref
He was endorsed in March 1990 by Liberals for Life, an anti-abortion pressure group working inside the Liberal Party.Template:Ref In his nomination speech at the convention, Wappel called for abortion to be made a criminal offense with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.Template:Ref He finished in fourth place, as Jean Chrétien was elected leader on the first ballot.
Opposition Member of Parliament
Wappel was appointed as the Liberal Party's immigration critic in January 1991. Late in the year, he issued a report calling for the creation of special detainment camps (to be called Welcome Centres) for refugees arriving in Canada. Claimants would be provided with food, lodging and clothing, but would not be permitted to work outside the centre until receiving formal approval. His proposal also called for any claimant with HIV to be automatically denied status. Wappel's suggestions were immediately rejected by the Liberal Party leadership,Template:Ref and were widely criticized in the Canadian media.Template:Ref He was removed as the Liberal Party's immigration Critic in early 1992,Template:Ref and appointed critic for the Solicitor-General. In the latter capacity, he called for increased safeguards within Canada's parole system.Template:Ref
Wappel was endorsed by the Canadian Police Association in the 1993 federal election.Template:Ref He focused on "law and order" and crime prevention issues,Template:Ref and was easily re-elected as the Liberals won a majority government across the country.
Government Member of Parliament, 1993-2006
Chrétien government
Wappel was not appointed to Chrétien's cabinet, and served as a government backbencher. He brought forward a private member's bill soon after the election to create a national witness protection program,Template:Ref and called for tougher provisions under Canada's Young Offenders Act.Template:Ref
As a social conservative, Wappel was a frequent critic of his own government's social legislation. He was a vocal opponent of the Chrétien government's plan to extend anti-discrimination protection to homosexuals in 1994, and was quoted as describing homosexuality as "statistically abnormal, [...] physically abnormal and [...] morally immoral".Template:Ref Some politicians and journalists called for Chrétien to expel Wappel from caucus after this remark, but no disciplinary action was taken.Template:Ref Later in the same year, Wappel described homosexuality as "not genetic, but a choice", while arguing that religious identity is "virtually genetic, since it is passed from generation to generation".Template:Ref
He was re-elected for a third term in the 1997 election, again running on a "law and order" platform. After the election, he introduced a private member's bill designed to prevent persons convicted of serious crimes (and their relatives and collaborators) from receiving any financial benefit resulting from artistic depictions of their crimes. The bill was supported by some members of the law enforcement community, but was criticized by artists and was often described as poorly drafted. Toronto journalist Michael Valpy dismissed it as "legal gibberish" and "a piece of junk".Template:Ref Despite last-minute modifications, it was rejected by the Canadian Senate in 1998.Template:Ref
Wappel introduced legislation in 1998 to provide for better nutritional labels on food products sold in grocery stores. His measure was supported by the Alliance for Food Label Reform, and he argued that the bill would help consumers reduce the risk of fatal diseases.Template:Ref In 2004, he introduced a separate bill to require fast food restaurants to list calories on their menus.Template:Ref
Wappel campaigned to become Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons in 2001, seeking support from backbench Liberals and opposition members. He was eliminated after the first ballot in a secret vote by all Members of Parliament (MPs).Template:Ref
He faced increased media scrutiny in May 2001 after refusing to help a constituent, a veteran, whom he suspected of supporting a rival candidate in the previous election. Wappel wrote a letter that said, in part, "How is it that you are writing me for my help if you did not think enough of my abilities to justify voting for me?"Template:Ref These comments were widely criticized in the national media, and by MPs from all parties. Chrétien reprimanded Wappel after the letter was made public, and Wappel was forced to issue an apology.Template:Ref He later described the letter as a "stupid mistake", and called for voters to forgive him.Template:Ref
Wappel joined with fifteen other Liberal MPs to call for Jean Chrétien resignation in July 2002,Template:Ref and endorsed Paul Martin's bid to succeed Chrétien as party leader.Template:Ref Later in 2002, he was unexpectedly elected chair of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans in a free vote of other committee members.Template:Ref In June 2003, he issued a report arguing that federal bureaucrats had "badly managed" the sockeye salmon fishery in British Columbia's Fraser River in 2001.Template:Ref
Martin government
Wappel was a prominent opponent of the Martin government's same-sex marriage legislation in 2005, describing it as "discriminatory, a sham, and a hoax".Template:Ref According to one report, Wappel told the prime minister at a private caucus meeting that he was "profoundly disappointed" with his handling of the issue.Template:Ref There was some media speculation that Wappel would join fellow MP Pat O'Brien in leaving the Liberal caucus over the matter, but he chose to stay within the party.Template:Ref.
Opposition Member of Parliament, 2006-present
Wappel was re-elected to the House of Commons in the 2006 federal election, as the Conservative Party won a national minority government. He is now a member of the Official Opposition.
He is chairman of the Canada-Hungary Parliamentary Friendship Group, vice-chairman of the Canada-China Legislative Association, and vice-chairman of the Canada-Syria Friendship Group.Template:Ref
Table of offices held
Template:Start box Template:Succession box Template:Succession box Template:End box
External links
Electoral record
| 2006 federal election: Scarborough Southwest | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | Expenditures | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liberal | (x)Tom Wappel | 19,930 | 47.83 | Conservative | Vincent Veerasuntharam | 10,017 | 24.04 | New Democratic Party | Dan Harris | 9,626 | 23.10 | Green | Valerie Philip | 1,827 | 4.38 | Independent | Trevor Sutton | 147 | 0.35 | Communist | Elizabeth Rowley | 120 | 0.29 | ||||||
| Total valid votes | 41,667 | 100.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total rejected ballots | 189 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Turnout | 41,856 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004 federal election: Scarborough Southwest (redistributed) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | Expenditures | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Liberal | (x)Tom Wappel | 18,776 | 49.46 | $46,841.57 | Conservative | Heather Jewell | 9,028 | 23.78 | $68,169.03 | New Democratic Party | Dan Harris | 8,471 | 22.31 | $21,396.64 | Green | Peter Van Dalen | 1,520 | 4.00 | not listed | Communist | Elizabeth Rowley | 168 | 0.44 | $300.29 |
| Total valid votes | 37,963 | 100.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total rejected ballots | 215 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Turnout | 38,178 | 57.16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Electors on the lists | 66,797 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000 federal election: Scarborough Southwest | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | Expenditures | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liberal | (x)Tom Wappel | 21,466 | 60.01 | $47,145.55
Template:Canadian politics/party colours/Progressive Conservatives/row | Progressive Conservative | Ellery Hollingsworth | 5,251 | 14.68 | $14,019.21
Template:Canadian politics/party colours/Canadian Alliance/row | Canadian Alliance | Nabil El-Khazen | 4,912 | 13.73 | $30,429.11 | New Democratic Party | Dan Harris | 3,638 | 10.17 | $10,666.41
Template:Canadian politics/party colours/Canadian Action/row | Canadian Action | Walter Aolari | 336 | 0.94 | $4,886.23 | Communist | Dora Stewart | 165 | 0.46 | $202.33 |
| Total valid votes | 35,768 | 100.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total rejected ballots | 237 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Turnout | 36,005 | 53.43 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Electors on the lists | 67,382 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1997 federal election: Scarborough Southwest | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | Expenditures | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Liberal | (x)Tom Wappel | 20,675 | 53.40 | $35,520 | Reform | Tom Ambas | 7,918 | 20.45 | $41,884
Template:Canadian politics/party colours/Progressive Conservatives/row | Progressive Conservative | Brian McCutcheon | 5,294 | 13.67 | $16,872 | New Democratic Party | Dave Gracey | 4,345 | 11.22 | $7,984 | Green | David James Cooper | 482 | 1.25 | $0.00 |
| Total valid votes | 38,714 | 100.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total rejected ballots | 273 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Turnout | 38,987 | 62.95 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Electors on the lists | 61,932 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1993 federal election: Scarborough West | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liberal | (x)Tom Wappel | 21,335 | 54.44 | Reform | Aubrey Millard | 8,314 | 21.21
Template:Canadian politics/party colours/Progressive Conservatives/row | Progressive Conservative | Reg Stackhouse | 5,664 | 14.45 | New Democratic Party | Steve Thomas | 2,771 | 7.07 | National | Greg Gogan | 578 | 1.47 | Green | Jim MacLeod | 276 | 0.70 | Natural Law | Ron Robins | 212 | 0.54 | Abolitionist | Alfred Morton | 40 | 0.10 |
| Total valid votes | 39,190 | 100.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rejected, unmarked and declined ballots | 346 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Turnout | 39,536 | 64.21 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Electors on the lists | 61,574 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1988 federal election: Scarborough West | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||||||||||||
| Liberal | Tom Wappel | 15,363 | 36.80
Template:Canadian politics/party colours/Progressive Conservatives/row | Progressive Conservative | (x)Reg Stackhouse | 14,923 | 35.75 | New Democratic Party | Dave Gracey | 11,000 | 26.35 | Libertarian | Anna Young | 459 | 1.10 |
| Total valid votes | 41,745 | 100.00 | |||||||||||||
| Rejected, unmarked and declined ballots | 226 | ||||||||||||||
| Turnout | 41,971 | 73.15 | |||||||||||||
| Electors on the lists | 57,376 | ||||||||||||||
All electoral information is taken from Elections Canada. Italicized expenditures refer to submitted totals, and are presented when the final reviewed totals are not available.
Notes and sources
- Template:Note Tom Wappel, "Being a Christian in politics", Theological Digest & Outlook, March 2000. [1]
- Template:Note Tom Wappel, official curriculum vitae. [2]
- Template:Note Stevie Cameron, "An avalanche of bad news leaves pre-election Liberals gloomy", Globe and Mail, 15 September 1988, A2.
- Template:Note "Scarborough West Swing riding could be 3-way fight", Toronto Star, 16 November 1988, A14.
- Template:Note Deborah Wilson, "Liberal is trying to shake anti-abortion label", Globe and Mail, 19 November 1988, A16.
- Template:Note "Metro's 15 new faces in Parliament", Toronto Star, 27 November 1988, A8. The original newspaper notice indicated that Stackhouse was described as a "babykiller", but this was later corrected (see Lorne Manly, "Pledging a return", listed below).
- Template:Note Susan Delacourt, "Anti-abortion MP is first to seek Liberal leadership", Globe and Mail, 30 June 1989, A5. Rival candidate John Nunziata later endorsed a pro-life position as well.
- Template:Note Lorne Manly, "Wappel runs for leadership", Toronto Star, 4 July 1989, E1.
- Template:Note Lorne Manly, "Pledging a return to family values, Scarborough West MP Tom Wappel has entered the race for the federal Liberal leadership", Toronto Star, 30 June 1989, A12.
- Template:Note Leonard Shifrin, "Abortion issue stalks the Grits", Toronto Star, 17 July 1989, A13.
- Template:Note Carol Goar, "Copps steals show from Chretien", Toronto Star, 29 January 1990, A11.
- Template:Note "Candidates differ on family issues", Toronto Star, 22 April 1990, A18.
- Template:Note "Pro-life group supports Wappel", Toronto Star, 10 March 1990, A8.
- Template:Note William Walker, "The Liberal tradition in politics should include protecting unborn children from abortion, leadership candidate Tom Wappel said in his major convention speech", Toronto Star, 23 June 1990, A14. Walker's original report incorrectly asserted that Wappel favoured the death penalty for women who have abortions and doctors who perform them. This was later corrected. Wappel opposes capital punishment.
- Template:Note Paul Watson, "Liberal MP proposes special camps for refugees". Toronto Star, 15 November 1991, A2.
- Template:Note for instance, Toronto Star Editorial, 13 January 1992, A12.
- Template:Note "Marchi, Tobin take on Liberal campaign role", Toronto Star, 16 January 1992, A12.
- Template:Note Kellie Hudson, "Mom outraged sex offender to be released from prison", Toronto Star, 1 November 1992, A4.
- Template:Note Deborah Kyvrikosaios, "Police to back campaigns of 'law and order' politicians", Globe and Mail, 19 July 1993, A2.
- Template:Note "Scarborough West", Toronto Star, 22 October 1993, A9.
- Template:Note Rudy Platiel, "Witness protection", Globe and Mail, 21 April 1994, A6.
- Template:Note David Vienneau, "New bill to double teen killers' terms", Toronto Star, 2 June 1994, A16.
- Template:Note Tu Thanh Ha, "Dissident Liberals fight bills on gays", Globe and Mail, 28 September 1994, A1.
- Template:Note for instance, William Neville, "A poor response from Chretien", Winnipeg Free Press, 6 October 1994, Editorial Page.
- Template:Note "A God gene? Gosh", Globe and Mail, 18 November 1994, A24.
- Template:Note Michael Valpy, "Dump the Son of Sam bill", Globe and Mail, 28 November 1997, A21.
- Template:Note Janice Tibbetts, "Senate sinks profit-from-crime bill", Winnipeg Free Press, 11 June 1998, B1.
- Template:Note "A Canadian member of parliament, backed by 13 medical, consumer and food organizations", Food Chemical News, 30 November 1998, Volume 40 Number 41.
- Template:Note Andre Picard, "Want fries, calories, fats with that burger?", Globe and Mail, 9 December 2003, A3. The bill was subsequently withdrawn.
- Template:Note Fred Chartrand, "New Speaker Milliken fulfils dream", Toronto Star, 30 January 1999, p. 1.
- Template:Note Robert Fife and Joseph Brean, "Chretien tells MP to help veteran following snub", National Post, 10 May 2001, A06.
- Template:Note "Canadian PM raps own MP for snubbing war veteran", Reuters News, 9 May 2001, 15:43 report.
- Template:Note Catherine Dunphy, "Liberals' Wappel hoping voters have forgiven him", Toronto Star, 14 June 2004, B02.
- Template:Note Anne Dawson, "16 Liberal MPs willing to declare PM should resign", National Post, 25 July 2002, A01.
- Template:Note James Travers, "Dummies fall silent as political season changes", Toronto Star, 5 September 2002, A23.
- Template:Note Kelly Toughill, "Unusual committee casting --- Plum job for backbencher", Toronto Star, 16 November 2002, H05.
- Template:Note "Commons committee says Ottawa mismanaged Fraser River salmon fishery", Associated Press Newswires, 12 June 2003, 11:48 report.
- Template:Note Tonda MacCharles, "Liberal MP slams bill on marriage", Toronto Star, 19 February 2005, A06.
- Template:Note Jane Taber, "Liberal MPs clash over gay marriage", Globe and Mail, 3 February 2005, A1.
- Template:Note John Ivison, "Martin lives to die another day", National Post, 7 June 2005, A6.
- Template:Note Liberal Party of Canada official website, entry for Tom Wappel (accessed 8 March 2006). [3]