Bryon Wilfert

The Honourable Bryon Wilfert PC
Member of Parliament for Richmond Hill Oak Ridges 1997–2004
In office September 22, 1997 – March 26, 2011
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	Costas Menegakis
Personal details
Born	(1952-07-14) July 14, 1952 (age 72) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Political party	Liberal
Spouse	Elizabeth Wilfert
Residence(s)	Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
Profession	Teacher

Bryon J. Wilfert PC (born July 14, 1952) is a former Canadian politician. He was a Liberal member of the House of Commons of Canada from 1997 to 2011 who represented the GTA riding of Richmond Hill^[1] until his defeat during the 2011 federal election.

Background

Wilfert has Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education, and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Toronto, as well as a degree in public administration from St. Lawrence College in Kingston. In June 2011, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, Japan's second highest honour, by Emperor Akihito.^[2]

Politics

Federal politics

Wilfert was elected to the House of Commons in the 1997 federal election, scoring an easy victory in the Greater Toronto Area riding of Oak Ridges.^[3] He was re-elected by an increased majority in the election of 2000, and won another easy victory in his new riding in the 2004 election.^[4][5] In the 2011 election, he was defeated by Conservative Party candidate Costas Menegakis by 4,407 votes.^[6]

Wilfert served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance in 2002–03 and was named Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment after the 2004 election.^[7] During the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session and 3rd Session, Wilfert introduced two private members bills in 2009 and 2011, which both failed to pass beyond the first of seven stages known as "Introduction and First Reading".^[8]

After the election in 2006, Wilfert was appointed as official opposition critic of Foreign Affairs (Asia-Pacific).^{[citation needed]}

Wilfert was the Caucus Liaison in the successful 2006 Liberal leadership bid by Stéphane Dion and previously served as his parliamentary secretary during his tenure as Minister of the Environment.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. "The Honourable Bryon Wilfert - Roles - House of Commons of Canada". www.ourcommons.ca. Retrieved 2019-02-14.
2. "Embassy of Japan in Canada - Media Advisory: Government of Japan to Bestow Honour on Three Canadians". www.ca.emb-japan.go.jp. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
3. "Final Results Riding by Riding". Calgary Herald. June 4, 1997. p. A5.
4. "Election Results". Star – Phoenix. Saskatoon, SK. November 28, 2000. p. A8.
5. "Election results...riding by riding". The Globe and Mail. June 29, 2004. p. A14.
6. "Riding results from across Canada". Edmonton Journal. May 3, 2011. p. A6.
7. "The Honourable Bryon Wilfert - Roles - House of Commons of Canada". www.ourcommons.ca. Retrieved 2019-02-14.
8. "LEGISinfo - Results". www.parl.ca. Retrieved 2019-02-14.

External links

• Bryon Wilfert – Parliament of Canada biography