The Balsillie School and CIGI communities are invited to join the Honourable Michael Chong, Minister of Parliament and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, for a conversation about Canadian foreign policy issues.
The Honourable Michael Chong, P.C., M.P., Wellington-Halton Hills
Michael Chong was first elected to Parliament in 2004 and represents the riding of Wellington-Halton Hills. He currently serves as Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs for the Official Opposition.
Michael has served in the federal cabinet as President of the Queen’s Privy Council, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, and Minister for Sport. Michael has also served as Chair of several House of Commons Standing Committees (Industry, Science and Technology; Canadian Heritage; Official Languages). He is a co-founder and member of the All-Party Climate Caucus since it was formed in 2011.
In 2015, Michael’s Reform Act passed Parliament and became law. The Reform Act begins to address a long-standing problem in Ottawa: the concentration of power in party leaders. It gives MPs more power to represent their constituents and Canadians. Michael was able to reach across the aisle and work with members from other parties to secure the bill’s passage.
Before his election, Michael was the Chief Information Officer for the National Hockey League Players’ Association and an advisor to the Greater Toronto Airports Authority for the redevelopment of Pearson International Airport. Prior to these positions, he held senior IT roles in the financial services sector.
Michael co-founded the Dominion Institute, now known as Historica Canada, an organization committed to raising Canadians’ awareness of history and civics. He currently sits on its Board of Governors. Michael also sits on the Board of the Friends of Rouge National Urban Park and the Advisory Committee for the Institute for Change Leaders.
Michael attended Trinity College in the University of Toronto where he obtained a degree in philosophy.
Born in 1971, Michael grew up just outside of Fergus in Wellington County, Ontario, where he and his family continue to live. In 2002, Michael married Carrie Davidson and together they have three sons, William, Alistair, and Cameron.
