Pablo Rodríguez (Canadian politician)

The Honourable
Pablo Rodriguez
PC MP
Minister of Canadian Heritage
Assumed office
July 18, 2018
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Preceded by Mélanie Joly
Chief Government Whip
In office
January 30, 2017 – August 31, 2018
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Preceded by Andrew Leslie
Succeeded by Mark Holland
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Honoré-Mercier
Assumed office
October 19, 2015
Preceded by Paulina Ayala
In office
June 28, 2004 – May 2, 2011
Preceded by Yvon Charbonneau
Succeeded by Paulina Ayala
Personal details
Born (1967-06-21) June 21, 1967
San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
Political party Liberal
Spouse(s) Roxane Hardy
Residence Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Profession Communication consultant

Pablo Rodriguez PC MP (born June 21, 1967) is a Canadian Member of Parliament. As of July 18, 2018, Rodriguez is the current Minister of Canadian Heritage.[1]

Early life and career

Rodriguez was born on June 21, 1967 in San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina.[2] When he was eight, Rodriguez's family fled to Canada after their home was bombed during the Dirty War after his father was repeatedly jailed and tortured for his activism.[3]

Prior to entering politics, Rodriguez, who has a degree in business administration from the University of Sherbrooke, had worked for over twelve years in the fields of public affairs and management of international projects.

Throughout his career, Rodriguez has dedicated much of his time to humanitarian causes. His work particularly focused on helping developing countries and the eradication of poverty. He was the Vice President of Oxfam Québec from 2000 to 2004.[4]

Federal politics

Rodriguez was elected as a Liberal to the House of Commons of Canada for the Quebec riding of Honoré-Mercier in 2004, 2006 and 2008.

Rodriguez was Chair of the Standing Committee on Official Languages, the Official Opposition’s Critic for of the Francophonie and Official Languages, and Critic for Public Works and Government Services Canada. He has served on many committees of the House of Commons, including the Committee of Canadian Heritage, Official Languages and the Public Accounts Committee.

On February 14, 2007, a bill Rodriguez put forward was passed by the Commons that would give the Conservative government 60 days to come up with a plan to respect Canada's engagements under the Kyoto protocol.

He is the Past President of the Quebec wing of the Liberal Party of Canada.

He was the Quebec Chair of the Michael Ignatieff candidacy during his 2006 campaign for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.

In the 2011 election he was defeated by NDP candidate Paulina Ayala. Rodriguez sought a rematch in the 2015 election and defeated Ayala to return to Parliament.

Electoral record

Canadian federal election, 2015: Honoré-Mercier
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalPablo Rodriguez29,21156.55+26.20–
New DemocraticPaulina Ayala8,47816.41-19.96–
Bloc QuébécoisAudrey Beauséjour6,68012.93-5.59–
ConservativeGuy Croteau6,22612.05-0.37–
GreenAngela Budilean8141.58-0.02–
Strength in DemocracyDayana Dejean1680.33––
Marxist–LeninistYves Le Seigle810.16-0.19–
Total valid votes/Expense limit 51,658100.0   $212,950.75
Total rejected ballots 682––
Turnout 52,340––
Eligible voters 78,428
Liberal gain from New Democratic Swing +17.11
Source: Elections Canada[5][6]
Canadian federal election, 2011: Honoré-Mercier
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticPaulina Ayala17,54536.37+26.26
LiberalPablo Rodriguez14,64130.35-13.32
Bloc QuébécoisMartin Laroche8,93518.52-9.60
ConservativeGérard Labelle5,99212.42-2.88
GreenGaëtan Bérard7701.60-1.20
RhinocerosValery Chevrefils-Latulippe1810.38–
Marxist–LeninistJean-Paul Bédard1700.35–
Total valid votes 48,234100.00
Total rejected ballots 6221.27 -0.06
Turnout 48,85659.98-2.18
New Democratic gain from Liberal Swing +19.79
Canadian federal election, 2008: Honoré-Mercier
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalPablo Rodríguez21,54443.67+5.44$64,461
Bloc QuébécoisGérard Labelle13,87128.12−6.71$57,274
ConservativeRodrigo Alfaro7,54915.30−2.14$35,152
New DemocraticFrançois Pilon4,98610.11+3.89$1,499
GreenGaëtan Bérard1,3802.80−0.13$1,387
Total valid votes 49,330100.00
Total rejected ballots 6671.33
Turnout 49,99762.16−2.71
Electors on the lists 80,429
Liberal hold Swing +6.08
Source: Official Voting Results, 40th General Election 2008, Elections Canada.
Canadian federal election, 2006: Honoré-Mercier
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalPablo Rodríguez19,62238.23−7.87$62,095
Bloc QuébécoisGérard Labelle17,87934.83−5.54$39,105
ConservativeAngelo M. Marino8,95217.44+11.42$62,813
New DemocraticFrançois Pilon3,1916.22+2.13$2,374
GreenSylvain Castonguay1,5022.93+1.16not listed
Marxist–LeninistHélène Héroux1830.36+0.02none listed
Total valid votes 51,329 100.00
Total rejected ballots 650 1.25
Turnout 51,979 64.87 +3.23
Electors on the lists 80,122
Liberal hold Swing +2.33
Source: Official Voting Results, 39th General Election, Elections Canada.
Canadian federal election, 2004: Honoré-Mercier
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalPablo Rodríguez22,22346.10−11.76$78,649
Bloc QuébécoisÉric St-Hilaire19,46140.37+10.02$13,063
ConservativeGianni Chiazzese2,9026.02−2.28$5,060
New DemocraticFrançois Pilon1,9734.09+2.81$885
GreenRichard Lahaie8521.77–$0
MarijuanaSteve Boudrias6261.30−0.59none listed
Marxist–LeninistHélène Héroux1640.34+0.03none listed
Total valid votes 48,201100.00
Total rejected ballots 8541.74
Turnout 49,05561.64
Electors on the lists 79,585
Note: Conservative vote is compared to the total of the Canadian Alliance vote and Progressive Conservative vote in 2000 election.
Source: Official Voting Results, Thirty-Eighth General Election, Elections Canada.
Liberal hold Swing +10.89

References

  1. ↑ Wright Allen, Samantha (July 25, 2018). "Rodriguez, Tassi staying as government whips for now, changes expected soon". The Hill Times. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  2. ↑ "RODRIGUEZ, The Hon. Pablo, P.C., B.A.A." Library of Parliament.
  3. ↑ Press, Jordan (November 18, 2016). "Trudeau's emotional visit to Argentine memorial renews focus on human rights". CTVNews. Canadian Press. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Pablo Rodriguez". LinkedIn. July 18, 2018. Archived from the original on |archive-url= requires |archive-date= (help). Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  5. ↑ Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for Honoré-Mercier, 30 September 2015
  6. ↑ Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates
29th Ministry – Cabinet of Justin Trudeau
Cabinet post (1)
Predecessor Office Successor
Mélanie Joly Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism
July 18, 2018–		 Incumbent
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