Geng Tan

Geng Tan (simplified Chinese: 谭耕; traditional Chinese: 譚耕; pinyin: Tán Gēng; born 1963) is a Canadian politician who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the riding of Don Valley North in the House of Commons of Canada from 2015[1] to 2019 as a member of the Liberal Party. Tan made history as the first Canadian MP of a Mandarin-speaking heritage to be elected to the House of Commons.[2]

Geng Tan
谭耕
Tan in 2019
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Don Valley North
In office
October 19, 2015 – October 21, 2019
Preceded byRiding established
Succeeded byHan Dong
Personal details
Born1963 (age 56–57)
Beijing, China
Political partyLiberal
Spouse(s)Xinglai Laura Huang
ResidenceToronto, Ontario
Alma materHunan University,
University of Toronto
ProfessionFormer Senior Nuclear Scientist

Community leadership and awards

Tan is characterized as a long-standing leader and volunteer for many community organizations that are responsible for providing services and support for new Canadians immigrants. Tan is the founder, former Executive President and Co-chair of The Council of Newcomer Organizations. He is also the former Vice Chairman of the Confederation of Toronto Chinese Canadian Organizations. Drawing from his experience in those roles, Tan regularly shared his expertise on immigration and community development policy through his participation on many panels.[3]

Tan was the recipient of both the Ontario Service Award and the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal for his service to Canada.[3]

Education and designations

Tan earned a Bachelor of Engineering from Hunan University in China, majoring in organic chemical engineering. Tan went on to obtain his certification as a Senior Engineer and held various managerial positions. In Canada, Tan attended the University of Toronto and completed both his Master's in applied science and PhD in chemical engineering and applied chemistry.[3]

Work experience

As a former senior nuclear chemist, Tan worked at Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) and the Ontario Power Generation (OPG).[3]

Federal politics

On June 16, 2019, Tan announced that he would not run for re-election.[4] On June 25, 2019, it was reported that a former constituency staffer had accused him of fathering her child and refusing to pay child support.[5][6] Tan's wife Xinglai Laura Huang, a scientist with Environment Canada, ran for the Liberal nomination to replace Tan,[7] but was barred from running by the party.[8] He was ultimately succeeded by Han Dong.

Electoral record
2015 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalGeng Tan23,49451.4+14.1–
ConservativeJoe Daniel17,27937.8-2.5–
New DemocraticAkil Sadikali3,8968.5-12.3–
GreenCaroline Brown1,0182.2+0.88–
Total valid votes/Expense limit –100.0   $204,217.72
Total rejected ballots 259––
Turnout 45,946––
Eligible voters 71,812
Liberal notional gain from Conservative Swing +8.3%
Source: Elections Canada[9][10]

References
  1. Otis, Daniel (October 19, 2015). "Geng Tan wins in Don Valley North". thestar.com.
  2. Qiao, Shan (October 23, 2015). "First Mandarin-Speaking MP Elected in Canada - New America Media". newamericamedia.org. Archived from the original on November 22, 2017.
  3. "Biography | Geng Tan | Your member of parliament for Don Valley North". gtan.liberal.ca. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  4. Lum, Zi-Ann (June 17, 2019). "2 More Liberal MPs Announce They're Not Running For Re-Election". huffingtonpost.ca.
  5. Blackwell, Tom (June 25, 2019). "Liberal MP hired girlfriend to work in riding office, then fired her and refused to support their baby, lawyers allege". nationalpost.com.
  6. Lilley, Brian (June 25, 2019). "Trudeau's feminist government fails again". torontosun.com.
  7. Rana, Abbas (July 4, 2019). "Liberal MP Tan's wife eyes party nomination in wake of his decision not to seek re-election to 'spend time with family'". The Hill Times. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  8. Blackwell, Tom (September 10, 2019). "Liberal Party bars wife from vying to replace MP husband embroiled in dispute with ex-girlfriend". National Post. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  9. "Voter Information Service - Who are the candidates in my electoral district? - Don Valley North (Ontario)". elections.ca. Archived from the original on October 20, 2015.
  10. "Elections Canada Online - Final Candidates Election Expenses Limits". elections.ca. Archived from the original on August 15, 2015.
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