Michael Chong
- Born
- November 22, 1971 — Windsor, Ontario
- Family
- Married to Carrie Davidson, three sons: William, Alistair, and Cameron
- Education
- Trinity College at the University of Toronto (philosophy, history and politics)
- Career
- Information technology for Barclays Bank and Research Capital Corporation; senior technology consultant to the Greater Toronto Airports Authority; National Hockey League Players’ Association
- Political Experience
- Ran for parliament in the 2000 federal election as a Progressive Conservative; Elected to House of Commons in 2004; Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Sport, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada (2006); Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Communities and Urban Affairs, Shadow Cabinet Minister for Science, Shadow Cabinet Minister for Democratic Institutions
- Notable
- Resigned from cabinet in 2006 to oppose a motion recognizing the Québécois as a nation within a united Canada; Proposed the Reform Act; Sanctioned by the government of the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation; Family in Hong Kong was targeted following the Uyghur genocide vote.
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before entering politics, Michael Chong worked in the private sector in information technology. His past roles reportedly included acting as Chief Information Officer for the National Hockey League Players' Association and working as a senior technology consultant for companies like Barclays Bank. He also reportedly owns and operates a farm in his constituency.
Key Relationships & Connections
As a long-serving MP, Michael Chong was a cabinet minister in the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, serving as Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the Queen's Privy Council. He is often associated with the more moderate or 'Red Tory' wing of the Conservative Party. Chong has also highlighted the influence of his parents in his public life; his father was an immigrant from Hong Kong and his mother was an immigrant from the Netherlands.
Public Controversies
In 2023, it was publicly revealed through leaked intelligence reports that Michael Chong and his family members in Hong Kong had been targeted by the Chinese government. The targeting was reportedly a response to Chong's successful 2021 parliamentary motion which condemned Beijing's treatment of its Uyghur minority as a genocide. A major part of the controversy was the revelation that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) had been aware of this threat for two years, but Chong himself was not informed. The situation led to a significant diplomatic incident, resulting in the Canadian government expelling a Chinese diplomat, Zhao Wei, who was allegedly involved in the matter.
Where Michael falls on key policy spectrums
Your Money
People & Society
How We're Governed
Land & Community
How does Michael Chong's voting record line up with your values?
Mr. Speaker, I am raising the alarm bells about Ontario's auto sector. The sector depends on access to the U.S. market. The sector has paid $5 billion in tariffs over the last year. Passenger, car and light truck exports to the United States are plummeting. The Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association has said, “You cannot have a commercially viable automotive plant in Canada facing tariffs
On that issue, Mexico also indicated, in it's formal statement issued by their ministry, that the first formal, bilateral negotiating round between Mexico and the United States will take place the week of May 25. When will Canada's first formal negotiating round take place?
My question is about Mexico having formal talks this week on these four sets of issues, including the tariffs. Is Canada going to have formal talks on the section 232 tariffs? When is that going to happen?
That seems to conflict with what officials on the record and off the record are saying. Minister LeBlanc Premier Susan Holt of New Brunswick said that the free trade talks of the United States are “not at a place that I could write home about with a lot of optimism”. That's what she said after a meeting with. Then we have Louise Blais, the former Canadian diplomat, saying that officials in
Thank you.