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Helena GuergisCanadian politician.
Date of Birth: 19.02.1969
Country:  Canada |
Content:
- Helena Guergis: A Canadian Political Figure
- Business and Volunteer Work
- Early Political Career
- Provincial Election Bid
- Federal Parliament and Conservative Party
- Cabinet Appointments
- Allegations and Investigations
- Resignation and Removal from Caucus
- Independent MP and Defeat
Helena Guergis: A Canadian Political Figure
Early Life and Political InvolvementHelena Guergis was born in Barrie, Ontario, and raised in the nearby town of Essa. Her family had a long history of political involvement, and she inherited a diverse cultural background, being of Assyrian, Swedish, and Jewish descent.
Business and Volunteer Work
Before entering politics, Guergis completed real estate courses at Georgian College and opened a store called Final Touch in Angus. She also actively volunteered with the Angus Food Bank and the Barrie Literacy Council.
Early Political Career
Guergis's political career began as an assistant to provincial Progressive Conservative MPP Joe Tascona. After six and a half years, she became a political advisor to Janet Ecker, Ontario's Minister of Education and Finance. During this period, Guergis served as Vice-Chair of the Progressive Conservative Party's provincial executive committee three times.
Provincial Election Bid
In 2003, Guergis ran as the Progressive Conservative candidate in the central Toronto riding of Trinity—Spadina. This was considered a sacrificial campaign, but Guergis finished third, far behind incumbent NDP MPP Rosario Marchese.
Federal Parliament and Conservative Party
Guergis successfully ran for the Conservative Party in the 2004 federal election, defeating incumbent Liberal Paul Bonwick by 100 votes in the riding of Simcoe—Grey. She went on to hold the seat in the 2006 election with an increased majority.
Cabinet Appointments
In 2008, Guergis was appointed Minister of Status of Women by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. However, in April 2010, she was removed from Cabinet and the Conservative Party caucus after allegations of wrongdoing.
Allegations and Investigations
Guergis faced allegations of questionable business dealings, including misuse of public funds. She was investigated by the RCMP and the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner (CIEC). The CIEC found her in violation of the Conflict of Interest Act, and she was fined $6,000.
Resignation and Removal from Caucus
In the wake of the allegations and investigations, Guergis resigned her Cabinet post and was subsequently removed from the Conservative Party caucus. Prime Minister Harper referred her case to the RCMP.
Independent MP and Defeat
Guergis sat as an independent MP until the 2011 federal election, when she ran for re-election but lost to Conservative candidate Kelly Leitch.
