Malcolm Allen (politician)

Malcolm Allen (born May 30, 1953) is a Canadian politician. He represented the riding of Welland in the House of Commons of Canada from 2008 to 2015 as a member of the New Democratic Party. He served as Critic for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the Shadow Cabinet of the Official Opposition (Canada).

Malcolm Allen
Official portrait, 2011
Member of Parliament
for Welland
In office
October 14, 2008 – October 19, 2015
Preceded byJohn Maloney
Succeeded byVance Badawey (Niagara Centre)
Personal details
Born (1953-05-30) May 30, 1953
Glasgow, Scotland
Political partyNew Democratic
SpousePeggy Allen
Residence(s)Welland, Ontario, Canada
Profession
  • Politician
  • electrician

Early life and career

Allen was born in Glasgow, Scotland and immigrated to Canada as a child in 1963. His father, a shipwright came over to Canada to work at the Collingwood shipyards. He would later to transfer to the Port Weller Dry Docks located on the Welland Canal where Allen's family would settle.

Allen holds an undergraduate degree in history and political science from Brock University (graduated in 1983). An electrician by trade, he served on the Executive Board of CAW local 199 from 1996 to 2000 as Recording Secretary and from 2000 to 2008 as Financial Secretary.[1]

In 2004, Allen travelled to Africa to oversee the clearing of landmine sites and the construction of women's co-ops as part of the Canadian Autoworkers, Canada Social Justice Fund committee.[2]

In 2007 Allen spearheaded the creation of Genesis Court, a non-profit affordable housing complex with support services that would help people who were at risk to turn their lives around. Through the planning stages of Genesis court it would eventually become part of the Bethlehem Housing and Support Services organization, which includes Bethlehem Place.

Allen was also a member of the Pelham Library Board, the Golden Horseshoe Social Action Committee and the Niagara Health Coalition.[3]

Pelham municipal politics

Allen served on the Pelham Town Council from 2003 to 2008 representing Ward 1.[4]

In 2006, he served as the town's deputy mayor. He also chaired the Municipal Corporate Services Committee and served on it for five years.[5]

Member of Parliament
Allen during the 2011 federal election

Allen was first elected to the House of Commons on October 14, 2008 to the 40th Parliament, defeating Conservative Alf Kiers and the Liberal incumbent, John Maloney.

During the 40th Parliament Allen served as the critic for Skills, Training and Apprenticeships and Food Safety and the deputy critic for Agriculture and Food Security[6] (Canadian Food Inspection Agency). He also served for a period as New Democrat Caucus chair.

Allen was re-elected on May 2, 2011, beating Conservative Leanna Villella by over 1000 votes. Allen was one of 103 New Democrats elected, a record for the party and the first time in their history serving as the Official Opposition. Allen was the Critic for Agriculture and Agri-Food in Thomas Mulcair's Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet.

On October 19, 2015, Allen lost his seat to Liberal candidate Vance Badawey.

Allen ran in the 2019 federal election in Niagara Centre, where he placed third, with 26.69% of the vote. He ran in the 2021 federal election in Hamilton Mountain, placing second with 32.4% of the vote.

Poppy Bill

In November 2009, Allen introduced a private members bill intended to support the Royal Canadian Legion's annual Poppy Campaign by eliminating the GST from the purchase of poppies and poppy wreaths. The taxing of poppies was estimated to cost Legions about $780,000 a year.[7] The money raised by the legions in the Poppy Campaign is used for important services like dental care, replacing broken roofs, supporting meals-on-wheels programs and more.[8] After almost a full year of pressure, both the Provincial Liberal Government and Federal Conservative Government finally agreed to remove each of their portions of the new HST (formerly PST and GST) from the poppy purchases. Canada's Legions now have approximately $780,000 more a year to operate their services.

Opposition to Homolka pardon

In May 2010, Allen met with Talin French-Doyle, niece of Kristen French who presented him with a petition containing over 1,700 signatures[9] asking for the government to create legislation to prevent Karla Homolka, who was involved in French's murder, from receiving a pardon. Under the law at the time, Homolka would have been eligible to apply for a pardon in the summer of 2010.

Allen introduced a Private Member's Bill that would have effectively fast tracked the portion of Bill C-23 (An Act to Amend The Criminal Records Act). This would have prevented the pardon, and allowed for proper debate of the remaining portion of the bill. When there was hesitation of the Government and Official Opposition sides to go through with Allen's Private Members Bill, he immediately offered it to the government to ensure that the right thing was done. It is because of this pressure that Allen was able to successfully negotiate a deal with Conservative Public Safety Minister Vic Toews to split the Bill C-23 into two bills and was able to fast-track the new Bill C-23a which barred Homolka from receiving a pardon. The bill was passed on the final sitting day of the House of Commons 2010 Winter Session, and Homolka did not receive a pardon.[10]

Electoral record
2021 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalLisa Hepfner16,54734.1+3.8
New DemocraticMalcolm Allen15,71232.4-3.7
ConservativeAl Miles11,83824.4-1.1
People'sChelsey Taylor3,0976.4+5.0
GreenDave Urquhart9742.0-3.9
Christian HeritageJim Enos3360.7+0.1
Total valid votes 48,46099.1
Total rejected ballots 4190.9
Turnout 48,87960.6
Eligible voters 80,647
Liberal gain from New Democratic Swing +3.8
Source: Elections Canada[11]
2019 Canadian federal election: Niagara Centre
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalVance Badawey20,29235.01-0.68$78,098.76
ConservativeApril Jeffs17,98731.03+1.32none listed
New DemocraticMalcolm Allen15,46926.69-4.80none listed
GreenMichael Tomaino3,0545.27+2.86$2,561.88
People'sAndrew Sainz-Nieto7761.34none listed
Christian HeritageNic Bylsma3080.53none listed
Marxist–LeninistRobert Walker770.13-0.04none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 57,96399.08
Total rejected ballots 5390.92+0.33
Turnout 58,50264.31-1.33
Eligible voters 90,698
Liberal hold Swing -1.00
Source: Elections Canada[12][13]
2015 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes
LiberalVance Badawey19,432
New DemocraticMalcolm Allen17,103
ConservativeLeanna Villella16,157
GreenDavid Clow1,314
Animal AllianceJody Di Bartolomeo297
Marxist–LeninistRon J. Walker97
2011 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes
New DemocraticMalcolm Allen21,917
ConservativeLeanna Villella20,895
LiberalJohn Maloney7,276
GreenRobin Williamson1,297
Christian HeritageDavid Vangoolen299
IndependentRay Game169
Marxist–LeninistRon Walker71
2008 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes
New DemocraticMalcolm Allen16,842
ConservativeAlf Kiers16,542
LiberalJohn Maloney14,295
GreenJennifer Mooradian2,816
IndependentJody Di Bartolomeo569
Marxist–LeninistRon Walker114

References
  1. "Canada's NDP". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2017-09-04.
  2. "Canada's NDP". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2017-09-04.
  3. "Canada's NDP". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2017-09-04.
  4. "Canada's NDP". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2017-09-04.
  5. "Canada's NDP". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2017-09-04.
  6. "Canada's NDP". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2017-09-04.
  7. "Ottawa to refund Legion for HST on poppies - Inside Politics". Archived from the original on 2010-10-31.
  8. "404 Page". {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  9. "Local MP helps broker deal to stop Homolka pardon | Local | News | St. Catharines Standard". www.stcatharinesstandard.ca. Archived from the original on 2012-03-08.
  10. "Parties strike deal to prevent Homolka pardon". Toronto Star. 16 June 2010.
  11. "List of confirmed candidates – September 20, 2021 Federal Election". Elections Canada. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  12. "List of confirmed candidates". Elections Canada. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  13. "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
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