During the July 25 meeting of Huntsville council, Councillor Jonathan Wiebe who sits on the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors as a council representative told his colleagues that former MP Tony Clement is a new director on the board.
Wiebe told council Clement had joined the board just over a week ago. “It’ll be interesting. I think there’ll be lots to learn from someone with a very broad, and different experiences. It’ll shake things up I think,” said Wiebe.
Huntsville Mayor Karin Terziano questioned what Clement would be doing. “He’s working on international supply chain issues with kind of a mandate to lessen the reliance on Chinese goods, if you would. That’s kind of the simple… version of it. He’s broadened his net so it’ll be interesting to work with him,” added Wiebe.
“Interesting,” responded Huntsville Mayor Karin Terziano.
Clement has had a long political career in both provincial and federal government. He was Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Parry Sound-Muskoka from 2006 until he became embroiled in a sexting scandal that prompted him to resign from the Conservative Party on November 7, 2018, at the request of then Conservative leader Andrew Scheer. He sat as an independent MP until the 2019 federal election when Clement announced he would not be running again. His announcement prompted former Huntsville Mayor Scott Aitchison to seek the position, which he won.
During his time in federal government, Clement served as Minister of Health and Minister for FedNor. He also later served as President of the Treasury Board. He was reelected by the riding of Parry Sound-Muskoka in the 2015 election despite a Conservative defeat. In July 2016, Clement announced his intention to run for the leadership of the Conservative Party for a second time (the first time he lost to Stephen Harper) but he withdrew on October 13, 2016.
Before entering federal politics, Clement served as MPP for Brampton under the governments of Mike Harris and Ernie Eves. He became a cabinet minister and served in high-profile portfolios such as the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care during the SARS crisis of 2003.
Clement has since been involved in a host of business activities. You can find out more, here.
Tom Spivak says
Although I personally despise the Ontario conservatives I believe that Mr Clement did enormous good for Muskoka and would expect his skills will continue to do so.
Dale Hajas says
I think Mr. Clement will bring an interesting perspective to the board.
Not to diminish all of the business people who have served on the Chamber board (including me) but he is likely one of the highest profile individuals the Chamber has ever had. I’m sure that existing board members can learn from him and vice versa.
A Chamber of Commerce is an association or network of businesspeople designed to promote and protect the interests of its members – it’s not a political entity. Mr.Clement’s position on the board is merely equal to other board members all of whom hopefully bring something to the role that fosters its mandate.