Career and Life

​

The Honourable Tony Clement is a former Minister in the Stephen Harper Government federally, and the Mike Harris and Ernie Eves Governments in the Province of Ontario.

​

During his time in the House of Commons (2006-2019) Mr. Clement served as: Minister of Health, Minister of Industry, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario. He therefore played a lead role in getting Canada’s economy back on track after the most significant global economic recession since the 1930s. In  Opposition Clement was Foreign Affairs Critic and  Justice Critic.

 

Mr. Clement's dedication to public service spans three decades. During his eight and a half  years as an Ontario MPP (1995-2003), he held prominent Cabinet positions in the Ontario government, including Minister of Health and Long-Term Care,  Minister of the Environment, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Minister of Transportation.  As Health Minister he successfully steered Ontario through the SARS pandemic.

 

As Health Minister for Canada 2006-2008, he fashioned the first National Pandemic Plan for future pandemic events. He also created the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and the Mental Health Commission of Canada. During his time as Minister of Health, Clement implemented national Heart and Stroke Strategies, and was responsible for the launch of the new Canada Food Guide in 2007, which included the most-to-date information based on current nutritional science.

 

In 2006, in addition of being appointed Minister of Health, Clement was also appointed as  Minister responsible for Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor). FedNor invested in projects that support community development and diversification, as well as, economic growth through job-creation and innovation. Clement held the FedNor portfolio until July 2013.

 

Appointed as Minister of Industry (now Innovations Canada) in 2008-2011, Mr. Clement was responsible for fifty-seven statutes enacted by Parliament. These included the Investment Canada Act, the Canada Corporations Act, and the Telecommunications Act. Clement successfully negotiated with the United States Government, the Government and Ontario and major automotive companies, such as General Motors Corporation, to save the Canadian auto sector during the Great Recession. Additionally, he introduced and passed Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation, while also creating trading and investment initiatives between Canada-Israel, and  movie investment opportunities between Canada-India.

 

In 2011, Mr. Clement was re-elected for a third consecutive time. Shortly after his re-election, he was asked by the Prime Minister to take on the responsibilities of President of the Treasury Board. In this capacity, Mr. Clement lead the development and implementation of a cross-government spending review—looking at transformational ways to support and deliver services to taxpayers in the most effective and efficient means possible. This followed through on the Government of Canada’s commitment to eliminate the deficit and continue to strengthen the economy.

​

Within the federal government, Mr. Clement chaired five different committees of Cabinet and served on the Cabinet Committee on Priorities and Planning, chaired by the Prime Minister.

​

Clement resides in Muskoka and Greater Toronto Area with wife, Lynne. He is the proud father of three adult children.

 

Tony is a guitarist for the Dock Spiders, a bar band  covering classic rock songs. He is an avid squash player and golfer. His Rockin Shindig radio show is a monthly fixture on Muskoka’s Hunters Bay Radio.