Vance Badawey (Niagara Centre, Ontario)
Chair of the Committee
Vance Badawey was first elected as Member of Parliament on October 19, 2015 for the riding of Niagara Centre. Mr. Badawey began his career in public service as a City Councillor for the City of Port Colborne in 1994. He thereafter was elected as Mayor of Port Colborne in 1997. In 2006 he was re-elected to the office of Mayor in Port Colborne and Regional Councillor for the Regional Municipality of Niagara.
As the Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre, MP Badawey has collaborated with several parliamentary caucuses, including the Indigenous, Horseshoe, Rural and Steel caucuses.
Member of the following Committee(s):
- Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
TC-related topics raised since the 43rd Canadian general election:
- Climate change
- Investments in public transit
- Voiced support for the ECCC Great Lakes Protection Initiative
Issues of interest:
- Rail Safety
- Transportation infrastructure investments
- Level crossing
- Oversight mechanisms
- Maintenance, repair and replacement of VIA Rail’s fleet
- CTA Review – Long-term agenda for the future of transportation in Canada
- National strategy on transportation and logistics (intermodal connections)
Stephanie Kusie (Calgary Midnapore, Alberta)
Conservative critic for Transport
MP Kusie was born and raised in Calgary. She studied at the University of Calgary, where she earned a degree in political science. She later obtained a Master’s in Business Administration from Rutgers University.
Prior to becoming a Member of Parliament, MP Kusie held various foreign policy posts, from 2006 to 2013. She thereafter served as a policy advisor for then-Minister of State for Foreign Affairs for the Americas, Peter Kent, in 2009.
MP Kusie was elected in 2017 in the riding of Calgary Midnapore. Since becoming a Member of Parliament, MP Kusie has held multiple critics portfolio, including Shadow Minister for Democratic Institutions, Families Children and Social Development and as Deputy Shadow Minister for Health.
Member of the following Committee(s):
- Vice-Chair, Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
TC-related topics raised during the 42nd Parliament:
- Expansion of Canada’s energy sector
- Opposition to the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act
TC-related topics raised since the 43rd Canadian general election:
- Post-pandemic economic recovery
Xavier Barsalou Duval (Pierre-Boucher – Les Patriotes – Verchères, Québec)
Bloc Critic for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Mr. Barsalou Duval was first elected on October 19, 2015. He has a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor’s Degree in accounting. Prior to his political career, he taught accounting at the college level and working several years in Cabinet as the accounting auditor. Mr. Barsalou Duval has been highly implicated in his local Bloc Québecois and Parti Québecois riding associations since he was eighteen years old. He thereafter became President of the Forum Jeunesse of the Bloc Québecois, a position he held from 2012 to 2015. In his career, he has also been very active in the Mouvement Montréal français and in the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal.
During the 42nd Parliament, MP Barsalou Duval was the critic for the Economic Development, Government Operations, National Revenue and Public Accounts. In the aftermath of the 43rd Canadian federal election, MP Barsalou Duval was appointed as parliamentary critic for the transport, infrastructure and communities portfolio.
Member of the following Committee(s):
- Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
TC-related topics raised during the 42nd Parliament:
- Rail disaster at Lac-Mégantic in 2013;
- Safety Management System regulations;
- Amendments to the List of Prohibited Items on aircrafts; and
- Shoreline Protection Program
TC-related topics raised since the 43rd Canadian general election:
- Opposition to the idea of an “energy corridor” and the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion
- Electrification of the transportation sector
- Opposition to Air Canada’s proposal to acquire Air Transat
Taylor Bachrach (Skeena – Bulkley Valley, British Columbia)
NDP Critic for Infrastructure and Communities
In 2008, Mr. Bachrach was elected to the Telkwa Town Council. After moving to Smithers in 2011, he was elected mayor and thereafter won re-election twice.
Mr. Bachrach was first elected to the House of Commons in the 43rd Canadian general election.
Outside of his political life, Mr. Bachrach is the owner of Bachrach Communications, a media consultancy firm in Smithers. Since 2018, he has also served as the President of the Go By Bike BC organization, a cycling advocacy group.
Member of the following Committee(s):
- Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
TC-related topics raised since the 43rd Canadian general election:
- Environmental policy;
- Importance of rivers in the northwest (Statement on World Rivers Day)
- Enshrining UNDRIP into federal law
- Supportive of EV fast charging infrastructure
TC-related topics raised during his career:
- Modernization of the Smithers Airport Terminal;
- Bus service connecting communities along the Highway of Tears
Fayçal El-Khoury (Laval – Les Îles, Quebec)
Mr. Fayçal El-Khoury obtained a degree in civil engineering from Concordia University. Thereafter, Mr. El-Khoury established a construction company in Laval.
From 2005 to 2015 Mr. El-Khoury worked as a consultant specializing in business relations with the Middle East.
Faycal El-Khoury is a Member of Parliament for the Liberal Party. He was first elected in the 2015 federal election, with 47.7% of the vote. Mr. El-Khoury holds a diploma in Engineering from the Concordia University.
Member of the following Committee(s):
- Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
TC-related topics raised during the 42nd Parliament:
- Investments in public transit
- Support for Transport Canada’s ZEV program
Angelo Iacono (Liberal) – Alfred – Pellan (Quebec)
Politician, attorney, public servant and humanitarian. Previously candidate in the 2011 general election and firstly elected in October 19, 2015.
Angelo graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from McGill University, completed his studies in civil law at UQAM and obtained his Juris Doctor from Ottawa University, which led to his certification from the Upper Canada Law Society. In search of new horizons, Angelo obtained a certificate from the European Union & its Institutions at the Law Faculty of Lyon (France).
Member of the following Committee(s):
- Standing Committee on Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities
- Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament
- Canada-Italy Interparliamentary Group
- Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group
TC-related topics raised:
- Port of Montreal Operations Act, 2021
- Zero emission vehicles
Other Issues of Interest:
- Senior citizens
- Families and children
- Small and medium-sized enterprises
- Rail Safety
- Locomotive Voice Recorders
- VIA Rail – Replacement of Fleet
- Air Canada Public Participation Act and Competitiveness of Airline Industry
Helena Jaczek (Markham – Stouffville, Ontario)
Helena Jaczek studied at the University of Toronto and obtained a medical degree and Masters of Health Science from the institution. Thereafter, she obtained a Masters of Business Administration from York University.
In her professional career, Ms. Jaczek occupied a variety of positions in the healthcare sector, such as general practice at the Women’s College Hospital and as Chief Medical Officer of health in York Region.
In 2007, Ms. Jaczek was elected in Ontario’s provincial legislature, where she would go on to serve in several capacities. These included positions such as Committee membership, as a Parliamentary Assistant to Ministers and, later, as Minister. In 2019, she was elected to the House of Commons as the Member of Parliament for the riding of Markham – Stouffville.
Member of the following Committee(s):
- Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
TC-related topics raised since the 43rd Canadian general election:
- Expressed support for continued federal infrastructure investments
Michael Kram (Regina – Wascana, Saskatchewan)
Conservative
MP Kram was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan. He attended the University of Regina, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree majoring in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in Economics. He also studied Economics at Carleton University in Ottawa.
Prior to his entry in politics, Mr. Kram worked for 20 years in the information technology sector. Specifically, he worked as a programmer/analyst with Paradigm Consulting, where he worked on projects for private sector entities, provincial governments and for the federal government.
MP Kram was first elected Member of Parliament for the riding of Regina-Wascana during the 43rd Canadian federal election. Prior to his appointment to the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, MP Kram served as the Conservative Party’s Deputy Critic for International Trade.
Member of the following Committee(s):
- Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
TC-related topics raised during his career:
- Supportive for more pipelines
- North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
- Pandemic – Get the resource sector back to work
Soraya Martinez Ferrada (Hochelaga)
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport
Soraya Martinez Ferrada was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Hochelaga in 2019.
A resident of the east end of Montréal since she came to Canada in 1980, Ms. Martinez Ferrada has deep roots in the community.
For over 20 years, she has gained experience in communications and project development through her involvement in community, cultural, and political action. She created the very first cultural and socio-professional integration program at TOHU, a unique example of sustainable development in Montréal.
Ms. Martinez Ferrada was involved in municipal politics for more than 10 years. In 2005, she was elected as a city councillor for Saint-Michel and was appointed to the Executive Committee as the Associate Advisor for Culture. From 2015 to 2018, she served as Chief of Staff and senior advisor to the Minister of Canadian Heritage.
Member of the following Committee(s):
- Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
- Standing Committee on Official Languages
- Canadian Section of ParlAmericas
Churence Rogers (Bonavista – Burin – Trinity, Newfoundland and Labrador)
Mr. Rogers is the Liberal Member of Parliament for the riding of Bonavista – Burin – Trinity. He was first elected in a by-election that was held on December 11, 2017. Mr. Rogers was elected with 69.2% of the vote.
Before entering federal politics, Mr. Churence Rogers served as the Mayor of Centreville-Wareham-Trinity and as president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities.
Member of the following Committee(s):
- Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
TC-related topics raised during the 42nd Parliament:
- Transportation logistics in eastern Canada
- Seat belt regulations
- Ferry rates by Marine Atlantic Inc.
Doug Shipley (Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, Ontario)
Conservative
As a long-time Barrie resident, Mr. Shipley was elected to Barrie city council for Ward 3 in 2010. He has since won re-election with overwhelming majorities in both 2014 and 2018 municipal elections.
While serving as a city councilor Mr. Shipley was a contributing member on many municipal committees including Chair of Finance and Corporate Services Committee, Chair of Infrastructure, Investment and Development Services Committee, Vice Chair Barrie Police Services Board and Barrie and Area Physician Recruitment Task Force.
MP Shipley has been selected to serve on the Standing Committee for Public Safety and National Security until August 2020. He has also been selected to serve as Conservative Deputy Shadow Critic for Infrastructure and Communities in September 2020.
Member of the following Committee(s):
- Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Gerald Soroka (Yellowhead, Alberta)
Conservative
MP Soroka, a proud resident of Yellowhead riding comes from a long line of farmers and has farmed for the majority of his life.
Prior to his entry in politics, Mr.Soroka has always had a strong interest in serving his community and working to solve problems that face his fellow residents. To this end, he took on posts as Vice- President and President of West Central Forage as well as Vice-President of the Alberta Forage Council.
Looking to solve problems at a larger scale, Gerald went on to serve as a Division one Councillor and Mayor of Yellowhead County before making the jump to federal politics. During his time as Mayor, he was also elected as Vice President of the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (Now RMA) from 2008 to 2010.
On December 20, 2019, MP Soroka was named as the Deputy Shadow Minister of Natural Resources (Forestry and Mining) and appointed to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food committee from February 2020 to August 2020.
Member of the following Committee(s):
- Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
TC-related topics raised during his career:
- In favor of eliminating the use of foreign oil in Canada
- Western farmers; carbon tax