James Bezan

Template:Short description Template:Use Canadian English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox officeholder James Bezan Template:Post-nominals (born May 19, 1965) is a Conservative Canadian politician who has represented the riding of Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman (formerly Selkirk—Interlake) in the House of Commons of Canada since 2004. He is currently the Conservative Shadow Minister for National Defence.

Early life and career

Bezan was born May 19, 1965, in Russell, Manitoba.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He majored in livestock technology in Olds College's Agricultural Production program.<ref>Special Coverage 2011 Election </ref> Bezan worked in the livestock and cattle industries in the 1980s and 1990s and started his own company in 1996. He served as Chief Executive Officer of the Manitoba Cattle Producer's Association and has sat on boards in the fields of cattle and food production. He also operates a family farm near Teulon, Manitoba.<ref>Steinbach Online "Gov't Package Coming For Beef Producers"</ref>

Federal politics

Bezan was first elected in the riding of Selkirk—Interlake in the 2004 federal election, and was re-elected in the 2006, 2008, 2011, 2015, 2019 federal elections and 2021 federal elections.

In opposition, Bezan served on the executive of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association and as the Conservative Associate Agriculture Critic.<ref>I Channel #FAQMP I Channel #FAQMP "You ask, we listen, they answer." Template:Webarchive</ref>

In the 38th Canadian Parliament, Bezan tabled Motion M-309 which sought to increase benefits for parents of critically ill children.<ref>Ledwich, Sean. Stonewall Tribune "Bezan takes Teulon boy's story to Ottawa"Template:Dead link</ref> This motion became law within Government Bill C-44 in 2012 which proposes a new Employment Insurance (EI) special benefit for parents who take time off work to care for their critically ill or injured children.

In government

In the 2006 federal election, Bezan was re-elected, defeating former Manitoba premier and Governor General of Canada Ed Schreyer, who ran for the New Democratic Party.<ref>CBC News "Mulcair endorsed by former governor general Ed Schreyer"</ref><ref>"Former GG Schreyer to run for NDP"</ref>

Between 2006 and 2015 as a member of government, Bezan has served as Chair of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food; Chair of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development; Chair of the Manitoba Conservative Caucus; Chair of the Canadian Section of the Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas (FIPA); and Secretary of the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group.<ref name="faqmp.ichannel.ca">I Channel #FAQMP I Channel #FAQMP "You ask, we listen, they answer" Template:Webarchive</ref><ref>I Channel Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Interlake Today "Bezan named chair of environment committee"</ref><ref>Portage Online "New Chair For Manitoba Conservative Caucus" Template:Webarchive</ref><ref>Ukrainian Echo UCC CONGRATULATES NEW CHAIRMAN OF CANADA UKRAINE PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDSHIP GROUP ROBERT SOPUCK Template:Webarchive</ref>

Bezan has advocated marketing choice for Western Canadian grain farmers and fishermen. As a longtime and outspoken opponent of the long-gun registry, Bezan was pleased when the registry was ended. Bezan has also been instrumental in securing over $35 million in funding for the Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative in Budgets 2007 and 2012.<ref>Water Canada "Deadline Extension for Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Fund"</ref><ref>Forrest, Michael. Sun News "Harper pledges to save Lake Winnipeg" Template:Webarchive</ref>

In the 39th Canadian Parliament, Bezan passed Private Member's Bill C-459, which established the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide Memorial Day and recognizes the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-33, the Holodomor, as an act of genocide.<ref>Mosher, Jim. Enterprise News "Bezan recognized for efforts on behalf of Ukrainian-Canadians"</ref> Bezan was awarded the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, Ukraine's highest civilian award, by the President of Ukraine.<ref name="faqmp.ichannel.ca" />

Bezan's wife Kelly has survived melanoma skin cancer on a number of occasions.<ref>Capital News Online "Debate heats up on tanning bed use for minors" Template:Webarchive</ref> Bezan, who also used artificial tanning equipment, tabled a Private Member's Bill, C-497 in the 40th Canadian Parliament, to strengthen warning labelling on tanning beds on the carcinogenic risks from radiation caused by tanning equipment.<ref>Robbins, Heather. Interlake Today "Bezan lauds Canadian Medical Association tanning resolutions"</ref>

In the first session of the 41st Parliament, Bezan served as the Chair of the Standing Committee on National Defence and was elected as the Vice President of the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group and executive member for the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas.<ref>Brigg, Hayley. Interlake Today. "Bezan named Chair of National Defence Committee"</ref><ref>Ukrainian Canadian Congress "UCC Congratulates New Chair of CUPFG – Ted Opitz, M.P."</ref> During the 41st Parliament, Bezan founded and co-chairs the Canadian Parliamentarians for Democracy and Human Rights in Iran, which is an all-party group.<ref>National Post "Irwin Cotler and James Bezan: Putting names to Iran’s persecuted voices of dissent" www.nationalpost.com </ref>

In the 41st Canadian Parliament, Bezan introduced two pieces of legislation. The first was the Tanning Equipment Prohibition and Warning (Cancer Risks) Act (Bill C-386). This Bill influenced the Government to put warning labels about the health risks of indoor tanning on tanning equipment in February 2013.<ref>Interlake Today "Bezan Denounces Tanning Beds in Honour of World Cancer Day"</ref> In February 2013, Bezan tabled Bill C-478, The Respecting Families of Murdered and Brutalized Persons Act. This Bill seeks to extend the parole eligibility period for those convicted of the abduction, sexual assault and murder of an individual.<ref>Interlake Today "Bezan's Bill Up for Debate"</ref>

On September 19, 2013, Bezan was appointed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence. He began the 2nd session of the 41st Parliament with this role.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

While serving in Her/His Majesty's Loyal Opposition since 2015, Bezan has served as the Shadow Minister for National Defence, the Deputy Official Opposition Whip, Co-coordinator for Question Period Planning and Shadow Minister for Ethics.

Throughout his time in Parliament, Bezan has worked on Ukrainian and Iranian human rights and democracy issues.<ref>National Post "Irwin Cotler and James Bezan: Putting names to Iran’s persecuted voices of dissent" </ref><ref>Nash Holos "Canadian MP speaks out against Ukrainian government's recent attack on Tymoshenko"</ref> Bezan travelled with Prime Minister Harper to Ukraine in 2010 and 2015 and has served as an election monitor in the last four Ukrainian elections.<ref>Interlake Today "Bezan overseeing Ukraine Election"</ref><ref>Interlake Today "MP Bezan visits ukraine with prime minister harper" Template:Webarchive</ref> Bezan lobbied to have the Iranian embassy shut down and have the MeK delisted as a terrorist organization.<ref>Interlake Today "Bezan supports terrorist list changes"</ref> Both of these actions by Bezan were acted upon by the Government of Canada during the 41st Canadian Parliament.Template:Citation needed

Bezan was one of thirteen Canadians banned from travelling to Russia under retaliatory sanctions imposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in March 2014.<ref name=honour>Template:Cite news</ref> He replied through his official Twitter feed, "Sanctions by Russia will not silence me standing up for Ukraine. This is a badge of honour for all critics of the Crimea Invasion."<ref name=honour />

Elections Canada dispute

The Speaker of the House of Commons received a request from Elections Canada to suspend Bezan as a member of Parliament (MP) in June 2013 over an alleged failure to properly claim the cost of advertising signage he erected while MP. The Speaker made a ruling on June 18, 2013, in response to a question of privilege, to have the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (PROC) review this issue.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On February 5, 2014, Bezan and Elections Canada came to an agreement on a corrected campaign return. In a statement on his website, he said:

I am pleased to say that Elections Canada has agreed with the commercial value of my MP signs I submitted in my corrected campaign return on May 5, 2013 at $518 per sign. My final campaign return for the 2011 election is below the allowable election expense limit, and my personal contributions are also below the allowable limit. As a matter of fact, the total difference between my corrected return filed on May 5, 2013 and my final return is only $458."<ref>James Bezan, MP "BEZAN VINDICATED IN ELECTIONS CANADA DISPUTE" Template:Webarchive</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>