Jeremy Roberts (politician)
Jeremy Roberts (born November 10, 1991) is a Canadian politician currently serving as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services for Community and Social Services since June 26, 2019. Roberts was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in the 2018 provincial election. He represents the riding of Ottawa West—Nepean as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario.
Jeremy Roberts MPP | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services (Community and Social Services) | |
Assumed office June 26, 2019 | |
Minister | Todd Smith |
Preceded by | Belinda Karahalios |
Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament for Ottawa West—Nepean | |
Assumed office June 13, 2018 | |
Preceded by | Bob Chiarelli |
Personal details | |
Born | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | November 10, 1991
Political party | Progressive Conservative (provincial) Conservative (federal) |
Residence | Ottawa, Ontario |
Alma mater | Carleton University, University of Oxford |
Occupation | Political aide |
Prior to being elected, Roberts served as a political aide to former federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and the federal Opposition Critic for Innovation, Science, Economic Development & Internal Trade Dan Albas.
Political activism & career
Roberts has been involved in politics since the 2011 Ontario general election, in which he volunteered for the Progressive Conservatives led by John Tory. He volunteered in the 2014 Ontario general election three years later for the party led by Tim Hudak. His last election in which he volunteered prior to becoming a candidate was the 2015 Canadian federal election for the Conservatives, led by then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
During the nomination process for the Progressive Conservatives during the 2018 Ontario general election in Ottawa West-Nepean, Roberts had initially lost the nomination vote to Karma MacGregor. This was considered widely controversial, with high-profile observers stating that there were multiple irregularities during the vote.[1] After Patrick Brown, the then-leader of the party, resigned after a scandal involving allegations that he sexually assaulted two women,[2] interim leader Vic Fedeli overturned the nomination of MacGregor, and Roberts re-entered the race[3] and was acclaimed the nominee in March.[4]
Roberts won the election in Ottawa West-Nepean by 176 votes over the NDP candidate Chandra Pasma.[5] As there was no recount challenge made by Pasma,[6] Roberts was formally declared to be elected in the riding.
On June 26, 2019, Roberts was appointed by Premier Doug Ford to serve as the Parliamentary Assistant to Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Todd Smith for Community and Social Services.[7]
Personal life
Roberts lives in Ottawa. His mother is a nurse and his father is the manager of the Almonte General Hospital Foundation. He has a younger brother with autism. After completing high school at Canterbury High School he attended Carleton University for Political Science and the University of Oxford where he attained his Masters in Public Policy from the Blavatnik School of Government.
Electoral record
2018 Ontario general election: Ottawa West—Nepean | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | ||||
Progressive Conservative | Jeremy Roberts | 16,590 | 32.82 | −0.47 | ||||
New Democratic | Chandra Pasma | 16,415 | 32.48 | +18.19 | ||||
Liberal | Bob Chiarelli | 14,810 | 29.30 | −16.38 | ||||
Green | Pat Freel | 1,937 | 3.83 | −2.18 | ||||
None of the Above | Colin A. Pritchard | 542 | 1.07 | |||||
Libertarian | Nicholas Paliga | 251 | 0.50 | -0.22 | ||||
Total valid votes | 50,545 | 100.00 | ||||||
Progressive Conservative gain | Swing | |||||||
Source: Elections Ontario[8] |
References
- "Clean-up 'corruption', allow new nominations, PC party members urge". CBC News Ottawa. February 9, 2018.
- "Patrick Brown resigns as PC leader amid sexual misconduct allegations". Toronto Star. January 24, 2018.
- "Party overturns Ottawa West-Nepean PC nomination". CBC News Ottawa. February 10, 2018.
- "PCs look to move past tumult in Ottawa West–Nepean". CBC News Ottawa. March 9, 2018.
- "PC Jeremy Roberts wins tight contest in Ottawa West–Nepean". CBC News Ottawa. June 8, 2018.
- "NDP's Chandra Pasma could challenge PC win in Ottawa West–Nepean". CBC News Ottawa. June 8, 2018.
- "Premier Ford Announces Parliamentary Assistant Assignments". Government of Ontario. June 26, 2019.
- "Summary of Valid Votes Cast for each Candidate" (PDF). Elections Ontario. p. 8. Retrieved 20 January 2019.