Nick Whalen

Nicholas Julian Whalen (born June 6, 1973) is a Canadian Liberal politician, who represented the riding of St. John's East in the House of Commons of Canada from 2015 until 2019.[1][2] Whalen was defeated in the 2019 federal election by former New Democratic MP Jack Harris in a rematch of the 2015 election.

Nick Whalen
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for St. John's East
In office
October 19, 2015 – October 21, 2019
Preceded byJack Harris
Succeeded byJack Harris
Personal details
Born (1973-06-06) June 6, 1973
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Political partyLiberal
Spouse(s)Sarah Noble
Alma materMcGill University
Queen's University
Professionlawyer, engineer, patent agent

Early life and career

Whalen's father, Norman Whalen, was president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal Party in the 1980s, and managed Clyde Wells' 1989 election victory.[3]

He attended Queen's University's engineering school, earning both undergraduate and graduate degrees in the field. He then earned an LLB degree in 2011 from the McGill University Faculty of Law.[4]

Whalen practised law at the law firm McInnes Cooper, specializing in energy law, intellectual property, and corporate and commercial law. He was also, at the time of his election, the only qualified patent agent, and worked with a number of charitable organizations. He had previously served as the local Liberal Party treasurer.

Federal politics

Whalen's election in St. John's East over the popular NDP incumbent, Jack Harris, was considered one of the biggest surprises of the 2015 election.[5]

In October 2016, Whalen responded to comments over Twitter by Earle McCurdy about the protests opposing the Lower Churchill Project over concerns of methylmercury being spilled into Lake Melville. Whalen responded by tweeting that the methylmercury levels should be monitored and people should compensate when levels are high by eating less fish.[6] Whalen later issued an apology for that comment.[7]

Whalen was defeated in the 2019 federal election.

Electoral record
2019 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticJack Harris21,16446.9%
LiberalNick Whalen14,96133.2%
ConservativeJoedy Wall8,18718.1%
GreenDavid Peters8181.8%
Total valid votes/Expense limit 45,130100.0  
Total rejected ballots
Turnout
Eligible voters
Source: Elections Canada[8]
2015 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalNick Whalen20,97446.73+38.96–
New DemocraticJack Harris20,32845.29-25.36–
ConservativeDeanne Stapleton2,9386.55-13.90–
GreenDavid Anthony Peters5001.11-0.02–
CommunistSean Burton1400.31––
Total valid votes/Expense limit 44,880100.0   $198,664.41
Total rejected ballots 1110.25–0.06
Turnout 44,99168.69+10.84
Eligible voters 65,499
Liberal gain from New Democratic Swing +32.16
Source: Elections Canada[9][10]
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References
  1. http://www.thetelegram.com/Living/2016-01-04/article-4394011/20-Questions-with-Nick-Whalen/1
  2. "Liberals sweep all 7 N.L. ridings in federal election". CBC News. October 19, 2015. Retrieved 2015-10-22.
  3. "Just who is Nick Whalen?". The Telegram. St. John's. October 20, 2015. Retrieved 2015-10-22.
  4. Nick Whalen Biography, Liberal.ca.
  5. "Just who is Nick Whalen?". The Telegram. St. John's. October 20, 2015. Retrieved 2015-10-22.
  6. Munson, James (October 24, 2016). "Liberal MP apologizes for 'eat less fish' advice on mercury risk". iPolitics. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  7. MacEachern, Daniel; Barry, Garrett (October 24, 2016). "Newfoundland MP Nick Whalen apologizes for 'eat less fish' comment on methylmercury issue". CBC News. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  8. "List of confirmed candidates". Elections Canada. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  9. "October 19, 2015 Election Results — St. John's East (Validated results)". Elections Canada. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  10. "Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates". Archived from the original on 2015-08-15. Retrieved 2020-04-18.
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