Nick Whalen

Nick Whalen
MP
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for St. John's East
Assumed office
October 19, 2015
Preceded by Jack Harris
Personal details
Born (1973-06-06) June 6, 1973
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Political party Liberal
Spouse(s) Sarah Noble
Alma mater McGill University
Queen's University
Profession lawyer, engineer, patent agent

Nicholas Julian Whalen, MP, (born June 6, 1973) is a Canadian Liberal politician, who was elected to represent the riding of St. John's East in the House of Commons of Canada in the 2015 federal election.[1][2]

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, followed by McGill University law school.[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. Whalen later issued an apology for that comment.[6]

Electoral record

Canadian federal election, 2015
Party Candidate Votes%∆%Expenditures
LiberalNick Whalen 20,974 46.73 +38.96 –
New DemocraticJack Harris 20,328 45.29 -25.36 –
ConservativeDeanne Stapleton 2,938 6.55 -13.90 –
GreenDavid Anthony Peters 500 1.11 -0.02 –
CommunistSean Burton 140 0.31 – –
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[7][8]

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. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ "October 19, 2015 Election Results — St. John's East (Validated results)". Elections Canada. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  8. ↑ Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates
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