François-Philippe Champagne
- Born
- June 25, 1970 — Greenfield Park, Quebec, Canada
- Education
- Law at the Université de Montréal and Case Western Reserve University School of Law
- Career
- Senior attorney for Elsag Bailey Process Automation; ABB Group, group vice president and senior counsel; Amec PLC as a strategic development director
- Political Experience
- Elected to Parliament in 2015; Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance until 2017; Minister of International Trade (2017); Minister of Infrastructure and Communities (2018–2019); Minister of Foreign Affairs (2019–2021); Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (2021–2025); Minister of Finance and National Revenue (2025-present)
- Property
- Two mortgages with the state-owned Bank of China
- Notable
- Designated a "young global leader" by the World Economic Forum; trilingual, speaking English, French and Italian.
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before entering politics, François-Philippe Champagne had an extensive international business career. He worked for over 20 years in Europe and Asia. He was reportedly the Vice-President and Senior Counsel of ABB Group, a large Swiss-Swedish multinational corporation. He also served as Group Vice-President and Senior Counsel at AMEC Foster Wheeler, a global engineering and project management company. His work focused on major infrastructure projects and international trade. According to his public disclosures, upon entering cabinet he placed his assets in a blind trust, which is a standard practice to avoid conflicts of interest. His professional background is often cited in relation to his roles as Minister of International Trade and later as Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
Key Relationships & Connections
As a senior cabinet minister in the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Champagne is a key member of the Liberal Party's inner circle. He has held several major portfolios, including Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of International Trade, and Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, indicating a close working relationship with Trudeau and other senior ministers like Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. Through his international business career and his time as Foreign Affairs Minister, he has reportedly developed a network of contacts in global business and diplomatic circles. He is also a prominent political figure in Quebec, particularly in the Mauricie region represented by his Saint-Maurice—Champlain riding.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
In 2020, media reports revealed that François-Philippe Champagne held two mortgages with the state-owned Bank of China, with an outstanding balance reportedly totaling approximately $1.2 million. At the time, he was serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs. The situation raised concerns among opposition parties and some analysts about the potential for the Chinese government to exert influence over a Canadian cabinet minister. Champagne stated that he had properly disclosed the mortgages to the Ethics Commissioner upon becoming a Member of Parliament and a minister. Following the public scrutiny, he announced that he had paid off both mortgages. The Ethics Commissioner's office did not launch a formal investigation, having been aware of the mortgages through the standard disclosure process.
Public Controversies
The primary public controversy involving François-Philippe Champagne centered on his mortgages with the Bank of China. The revelation became a significant political issue, with critics questioning the judgment of a senior minister, especially the one responsible for Canada's foreign policy, being indebted to an institution controlled by an authoritarian state like China. The controversy fueled broader debates about Canada's relationship with China and the potential for foreign influence. Separately, he has faced some criticism for past comments that were seen as being favorable toward China's global ambitions. For instance, a video from 2017 surfaced showing him praising China's "Belt and Road Initiative," which later drew scrutiny given growing international concerns about the project.
Where François-Philippe falls on key policy spectrums
Your Money
People & Society
How We're Governed
Land & Community
François-Philippe Champagne won with 31,095 votes (50.0%)
Total votes cast: 62,240
Comment l'historique de vote de François-Philippe Champagne concorde-t-il avec vos valeurs ?
Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the member that we live in a very different time. Investment is up in this country. Growth is up in this country. Employment is up in this country. The one thing we see that is down is the Conservative Party in this country. I can assure the member that with the policies we have put in place to grow the fastest economy in the G7 and tackle affordability when
Mr. Speaker, as we know, affordability is top of mind for this government and Canadians, and I have good news, if the Conservatives want to listen. Prime Minister Today, thejust announced a landmark investment to retrofit one million homes, which will cut energy costs and emissions in this country. We should all applaud. This is a great measure. This is on top of our measures for housing, on
Mr. Speaker, I am surprised by what my colleague said. There was a time when the Bloc Québécois stood up for a Quebec that builds, a Quebec that thinks big, that takes its place inside the country and around the world. Think of Quebec's great builders, of hydroelectricity, of Mr. Bourassa, of the Contrecœur project now in progress. For once, could we hear the Bloc Québécois talk about a strong
Mr. Speaker, let me list what is Canada's record and the government's record. The Canada child benefit is our record. The national school food program is our record. The Canada disability benefit is our record. The Canada groceries and essentials benefit is our record. The early learning and child care system is our record. The Canada workers benefit is our record. At every step of the way, we
Mr. Speaker, I will take no lessons from the Leader of the Opposition—
Mr. Speaker, I was just saying we will take no lessons from that leader. At every step of the way, since he has been on these benches, whenever we presented a motion to support Canadians, he voted against. Conservatives voted against the Canada child benefit. They voted against the national school food program. They voted against the Canada disability program. They voted against the Canada
Mr. Speaker, Canadians watching at home know that the Leader of the Opposition likes to talk, talk, talk, but I have an idea for him. C-38 Today, instead of talking, he can take action. He can take action to help farmers across the country. He can take action to help families across the country. He can take action to help truckers across the country. I have a great idea for him. Today, he even
C-38 Mr. Speaker, Canadians know that the Leader of the Opposition likes to talk, but now he will have a test. Will he walk the talk? Instead of presenting a motion to oppose, I have a suggestion for him and his entire bench. Why do they not vote for farmers? Why do they not vote for truckers? Why do they not vote for families? Why do they not vote for Canada one day? They could vote for Billand
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals will vote for action. C‑38 All we see from the opposition are motions. They have an opportunity to do something for regular folks for once. They can vote for Bill. I invite all farmers watching us today to call their Conservative MPs and ask them to vote in favour of Bill C‑38. It will provide immediate, instant relief to farmers across the country. I hope the
C‑38 Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his question. I have been watching him for years. Why does he not do something for once? Instead of asking a question, he could convince his colleagues to vote in favour of Bill. The best way to provide immediate relief is to extend the suspension. The Conservatives have a chance to do something to help people for once. They can vote in favour
I would say that it complies with the process currently in place. I set up the filter voluntarily, because obviously, it's administered by the Clerk of the Privy Council. I sent it to the Ethics Commissioner on my initiative. It's up to him to decide whether it should be shared with the committee or not.
As I was saying, I followed all the rules. As I also explained, out of an abundance of caution, we put a screen in place. This is a well-known measure that is properly enforced by the Clerk of the Privy Council. The measure actually goes beyond the legal obligation under the act. I did so voluntarily, because I believed it was the right thing to do. The employee in question had no
As I said very specifically, Mr. Chair, I did that with an abundance of caution, being very mindful of the law and the exception in the law. I wanted to make sure that I did not participate in the decisions with respect to this project. I wanted to refer to the principle of general application. I know my colleague, Mr. Barrett, is a solicitor. I think a barrister would know it. The principle of
As I told you, there are rules around the sharing of information with the Ethics Commissioner. I invite you to ask him. He received a copy of the letter I sent and confirmed that he did.
I encourage you to ask the commissioner.
I checked with the commissioner about the matter, and he will decide how to proceed.