David McGuinty
- Born
- February 25, 1960 — Ottawa, Ontario
- Family
- Married to Brigitte Bélanger and has four children
- Education
- Diploma in Agriculture from the Kemptville College of Agriculture, a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature at the University of Ottawa, specialized diplomas in Civil and Comparative Law at Université de Sherbrooke in Quebec, a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Ottawa, and finally a Master of Laws at the London School of Economics and Political Science
- Career
- Environmental lawyer, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Prime Minister's National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy
- Political Experience
- MP for Ottawa South since 2004, chair of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) from 2017 to 2024, Minister of National Defence since May 2025
- Notable
- Brother of former premier of Ontario Dalton McGuinty and son of former MPP Dalton McGuinty Sr.
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before entering federal politics, David McGuinty had a career focused on environmental policy and law. He served as the President and CEO of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE), a federal advisory body that provided policy advice to the government. His professional background also includes working as a lawyer in private practice and for the International Development Law Organization in Rome, Italy. His public disclosures have listed assets such as publicly traded securities and a rental property.
Key Relationships & Connections
David McGuinty is part of a prominent political family in Ontario. His older brother is Dalton McGuinty, who served as the 24th Premier of Ontario from 2003 to 2013. His father, Dalton McGuinty Sr., was also a Member of Provincial Parliament in Ontario. This family connection is one of his most well-known relationships in Canadian public life.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
In 2023, questions were raised about a potential conflict of interest regarding a trip David McGuinty took to Israel. At the time, he was the chair of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP). The trip was reportedly sponsored by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, a pro-Israel advocacy group. Critics and opposition members argued that accepting a sponsored trip from an advocacy group while chairing a sensitive national security committee created an appearance of a conflict of interest. McGuinty defended the trip as being for educational purposes.
Public Controversies
In 2012, David McGuinty faced a significant public controversy after making comments about Members of Parliament from Alberta. During a heated debate, he reportedly told Conservative MPs from the province to "go back to Alberta" and suggested they were "shills" for the oil industry. The remarks were widely condemned as divisive and inappropriate. McGuinty later issued a public apology for his comments and resigned from his role as the Liberal party's natural resources critic.
Where David falls on key policy spectrums
Your Money
People & Society
How We're Governed
Land & Community
How does David McGuinty's voting record line up with your values?
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I mistakenly voted while paired this morning, so I would like to request unanimous consent to withdraw my vote on division 162, the motion to proceed to orders of the day, taken earlier this day.