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Parliament returns Wednesday, July 22
Liberal

Robert Oliphant

LiberalDon Valley WestOntario
1042Votes Cast
20Speeches
0Bills Sponsored
Background
Born
1956
Career
United Church minister
Political Experience
Canadian politician
Public Profile

Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies

Business & Financial Interests

Before entering federal politics, Robert Oliphant was an ordained minister in the United Church of Canada. He served in several congregations and held senior roles within the church's administration. He also worked for the Government of Ontario as a senior advisor in the Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs. According to his public disclosures, he has reported assets including publicly traded securities and a rental property. His professional background is primarily in theology and public administration rather than private business.

Key Relationships & Connections

As a long-serving Member of Parliament, Robert Oliphant has held several key roles within the Liberal government. He has served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs under multiple ministers, including Chrystia Freeland, Marc Garneau, and Mélanie Joly. This position placed him in a close working relationship with these senior cabinet members, acting as a key representative for Canada on the world stage.

Public Controversies

Robert Oliphant faced public scrutiny and media attention in 2023 regarding his travel expenses. Reports highlighted that he had spent over $120,000 on travel in his role as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in less than a year. The expenses included trips to various countries for diplomatic purposes. In response to the reports, his office and the government defended the travel as a necessary part of his official duties, which involved representing Canada at international meetings and engaging in diplomacy. The controversy centered on the cost to taxpayers during a time of heightened concern over government spending.

Committee Memberships
Where Robert Stands

Where Robert falls on key policy spectrums

They vote

Your Money

Taxes & Government SpendingBusiness & Worker RulesEnergy & the Economy

People & Society

HealthcareImmigrationIndigenous PeoplesIdentity & Human RightsEducation & ChildcareDrug Policy

How We're Governed

National Security & DefencePolitical & Electoral ReformCrime & Public SafetyFirearms

Land & Community

Environment, Climate & ResourcesHousing & Cost of LivingRural Communities & Culture
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House Seat

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Recent Activity
Jun 18, 2026
DebateForeign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, let me acknowledge in this House that war is always a tragic experience. We are obviously encouraged by the peace deal that has been negotiated by regional partners, including Pakistan, Qatar and others. We have been following this process closely. There will be more work that needs to be done. Canada will play a role to ensure that peace continues to evolve in the region. We are

Jun 18, 2026
DebateALS Awareness Month

Mr. Speaker, June is ALS Awareness Month. As a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease, ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, gradually reduces a person's ability to move, speak, eat and, eventually, breathe. Daily life changes within months of diagnosis, and life expectancy is dramatically reduced. However, there is hope. Researchers are making impressive advances in ALS treatment. Last year,

Jun 16, 2026

C-219 G-2, with respect to ongoing with the preamble, is that Bill, in the preamble, be amended by replacing lines 12 to 18 on page 1 with the following: And whereas this Act will enable Canada to impose sanctions on foreign nationals who have engaged in activities that undermine international peace, security or stability in a manner inconsistent with international law or who are responsible

Jun 16, 2026

C-219 Again, I have an amendment. I would ask the committee to turn to G-10, which is, similarly, that Bill, in clause 22, be amended by replacing line 30 on page 10 with the following: “Global Sanctions and Special Economic Measures Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law No. 2)” in the and by replacing lines 4 and 5 on page 13 with the following: read as a reference to the “Global Sanctions and Special

Jun 16, 2026

C-219 I also have an amendment in the preamble. It is that Bill, in the preamble, be amended by replacing lines 5 to 7 on page 1 with the following: eign state that has engaged in activities that undermine international peace, security or stability in a manner inconsistent with international law or who is responsible for, or complicit in, gross and systematic violations of internationally

Jun 16, 2026

May I respond, Chair?

Jun 16, 2026

On a point of order, I don't believe that this is actually in the estimates or the supplementary estimates that we are discussing today. I think it's quite out of scope for what our study is. The officials are not the officials who would be preparing legislation. They're related to the work that we are mandated to do in today's effort. I do not believe that this is within what we should be

Jun 16, 2026

I would just note that today in the House, we recognized members of the Canadian Armed Forces, including rangers. I thought that was very good. I'm probably out of time. I would just say thank you for your work, and thank you to your team, who so often support us here at this committee with so many of our questions. Thank you, Mr. Chair.