Parliament AIIndependent · non-official
Portrait of Robert Oliphant. Photo: US Consulate Toronto, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Robert Oliphant

Liberal · Don Valley West, ON

Sitting MPmale70

Photo: US Consulate Toronto, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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Biography

Robert B. Oliphant is a Canadian politician and a United Church minister. He serves in the House of Commons as a Liberal Member of Parliament for the Toronto riding of Don Valley West. First elected from 2008 to 2011, he returned to the office from 2015 to present. encyclopedia

Born
1956-06-07, Sault Ste. Marieencyclopedia
Languages
Englishofficial
Occupation before politics
Christian minister, politicianencyclopedia

House of Commons profile[email protected]Wikipedia entry

Electoral history

  1. Don Valley West

    Liberal · 45th ParliamentSince 2025-04-28
    Rob Oliphant36,744
    Robert PierceRunner-up · Conservative19,480

    Difference 17,264 votes. 3 other candidates also ran.

    Elections Canada, 45th general election.

    official

  2. Don Valley West

    Liberal · 44th Parliament2021-09-20 to 2025-04-27
    Rob Oliphant24,798
    Yvonne RobertsonRunner-up · Conservative16,695

    Difference 8,103 votes. 4 other candidates also ran.

    Elections Canada, 44th general election.

    encyclopedia

  3. Don Valley West

    Liberal · 43rd Parliament2019-10-21 to 2021-09-19
    Rob Oliphant29,148
    Yvonne RobertsonRunner-up · Conservative16,304

    Difference 12,844 votes. 4 other candidates also ran.

    Elections Canada, 43rd general election.

    encyclopedia

  4. Don Valley West

    Liberal · 42nd Parliament2015-10-19 to 2019-10-19
    Rob Oliphant27,472
    John CarmichaelRunner-up · Conservative19,206

    Difference 8,266 votes. 5 other candidates also ran.

    Elections Canada, 42nd general election.

    encyclopedia

  5. Don Valley West

    Liberal · 40th Parliament2008-10-14 to 2011-05-01
    Rob Oliphant22,212
    John CarmichaelRunner-up · Conservative19,441

    Difference 2,771 votes. 3 other candidates also ran.

    Elections Canada, 40th general election.

    encyclopedia

Education

  • Chicago Theological SeminaryDegree not recordedYears not recordedencyclopedia
  • University of TorontoDegree not recordedYears not recordedencyclopedia

Experience

Our sources do not list any previous employment for this member.

    Government roles

    In their own words

    7,165 Hansard interventions on file. These are the words said in the House, not a summary. Private conversations are not collected and are not invented.

    Mr. Speaker, I think we can all agree in the House that goods that are made with forced labour have absolutely no place in our supply chains. No one should be trapped in exploitation so others can benefit from lower costs. Canadians all want confidence that our economy is built o…Adjournment Proceedings — International Trade · 2026-09-23

    Where they stand

    Policy positions are scored only from this member's stored House words and, when it is on file, their own public website. Wikipedia and other encyclopedias may supply details such as a birth date, education or work history, and each of those details is labelled with its source, but they are never used to score a position. Members whose only sources are encyclopedias have no scored positions.

    A stored score on 10 of 14 topics. Each row names the end of that topic’s axis the stored words reached, and the sentence the score rests on.

    Climate

    Faster fossil phase-down

    The other end of this axis: Slower phase-down, production first

    excerpts repeat that climate change is the greatest threat and support transit and environmental initiatives to lower emissions

    The area of the country that she represents may not know that climate change is probably the greatest threat to sovereignty in the far north. We may protect it with frigates and we may protect it with all kinds of military operations, but the caribou herds and the people are all threatened by glaciers that are melting and water levels that are rising.
    Source of that line

    Defence

    Higher spending and more capability

    The other end of this axis: Restrain spending and deployments

    supports navy and NATO commitments

    As the critic for Veterans Affairs, and I think I also speak on behalf of the critic for National Defence in our caucus, we will be recommending to our caucus full and complete support of this motion. I want to take this opportunity to talk about the motion and the kind of groundwork that I think should go into the motion and some of the ways it is being represented here today.
    Source of that line

    Energy

    Restrict new oil and gas

    The other end of this axis: Expand production and export

    excerpts tie energy discussions to climate change and lower emissions

    This plan is also a significant environmental initiative which will significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. I of course appreciate the government's help with the renewal of Union Station, improvements to GO Transit, the extension of the Spadina subway, and hopefully the Sheppard light rail line, but the complete disregard of the City of Toronto's priority, a fleet of renewed streetcars, still concerns me.
    Source of that line

    Fiscal policy

    Higher taxes and public spending

    The other end of this axis: Lower taxes and tighter spending

    excerpts repeat criticism of tax cuts and support for deficits and spending

    Second, it is possible that it failed to see that the domestic economic policies followed in their first mandate, policies of irresponsible tax cuts and bloated government spending, have left the government completely incapable of responding quickly or well to the situation. I am talking about incompetence of the highest order.
    Source of that line

    Foreign affairs

    Assertive alliances and sanctions

    The other end of this axis: Alliance restraint

    excerpts repeat commitment to rules-based order and standing with allies on issues like China

    Speaker, our foreign policy is based on renewing a rules-based international order that Canadians have built together, protecting universal human rights, supporting democracies. We are a leader in the world on critical issues, whether it is in Venezuela, or in the Middle East or in China, all around the world.
    Source of that line

    Health

    Expand public coverage

    The other end of this axis: More private delivery

    supports public health care workers and systems

    Let me also take this opportunity to thank and commend Canada's front-line workers, who have kept food and other supplies on the shelves, kept transit running, kept our streets safe and, perhaps most important, risked their own lives as they have worked on the front lines of health care. I want to give a special shout-out today to the tremendous team at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in my riding, including Clarice Shen.
    Source of that line

    Housing

    Public supply and demand controls

    The other end of this axis: Market supply and deregulation

    excerpts highlight federal funding announcements for affordable housing projects

    Announces Federal Funding of $196,478 to the City of Toronto for Planting Trees On August 6, 2021, Rob Oliphant,… New Affordable Housing Project at 100 Broadway Avenue Rob Oliphant M.P. and Minister Ahmed Hussen Announce Affordable Housing Project at 100 Broadway Avenue On August 6, 2021, Rob…
    Source of that line

    Immigration

    Higher permanent intake

    The other end of this axis: Lower intake

    excerpts repeat that newcomers add wealth and the system needs fixing

    Where is the recognition that the immigration system is broken and that newcomers to this country are more than economic units but also add to the beauty and the wealth of this country in numerous ways? That is what the people of Don Valley West want to hear.
    Source of that line

    Labour

    Stronger unions and standards

    The other end of this axis: More flexibility for employers

    supports unions and labour protections

    member has brought forth thoughtful legislation that recognizes the changing demographics of our labour force.
    Source of that line

    Trade

    Deeper continental integration

    The other end of this axis: Diversify away from one partner

    excerpts repeat support for Canada-US trade and Colombia FTA

    I will offer some different reasons why at second reading stage I will be voting in support of the Canada-Colombia free trade agreement and sending it to committee for review, consultation, consideration, amendment and passing so that we can continue a relationship with a country that desperately needs a relationship with Canada.
    Source of that line
    4 topics with no stored score
    • AgricultureNo position has been scored.
    • FederalismNo position has been scored.
    • Financial regulationNo position has been scored.
    • Public safetyNo position has been scored.

    Who lines up

    Comparing stored scores on the same questions.