Brian Masse
MP
Member of Parliament
for Windsor West
Assumed office
May 13, 2002
Preceded byHerb Gray
Windsor City Councillor
In office
December 1, 1997 – May 13, 2002
Serving with Peter Carlesimo
Preceded bySheila Wisdom
Succeeded byRonald Jones
Personal details
Born (1968-07-09) July 9, 1968
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Political partyNew Democratic Party
SpouseTerry Chow
Children2
Residence(s)Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Alma materUniversity of Windsor
Wilfrid Laurier University
ProfessionMember of Parliament

Brian S. Masse MP (born July 9, 1968) is a Canadian politician. He has served in the House of Commons of Canada since 2002, representing the riding of Windsor West as a member of the New Democratic Party.

Early life and career

Masse was born in Windsor, Ontario. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1991, and has completed course work for a Master of Arts degree at the University of Windsor.[1] During the 1990s, he was a job developer for the Association for Persons with Physical Disabilities and a program coordinator for the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County.[2]

Masse gained local prominence in 1996 for his opposition to a dance bar that was planned for a residential neighbourhood.[3] He was elected for Ward 2 of the Windsor city council in 1997, and was re-elected in 2000. In 1998, he played a prominent role in preventing a rock-crushing operation from opening in the Wellington Avenue area.[4]

In May 2001, the Windsor city council unanimously approved Masse's motion to prevent school boards from selling vacant property lots at the highest market value. His purpose was to dissuade boards from closing schools, though some criticized the motion as working against taxpayer interests.[5] Masse later called for a referendum on a proposed new arena project, but this was not accepted by council.[6]

Masse is married to Terry Chow, with whom he has two children.[7]

Member of Parliament

Masse joined the federal New Democratic Party in 1997, and was first elected to the Canadian parliament in a by-election held on May 13, 2002.[8] The election was called after the resignation of Herb Gray, a long-time Liberal cabinet minister who had been a Member of Parliament (MP) since 1962. Masse won the NDP nomination without opposition, and defeated Liberal candidate Richard Pollock by 2,477 votes to win the seat.[9] He was re-elected by a greater margin in the 2004 general election. Masse's success in 2002 was partly due to support from Joe Comartin, a fellow Windsor New Democrat who was elected to the House of Commons in the 2000 federal election.[10] In 2002–03, Masse supported Comartin's bid for the NDP leadership.[11]

Masse served as the NDP critic for Auto Policy, Canada Border Services, and Customs in the 38th Canadian parliament. He also became a member of the newly formed all-party "Border Caucus", examining aspects of Canada-U.S. trade relations.[12] He introduced a motion in 2004 to restrict large pharmaceutical companies from renewing their patent protection, and has worked in support of Stephen Lewis's efforts to bring affordable AIDS drugs to Africa.[13]

During his first campaign for the House of Commons, the Windsor Star newspaper ran an editorial opposing him as "a bench-warmer, a yes-man, a political careerist".[14] Two years later, however, a leading Star columnist wrote that Masse had "vastly exceeded expectations and quickly developed into an able, hard-working representative who has stayed on top of riding issues".[15]

Masse was re-elected in the 2006 federal election with an increased majority over Liberal Werner Keller. He served as NDP Deputy Industry Critic. After the election, Masse and Comartin spoke out against the provincial NDP's decision to remove Canadian Auto Workers leader Buzz Hargrove from the party.[16]

Masse has criticized Industry Minister Maxime Bernier's plans to deregulate Canada's telecommunications market and ease restrictions on foreign ownership, arguing that the reforms could result in a small number of companies controlling the Canadian industry.[17]

Since 2015, Masse has sat on the NDP frontbench as the critic for Innovation, Science and Economic Development.[18]

Masse was re-elected in the 2019 Canadian federal election and the 2021 Canadian federal election, on both occasions finishing ahead of former Liberal MPP Sandra Pupatello.[19][20]

Electoral record

Federal

Graph of election results in Windsor West which Masse ran in (minor parties that never got 2% of the vote or didn't run consistently are omitted)
2021 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticBrian Masse21,70244.1+4.0
LiberalSandra Pupatello13,67027.9-8.4
ConservativeAnthony Orlando9,43619.1—
People'sMatthew Giancola4,0808.0+6.2
Marxist–LeninistMargaret Villamizar1560.1+0.08
Total valid votes 48,69399.0
Total rejected ballots 5041.0
Turnout 49,19753.4
Eligible voters 92,207
New Democratic hold Swing +6.2
Source: Elections Canada[21]
2019 Canadian federal election: Windsor West
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticBrian Masse20,80040.03-11.32$105,980.25
LiberalSandra Pupatello18,87836.33+11.08$107,376.65
ConservativeHenry Lau9,92519.10-1.65–
GreenQuinn Hunt1,3252.55+0.24–
People'sDarryl Burrel9581.84––
Marxist–LeninistMargaret Villamizar760.15-0.20–
Total valid votes/expense limit 51,96298.93
Total rejected ballots 5601.07+0.46
Turnout 52,52255.32+0.55
Eligible voters 94,944
New Democratic hold Swing -11.20
Source: Elections Canada[22][23]
2015 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticBrian Masse24,08551.35-2.98$80,089.86
LiberalDave Sundin11,84225.25+14.36$29,218.35
ConservativeHenry Lau9,73420.75-10.89$16,790.47
GreenCora LaRussa1,0832.31-0.45–
Marxist–LeninistMargaret Villamizar1610.34-0.04–
Total valid votes/Expense limit 46,905100.0 $222,985.73
Total rejected ballots 284––
Turnout 47,189––
Eligible voters 86,166
Source: Elections Canada[24][25]
  New Democratic Party hold
2011 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticBrian Masse21,59254.33+1.79–
ConservativeLisa Lumley12,57731.64+9.06–
LiberalMelanie Deveau4,32710.89-7.70–
GreenAlishia Fox1,0962.76-2.92–
Marxist–LeninistMargaret Villamizar1530.38+0.09–
Total valid votes 39,745 100.00–
Total rejected ballots 257 0.64-0.06
Turnout 40,002 49.13+1.80
Eligible voters 81,428––
  New Democratic Party hold
2008 Canadian federal election: Windsor West
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticBrian Masse20,79152.5%+3.01%$55,997
ConservativeLisa Lumley8,95422.6%+2.49%$61,153
LiberalLarry Horwitz7,35718.6%−6.79%$52,616
GreenJohn Esposito2,2535.7%+2.67%$132
CommunistElizabeth Rowley1250.3%$373
Marxist–LeninistMargaret Villamizar1160.3%+0.07%
Total valid votes 39,596 99.3%
Total rejected ballots 281 0.7%
Turnout 39 877 47.3%
Electors on the lists 84 245
Sources: Official Results, Elections Canada and Financial Returns, Elections Canada.
2006 Canadian federal election: Windsor West
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticBrian Masse23,60849.49+3.52$76,342
LiberalWerner Keller12,11025.39−5.93$55,858
ConservativeAl Teshuba9,59220.11+1.20$77,898
GreenJillana Bishop1,4443.03−0.47$2,450
Progressive CanadianChris Schnurr6141.29–$731
IndependentHabib Zaidi2240.47–$3,631
Marxist–LeninistEnver Villamizar1080.23−0.07
Total valid votes 47,700 99.31
Total rejected ballots 329 0.69 +0.08
Turnout 48,029 57.29 +3.20
Electors on the lists 83,839
Sources: Official Results, Elections Canada and Financial Returns, Elections Canada.
2004 Canadian federal election: Windsor West
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticBrian Masse20,29745.97+30.01$77,487
LiberalRichard Pollock13,83131.32−22.80$74,197
ConservativeJordan Katz8,34818.91−9.63$69,771
GreenRob Spring1,5453.50$4,721
Marxist–LeninistEnver Villamizar1340.30 $300
Total valid votes 44,155 99.39
Total rejected ballots 273 0.61 0.00
Turnout 44,428 54.09 +11.08
Electors on the lists 82,143
Percentage change figures are factored for redistribution. Conservative Party percentages are contrasted with the combined Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative percentages from 2000.
Sources: Official Results, Elections Canada and Financial Returns, Elections Canada.
Canadian federal by-election, May 13, 2002: Windsor West
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticBrian Masse14,02142.69+26.79$65,195
LiberalRichard Pollock11,54435.15−19.06$64,964
AllianceRick Fuschi5,42016.50−6.45$60,657
Progressive ConservativeIan West9572.91−2.62$11,212
GreenChris Holt6551.99–$9,246
Christian HeritageAllan James2490.76–$2,072
Total valid votes 32,846 99.39
Total rejected ballots 200 0.61
Turnout 33,046 43.01
Electors on the lists 76,825
  New Democratic Party gain from Liberal

Municipal

2000 Windsor municipal election:
Council, Ward Two (two members elected)
Candidate Total votes  % of total votes
(x)Brian Masse 4,908 32.36
(x)Peter Carlesimo 3,430 22.61
Jim Bennett 2,861 18.86
Graham Wilson 1,274 8.40
Lawrence Holland 1,144 7.54
Frank DiPierdomenico 714 4.71
Kevin Flood 373 2.46
Bob Harper 336 2.22
Bowen Alkemade 128 0.84
Total votes 15,168 100.00

Results provided by the City of Windsor.

1997 Windsor municipal election:
Council, Ward Two (two members elected)
Candidate Total votes  % of total votes
Brian Masse 3,425 26.20
(x) Peter Carlesimo 2,865 21.91
Jim Bennett 2,491 19.05
Rolly Marentette 1,613 12.34
George Dadamo 1,587 12.14
Gail Zdyb 597 4.57
Robert Potomski 496 3.79
Total votes 13,074 100.00

Results are provided by the City of Windsor.

Electors could vote for two candidates in the municipal elections. The percentages are determined in relation to the total number of votes.

All federal election information is taken from Elections Canada. Italicized expenditures refer to submitted totals, and are presented when the final reviewed totals are not available.

References

  1. ↑ CBC Canada Votes 2006, Windsor West profile, Brian Masse.
  2. ↑ Brian Cross, "The Prosperity Puzzle", Windsor Star, January 10, 1995, A1.
  3. ↑ Brian Masse, "Neighbours have a right to maintain their area", Windsor Star, June 19, 1996, A7.
  4. ↑ Roseann Danese, Local News, Windsor Star, October 20, 1998, A3.
  5. ↑ "City taxpayers", Windsor Star, May 9, 2001, A6.
  6. ↑ Roseann Danese, "Arena plebiscite defeated", Windsor Star, April 9, 2002, A3.
  7. ↑ "Windsor West". CBC News. September 20, 2010. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  8. ↑ Chris Thompson, "Pollock on offensive at candidates meeting", Windsor Star, April 17, 2002, A3.
  9. ↑ Don Lajoie, "Masse carries NDP banner", Windsor Star, April 5, 2002, A3.
  10. ↑ Doug Williamson, "CAW not ready to back Comartin yet", Windsor Star, July 26, 2002, A1.
  11. ↑ Scott Piatkowski, "Support for NDP is growing", Kitchener-Waterloo Record, January 13, 2003, A7.
  12. ↑ "All-party Border Caucus launched in Ottawa", Brian Masse press release Archived August 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, December 15, 2004.
  13. ↑ "One of Windsor's New Democrat M-P's wants to save Canada's health-care system hundreds of (m) millions of dollars", Broadcast News, November 15, 2004, 02:31 report; "New Democrats committed to the Lewis legacy", Party press release, November 6, 2003.
  14. ↑ "Don't promote Brian Masse", Windsor Star, May 3, 2002, A8.
  15. ↑ Gord Henderson, column, Windsor Star, June 24, 2004, A3.
  16. ↑ Carly Weeks, "MPs split over decision to throw Hargrove out of NDP", Vancouver Sun, February 13, 2006, A3. Hargrove had called for "strategic voting" against the Conservatives, and endorsed Liberal candidates in areas where the NDP had little chance of winning. Masse strongly disagreed with Hargrove's position, but argued that it was unnecessarily harsh to expel him from the party.
  17. ↑ Catherine McLean, "Less regulation good for telecom: panel", Globe and Mail, March 24, 2006, B3; Bill Curry, "NDP alarmed at talk of easing telecom cap", Globe and Mail, March 28, 2006, B6.
  18. ↑ "Your NDP Candidates".
  19. ↑ Maluske, Michelle; Borrelli, Melanie (October 21, 2019). "'We won't let you down': NDP Brian Masse gives victory speech in Windsor West". CTV News Windsor. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  20. ↑ Cross, Brian; Waddell, Dave (October 21, 2019). "Masse hangs on in Windsor West after hard-fought battle with Pupatello". Windsor Star. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  21. ↑ "List of confirmed candidates – September 20, 2021 Federal Election". Elections Canada. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  22. ↑ "List of confirmed candidates". Elections Canada. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  24. ↑ Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for Windsor West, 30 September 2015
  25. ↑ Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates
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