Biography

Peter Julian

Member of Parliament, Burnaby–New Westminster
International Trade
Asia-Pacific Gateway
Deputy Critic Fisheries (West Coast Fisheries)
2010 Olympics

  • Has been the most active MP from Western Canada so far in the 40th Parliament.
  • First elected Member of Parliament for Burnaby-New Westminster in 2004 (by a narrow margin of 300 votes), and re-elected in 2006 (by 4,000 votes) and again in 2008 (by 7,000 votes).
  • Served as Critic on International Trade, Transportation, Persons with Disabilities, Gateways and the Vancouver 2010 Olympics in 39th Parliament; Critic on International Trade, the Treasury Board, Transportation and Persons with Disabilities in 38th Parliament.
  • Ranked fifth of 308 MPs in crafting of Private Member’s legislation in 39th Parliament including tougher drunk driving laws and eliminating toxic substances found in fire retardants.
  • Most active rookie in the House of Commons in the 38th Parliament.
  • Prominent critic of Harper Conservatives’ softwood lumber sellout. Called "the Iron Man" by CTV’s David Akin for determination to stop the sellout.
  • Previously a financial administrator, community activist and manual labourer. Served as National Executive Director of Council of Canadians - (founding member), former Executive Director of the Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (WIDHH).
  • Instrumental in building the British Columbia Disability Employment Network
  • Former National Policy Coordinator and Assistant and Acting Federal Secretary of the New Democratic Party of Canada.

During his nearly five years in Parliament, Peter has worked hard for the people of Burnaby-New Westminster by helping them with federal issues such as employment insurance, pensions, citizenship and immigration. He has held dozens of well-attended local community forums where he listens to people’s concerns and takes action to help. Charlie Smith of the Georgia Straight newspaper has called Peter “one of the region's hardest working politicians”.

Peter ranked fifth out of 308 MPs in the crafting of Private Member’s legislation in the 39th Parliament. Private Member’s Bills introduced by Peter include: tougher drunk driving laws that would lower the blood alcohol limit required to establish impaired driving; eliminating the toxic substances (PBDEs) found in fire retardants, a Bill that is strongly endorsed by firefighters and supported by more than 130 Canadian municipalities including the City of Burnaby and the City of New Westminster.

Peter Julian is Parliament’s most prominent critic on the softwood lumber sellout by the Harper Conservatives that has resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of Canadian jobs in our forest industries, including job losses locally in New Westminster with the closure of three mills. Parliament Hill reporter David Akin called him "the Iron Man" for his determination to stop this agreement between the Harper Conservatives and George Bush.

Peter Julian stands up for Canadians as a vocal opponent to the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) that threatens Canada's sovereignty as a nation through deep integration with the United States and Mexico. His "Stop SPP" Tour took him to more than 30 Canadian cities and galvanized thousands of Canadians in opposition to the SPP.

Prior to his election to the House of Commons, Peter worked as a Financial Administrator. He is a former Executive Director of the Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (WIDHH) and, under his leadership, WIDHH won consecutive Canadian ConsumerChoice Awards for Excellence in Business (2003-2004). He was instrumental in building the British Columbia Disability Employment Network, a consortium of community groups, organizations and non-profit societies dedicated to serving people with disabilities.

A founding member of the Council of Canadians (CoC), Peter rose to become the National Executive Director of the Council, Canada's largest citizen's organization. During his term, the Council played a lead role in building the 'Peoples Summit' that took place in Québec City in 2001, held to head off the proposed Free Trade Agreement of the Americas. He was also a founding member of Burnaby-New Westminster chapter of the CoC.

Previously, Peter was the National Policy Coordinator and Assistant and Acting Federal Secretary of the New Democratic Party of Canada.

Locally in New Westminster, Peter co-founded the Save St. Mary's Hospital Community Coalition that fought tirelessly to save this community hospital.

He is a former volunteer with Emergency Social Services, Royal City Soccer, East Burnaby Minor Baseball, the United Way and the United Church.

Peter was born and raised in the Burnaby-New Westminster area where his family has lived for four generations. After graduating from New Westminster Secondary School, Peter held a number of jobs as a manual labourer working for local small businesses. He attended the University of Quebec in Montreal and graduated with a degree in political science (International Relations).

He is fluent in English and French and functional in American Sign Language.