The Honourable John Baird, P.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Ottawa West-Nepean
Minister of the Environment

The honourable John Baird was elected as the Member of Parliament for the riding of Ottawa West-Nepean on January 23, 2006. On February 6, 2006, Mr. Baird was appointed to the Privy Council as President of the Treasury Board in Prime Minister Stephen Harper's first cabinet. On January 4, 2007, Mr. Baird was sworn in as Minister of the Environment in Prime Minister Stephen Harper's second cabinet.

During his time as President of the Treasury Board, Minister Baird was responsible for steering Canada's toughest piece of anti-corruption legislation, the Federal Accountability Act through the House of Commons. The act received Royal Assent on December 12, 2006.

Prior to being elected as a federal Member of Parliament, Mr. Baird served as the Member of Provincial Parliament for the ridings of Nepean and Nepean-Carleton from 1995-2005.

During his time in Ontario provincial politics, Mr. Baird served in a number of capacities including Minister of Community and Social Services, Minister Responsible for Children, Deputy House Leader, Chief Government Whip, Minister of Energy and Government House Leader. He was known for championing the cause of people with developmental disabilities, and greatly expanded the Ontario work-for-welfare program. Mr. Baird also served as Parliamentary Assistant for the Ministries of Labour, Management Board, and Finance.

Prior to his election as an MPP, Mr. Baird served as Special Assistant to the Honourable Perrin Beatty, the then federal Minister of Communications and Secretary of State for External Affairs.

Mr. Baird is a long-standing member of the Royal Canadian Legion (Bell's Corners Branch), an honourary member of the Nepean Kiwanis and a lifetime member of Canada's largest Association for Community Living.

Mr. Baird is a life-long resident of Nepean, Ontario. He has an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in political studies from Queen's University.

Notes biographiques