About Chuck Cadman:
Member of parliament Chuck Cadman went into politics to make a difference. Usually wearing jeans and sporting a ponytail, he worked for victims rights and to reform the Canadian justice system. He succeeded in having tougher penalties for parents who do not comply with court orders to supervise their children incorporated into the Youth Criminal Justice Act in 2002. Chuck Cadman made headlines when he supported the Liberals in a key budget vote and prevented an election in the summer of 2005.
Member of Parliament:
1997-2005
Birth:
February 21, 1948 in Kitchener, Ontario. Grew up in North Bay.
Death:
July 9, 2005 in Surrey, BC
Profession:
- Electrical and engineering technician
- Musician
Political Affiliation:
- Reform Party 1997-2000
- Canadian Alliance Party 2000-03
- Conservative Party of Canada 2000-04
- Independent 2004-05
Riding (Electoral District):
Surrey North
Chuck Cadman - Victims Rights Advocate:
- In 1992, Chuck Cadman's 16-year old son Jesse was murdered in an attack on a Surrey street by a group of teenagers. The tragedy led Chuck Cadman and his wife Dona to start Crime, Responsibility and Youth (CRY), a justice reform and victims rights group, in 1993.
- From 1994 on, Chuck Cadman was involved with a community youth diversion program to address first-time, non-violent young offenders outside the formal court process.
Political Career of Chuck Cadman:
- The lack of federal legislative action in justice reform led Chuck Cadman to seek public office in 1997.
- Chuck Cadman was first elected to the House of Commons in 1997 as a Reform Party member of parliament in the riding of Surrey North.
- Chuck Cadman served as Vice Chair of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights from 1997 to 2003.
- In 1999 Chuck Cadman sponsored a private member's bill to increase penalties for parents who do not comply with court orders to supervise their children. The private members bill was eventually incorporated into the Youth Criminal Justice Act passed in 2002.
- In 2000 Chuck Cadman was re-elected, under the banner of the Canadian Alliance party.
- Before the 2004 federal election, Chuck Cadman lost the Conservative Party nomination in Surrey North to a candidate who had sold hundreds of new party memberships. Chuck Cadman ran as an Independent and won the seat.
- In May 2005, Chuck Cadman made headlines when he supported the minority Liberal government in a budget vote resulting in a tie and preventing the government from falling. He said his constituents had made it clear they did not want another election so soon.
- In July 2005, Chuck Cadman died after a two-year battle with skin cancer.
