Bob Speller
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The Honourable Bob Speller PC (born February 29, 1956) is a Canadian politician. A member of the Liberal Party of Canada, Speller has been elected to the House of Commons four times, first in 1988, and then re-elected in 1993, 1997 and 2000. He was, however, defeated in 2004 by Conservative candidate Diane Finley by a 20938 to 19277 margin.
Speller was born in Hagersville, Ontario and, in 1983, married Joan Mouland, with whom he has a son, Christopher, and a daughter, Victoria.
Speller was first elected in the 1988 Canadian federal election as a member of the Liberals. Brian Mulroney's PCs won the election, however, relegating Speller to opposition Member of Parliament (MP). As an opposition MP, Speller was Associate Trade Critic, Youth Critic and Chair of the Liberal Rural Caucus.
Speller was re-elected in 1993, 1997 and 2000, these times as a member of a victorious party. Jean Chrétien's Liberals won three successive elections. Speller served on the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food (1994-1995), served on the CPA International Executive Committee, served on the Parliamentary Steel Caucus (1993, 1994, 1998), served on the Joint Inter-Parliamentary Council, and was Chair of the Sub-committee on Trade, Trade Disputes and Investment and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Canadian Branch).
On December 12, 2003, incoming Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin named Speller the federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
Speller represented the constituency of Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant until riding lines were redrawn prior to the 2004 federal election. In his new riding of Haldimand-Norfolk, Speller lost the 2004 election to Conservative candidate Diane Finley, and formally left cabinet the following July.
| 27th Ministry - Government of Paul Martin | ||
| Cabinet Posts (1) | ||
| Preceded by: Lyle Vanclief | Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food (2003-2004) | Succeeded by: Andy Mitchell |