Tom Wappel
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Thomas William Wappel (born February 9, 1950) is a Canadian Member of Parliament. He was first elected to the House of Commons as a Liberal Party candidate in the 1988 election and has been re-elected in every election since. He represents the Toronto riding of Scarborough Southwest.
Wappel is a member of the "family caucus" and a staunch social conservative. He has been a leading opponent of abortion and homosexuality. He has also made controversial comments on immigration and used to be an opponent of divorce until he himself obtained one.
Wappel ran for the leadership of the Liberal Party at the 1990 Liberal leadership convention, coming in fourth place.
In 2001, Wappel faced controversy when he refused to help a constituent of his, a veteran, because he suspected him of supporting rival candidates in previous elections. Wappel wrote a letter that said, in part "How is it that you are writing me for my help if you did not think enough of my abilities to justify voting for me? ... I can decide who to help or not." The letter was published in the National Post newspaper, and Wappel was forced to apologize.
There has been speculation in the Canadian media, following Pat O'Brien's departure from the Liberal caucus over the same-sex marriage issue, that Wappel would also leave the party.
External link
- Official site (http://www.tomwappelmp.ca/)