Joe Peschisolido

Joe Peschisolido
Member of Parliament
for Steveston—Richmond East
In office
October 19, 2015 – September 11, 2019
Preceded bynew district
Succeeded byKenny Chiu
Member of Parliament
for Richmond
In office
November 27, 2000 – June 28, 2004
Preceded byRaymond Chan
Succeeded byRaymond Chan
Personal details
Born (1963-04-27) April 27, 1963[1]
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
PartyLiberal (until 1993; 2002–present)
Other political
affiliations
Reform (1993-2000)
Canadian Alliance (2000-2002)
Spouse
Monica Landolt
​
(divorced)​
[2]
ProfessionLawyer

Joe Peschisolido (born April 27, 1963) is a Canadian lawyer and politician who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the riding of Richmond from 2000 to 2004 and as the MP for Steveston—Richmond East from 2015 to 2019. He was first elected as a member of the Canadian Alliance, but crossed the floor to the Liberal Party in 2002.

Background

Born in Toronto,[1] Peschisolido has a Bachelor of Arts (honours) degree in political science from Trinity College at the University of Toronto and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School.[3] Peschisolido is a fourth degree knight of the Knights of Columbus in Richmond, a member of the Rotary Club of Richmond Sunset and a member of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce. He is a parishioner of Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church and a vegan.[3]

Political career

Peschisolido had been a longtime member of the Liberal Party of Canada, and worked as a youth co-ordinator for Jean Chrétien's 1990 leadership campaign.[2] He switched to the Reform Party of Canada in 1993,[2] and ran as their candidate in Etobicoke North in that year's federal election and a subsequent 1996 by-election, placing second both times.[4] He contested the 1997 federal election again as a Reform candidate, this time placing third in Mississauga South.[5] The Reform Party became the Canadian Alliance in 2000, and he participated in the leadership race before dropping out.[2][6]

First term (2000 to 2004)

Peschisolido relocated to British Columbia, and ran in the 2000 general election as a Canadian Alliance candidate, defeating Liberal incumbent Raymond Chan to become the Member of Parliament for Richmond.[7] He served variously as the Alliance's critic on national revenue and human resources development,[1] and was vice-chair for the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.[8]

Disappointment over the Alliance's performance in the election led to caucus infighting, and ultimately another leadership election. Dissatisfied with the party's state of affairs and how it handled Roy Bailey's remarks over the appointment of Liberal MP Rey Pagtakhan as Minister of Veterans Affairs, Peschisolido left the Alliance in January 2002 and rejoined the Liberal Party.[2][9] He was named by Chrétien as Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs in January 2003, serving until Paul Martin became prime minister that December.[1]

While in office, Peschisolido fought to protect the rights of taxpayers by introducing the "Taxpayers' Bill of Rights" in the 37th Parliament's first, second, and third sessions.[10] He also helped broker the original Garden City land deal in 2002, which involved the transfer of said lands from the Canadian federal government to the City of Richmond. This deal would have seen the City of Richmond receive 75 to 80 percent of the land, with the rest of the property set aside for a trade and exhibition centre, as well as commercial development; the deal was halted due to a court injunction filed by the Musqueam First Nation.[11]

Peschisolido lost the Liberal nomination in 2004 to his predecessor as Member of Parliament, Raymond Chan,[12] who went on to retain the riding for the Liberals in that year's federal election.

2011 election

In 2009, Peschisolido won the Liberal nomination over Raymond Chan for Member of Parliament for Richmond.[11][13][14] In the 2011 federal election, Peschisolido was defeated by Alice Wong by more than 17,000 votes.

Second term (2015 to 2019)

On August 11, 2015, Peschisolido again won the Liberal nomination for Member of Parliament in the new riding of Steveston—Richmond East for the 2015 Canadian federal election.[15] On October 19, 2015, as a Liberal majority government was formed,[16] Peschisolido returned to Parliament by defeating Conservative candidate Kenny Chiu.[17]

In July 2019, Global News reported the Royal Canadian Mounted Police opened an investigation into Peschisolido "after confidential police informants alleged the veteran politician had been knowingly associating with Chinese organized crime figures through his former real estate law practice in Richmond, B.C." Peschisolido's law firm allegedly received money via illicit channels from China as part of an attempt by the firm's clients to circumvent the legal immigration process.[18] No charges have been laid against Peschisolido or lawyers at his firm.[19][20][21][22][23] Peschisolido turned in his law license in 2018.[24]

Peschisolido faced Kenny Chiu again in the 2019 federal election, this time losing to Chiu.[24] On February 5, 2020, the Ethics Commissioner of Canada released an investigative report on Peschisolido, finding that he contravened subsections 21(3) and 20(1) of the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons for failing to file a statement of material change and by failing to file a full statement of the private interests.[24][25][26][27] Parliament could not apply sanctions since Peschisolido was no longer a sitting MP.[25]

Electoral record

2019 Canadian federal election: Steveston—Richmond East
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
ConservativeKenny Chiu17,47841.66+3.19$98,359.86
LiberalJoe Peschisolido14,73135.11–9.97$103,301.31
New DemocraticJaeden Dela Torre6,32115.07+2.93$2,143.97
GreenNicole Iaci2,9727.08+3.41$2,240.36
IndependentPing Chan4491.07–none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 41,95198.98–$105,107.07
Total rejected ballots 4311.02+0.36
Turnout 42,38256.94–3.30
Eligible voters 74,428
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +6.58
Source: Elections Canada[28][29]
2015 Canadian federal election: Steveston—Richmond East
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalJoe Peschisolido19,48645.08+26.48$76,684.16
ConservativeKenny Chiu16,63038.47–15.44$150,116.66
New DemocraticScott Stewart5,24812.14–10.68$13,705.27
GreenLaura-Leah Shaw1,5873.67–0.46$1,891.69
LibertarianMatthew Swanston2740.63–none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 43,22599.34–$204,726.35
Total rejected ballots 2870.66–
Turnout 43,51260.25–
Eligible voters 72,225
Liberal notional gain from Conservative Swing +20.96
Source: Elections Canada[30][31]
2011 Canadian federal election: Richmond
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
ConservativeAlice Wong25,10958.36+8.54$88,747.89
LiberalJoe Peschisolido8,02718.66–12.18$56,664.57
New DemocraticDale Jackaman7,86018.27+6.47$8,890.83
GreenMichael Anthony Wolfe2,0324.72–1.70$2,933.09
Total valid votes/expense limit 43,02899.49–$91,788.54
Total rejected ballots 2200.51+0.06
Turnout 43,24850.50–1.49
Eligible voters 85,643
Conservative hold Swing +10.36
Source: Elections Canada[32][33]
2000 Canadian federal election: Richmond
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
AllianceJoe Peschisolido21,06444.41+8.44$58,128
LiberalRaymond Chan19,94042.04–1.77$63,896
New DemocraticGail Paquette2,6955.68–3.88$10,941
Progressive ConservativeFrank Peter Tofin2,5785.44–2.85$4,329
GreenKevan Hudson8971.89+0.53$61
Natural LawKathy McClement1640.35–0.05none listed
Marxist–LeninistEdith Petersen930.20–0.02$10
Total valid votes 47,43199.54
Total rejected ballots 2180.46–0.05
Turnout 47,64961.70–3.19
Eligible voters 77,226
Alliance gain from Liberal Swing +5.10
Source: Elections Canada[34][35]
1997 Canadian federal election: Mississauga South
Party Candidate Votes%±%
LiberalPaul Szabo21,20749.9+3.4
Progressive ConservativeDick Barr10,07723.7+0.4
ReformJoe Peschisolido8,30719.6-5.6
New DemocraticJessica Lott2,3025.4+3.3
Natural LawScott Kay1990.50.0
Canadian ActionAaron Gervais1500.4
IndependentAdrian Earl Crewson1410.3
Marxist–LeninistDagmar Sullivan790.2+0.1
Total valid votes 42,462100.0
By-election on March 25, 1996
Etobicoke North
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
LiberalRoy Cullen12,29046.3-9.3
ReformJoe Peschisolido9,56336.0+17.2
Progressive ConservativeMario Annecchini2,81210.6-8.2
New DemocraticMaxine Caron1,4005.3+1.6
Christian HeritageRon Gray2841.1
AbolitionistJohn Turmel1040.4
IndependentSylvie Charbin960.4
Total valid votes 26,549100.0
1993 Canadian federal election: Etobicoke North
Party Candidate Votes%±%
LiberalRoy MacLaren28,01555.6+10.3
ReformJoe Peschisolido9,47018.8
Progressive ConservativeJane MacLaren9,47018.8-15.8
New DemocraticCarmela Sasso1,8393.7-13.7
NationalEmanuele Danelon6611.3
LibertarianDaniel Hunt3630.7-0.2
Natural LawMarilyn Pepper3530.7
IndependentAntonio De Felice1050.2
Marxist–LeninistDavid Greig1040.2+0.1
Total valid votes 50,380100.0

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Profile - Peschisolido, Joe". Library of Parliament of Canada. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 O'Neil, Peter (13 October 2016). "Who is Joe Peschisolido? B.C. Liberal MP's ambitious nature often on display". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
  3. 1 2 "ELECTION 2019: Steveston-Richmond East riding profile and candidates". Richmond News. 21 October 2019. Archived from the original on 22 October 2019. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  4. ↑ "Profile - Etobicoke North, Ontario (1979-03-26 - )". Library of Parliament of Canada. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
  5. ↑ "Profile - Mississauga South, Ontario (1979-03-26 - 2015-08-01)". Library of Parliament of Canada. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
  6. ↑ "Alliance candidates share stage, and views". CBC News. 9 April 2000. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
  7. ↑ "Richmond". CBC News. 20 September 2010. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
  8. ↑ "Peschisolido as Vice Chair". Archived from the original on 27 March 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  9. ↑ "Alliance MP defects to Liberals". CBC News. 27 January 2002. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
  10. ↑ "Bills Sponsored by Joe Peschisolido". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  11. 1 2 "Joe begins political comeback". Richmond News. 30 September 2009. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
  12. ↑ "Chan beats Peschisolido for Liberal nomination". CBC News. 14 March 2004. Retrieved 20 April 2026.
  13. ↑ 陳卓愉樂美森蘇立道爭角逐大選 列市自由黨提名戰 三足鼎立 [Raymond Chan, Mason Loh and Joe Peschisolido seek Richmond Liberal nomination in a three-way race]. Ming Pao. 3 September 2009. Retrieved 15 April 2026 – via University of British Columbia Asian Library.
  14. ↑ 自由黨列治文選區 蘇立道出線 [Peschisolido wins Richmond Liberal nomination]. World Journal. 27 September 2009. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  15. ↑ Lee, Jeff; O'Neil, Peter (12 August 2015). "Peschisolido gets Liberal nomination amid party turmoil". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on 27 September 2016. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  16. ↑ "Justin Trudeau and the Liberals Have a Majority Government". National Post. 20 October 2015. Archived from the original on 20 October 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  17. ↑ Azpiri, Jon. "Liberal Joe Peschisolido Elected Member of Parliament Representing Steveston-Richmond East". Global News. Archived from the original on 21 October 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  18. ↑ Cooper, Sam (13 September 2019). "Richmond MP aims to distance himself from 'money-laundering scheme' court case". Global News. Archived from the original on 13 September 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
  19. ↑ Cooper, Sam (11 July 2019). "Sources say RCMP opened file on Liberal MP whose firm facilitated real estate deals in B.C." Global News. Archived from the original on 11 July 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  20. ↑ Wood, Graeme (18 June 2019). "Richmond MP denies representing alleged Chinese cartel member". North Shore News. Archived from the original on 13 July 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  21. ↑ Cooper, Sam (17 June 2019). "Liberal MP involved in second bare trust deal with client named in 'transnational money laundering' probe". Global News. Archived from the original on 13 July 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  22. ↑ Cooper, Sam; Hill, Brian (11 June 2019). "Alleged gang kingpin may have used Liberal MP's law firm to launder money through B.C. condo deal". Global News. Archived from the original on 14 July 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  23. ↑ Smith, Joanna (8 August 2019). "Richmond MP Joe Peschisolido under investigation by federal ethics watchdog". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on 10 August 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  24. 1 2 3 "Former Liberal MP Joe Peschisolido repeatedly broke conflict of interest rules, watchdog says". CBC News. 6 February 2020. Archived from the original on 20 December 2022.
  25. 1 2 Lim, Jolson (5 February 2020). "Former Liberal B.C. MP broke conflict of interest code, ethics commissioner finds". iPolitics. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
  26. ↑ "Commissioner Dion finds former Member failed to meet disclosure obligations".
  27. ↑ "Did Canadian politicians know the victims of a targeted shooting at a trendy Richmond restaurant? | Globalnews.ca".
  28. ↑ "Forty-Third General Election 2019 — Poll-by-poll Results: Steveston—Richmond East". elections.ca. Elections Canada. 2019.
  29. ↑ Canada, Chief Electoral Officer (2019). "Candidate Campaign Returns, 2019 General Election: Part 3C – Summary of Electoral Campaign Expenses and Other Outflows – Election expenses subject to the limit – Total". elections.ca. Elections Canada. Expenses are reported "as amended" where amendments have been filed; otherwise, they are reported "as submitted".
  30. ↑ "Forty-Second General Election 2015 — Poll-by-poll Results: Steveston—Richmond East". elections.ca. Elections Canada. 2015.
  31. ↑ Canada, Chief Electoral Officer (2015). "Candidate Campaign Returns, 2015 General Election: Part 4 – Campaign Financial Summary – Total election expenses subject to the limit". elections.ca. Elections Canada. Expenses are reported "as amended" where amendments have been filed; otherwise, they are reported "as submitted".
  32. ↑ "Forty-First General Election 2011 — Poll-by-poll Results: Richmond". elections.ca. Elections Canada. 2011.
  33. ↑ Canada, Chief Electoral Officer (2011). "Candidate Campaign Returns, 2011 General Election: Part 4 – Campaign Financial Summary – Total election expenses subject to the limit". elections.ca. Elections Canada. Expenses are reported "as amended" where amendments have been filed; otherwise, they are reported "as submitted".
  34. ↑ Canada, Library of Parliament (2026). "Elections and Ridings: Richmond, British Columbia (2000)". lop.parl.ca.
  35. ↑ Canada, Chief Electoral Officer (2000). Thirty-Seventh General Election, 2000: Official Voting Results (Report). Ottawa: Elections Canada. ISBN 0-662-65518-4.
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