Michelle Rempel Garner

Rempel Garner was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She is of partial Franco-Manitoban ancestry through her father. She completed a degree in economics at the University of Manitoba,{{cite web |title=Michelle Rempel: Avenue Calgary's 2014 Top 40 Under 40 |date=November 2014 |url=https://www.avenuecalgary.com/city-life/top-40-under-40/michelle-rempel/ |publisher=Avenue Calgary |access-date=2 December 2020}} and helped to pay her way through school by playing as a classically-trained pianist.

Prior to being elected, Rempel Garner worked as the director of the University of Calgary's Institutional Programs Division.{{cite news |author=Ottawa Citizen |title=Michelle Rempel |url=http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Michelle+Rempel/8661111/story.html |access-date=18 November 2020}} She is credited with leading a redesign of the University's service delivery model which resulted in sponsored research funding revenues increasing from $7 million in 2007 to over $100 million in 2009. She had also previously worked in the technology commercialization division of the University of Manitoba.{{cite news |author=Financial Post |title=WXN'S 2010 AWARD WINNERS |url=http://www.financialpost.com/executive/women/wxn/detail.html?id=217 |access-date=18 November 2020}}

Rempel Garner became involved in federal politics by volunteering with the federal riding association of Diane Ablonczy, and she later served as president of the Conservative Party riding executive for her riding of Calgary—Nose Hill.{{cite web|title = About Michelle|url = http://www.michellerempel.ca/about/about-michelle/about-michelle|publisher = Michellerempel.ca|access-date = 10 December 2011|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://archive.today/20130120204928/http://www.michellerempel.ca/about/about-michelle/about-michelle|archive-date = 20 January 2013}} After the resignation of Jim Prentice, Rempel was encouraged to run for his old seat of Calgary Centre-North by members of the Calgary business community and the Conservative party, but only decided to do so after talking with Rona Ambrose.

Rempel was acclaimed as the Conservative Party of Canada candidate in Calgary Centre-North on December 17, 2010, in anticipation of a by-election to replace Prentice.{{cite news |last=Schneider |first=Katie |title=Tory hopeful nominated to replace Prentice |url=http://www.calgarysun.com/news/alberta/2010/12/17/16597661.html/ |access-date=16 August 2012 |newspaper=Calgary Sun |date=17 December 2010}} The uncalled by-election was superseded by the 2011 federal election. In the 2013 federal riding redistribution, Rempel Garner's riding was split into the two ridings of Calgary Confederation and Calgary Nose Hill. Since this redistribution, Rempel Garner has run as a Conservative in Calgary Nose Hill.{{cite news |title=MPs face nomination battles, redrawn ridings in lead-up to 2015 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/mps-face-nomination-battles-redrawn-ridings-in-lead-up-to-2015-1.2497719 |access-date=25 January 2018 |date=25 January 2018}}

Following Rempel Garner's election to the House of Commons of Canada, she was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment on May 25, 2011. She received positive media coverage in late 2011 for her strong performance during Question Period, and was seen as a rising star within the Conservative caucus. Rempel Garner played a role in the multi-partisan effort to create Sable Island National Park Reserve. On November 21, 2012, Canadian newsmagazine Maclean's named her as one of their "Parliamentarians of the Year" in the "Rising Star" category,{{cite news |title=Parliamentarians of the Year 2012 — Michelle Rempel, rising star |url=http://www.macleans.ca/2012/11/21/parliamentarians-of-the-year-2012-michelle-rempel-rising-star/ |access-date=29 November 2012 |newspaper=Maclean's Magazine |date=21 November 2012 }} which Rempel repeated on November 24, 2014.{{cite news |title=Parliamentarians of the Year 2014 — Michelle Rempel, rising star |url=http://www.macleans.ca/politics/ottawa/2014-parliamentarians-of-the-year/ |access-date=24 November 2014 |newspaper=Maclean's Magazine}} Rempel was recognized as the MP with the 7th biggest social media influence in November 2013.{{cite news |title=Twitter on the Hill: Jason Kenney, Paul Wells the top influencers so far |url=http://www.mediamiser.com/2013/11/20/twitter-hill-jason-kenney-paul-wells-top-influencers-far/ |access-date=29 November 2013 |date=20 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129091355/http://www.mediamiser.com/2013/11/20/twitter-hill-jason-kenney-paul-wells-top-influencers-far/ |archive-date=29 November 2014 |url-status=dead }} The 2013 Hill Times Annual Most Valuable Politician & All Politics Poll awarded Rempel 2nd place in the "Best Up-and-comer MP" category behind Justin Trudeau.{{cite news |title=National News: Elizabeth May named one of Canada's Top 3 Most Valuable MPs for 2013 |url=http://www.northumberlandview.ca/index.php?module=news&type=user&func=display&sid=25982#.Ur9KIPRDsrU |access-date=28 December 2012 |newspaper=Northumberland View |date=16 December 2013}}

Along with three other Albertan politicians, Rempel Garner is a signatory of the Buffalo Declaration, which charges that "Alberta is not ... an equal participant in confederation" and likens the relationship between Alberta and the rest of Canada to "colony, rather than equal partner." Signatories have proposed structural and policy solutions to address these issues.{{cite news |title=-The Buffalo Declaration |url=https://buffalodeclaration.com/the-buffalo-declaration|access-date=18 November 2020 |website=The Buffalo Declaration |date=18 November 2020}}{{cite news |title=Alberta MPs issue Buffalo Declaration to call on Ottawa to address western alienation |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/6578361/alberta-buffalo-declaration-western-alienation/ |access-date=18 November 2020 |date=21 February 2020}}

Rempel Garner has also been a vocal advocate for legal firearms ownership in Canada. In May 2020, Rempel Garner sponsored Parliamentary Petition E-2574, which aims to reverse the federal government's executive order that banned 1500 "assault style" weapons. This became the most signed e-petition in Canada's history at the time with over 230,000 signatures.{{cite news |title=Conservative MP Rempel Garner's petition against federal firearm ban closes with more than 230,000 signatures |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/michelle-rempel-garner-justin-trudeau-ottawa-assault-guns-1.5714339 |access-date=18 November 2020 |date=7 September 2020}}

Rempel Garner was one of the co-chairs of the 2013 Conservative Party of Canada's national convention held in Calgary.{{cite news |title=Tory convention energizes Conservative core for 2015 campaign |url=http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/11/02/tory-convention-energizes-conservative-core-for-2015-campaign |access-date=4 March 2015 |newspaper=Calgary Sun |date=2 November 2013}}

On July 15, 2013, she was appointed Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.{{cite web|url=http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/bio.asp?id=112|title=The Honourable Michelle Rempel|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002083048/http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/bio.asp?id=112|archive-date=2013-10-02}} She was then the youngest female cabinet minister in Canadian history.

In this role, Rempel Garner aimed to improve the delivery and efficiency of the department's services by focusing its attention on commercializing technology in emerging sectors such as green energy.{{cite web|title=2013-14 Departmental Performance Report |url=https://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/eng/18563.asp |access-date=18 November 2020|date=18 November 2020}} To this end, she oversaw a series of investments that aimed to "accelerate technology development and performance validation, as well as the commercialization of key instruments associated with the underground storage of carbon dioxide (CO2)."{{cite web|title=Harper Government Supports New CO2 Field Research Station to Promote the Advancement of Carbon Capture and Storage Technology |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/news/archive/2015/02/harper-government-supports-new-co2-field-research-station-promote-advancement-carbon-capture-storage-technology.html |access-date=18 November 2020|date=12 February 2015}} Such projects aim to further Canada's international climate change efforts and help keep the Canadian energy sector competitive.{{cite web|title=FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INVESTS $4.9 MILLION IN FIELD RESEARCH STATION

|url=https://cmcghg.com/federal-government-invests-4-9-million-in-field-research-station/ |access-date=18 November 2020|date=12 February 2015}} These investments have included WINN, a $100 million five-year initiative that offered repayable contributions for small and medium-sized enterprises with operations in Western Canada, especially in emerging sectors such as clean energy,{{cite web|url=http://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/eng/77_14952.asp |title=Harper Government Announces New Initiative to Support Technology Commercialization and Business Growth in the West }} as well as the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure program, which saw $150 million delivered to communities across Canada for critical and legacy infrastructure projects.{{cite web|title=The Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program is launched in Western Canada |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/news/archive/2015/05/minister-rempel-announces-new-support-community-infrastructure.html |access-date=18 November 2020|date=19 May 2015}}

During her time as the Minister of State, Rempel Garner also highlighted the importance and growing international demand for British Columbia's wine industry with strategic investments for the industry in partnership with UBC Okanagan.{{cite web|title=Why everybody loves Kelowna|url=http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/business_news/article_6df05978-357c-11e5-9bfe-e79f8e907bd9.html |access-date=18 November 2020|date=28 July 2015}}

On November 20, 2015, Rempel Garner was appointed the Official Opposition Critic for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.{{cite news |title=Interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose taps women for top shadow cabinet jobs |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/rona-ambrose-conservative-shadow-cabinet-1.3327895 |access-date=24 November 2015 |date=20 November 2015}} In this role, she was an advocate for human rights and advocated for the protection of ethnic minorities, including the Yazidis.{{cite news|url=https://www.vernonmorningstar.com/news/mp-michelle-rempel-to-speak-at-conservative-riding-association-event-in-vernon/|title=michelle-rempel-to-speak-at-conservative-riding-association-event-in-vernon|date=February 20, 2018|publisher=Vernon Morning Star|access-date=March 13, 2018}} In 2016, a motion put forward by Rempel Garner, which acknowledged the genocide of the Yazidis and called on the government to expedite the processing of Yazidi refugees coming to Canada, passed unanimously.{{cite news|url=https://ipolitics.ca/2017/11/13/genocide-became-political-prop-ottawa//|title=When genocide became a political prop in Ottawa|date=November 13, 2017|publisher=iPolitics|access-date=March 13, 2018}} Rempel Garner also sponsored Parliamentary Petition E-1310 during this time, which petitioned the government to explicitly condemn the practice of female genital mutilation in its guide for new citizens.{{cite news |title=New citizenship guide to warn against 'abhorrent' practice of female genital mutilation |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/female-genital-mutilation-citizenship-hussen-1.4502068 |access-date=25 January 2018 |date=25 January 2018}} Rempel Garner tabled a bill amending Canada's bestiality laws in December 2017, which stalled at first reading. Approximately a year later, a government bill addressing the same concerns was tabled by Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/mobile/politics/feds-to-ban-all-forms-of-bestiality-crack-down-on-animal-fighting-1.4139552|title=Feds to ban all forms of bestiality, crack down on animal fighting|last=Aiello|first=Rachel|work=CTV News|date=October 18, 2018|access-date=October 18, 2018}}

File:Erin O'Toole and Michelle Rempel Garner in July 2021.jpg

From November 2019, Rempel Garner served as Conservative Shadow Minister for Industry and Economic Development. In this role, she has advocated for policies that would compel companies to be more transparent on their data collection practices.{{cite news |title=Data wars: Why technology advocates believe privacy regulations need serious reform |url=https://financialpost.com/technology/data-wars-why-technology-advocates-believe-privacy-regulations-need-serious-reform/ |access-date=18 November 2020 |date=18 November 2020}} With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rempel Garner called for greater oversight and transparency from the federal government on state-sponsored cell phone contact tracing applications, calling for express consent and strict limits on data collection.{{cite news |title=Data wars: MP Rempel Garner Calls for Oversight of Cell Phone Tracking |url=https://wawa-news.com/index.php/2020/03/25/mp-rempel-garner-calls-for-oversight-of-cell-phone-tracking/ |access-date=18 November 2020 |date=18 November 2020}}

As Critic for Innovation and Economic Development, Rempel Garner also supported potential legislative solutions to address the lack of reliable internet access in Canada, which is a barrier to equality of opportunity and economic growth for many Canadians.{{cite news |title=Canadians without reliable internet access being left behind, experts warn |url=https://ipolitics.ca/2020/05/08/canadians-without-reliable-internet-access-being-left-behind-experts-warn/ |access-date=18 November 2020 |date=18 November 2020}} To this end, in May 2020, Rempel Garner launched the Conservative Party's ‘Connect Canada’ consultation initiative for action on rural internet access. The initiative delivered a report outlining policy proposals that would aim for all Canadians to have access to affordable and reliable internet by the year 2021.{{cite news |title=Conservative MP Michelle Rempel launches call to action for rural internet access |url=https://mobilesyrup.com/2020/05/06/conservative-mp-rempel-launches-call-to-action-for-rural-internet-access/ |access-date=18 November 2020 |date=18 November 2020}}

In June 2020, Rempel Garner passed a motion with support from other opposition parties to have the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology study the effects of foreign takeovers and the Investment Canada Act.{{cite news |title= FUREY: Foreign takeovers study a good step for Canada's China file |url=https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/furey-foreign-takeovers-study-a-good-step-for-canadas-china-file |access-date=1 December 2020 |date=2 June 2020}}

In September 2020, Rempel Garner was appointed Official Opposition health critic by Erin O'Toole. In this role she has been critical of the Liberal Party's COVID-19 vaccine rollout.{{Cite web|title='They keep moving the goalposts,' Rempel-Garner says in criticism of COVID-19 vaccine delays - National {{!}} Globalnews.ca|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7624405/coronavirus-vaccine-delays-rempel-garner-anand/|access-date=2021-07-27|website=Global News|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Michelle Rempel Garner: Canadians need clarity from federal officials on COVID-19 health measures, vaccines|url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/michelle-rempel-garner-canadians-need-clarity-from-federal-officials-on-covid-19-health-measures-vaccines|access-date=2021-07-27|website=nationalpost|language=en-CA}}

In 2022, Rempel Garner wrote an article in favour of proportional representation during the debate on the 2022 Canadian federal electoral redistribution.{{Cite web |last=Columnist |first=Guest |title=REMPEL GARNER: It's time for Conservatives to rethink proportional representation |url=https://www.westernstandard.news/opinion/rempel-garner-it-s-time-for-conservatives-to-rethink-proportional-representation/article_34832384-ee7a-5041-95a6-4c53b0613ca6.html |access-date=2022-08-04 |website=Western Standard |date=4 March 2022 |language=en}}

In 2018, The Canadian Press ranked one of Rempel Garner's news releases as containing "a lot of baloney" on its "baloney meter", which it describes as "a project ... that examines the level of accuracy in statements made by politicians". This was in reference to claims that Canada was facing a "crisis" in regards to migrant accommodation.{{cite news |last1=Bryden |first1=Joan |title=Baloney Meter: Is flow of asylum seekers at Canada-U.S. border a 'crisis'? |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/baloney-meter-border-migrants-1.4787765 |agency=The Canadian Press |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=16 August 2018}} Rempel Garner responded to this allegation by alleging that the news organization was working as a "spin tool" for the Prime Minister's Office.{{cite news |last1=Desmarais |first1=Anna |title=Rempel accuses Liberals of "deploying" experts in Canadian Press article |url=https://ipolitics.ca/2018/08/16/rempel-accuses-liberals-of-deploying-experts-in-canadian-press-article/ |access-date=2 December 2020 |publisher=iPolitics |date=16 August 2018}}

The Sprawl criticized her response, arguing that it is part of a pattern whereby Rempel Garner "mimics the worst of American politics and attacks the media’s credibility" and opined that "her anti-media rants veered into full-on conspiracy theory."{{cite news |last1=Klaszus |first1=Jeremy |title=What's happened to Michelle Rempel? |url=https://www.sprawlcalgary.com/whats-happened-to-michelle-rempel-dd85733b2f0e |publisher=Sprawl Media |date=16 August 2018}}

In 2020, Rempel Garner made headlines for working from Oklahoma, US as a sitting Canadian MP during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following news reports, Rempel Garner indicated she had left Canada for an “unexpected and urgent private personal matter”.{{cite news |last1=Boutilier |first1=Alex |title=Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner working from Oklahoma during pandemic |url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2020/04/28/conservative-mp-michelle-rempel-working-in-oklahoma-during-pandemic.html |publisher=The Toronto Star |date=28 April 2020}} The National Post reported in August 2020 that since the pandemic began in March, "there has been no indication that the Conservative MP had returned to Canada."{{cite news |title=MP Michelle Rempel Garner assures she went 'above and beyond' quarantine obligations since return to Canada from U.S. |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/mp-michelle-rempel-garner-assures-she-went-above-and-beyond-quarantine-obligations-since-return-to-canada-from-u-s |publisher=National Post}}

Rempel Garner has been accused of blocking users on Twitter. The hashtag #BlockedByRempel trended on Twitter with replies from Canadians who alleged that they had been blocked by Rempel Garner.{{cite news |last1=Laderas |first1=Crystal |title=Should politicians block you on social media? |url=https://www.660citynews.com/2019/12/18/should-politicians-block-you-on-social-media/ |publisher=660 City News |date=18 December 2019}} She claims to have been a victim of gendered social media abuse and to have received threats of violence in her role as a female Parliamentarian.{{cite news |last1=Horgan|first1=Colin|title='This is not acceptable': Michelle Rempel takes aim at sexist trolls |url=https://ipolitics.ca/2013/02/15/this-is-not-acceptable-michelle-rempel-takes-aim-at-sexist-trolls/ |publisher=iPolitics|date=15 February 2013}} Rempel Garner won a court case against a Toronto area man who threatened her with violence over social media.{{cite news |last1=Csanady|first1=Ashley|title=The Twitter trial you never heard about: Toronto man found guilty of harassing Michelle Rempel |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/the-twitter-trial-you-never-heard-about-toronto-man-found-guilty-of-harassing-michelle-rempel |publisher=The National Post|date=29 January 2016}} In 2018, APTN national news reported that Rempel blocked an Indigenous youth representative on Twitter, and the report asked whether "this move sets a 'dangerous precedent' for politicians facing criticism online."{{cite news |title='Dangerous precedent': Conservative MP Michelle Rempel blocks Indigenous youth on Twitter |url=https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/dangerous-precedent-conservative-mp-michelle-rempel-blocks-indigenous-youth-on-twitter/ |access-date=10 December 2020 |publisher=APTN National News}} The Toronto Star revealed that "it only took Rempel about five minutes to block his Twitter account after he turned to social media to critique her stance on immigration."{{cite news |title=An Indigenous youth leader says Michelle Rempel blocked him on Twitter after he disagreed with her |url=https://www.thestar.com/calgary/2018/08/30/an-indigenous-youth-leader-says-michelle-rempel-blocked-him-on-twitter-after-he-disagreed-with-her.html |access-date=10 December 2020 |publisher=Toronto Star}} "It’s not the fact that she blocked me personally that’s upsetting me,” the deputy youth leader said. “It’s the fact that this is an elected member of Parliament. She’s a Canadian politician and she’s taking these kinds of steps to block out this kind of information from Canadian citizens.”{{cite news |title="It's not the fact that she blocked me personally that's upsetting me," Copegog said. "It's the fact that this is an elected member of Parliament. She's a Canadian politician and she's taking these kinds of steps to block out this kind of information from Canadian citizens." |url=https://www.thestar.com/calgary/2018/08/30/an-indigenous-youth-leader-says-michelle-rempel-blocked-him-on-twitter-after-he-disagreed-with-her.html |access-date=10 December 2020 |publisher=Toronto Star}}

In 2010, Rempel Garner was named one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women in the "Future Leaders" category by the Women's Executive Network.{{cite news |author=Women's Executive Network |title=Previous Winners — Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women |url=http://www.top100women.ca/?w=winners/ |access-date=12 October 2012}}

In November 2014, Rempel was named one of Calgary's Top 40 Under 40 by Avenue magazine. In 2016, Rempel was selected as one of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders.{{cite news |author=World Economic Forum |title=Young Global Leaders Class of 2016 |url=http://widgets.weforum.org/ygl-2016/ |access-date=28 April 2016}} Rempel Garner was named one of "Alberta's 50 Most Influential People of 2016" by Alberta Venture Magazine, citing her "strong debate performances in the House of Commons" and "her fierce support of women in politics".{{cite news |title=MP Michelle Rempel has brought the issue of "everyday sexism" into the national political conversation |url=http://albertaventure.com/2016/07/michelle-rempel-mp-has-brought-the-issue-of-everyday-sexism-into-the-national-conversation/ |publisher=Alberta Venture |access-date=27 July 2016 |date=4 July 2016}}

In 2018, Rempel was ranked third on the list of "Most Valuable Politicians" by The Hill Times.{{cite news |title=Freeland named most valuable politician, NAFTA voted biggest story in The Hill Times' 22nd Annual All Politics Poll |url=https://www.hilltimes.com/2018/12/17/freeland-named-valuable-politician-nafta-voted-biggest-story-22nd-annual-politics-poll/181374 |publisher=The Hill Times |access-date=17 December 2018 |date=17 December 2018}}

{{2025 Canadian federal election/Calgary Nose Hill}}

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{{2015 Canadian federal election/Calgary Nose Hill}}

{{2011 Canadian federal election/Calgary Centre-North}}

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{{Commons category|Michelle Rempel Garner}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• {{Canadian Parliament links|ID=17843}}
• [https://mprempel.ca/ Official website]
• {{Twitter |id=michellerempel |name=MichelleRempel}}

{{Current Members of the Canadian House of Commons}}

{{Harper Ministry}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rempel Garner, Michelle}}

Category:1980 births

Category:Women members of the House of Commons of Canada

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Category:Franco-Manitoban people

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Category:Members of the 28th Canadian Ministry

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