Bob Benzen | |
Birth Date: | 3 March 1959 |
Birth Place: | Three Hills, Alberta, Canada |
Profession: | Businessman |
Party: | Conservative |
Residence: | Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
Parliament1: | Canadian |
Riding1: | Calgary Heritage |
Term Start1: | April 3, 2017 |
Term End1: | December 31, 2022[1] |
Predecessor1: | Stephen Harper |
Successor1: | Shuvaloy Majumdar |
Spouse: | Sue Benzen |
Children: | 3 |
Bob Benzen (born March 3, 1959) is a Canadian politician who served as the member of Parliament (MP) for Calgary Heritage from 2017 to 2022. He was elected to the House of Commons of Canada in a by-election on April 3, 2017.[2] He succeeded former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who had resigned as an MP in 2016.
Prior to his election, Benzen was a businessman specializing in data storage and information management for energy companies.[3]
Benzen was responsible for initiating Erin O'Toole's removal as Conservative leader in 2022, after he submitted a letter from 36 Conservative MPs calling for a leadership review.[4]
Benzen voted in support of Bill C-233, an act to amend the Criminal Code of Canada (sex-selective abortion), which would make it an indictable or summary offence for a medical practitioner to knowingly perform an abortion solely on the grounds of the child's genetic sex.[5]
Benzen voted against a bill that would prohibit forcing children or adults to undergo conversion therapy aimed at altering their sexual orientation; however, the bill was ultimately passed and conversion therapy in Canada was banned.[6] [7]
On October 21, 2022, Benzen announced that he would retire from his role as MP on December 31, 2022.[8] The by-election to replace him was held on July 24, 2023.[9] He was succeeded by Shuvaloy Majumdar.[10]