James Bezan (born May 19, 1965) is a Conservative Canadian politician who has represented the riding of Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman (formerly Selkirk—Interlake) in the House of Commons of Canada since 2004. He is currently the Conservative Shadow Minister for National Defence.
Early life and career
Bezan was born May 19, 1965, in Russell, Manitoba Bezan majored in livestock technology in Olds College's Agricultural Production program. Bezan worked in the livestock and cattle industries in the 1980s and 1990s, and started his own company in 1996. He served as Chief Executive Officer of the Manitoba Cattle Producer's Association, and has sat on boards in the fields of cattle and food production. He also operates a family farm near Teulon, Manitoba.
Federal politics
Bezan was first elected in the riding of Selkirk—Interlake in the 2004 federal election, and was re-elected in the 2006, 2008, 2011, 2015, 2019 federal elections and 2021 federal elections.
In opposition, Bezan served on the executive of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association, and as the Conservative Associate Agriculture Critic.
In the 38th Canadian Parliament, Bezan tabled Motion, M-309 which sought to increase benefits for parents of critically ill children. This motion became law within Government Bill C-44 in 2012 which proposes a new Employment Insurance (EI) special benefit for parents who take time off work to care for their critically ill or injured children.
In government
In the 2006 federal election, Bezan was re-elected, defeating former Manitoba premier and Governor General of Canada Ed Schreyer, who ran for the New Democratic Party
Between 2006-2015 as a member of government, Bezan has served as Chair of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food; Chair of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development; Chair of the Manitoba Conservative Caucus; Chair of the Canadian Section of the Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas (FIPA); and Secretary of the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group.
Bezan has advocated marketing choice for Western Canadian grain farmers and fishermen. As a longtime and outspoken opponent of the long-gun registry, Bezan was pleased when the registry was ended. Bezan has also been instrumental in securing over $35 million in funding for the Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative in Budgets 2007 and 2012.
In the 39th Canadian Parliament, Bezan passed Private Member's Bill C-459, which established the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide Memorial Day and recognizes the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-33, the Holodomor, as an act of genocide. Bezan was awarded the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, Ukraine's highest civilian award, by the President of Ukraine.
Bezan's wife Kelly has survived melanoma skin cancer on a number of occasions. Bezan, who also used artificial tanning equipment, tabled a Private Member's Bill, C-497 in the 40th Canadian Parliament, to strengthen warning labelling on tanning beds on the carcinogenic risks from radiation caused by tanning equipment.
In first session of the 41st Parliament, Bezan served as the Chair of the Standing Committee on National Defence, and was elected as the Vice President of the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group and executive member for the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas. During the 41st Parliament, Bezan founded and co-chairs the Canadian Parliamentarians for Democracy and Human Rights in Iran, which is an all-party group.
In the 41st Canadian Parliament, Bezan introduced two pieces of legislation. The first was Tanning Equipment Prohibition and Warning (Cancer Risks) Act (Bill C-386). This Bill influenced the Government to put warning labels about the health risks of indoor tanning on tanning equipment in February 2013. In February 2013, Bezan tabled Bill C-478, The Respecting Families of Murdered and Brutalized Persons Act. This Bill seeks to extend the parole eligibility period for those convicted of the abduction, sexual assault and murder of an individual.
On September 19, 2013, Bezan was appointed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence. He began the 2nd session of the 41st Parliament with this role.
While serving in Her/His Majesty's Loyal Opposition since 2015, Bezan has served as the Shadow Minister for National Defence, the Deputy Official Opposition Whip, Co-coordinator for Question Period Planning and Shadow Minister for Ethics.