Frank Valeriote — Guelph

Frank Valeriote was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Guelph on October 14^th, 2008 and was re-elected on May 2^nd, 2011.

Born in 1954, Frank was educated in Guelph. He graduated with Honours from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor's Degree in Canadian History and Economics. He then received a Law Degree from the University of Ottawa. He was called to the Bar in 1981, and co-founded the law firm of SmithValeriote LLP, where he served as a senior partner until his election.

Frank has been active in the community for over 26 years in various activities. Frank served for eighteen years on the Catholic School Board, including several years as Chair. Throughout that period, he oversaw the opening of four new schools and was a catalyst for creating a positive and constructive relationship between the teachers and the board.

Frank has also worked hard to improve the health of the citizens of Guelph. Frank served tirelessly on the Board of the Alzheimer's Society of Guelph Wellington for 9 years and was similarly active on the St. Joseph's Health Foundation since 2001. He was an active board member of the Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis for many years and co-founder and first chair of the Committee Against Family Violence, where significant strides were made locally in police and court responses to domestic violence, and he also served on the board ACORD (A Community for Offender Reconciliation and Diversion). He also served as a member of the Guelph and Wellington Housing Authority for 9 years dealing with matters of social housing.

Frank has worked hard to mentor new entrepreneurs start their business and promote investment in Guelph as the former board member and then as Chair of the Guelph Wellington Business Enterprise Centre. He has been actively engaged in numerous fundraising efforts for various Guelph philanthropic and other charitable organizations.

As part of his Parliamentary responsibilities, Frank is the Liberal Party Critic for Agriculture & Agri-Food, Rural Affairs and the Automotive Sector, member of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food where he serves as a Vice-Chair, co-founder of the Parliamentary Coalition on Palliative and Compassionate Care, and serves as the Chair of the Liberal Automotive Caucus.

Frank was the Liberal representative on and co-vice-chair of the Industry Committee's Subcommittee on the Automotive Industry in which conducted an intensive study of the crisis in Canada’s auto industry. Frank also participates in caucus working groups that are researching food safety and a National Food Policy, social justice, water and environmental issues.

Frank and his wife Catherine live in Guelph and have two children, Olivia and Domenic.

Make a difference in Guelph

Frank Valeriote in the news