View source for Michael Chong

{{Short description|Canadian politician (born 1971)}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Michael Chong
| honorific-prefix    = [[The Honourable]]
| honorific-suffix    = {{post-nominals|country=CAN|PC|MP|size=100%}}
| image               = Michael Chong in 2017.jpg
| caption             = Chong in 2017
| office4             = [[President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada|President of the Queen's Privy Council]]
| primeminister4      = [[Stephen Harper]]
| term_start4         = February 6, 2006
| term_end4           = November 26, 2006
| predecessor4        = [[Lucienne Robillard]]
| successor4          = [[Peter Van Loan]]
| office5             = [[Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs (Canada)|Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs]]
| primeminister5      = [[Stephen Harper]]
| term_start5         = February 6, 2006
| term_end5           = November 26, 2006
| predecessor5        = [[Lucienne Robillard]]
| successor5          = [[Peter Van Loan]]
| office6             = [[Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities|Minister of State for Sport]]
| primeminister6      = [[Stephen Harper]]
| term_start6         = February 6, 2006
| term_end6           = November 26, 2006
| predecessor6        = [[Stephen Owen (politician)|Stephen Owen]]
| successor6          = [[Peter Van Loan]]
| parliament7         = Canadian
| predecessor7        = ''Constituency established''
{{Collapsed infobox section begin|[[Shadow Minister|Shadow Minister]]
| titlestyle=border: 1px dashed lightgrey;}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| embed=yes
| title            = 
| subterm1            = 2020–Present
| suboffice1          = [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Canada)|Foreign Affairs]]
| subterm2            = 2019–2020
| suboffice2          = [[Minister of Democratic Institutions|Democratic Institutions]]
| subterm3            = 2018–2019
| suboffice3          = [[Minister for Science (Canada)|Science]]
| subterm4            = 2017–2018
| suboffice4          = [[Minister of Housing and Infrastructure (Canada)|Infrastructure, Communities and Urban Affairs]]
{{Collapsed infobox section end}}
}}
| riding7             = [[Wellington—Halton Hills North]]<br /><small>[[Wellington—Halton Hills (federal electoral district)|Wellington—Halton Hills]] (2004–2025)</small> 
| successor7          = 
| term_start7         = June 28, 2004
| footnotes           = 
| party               = [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]] (2003–present)
| otherparty          = [[Progressive Conservative Party of Canada|Progressive Conservative]] (before 2003)<ref name=chongann>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/michael-chong-launches-bid-for-conservative-leadership/article30028606/|title=Michael Chong launches bid for Conservative leadership|work=theglobeandmail.com|access-date=July 13, 2016}}</ref>
| birth_name          = Michael David Chong
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1971|11|22}}
| birth_place         = [[Windsor, Ontario]], Canada
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| spouse              = Carrie Davidson
| residence           = [[Elora, Ontario]], Canada
| alma_mater          = [[Trinity College, Toronto]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
| profession          = [[Information technology|IT]] consultant
| website             = {{URL|michaelchong.ca}}
| module              = {{Infobox Chinese|child=yes|
  |t                 = 莊文浩
  |s                 = 庄文浩
  |y                 = Jōng Màhn-houh
  |j                 = Zong<sup>1</sup> Man<sup>4</sup> Hou<sup>6</sup>
  }}
| children            = 3
}}

'''Michael David Chong''' {{post-nominals|country=CAN|PC|MP}} (born November 22, 1971) is a Canadian politician who has represented the [[Ontario]] [[Electoral district (Canada)|riding]] of [[Wellington—Halton Hills North]]{{efn|Known as [[Wellington—Halton Hills (federal electoral district)|Wellington—Halton Hills]] until 2025.}} in the [[House of Commons of Canada|House of Commons]] since [[2004 Canadian federal election|2004]]. A member of the [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative Party]], he served in the [[Cabinet of Canada|cabinet]] of [[Prime Minister of Canada|Prime Minister]] [[Stephen Harper]] as [[Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs (Canada)|Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs]] and [[Minister of Sport (Canada)|Minister of Sport]], as well as the [[President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada]] from February to November 2006. 

On September 8, 2020, Chong was appointed the Shadow Minister for [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Canada)|Foreign Affairs]], serving in the shadow cabinets of [[Erin O'Toole]] and [[Pierre Poilievre]].<ref name="Shadow Cabinet">{{cite web|title=Erin O'Toole Announces Conservative Shadow Cabinet|date=8 September 2020|url=https://www.conservative.ca/erin-otoole-announces-conservative-shadow-cabinet/}}</ref> He previously served as Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Communities and Urban Affairs, Shadow Cabinet Minister for Science, and Shadow Cabinet Minister for Democratic Institutions under [[Andrew Scheer]].

Chong began his career on [[Bay Street]] before entering politics. He ran for the leadership of the Conservative Party in [[2017 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election|2017]], coming in fifth place out of fourteen candidates.

==Early life, education, and career==
Chong was born on November 22, 1971, in [[Windsor, Ontario]], the oldest son of Cornelia de Haan and Paul Chong. His father was born in [[British Hong Kong|Hong Kong]] and immigrated to Canada in 1952, becoming a doctor. His mother arrived in Canada in 1960 from the Netherlands, and worked as a nurse. Chong has three siblings; Peter, Andrew and Joanna.<ref name ="maverick">{{cite news|last1=Diebel|first1=Linda|title=Maverick Conservative MP Michael Chong fights to reform Parliament|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/01/25/maverick-conservative-mp-michael-chong-fights-to-reform-parliament.html|access-date=13 July 2016|publisher=Toronto Star|date=25 January 2015}}</ref> He was raised near [[Fergus, Ontario|Fergus]] in [[Wellington County, Ontario|Wellington County]], a small town in rural [[Southern Ontario]], and attended [[Centre Wellington District High School]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Daponte|first1=Chris|title=Chong to seek Conservative leadership|url=http://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/comments/index.cfm?articleID=31071|access-date=1 January 2022|publisher=The Wellington Advertiser|date=20 May 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203055514/http://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/comments/index.cfm?articleID=31071|archivedate=3 December 2018}}</ref> In 1978, when Chong was six years old, his mother was killed in a car accident at an intersection near Fergus. Two years after her death his father married Adriana, who raised him and his three siblings as if they were her own. In 1999, Chong's father was also killed in a car accident at the same intersection where his mother had been killed 21 years earlier.<ref name = "accidents">{{cite news|last1=Brennan|first1=Richard|title=2 Accidents Helped to Forge New Minister|publisher=Toronto Star|date=9 February 2006}}</ref>

Chong attended [[Trinity College, Toronto|Trinity College]] at the [[University of Toronto]] where he studied philosophy, history and politics.<ref name ="maverick"/> In his final year at university he landed a job with [[Canadian Tire]] as an assistant to a senior executive.<ref name = "accidents"/> 

He has worked in information technology for Barclays Bank and Research Capital Corporation. Chong worked as a senior technology consultant to the Greater Toronto Airports Authority for the redevelopment of [[Pearson International Airport]] and prior to entering politics he worked for the National Hockey League Players’ Association.<ref name="maverick" />

Chong was a founding member of [[The Dominion Institute]].<ref>Jon Willing, "Group preserves memories of aging war veterans before it's too late", ''Guelph Mercury'', 20 August 2004, A3.</ref> He served on the board of the Groves Memorial Hospital from 2002 to 2004, later serving on the board of the Elora Festival and Elora Festival Singers as well as the Corporation of Trinity College.

==Political career==
Chong joined the [[Progressive Conservative Party of Canada]] and the [[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario]] in the late 1980s.<ref>Jon Willing, "New riding up for grabs", ''Guelph Mercury'', 25 May 2004, A4.</ref> He ran for parliament in the [[2000 Canadian federal election|2000 federal election]] as a Progressive Conservative, and finished third [[Waterloo—Wellington]] against incumbent [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]] [[Member of Parliament (Canada)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) [[Lynn Myers]]. Chong supported [[Peter MacKay]] for the leadership of the federal PC party in 2003.<ref>Dave Pink, "Leadership drama 'what we wanted'", ''Kitchener-Waterloo Record'', 2 June 2003, A1.</ref>

=== Backbencher (2004–2006) ===

==== 38th Parliament ====
In early 2004, the Progressive Conservatives merged with the [[Canadian Alliance]] to create the Conservative Party of Canada. Chong joined the new party, and in March 2004 defeated Marty Burke to win its nomination for Wellington—Halton Hills.<ref>Joanne Shuttleworth, "Fergus man is Conservative nominee", ''Guelph Mercury'', 10 March 2004, A3.</ref> He was elected in the [[2004 Canadian federal election|2004 federal election]], defeating Liberal [[Bruce Hood (ice hockey)|Bruce Hood]] by over 2,000 votes.

Chong declared his personal support for the [[Kyoto Protocol]] during the 2004 federal election, despite his party's opposition to the measure.<ref>"Tory candidate likes Kyoto, even if his party doesn't", ''Guelph Mercury'', 26 June 2004, A5.</ref> He supported [[Elizabeth Witmer]]'s bid to lead the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario in 2001–02, and supported [[John Tory]] for the same position in 2004.<ref>Ross Marowits, "Eves may be front-runner but he's no shoo-in to lead Tory party, say members", ''Canadian Press'', 2 December 2001, 11:49 report; Joanne Shuttleworth, "Tory takes over", ''Guelph Mercury'', 20 September 2004, A1.</ref>

Chong wrote an opinion editorial for ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'' newspaper in late 2004 entitled "Canadians without hyphens", criticizing John Barber's suggestion that there were not enough [[Chinese-Canadian]] MPs representing areas with large Chinese populations. Chong noted he was elected in a riding with a 97% Caucasian population, while [[John McCallum]] was elected in [[Markham—Unionville (federal electoral district)|Markham—Unionville]], which is more than 60% Asian. Chong argued that these results reflected his idea of Canada, adding that he favoured the creation of a "common Canadian identity that will allow for greater understanding among ethnic groups".<ref>Michael Chong, "Canadian without hyphens", ''The Globe and Mail'', 23 November 2004, A25.</ref>

Like most Conservative MPs, Chong voted against the legal recognition of [[same-sex marriage in Canada]] in 2005. A majority of MPs from other parties supported the measure, however, and same-sex marriages were granted legal recognition. In December 2006, Chong reversed his previous position and became one of thirteen Conservative MPs to vote against re-opening the marriage debate.<ref>Janice Tibbetts, "Same-sex debate's over, Harper says", ''Montreal Gazette'', 8 December 2006, A1.</ref>

Chong has opposed using the [[Great Lakes]] as a water source for inland communities. He has expressed concern about depopulation in rural Ontario, and supports continued door-to-door rural mail service programs.<ref>Greg Mercer, "Water protection high on Chong's list", ''Guelph Mercury'', 17 February 2006, A1; Vic Kirsch, "Ont. MP promises Tories will fight move to end rural home mail delivery", ''Canadian Press'', 17 October 2006, 20:49 report.</ref>

=== Cabinet minister (2006) ===

==== 39th Parliament: Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Sport ====
Chong was re-elected in the [[2006 Canadian federal election|2006 federal election]]. In February 2006, he was appointed to the cabinet in Stephen Harper's government as [[Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs (Canada)|Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs]], [[President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada]], and Minister of Sport. He was the second Chinese-Canadian cabinet minister in Canadian history, after [[Raymond Chan (politician)|Raymond Chan]].

In the buildup to the 2006 federal budget, Chong met with various provincial representatives to discuss ways of approaching Canada's equalization formula between the federal government and the provinces. Prior to the budget's release, he described the existing system as "a mess".<ref>Elizabeth Thompson, "Federal Throne Speech must address fiscal imbalance", ''Montreal Gazette'', 28 March 2006, A14; "Parliament is back, but don't panic", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 3 April 2006, A11.</ref>  Some politicians in Ontario expressed concern that the deal would be unduly favourable to Quebec and unfavourable to their province.<ref>Tonda MacCharles and Robert Benzie, "Officials deny deal made with Quebec", ''Toronto Star'', 29 July 2006, A4.</ref> Later in the year, Harper government indicated that it would automatically transfer future surpluses to the provinces.<ref>Bill Curry, "Ottawa offers provinces surplus money", ''The Globe and Mail'', 11 August 2006, A13.</ref>[[File:Michael Chong tractor IMG 6424 (22814728648).jpg|thumb|Chong operating a [[tractor]].|left]]In September 2006, the Canadian media reported that the Harper government was considering a plan to transfer $3 billion to the provinces each year.  Every province except Newfoundland and Labrador would gain revenue, with Quebec gaining the most at $1.1 billion.<ref>John Ivison, "$3B more for provinces in plan payments", ''National Post'', 21 September 2006, A1.</ref>

In early 2006, Chong said that his government would fulfill an election pledge to devote 1% of federal health spending (about $350 million) to health promotion and amateur sports.<ref>"The high price of gold", ''Ottawa Citizen'', 28 February 2006, A8.</ref>  He represented the Harper government as a representative at the [[2006 Commonwealth Games]] in [[Melbourne, Australia]].<ref>James Christie, "Canadian team falls short of 100-medal goal", ''The Globe and Mail'', 27 March 2006, S6.</ref>  This funding did not appear in the 2006 budget, although the Harper government introduced an annual sports tax credit of $80 per child.<ref>John Kernaghan, "Sports tax credit saves $80 a year per child", ''Hamilton Spectator'', 3 May 2006, A11.</ref>

In June 2006, Chong indicated that the federal government would not provide federal funding to the "Out Games", a gay-and-lesbian themed athletic competition held in [[Montreal]], Quebec.<ref>Susan Riley, "Liberals: please call home", ''Ottawa Citizen'', 9 June 2006, A14.</ref>  The following month, Chong provided $395,000 to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, to make its collection accessible online.<ref>"Grant of $395,000 to put Canada's Sports Hall of Fame info on Internet", ''Canadian Press'', 26 July 2006, 15:16 report.</ref>  He has also discussed the possibility of restarting [[Canada's ParticipACTION]] program, which encourages ordinary citizens to become more involved in sports and athletic events.<ref>"What government is doing to fight obesity", CTV Question Period, 3 September 2006.</ref>  The program was restarted in February 2007, after Chong resigned from cabinet.<ref>"Ottawa revives ParticipACTION campaign to promote fitness", National Post, 17 February 2007, 17 February 2007, A10; "ParticipACTION is Back" [press release], Canada NewsWire, 19 February 2007, 16:13.</ref>

{{wikinews|Canadian Cabinet Minister resigns over Harper's Quebec motion}}

Chong pledged $3.5 million to the 2008 North American Indigenous Games in early November 2006.<ref>Jeff Rud, "Ottawa puts $3.5 million in Games", ''Vancouver Sun'', 4 November 2006, B8.</ref>  Later in the same month, he announced the creation of Podium Canada to consolidate Canada's medal strategies for the [[Summer Olympics|Summer]] and [[Winter Olympics]].<ref>James Christie, "New Podium Canada body created", ''The Globe and Mail'' (Breaking News), 24 November 2006.</ref>

Chong unexpectedly resigned from cabinet on November 27, 2006, to express his opposition to a motion before the House of Commons, put forward by Prime Minister Harper, which recognized "the Québécois as a [[nation]] within a united Canada". Chong said that the motion was akin to [[ethnic nationalism]], which he opposes. During the press conference he held to announce his decision, he said "I believe in one nation, undivided, called Canada".<ref>Bill Curry, "Canada's history, family's history held sway", ''The Globe and Mail'', 28 November 2006, A8; "Three cheers for Michael Chong" [editorial], ''National Post'', 28 November 2006, A18; Tonda MacCharles, "Tory minister quits over Quebec vote", ''Toronto Star'', 28 November 2006, A1.</ref>

=== Return to the backbenches (2006-2015) ===
[[File:Michael Chong International Plowing Match 2016 IMG 4887 (22827735148).jpg|thumb|Chong speaking in September 2016]]
==== 41st Parliament: Reform Act ====
As a backbench MP, Chong proposed the [[Reform Act (Canada)|''Reform Act'' ''(An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Parliament of Canada Act (candidacy and caucus reforms))'']] in order to increase the power of party caucuses.<ref name="ctvreform">{{cite news |title=Private member's bill will 'restore Canadians' faith in their Parliament' |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/article/private-members-bill-will-restore-canadians-faith-in-their-parliament/ |agency=CTV News |publisher=Bell Media |date=3 December 2013}}</ref> The Act ultimately passed the House of Commons and Senate, with amendments, and was given royal assent in 2015. Under the act, each caucus votes at the beginning of each parliament on whether or not it will adopt the Act's procedures giving the caucus the power to review and, if it wishes, remove the party leader, for the election and review of the caucus chair, the expulsion and re-admission of caucus members, and the election of the interim leader.<ref>{{cite news|title=Michael Chong urges MPs to 'reclaim their influence' as Reform Act takes effect|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/michael-chong-reform-act-1.3289892|access-date=October 29, 2015|work=CBC News|date=October 27, 2015}}</ref>

=== In Opposition, shadow minister (2015–present) ===

==== 42nd Parliament: 2017 leadership election ====
{{see also|2017 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election}}[[File:Michael Chong in Vancouver.jpg|150px|thumb|Chong in [[Vancouver]]]]The Conservative Party was defeated in the [[2015 Canadian federal election|2015 federal election]], and Harper immediately resigned as party leader. Despite not having served in Harper's cabinet for nine years, Chong's name was among those mentioned in the media as a potential candidate for party leader. When asked about a leadership bid in November 2015, Chong responded "let's wait and see."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Martin|first1=Lawrence|title=Why Michael Chong would be a good fit as Conservative leader|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/why-michael-chong-would-be-a-good-fit-as-tory-leader/article27306077/|access-date=22 May 2016|publisher=The Globe and Mail|date=17 November 2015}}</ref> In early 2016, the Conservative Party announced that the [[2017 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election|leadership election]] would be held on 27 May 2017. On 16 May 2016, Chong launched his campaign at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa, becoming the third candidate to enter the race.<ref name="leadership">{{cite news|last1=Wherry|first1=Aaron|title=Michael Chong's bid for Conservative leadership starts with a story|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/wherry-chong-leadership-1.3583991|access-date=22 May 2016|publisher=CBC News|date=16 May 2016}}</ref>

Chong's leadership bid was endorsed by MP and former Environment Minister [[Peter Kent]], as well as MP [[David Tilson]]. Chong also received the support of Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) [[Ted Arnott]] and former MPs [[Chungsen Leung]] and [[Mike Wallace (politician)|Mike Wallace]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Nash|first1=Chelsea|title=Scheer's Conservative caucus support gives him the advantage, but leadership win not in the bag|url=https://www.hilltimes.com/2017/01/09/endorsements-those-who-have-them-flaunt-them/91769|access-date=26 January 2017|publisher=The Hill Times|date=9 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Abbas|first1=Rana|title=Conservatives say fundraising will be major challenge in crowded leadership race, expect multiple ballots|url=https://www.hilltimes.com/2016/10/03/fundraising-major-challenge-no-one-likely-win-first-ballot-crowded-tory-leadership-race/82440|access-date=3 October 2016|publisher=The Hill Times|date=3 October 2016}}</ref>

Chong is in favour of implementing what he describes as a revenue-neutral [[carbon tax]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Cut income, corporate taxes and make up difference with carbon tax says Chong |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/carbon-tax-tory-leadership-chong-1.3833328 |publisher=CBC News|date=2 November 2016}}</ref>

Chong stated publicly that he supports [[Motion 103]], which calls on the government to condemn [[Islamophobia in Canada]] and all other forms of religious and racial discrimination.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Spencer|first1=Christina|title=Spencer: Islamophobia motion has been reduced to an exercise in cynicism|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/columnists/spencer-islamophobia-motion-sows-disarray-among-tories|access-date=February 20, 2017|publisher=Ottawa Citizen|date=February 17, 2017}}</ref> Chong was one of two Conservative MPs, the other being [[Simcoe North (federal electoral district)|Simcoe North]] MP [[Bruce Stanton]], and the only leadership candidate to vote for the motion.<ref>{{cite news|title=House of Commons passes anti-Islamophobia motion|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/m-103-islamophobia-motion-vote-1.4038016|access-date=March 23, 2017|work=CBC News|date=March 23, 2017|language=en}}</ref> 

Ultimately [[Andrew Scheer]] was elected party leader on 27 May 2017. Chong subsequently served in [[Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet of the 42nd Parliament of Canada|Scheer's shadow cabine]]<nowiki/>t, being named Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Communities and Urban Affairs the following summer, later being appointed Shadow Cabinet Minister for Science in 2018.

==== 43rd–45th Parliaments: Shadow Foreign Minister (2020-present) ====
[[File:Andrew Scheer, Michael Chong and Bob Saroya - 2018 (40474766142).jpg|thumb|Chong with Andrew Scheer at the 35th anniversary celebration of the [[Chinese Canadian Conservative Association]] in 2018.]]
After about a year as Shadow Science Minister, Andrew Scheer made Chong his [[Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet of the 43rd Parliament of Canada|Shadow Cabinet Minister]] for Democratic Institutions in 2019, after the Conservatives were unable to reach a majority in the [[2019 Canadian federal election|2019 Federal election]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Austen |first=Ian |date=2021-09-20 |title=Canadian Parliamentary Election: Justin Trudeau to Remain Prime Minister of Canada |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/09/20/world/canada-election-2021 |access-date=2025-10-27 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

On 24 August 2020, Erin O'Toole won the [[2020 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election|leadership election]] to replace Scheer, who decided to resign after the 2019 election. On September 8, 2020, Chong was appointed the Shadow Minister for [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Canada)|Foreign Affairs]] by O'Toole.<ref name="Shadow Cabinet" /> 

On February 22, 2021, Chong lead a successful opposition motion in the [[House of Commons of Canada|House of Commons]] to recognize the [[Persecution of Uyghurs in China|human rights abuses against Uyghurs in the Xinjiang region of China as genocide]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vote Detail - 56 - Members of Parliament - House of Commons of Canada |url=https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/votes/43/2/56 |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=www.ourcommons.ca}}</ref> Chong also served as the vice chair of the Parliament’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE), whose Subcommittee on International Human Rights presented a report in March 2021 that concluded that [[crimes against humanity]] and [[genocide]] had taken place in Xinjiang. That month, Canada imposed sanctions on individuals and entities in connection with what [[Justin Trudeau|Prime Minister Justin Trudeau]] called "gross and systemic human rights violations in the [[Xinjiang]] region". In response, the government of the People's Republic of China deployed countermeasures, which included imposing sanctions on Chong and the FAAE's Subcommittee on International Human Rights. [[Prime Minister of Canada|Prime Minister]] [[Justin Trudeau]] and [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Canada)|Foreign Affairs Minister]] [[Marc Garneau]] condemned the sanctions.<ref>{{cite news |title=Garneau slams China's sanctions, says they are an 'attack on transparency' |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7723651/garneau-china-sanctions |agency=Global News}}</ref>

After the 2022 [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]], Chong was similarly [[List of people and organizations sanctioned during the Russo-Ukrainian War|sanctioned]] by government of the Russian Federation after the Canadian government sanctioned many Russian officials close to [[Vladimir Putin]] over the Ukrainian invasion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/chong-nater-not-bothered-by-russian-travel-sanctions/|title=Local MPS Chong, Nater not bothered by Russian travel sanctions|date=21 March 2022}}</ref> In a March 2022 op ed, Chong said Canada should seek to "isolate Russia internationally" and called for censorship of RT (Russia Today) from Canadian networks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chong |first=Michael |title=Michael Chong: The world has changed. Canada needs a serious foreign policy |url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/michael-chong-the-world-has-changed-canada-needs-a-serious-foreign-policy}}</ref>

In September 2022, newly elected Conservative leader [[Pierre Poilievre]] retained Chong as [[Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet of the 44th Parliament of Canada|Shadow Minister]] for Foreign Affairs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zimonjic |first=Peter |last2=Cullen |first2=Catherine |date=October 12, 2022 |title=Poilievre unveils critics list, pits Alberta MP Jasraj Singh Hallan against Chrystia Freeland |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/poilievre-unveils-shadow-cabinet-1.6613702 |website=[[CBC News]]}}</ref> 

It was reported in May 2023 that Chong's family in Hong Kong was targeted following the Uyghur genocide vote, including by a Chinese diplomat named Zhao Wei. Wei was later declared ''[[persona non grata]]'' by Foreign Affairs Minister [[Mélanie Joly]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Major |first=Darren |date=May 8, 2023 |title=Canada expelling diplomat accused of targeting MP Michael Chong's family |work=[[CBC News]] |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-expelling-chinese-diplomat-1.6836336 |access-date=June 14, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-05-01 |title=China views Canada as a 'high priority' for interference: CSIS report |language=en-CA |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-china-targets-mps-csis/ |access-date=2023-06-14}}</ref> The [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]] subsequently opened an investigation into efforts to [[Chinese government interference in Canada|Chinese government election interference]] efforts in Canada.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yousif |first=Nadine |date=2023-06-13 |title=Canada police investigating China meddling claims |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65897821 |access-date=2023-06-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |date=2023-06-13 |title=Canadian Mounties probing China's alleged targeting of lawmaker |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/canadian-mounties-probing-chinas-alleged-targeting-lawmaker-2023-06-13/ |access-date=2023-06-14}}</ref> In August 2023, the [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Canada)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] stated that Chong and his family had been the target of an online [[disinformation]] operation by the Chinese government.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Kanishka |date=2023-08-09 |title=Canada says China likely targeted lawmaker in disinformation campaign |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canada-says-highly-probable-china-engaged-online-targeting-canadian-lawmaker-2023-08-09/ |access-date=2023-08-09}}</ref>

After the [[2025 Canadian federal election|2025 federal election]], party leader Pierre Poilievre lost his seat. He returned to Parliament in May after [[2025 Battle River—Crowfoot federal by-election|winning a by-election]], keeping Chong as his Shadow Foreign Minister in his second [[Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet of the 45th Parliament of Canada|Shadow Cabinet]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Stephanie |date=21 May 2025 |title=Poilievre picks experience over fresh faces in 74-person 'shadow cabinet' |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/poilievre-74-person-shadow-cabinet |access-date=22 May 2025 |work=[[National Post]]}}</ref>

He was elected vice chair of the [[Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development]] in the [[45th Canadian Parliament]] in 2025.

== Personal life ==
Chong is married to Carrie Davidson, whom he met while at university. She has roots in both [[Quebec]] and [[Newfoundland and Labrador]]. Her great-great grandfather was [[William Whiteway]], a pro-Confederation politician and three-time premier of the [[Newfoundland Colony|colony of Newfoundland]] in the late 19th century. Another great-great grandfather, Charles Peers Davidson, was chief justice of the Superior Court of Quebec in the early 1910s. The couple live near Fergus, which is located on the Grand River about 85 kilometres from Toronto, and have three sons; William, Alistair, and Cameron.<ref name="maverick" />

==Electoral record==
{{2025 Canadian federal election/Wellington—Halton Hills North}}

{{2021 Canadian federal election/Wellington—Halton Hills}}

{{2019 Canadian federal election/Wellington—Halton Hills}}

{{2015 Canadian federal election/Wellington—Halton Hills}}

{{Canadian election result/top|CA|2011|Wellington—Halton Hills (federal electoral district)|Wellington—Halton Hills|percent=yes|change=yes|expenditures=yes}}
{{CANelec|CA|Conservative|Michael Chong|35,132 |63.70 |+6.07 |&ndash;}}
{{CANelec|CA|Liberal|Barry Peters|9,034 |16.38|-5.95|&ndash;}}
{{CANelec|CA|NDP|Anastasia Zavarella|7,146 |12.96 |+3.59 |&ndash;}}
{{CANelec|CA|Green|Brent Bouteiller|3,527|6.37 | -3.47| 9,592.53}}
{{CANelec|CA|Christian Heritage|Jeffrey Streutker|316|0.57 | -0.24|&ndash;}}
{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes/Expense limit|55,155	  |100.00| $89,278.64 }}
{{Canadian election result/total|Total rejected ballots| 154| 0.28|&ndash;| }}
{{Canadian election result/total|Turnout|55,309 | 67.27|&ndash;| }}
{{Canadian election result/total|Eligible voters| 	82,215|&ndash;|&ndash;| }}
{{CANelec/hold|CA|Conservative|+6.01}}
{{end}}

{{Canadian election result/top|CA|2008|Wellington—Halton Hills (federal electoral district)|Wellington—Halton Hills|percent=yes|change=yes|expenditures=yes}}
{{CANelec|CA|Conservative|Michael Chong|29,191 |57.63 |+6.97|$67,429}}
{{CANelec|CA|Liberal|Bruce Bowser|11,312 |22.33 | -6.83|$71,000 }}
{{CANelec|CA|Green|Brent Bouteiller|4,987 |9.84 | +3.74|$1,497}}
{{CANelec|CA|NDP|[[Noel Duignan]]|4,747|9.37 | -2.94|$800}}
{{CANelec|CA|Christian Heritage|Jeffrey Streutker|414|0.81 | -0.29|$416}}
{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes/Expense limit|50,651| 100.00|$85,604}}
{{CANelec/hold|CA|Conservative|+6.9}}
{{end}}

{{2006 Canadian federal election/Wellington—Halton Hills}}
{{2004 Canadian federal election/Wellington—Halton Hills}}
{{2000 Canadian federal election/Waterloo—Wellington}}

All electoral information is taken from [[Elections Canada]].  Italicized expenditures refer to submitted totals, and are presented when the final reviewed totals are not available.

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.mikechong.ca/ Official site]
*[https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en/Michael-D-Chong(25488) Michael D. Chong - House of Commons]{{Canadian Parliament links|ID=4584}}

{{s-start}}
{{Canadian federal ministry navigational box header |ministry=28}}
{{ministry box cabinet posts
| post2         = [[President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada]]
| post2years    = 2006
| post2note     = 
| post2preceded = [[Lucienne Robillard]]
| post2followed = [[Peter Van Loan]]
| post1         = [[Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs (Canada)|Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs]]
| post1years    = 2006
| post1note     = 
| post1preceded = [[Lucienne Robillard]]
| post1followed = [[Peter Van Loan]]
}}
{{ministry box special cabinet
| post1         = [[Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities|Minister for Sport]]
| post1years    = 2006
| post1note     = 
| post1preceded = [[Stephen Owen (politician)|Stephen Owen]]
| post1followed = [[Peter Van Loan]]
}}
{{s-par|ca}}
{{succession box
| title = [[Member of Parliament (Canada)|Member of Parliament]] for [[Wellington—Halton Hills (federal electoral district)|Wellington—Halton Hills]]
| before = riding created in 2004
| after = incumbent
| years = 2004–present
}}
{{s-end}}

{{Current Members of the Canadian House of Commons}}
{{CA-Presidents of the Privy Council}}
{{Ministers of intergovernmental affairs of Canada}}
{{Harper Ministry}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chong, Michael}}
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