Tamara N. Jansen MP (born 1967 or 1968) is a Canadian politician and businesswoman who has served as the member of Parliament (MP) for Cloverdale—Langley City since her re-election in December 2024.[3] A member of the Conservative Party of Canada, she previously held the same seat from 2019 to 2021 before losing re-election.[4][5]
Tamara Jansen | |
|---|---|
 Jansen in 2024 | |
| Member of Parliament for Cloverdale—Langley City | |
| Assumed office December 16, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | John Aldag |
| In office October 21, 2019 – September 20, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | John Aldag |
| Succeeded by | John Aldag |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1967 or 1968 (age 56–57)[1] Cloverdale, British Columbia, Canada |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse | Byron Jansen |
| Children | 5 |
| Residence | Langley Township[2] |
Early life and career
editJansen was born and raised in Cloverdale, British Columbia. She attended William of Orange Christian School during her upbringing. Prior to entering politics, Jansen owned and operated Darvonda Nurseries, a large plant nursery in Langley, British Columbia, alongside her husband and family. The family-run business established her reputation as a predominant figure in the local business community. She retired from the business and sold it to her son prior to pursuing her political career.[6]
In addition to her business ventures, Jansen has been involved in organizing significant events within the Conservative Party. In February 2017, she hosted and helped organize a Conservative Party leadership debate at Darvonda Nurseries, which drew over 500 attendees and included 12 candidates. Jansen has also been an active member of the Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA), a national Christian organization, where she lobbied against the implementation of medical assistance in dying (MAID).[7] In May 2018, she hosted a pro-pipeline rally at her home, one of five held in British Columbia that day, where she criticized opposition to the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion as "nonsensical."[6]
Political career
edit43rd Parliament (2019–2021)
editJansen was first elected in the 2019 Canadian federal election, held on October 21, 2019. She unseated Liberal incumbent John Aldag by a margin of 1,302 votes to secure the riding of Cloverdale—Langley City.[4][8]
During the 43rd Parliament, Jansen served on the Finance, Health, and COVID-19 pandemic committees, where she was active in parliamentary proceedings. Notably, she contributed to discussions on federal fiscal policy in the Finance Committee and advocated for transparent pandemic response measures during her time on the COVID-19 Pandemic Committee. Over her tenure, she logged 763 interventions in committees and 159 interventions in the House of Commons.[9]
On November 29, 2019, Jansen joined the Conservative Party’s outer shadow cabinet as the deputy shadow minister of Labour under Andrew Scheer.
In the 2020 Conservative Party leadership race, Jansen endorsed Leslyn Lewis.[10]
In the 2021 federal election, Jansen was defeated by former MP John Aldag, who regained the Cloverdale—Langley City seat for the Liberal Party.[5]
44th Parliament (2024–present)
editFollowing Aldag’s resignation to pursue other opportunities, Jansen ran again in a December 2024 by-election for the riding of Cloverdale—Langley City.[3] She won decisively with 66.3% of the vote, defeating Liberal candidate Madison Fleischer and flipping the seat back to the Conservative Party.[11]
Her victory came amid low voter turnout, with only 16.3% of registered voters casting ballots. Jansen celebrated with supporters at her campaign office but declined interviews with local media following the win. Fellow Conservative MP Tako van Popta called her “a good addition to caucus.”[11]
During the campaign, Jansen focused on grassroots engagement, hosting events like pancake breakfasts and door-knocking efforts. However, she notably did not attend an all-candidates meeting organized by the Cloverdale District Chamber of Commerce and Surrey Board of Trade, a decision that drew some attention.[11]
Political positions
editPro-life and family advocacy
editJansen is known for her strong pro-life and pro-family stance. In June 2021, she voted in favour of Bill C-233, introduced by Conservative MP Cathay Wagantall, which sought to ban the practice of sex-selective abortion. Additionally, she voted against Bill C-6, legislation proposed by the Trudeau government that would criminalize certain forms of counseling and parental guidance regarding gender identity. Jansen voiced concerns that the bill threatened parental rights and religious freedoms.[10]
In a 2019 questionnaire, Jansen affirmed her belief that life begins at conception and pledged to support laws protecting unborn children from that point onward. She also committed to defending the conscience rights of healthcare professionals and opposing laws that expand euthanasia and assisted suicide.[10]
During the 2020 Conservative Party leadership race, Jansen endorsed Leslyn Lewis, a pro-life and pro-family candidate, further solidifying her alignment with social conservative values.[10]
Bill C-6 issues
editJansen faced controversy in April 2021 during a debate on Bill C-6, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy).[12] During a debate on Bill C-6, Jansen referenced a Bible passage that included the word "unclean." The remark was criticized by some as being directed toward LGBTQ+ individuals; however, Jansen clarified that her intent was to address hypocrisy, not to single out any particular group, and she expressed regret for any misunderstanding. Jansen clarified that her use of the term referred to hypocrisy and was not meant to target any group, apologizing for the misunderstanding.[13]
On June 22, 2021, Jansen voted against Bill C-6.[14] She explained her opposition by expressing concerns that the bill did not adequately protect "counsel from religious leaders on sexuality" and the "rights of parents to protect and guide their children."[15]
Medical assistance in dying (MAID)
editJansen has been a vocal opponent of medical assistance in dying. She participated in protests against MAID in 2016 and served as master of ceremonies at public forums advocating against the implementation of MAID in hospices. She described the discussions surrounding MAID as "respectful conversations" and has continued to raise concerns about the impact of such policies on Canadian healthcare.[7][10]
Electoral record
edit| Canadian federal by-election, December 16, 2024: Cloverdale—Langley City Resignation of John Aldag | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ** Preliminary results — Not yet official ** | ||||||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | ||||
| Conservative | Tamara Jansen | 9,931 | 66.30 | +30.20 | ||||
| Liberal | Madison Fleischer | 2,401 | 16.03 | -23.18 | ||||
| New Democratic | Vanessa Sharma | 1,875 | 12.52 | -7.36 | ||||
| Green | Patrick McCutcheon | 580 | 3.87 | - | ||||
| People's | Ian Kennedy | 133 | 0.89 | -3.93 | ||||
| Libertarian | Alex Joehl | 59 | 0.39 | - | ||||
| Total valid votes | 14,979 | |||||||
| Total rejected ballots | ||||||||
| Turnout | 14,979 | 16.27 | -44.58 | |||||
| Eligible voters | 92,061 | |||||||
| Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | +26.69 | ||||||
| 2021 Canadian federal election: Cloverdale—Langley City | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures | |||
| Liberal | John Aldag | 20,877 | 39.21 | +3.99 | $111,123.12 | |||
| Conservative | Tamara Jansen | 19,223 | 36.10 | -1.63 | $85,561.60 | |||
| New Democratic | Rajesh Jayaprakash | 10,587 | 19.88 | +0.94 | $13,177.92 | |||
| People's | Ian Kennedy | 2,563 | 4.81 | +3.14 | $0.00 | |||
| Total valid votes/Expense limit | 53,250 | 99.06 | – | $116,950.48 | ||||
| Total rejected ballots | 508 | 0.94 | +0.20 | |||||
| Turnout | 53,758 | 60.85 | -3.70 | |||||
| Eligible voters | 88,348 | |||||||
| Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | +2.81 | ||||||
| Source: Elections Canada[16][17] | ||||||||
| 2019 Canadian federal election: Cloverdale—Langley City | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures | |||
| Conservative | Tamara Jansen | 20,936 | 37.73 | +2.96 | $70,620.42 | |||
| Liberal | John Aldag | 19,542 | 35.22 | -10.31 | $105,884.21 | |||
| New Democratic | Rae Banwarie | 10,508 | 18.94 | +3.29 | $15,133 | |||
| Green | Caelum Nutbrown | 3,572 | 6.44 | +2.38 | none listed | |||
| People's | Ian Kennedy | 930 | 1.68 | - | $464 | |||
| Total valid votes/expense limit | 55,488 | 99.26 | ||||||
| Total rejected ballots | 415 | 0.74 | +0.40 | |||||
| Turnout | 55,903 | 64.55 | -4.85 | |||||
| Eligible voters | 86,610 | |||||||
| Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | +6.63 | ||||||
| Source: Elections Canada[18][19] | ||||||||
References
edit- ^ Ferguson, Dan (August 1, 2018). "Well-known Langley businesswoman seeks Conservative nomination". Langley Advance Times. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
- ^ "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ^ a b "Conservatives decisively win B.C. federal byelection, dealing another blow to Trudeau". CBC News. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
- ^ a b "Conservative Jansen declared winner in Cloverdale-Langley City". Cloverdale Reporter. October 21, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
- ^ a b Jordan, Marlin (September 24, 2021). "John Aldag officially elected in Cloverdale-Langley City". Peace Arch News. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
- ^ a b "Well-known Langley businesswoman seeks Conservative nomination". August 2018.
- ^ a b "Well-known Langley businesswoman seeks Conservative nomination". Langley Advance Times. August 1, 2018. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
- ^ "Conservative Tamara Jansen unseats incumbent in the Cloverdale-Langley City riding". October 21, 2019.
- ^ "Debates (Hansard) No. 82 - April 16, 2021 (43-2) - House of Commons of Canada".
- ^ a b c d e "MP Tamara Jansen - Cloverdale - Langley City - Voting Records - Vote Pro-Life".
- ^ a b c "Conservative Tamara Jansen wins Cloverdale-Langley City". Peace Arch News. December 17, 2024. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
- ^ "Cloverdale-Langley City MP draws criticism over conversion therapy debate comments". Aldergrove Star. April 25, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
- ^ "Tory MP uses term 'unclean' while expressing opposition to conversion therapy ban". Global News. April 16, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
- ^ "Votes - Tamara Jansen - Members of Parliament - House of Commons of Canada". www.ourcommons.ca. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
- ^ "Debates (Hansard) No. 122 - June 21, 2021 (43-2) - House of Commons of Canada". www.ourcommons.ca. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
- ^ "List of confirmed candidates – September 20, 2021 Federal Election". Elections Canada. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. November 29, 2024.
- ^ "List of confirmed candidates". Elections Canada. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
- ^ "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved August 12, 2021.