Helena Guergis
Helena C. Guergis, PC (/ˈdʒɔːrdʒɪs/ JOR-jiss; born February 19, 1969) is a Canadian politician of Assyrian descent. She represented the Ontario riding of Simcoe—Grey in the House of Commons of Canada from 2004 to 2011, and was appointed Minister of State (Status of Women) on October 30, 2008, following the October 14, 2008 Canadian federal election. Soon after starting her parliamentary career, she became involved in several controversial situations, and these increased with time in both number and severity.
The Honourable Helena Guergis | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for Simcoe—Grey | |
| In office June 28, 2004 – May 2, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Paul Bonwick |
| Succeeded by | Kellie Leitch |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 19, 1969 Barrie, Ontario |
| Political party | Independent Conservative (2010–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Conservative (2004–2010) |
| Spouse | Rahim Jaffer |
| Children | 1 |
| Residence | Angus, Ontario |
| Profession | Businesswoman, policy adviser, political assistant, public servant |
| Portfolio | Secretary of State (Foreign Affairs and International Trade) 2007–2008; Secretary of State (Sport) 2007–2008; Minister of State (Status of Women) 2008–2010 |
Guergis was forced to resign from the Cabinet of Canada and leave the Conservative Party caucus on April 9, 2010, pending a Royal Canadian Mounted Police investigation into "serious" but unspecified allegations regarding her conduct. While the RCMP investigated, and eventually concluded there was no evidence of criminal wrongdoing, Guergis continued to sit as an Independent Conservative in the House of Commons. She applied unsuccessfully for reinstatement to the Tory caucus. Guergis was defeated while running as an independent in the 2011 election by Kellie Leitch, her replacement as the riding's Conservative candidate.
On December 22, 2011, Guergis launched a defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Stephen Harper and several other people and organizations, including the federal Conservative Party, filed in Ontario Superior Court, over accusations of unfair and malicious treatment causing damage to her political career and reputation. Her lawsuit was later dismissed.