David Dingwall

The Honourable David Charles Dingwall, PC (born June 29 1952) is a former Canadian Cabinet minister and civil servant.

Related Topics:
The Honourable - PC - June 29 - 1952 - Canadian Cabinet - Civil servant

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A lawyer by training, Dingwall was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons in the 1980 Canadian federal election as the Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) for Cape Breton-East Richmond in Nova Scotia. He was re-elected in three subsequent elections, and served as Opposition House Leader from 1991 to 1993.

Related Topics:
Canadian House of Commons - 1980 Canadian federal election - Liberal - Member of Parliament - Cape Breton-East Richmond - Nova Scotia - Opposition - House Leader - 1991 - 1993

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After the Liberals won the 1993 Canadian election under Jean Chrétien, Dingwall was appointed to Cabinet as Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Minister of Public Works and Minister of Supply and Services. In 1996, he was moved to the position of Minister of Health.

Related Topics:
1993 Canadian election - Jean Chrétien - Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency - Minister of Public Works - Minister of Supply and Services - 1996 - Minister of Health

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Dingwall and New Brunswicker Doug Young were the most prominent Liberal casualites in the 1997 election when he lost his seat to the New Democratic Party's candidate. He had been a strong Chrétien ally and as the Liberals' most senior minister in Nova Scotia was that province's Regional Minister, making him responsible for patronage projects; one example being an infamous rock wall surrounding the campus of the University College of Cape Breton as part of a beautification project - it was promptly labelled "the Ding wall".

Related Topics:
New Brunswick - Doug Young - 1997 election - New Democratic Party - University College of Cape Breton

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Dingwall's 1997 defeat was seen as signifying growing disentchantment in the Maritimes with the government's changes to Unemployment Insurance and cuts in fish quotas. Dingwall was also hurt by the growth of support for the NDP under the leadership of Nova Scotian Alexa McDonough, and by the government's decision to withdraw federal subsidies to coal mines in Cape Breton (although this wasn't formally announced until 1999 and DEVCO was shut down in 2001 - long after his election defeat).

Related Topics:
Maritimes - Unemployment Insurance - Nova Scotia - Alexa McDonough - Cape Breton - 1999 - DEVCO

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Following his defeat, Dingwall served as the president of his lobbying firm Wallding International Inc., as well as on several corporate boards of directors, including Rogers Sugar Income Fund and MD Life. In 2003, the federal government appointed him to the position of president and Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Canadian Mint, leading that organization to increased profitability and posting its first surplus in several yearshttp://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2005/10/05/1249860-cp.html. He resigned in late September 2005, in the midst of a controversy arising out of allegations concerning his failure to register as a lobbyist on behalf of a pharmaceutical company, his receipt of contingent lobbying fees contrary to government rules, and expenses claimed in connection with his employment at the Mint.

Related Topics:
Wallding International Inc. - Rogers Sugar Income Fund - MD Life - 2003 - Royal Canadian Mint - September

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Having been public works minister in the mid-1990s, Dingwall has been called to testify in relationship to the Sponsorship Scandal, and contracts given out during his time in the department have come under scrutiny.

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