Stephen Woodworth (politician)

Stephen Woodworth
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Kitchener Centre
In office
October 14, 2008  October 19, 2015
Preceded by Karen Redman
Succeeded by Raj Saini
Personal details
Born (1954-01-05) January 5, 1954
Kitchener, Ontario
Political party Conservative (2008-present), Liberal (1988)
Profession Lawyer

Stephen Woodworth (born January 5, 1954) was a Canadian politician. He represented the electoral district of Kitchener Centre in the House of Commons of Canada for the Conservative Party of Canada in the 40th and 41st parliaments (2008-2015).

Life and career

Woodworth was born in Kitchener, Ontario. He attended Wilfrid Laurier University and then received a law degree from the University of Western Ontario. He was called to the bar in 1979 and set up a legal practice in Waterloo, which moved in 1993 to Kitchener. He ran unsuccessfully in the 1988 federal election as a Liberal in the riding of Waterloo.[1]

Woodworth has participated in anti-abortion protests[2] and, in December 2011, called for a national debate regarding fetal rights.[3]

Prior to his election to parliament he served as a Catholic school board trustee from 1994 to 2003 in Kitchener. During this time he worked to ban public health nurses in high schools because of fears that they might discuss contraception as part of providing necessary medical care. [4]

A private members motion (Motion 312) introduced by Stephen Woodworth received a one-hour debate on April 26, 2012, with a second hour of debate on September 21.[5] The bill would create a special committee to examine the legal definition of when a fetus becomes a human being,[6] though Woodworth conceded he is unlikely to get the support needed to move the initiative forward.[7]

Electoral record

Canadian federal election, 2015: Kitchener Centre
Party Candidate Votes%∆%Expenditures
LiberalRaj Saini 25,504 48.8 +16.51
ConservativeStephen Woodworth 15,872 30.4 -9.96
New DemocraticSusan Cadell 8,680 16.6 -5.33
GreenNicholas Wendler 1,597 3.1 -1.48
LibertarianSlavko Miladinovic 515 1.0
Marxist–LeninistJulian Ichim 112 0.2 +0.02
Total valid votes/Expense limit 52,280100.0   $209,331.18
Total rejected ballots 292
Turnout 52,57268.45+5.32
Eligible voters 76,797
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +13.24
Source: Elections Canada[8][9]
Canadian federal election, 2011: Kitchener Centre
Party Candidate Votes%∆%Expenditures
ConservativeStephen Woodworth 21,119 42.39 +5.70
LiberalKaren Redman 15,592 31.30 -4.64
New DemocraticPeter Thurley 10,742 21.56 +3.48 $38,822.94
GreenByron Williston 1,972 3.95 +1.06
IndependentAlan Rimmer 199 0.39 -0.08
CommunistMartin Suter 93 0.19 -0.09
Marxist–LeninistMark Corbiere 92 0.18 none listed
Total valid votes/Expense limit 49,809 100.00 $87,274.51
Total rejected ballots 209 0.42 +0.01
Turnout 50,018 63.13 +6.10
Eligible voters 79,232
Canadian federal election, 2008: Kitchener Centre
Party Candidate Votes%∆%Expenditures
ConservativeStephen Woodworth 16,480 36.69 +4.56 $75,291
LiberalKaren Redman 16,141 35.94 -7.32 $74,745
New DemocraticOz Cole-Arnal 8,152 18.08 -0.35 $26,622
GreenJohn Bithell 3,818 8.51 +2.89 $2,612
IndependentAmanda Lamka 215 0.47
CommunistMartin Suter 127 0.28 -0.26 $373
Total valid votes/Expense limit 44,933100.00$84,756
Total rejected ballots 183 0.41-0.05
Turnout 45,091 57.03 -7.67
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +5.94
Canadian federal election, 1988: Waterloo
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
Progressive ConservativeWalter McLean 26,949 45.11 –11.24
LiberalStephen Woodworth 21,715 36.35 +11.78
New DemocraticScott Piatkowski 10,418 17.44 –0.71
LibertarianRita Huschka-Sprague 663 1.11 +0.18
Total valid votes 59,745100.0  
Progressive Conservative hold Swing –11.51

References

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