John Brassard is the first MP of the new Electoral District of Barrie-Innisfil and is currently the Chair of the Access to Information, Privacy, and Ethics Committee. Previously he served as the Deputy Opposition Whip in Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition as well as a Barrie City Councillor. John was elected to Parliament in October 2015 and has had the honour of representing Barrie Innisfil residents as their Member of Parliament for 9 years. 

Beforehand John served as a firefighter with the City of York (now Toronto) and the City of Markham for over 30 years. During that time, he developed a great deal of expertise in labour relations through his service as an Executive Member of the Markham Professional Firefighters Association, including a three-year term as its President.

John also has a background in business as a co-owner of a successful sports marketing company; a venture he founded with his father. John has been happily married to his wife Liane for over thirty years. They have four children—Jeff, Courtney, Matt, and Mitch. The Brassards are a sports family and are never too far from a hockey rink or golf course.

During his time on Barrie’s City Council John was well-known for his wide-ranging constituency work and community involvement. He also served as chairperson on several committees, including Community Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure, Development Services, and Transit.

Interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose appointed the newly elected Brassard as the critic for Urban Affairs in November 2015. Less than a year later in October of 2016, Ms. Ambrose promoted the Barrie-Innisfil MP to the Conservative Shadow Cabinet as the Official Opposition Critic for Veterans Affairs.

On August 30, 2017, MP Brassard joined the House Leadership Team when Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer appointed him as Deputy Opposition Whip. John Brassard understands the issues and challenges that confront communities across our country. John served in this role until September 2020 and was then appointed as Shadow Minister for Ethics.  

In February 2022, MP Brassard was appointed Conservative Leader in the House of Commons on an interim basis by Candice Bergen and after Pierre Poilievre was chosen as Leader, he appointed MP Brassard as Chair of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy, and Ethics.

John has represented both Barrie and now Barrie-Innisfil for 18 years first as a City Councillor and now Member of Parliament.  He is a tireless community-minded representative who works hard for the people he represents.  He is very proud to call Barrie-Innisfil home and is a fiercely proud Canadian.