John Weston is an international lawyer, businessman and government relations specialist. He is seeking nomination by the Conservative Party in the riding he previously served. He has spent much of his life in relevant nation-building exercises, launching the Canadian Constitution Foundation in 2003; serving as MP; and founding the Canadian Health and Fitness Institute in 2018, whose goal is to “Make Canada the Fittest Nation on Earth by 2030.” 

Previous Service as MP. He served as the MP for West Vancouver – Sunshine Coast – Sea to Sky Country from 2008-2015, representing the large and diverse riding which he aims to serve again, the place he calls the “Most Beautiful Place on Earth”.  Having gained experience in many cultures and countries, he was during his previous time in office named the first ever Government Liaison to the Iranian and Persian Community in Canada.  He was also during that time Co-Chair of the Conservative Party Caucus’s Community Relations Committee.

He was recognized as one of the hardest working MPs serving in the House of Commons during his tenure and for keeping an eye on the taxpayer’s dollar.

In his previous term as MP, John successfully passed a private member’s bill, Tackling Crystal Meth, and launched another bill to create National Health and Fitness Day, which was eventually passed after being reintroduced by Senator Nancy Greene Raine. Others of his initiatives found their way into legislation and policy, such as a campaign to deal with abandoned vessels; work to improve the Registered Retirement Savings Fund for seniors; support for the Pacific Salmon Foundation and DFO’s Research Laboratory in West Vancouver; and support for people in recovery from addictions.  

Languages and Communications. John is skilled at communicating, not only in English, but also in French and Mandarin.  He is a skilled public speaker and has published numerous articles on matters of government, law, human rights, and constitutional affairs.  His book On! Achieving Excellence in Leadership was in 2020 translated into Chinese and published in China.

You can find John on all social media platforms.

International Experience. working with governments around the world.  A proud Canadian, John’s international perspective was initially moulded in the classroom, starting with a degree in International Relations from Harvard University.  Also, he has degrees and diplomas from schools in Canada, Europe and Asia.

Education. John studied International Relations at Harvard and Law at Osgoode Hall; he also learned languages in Switzerland, Poland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. 

Legal Career. He has run successful law firms in Taiwan and Vancouver, and is a member of the bars of B.C. and New York, and of the Law Society of England & Wales. Today he practises in areas of Government Relations, Indigenous Affairs and, with fellow members of the Critical Risk Team, in assisting Canadians wrongfully detained abroad.

Human Rights and Constitutional Law. In addition to his career in international law, John has a solid foundation in constitutional law. During repatriation of Canada’s Constitution, John worked as a summer student in the Constitutional Affairs Departments of the Governments of BC (1979,1980,1981) and Quebec (1982). In 2002, John joined with others concerned about individual rights to found the Canadian Constitution Foundation. 

John is a passionate advocate for human rights and has spoken in the House, at home, and abroad to urge action against oppression. With a long background of community service that predates his work as parliamentarian, John chaired Canadian Food for the Hungry International and, in West Vancouver, coached soccer and helped lead Beavers and Cubs.

Family and Personal Life. John and his active family – wife, Donna, and children, Shane, Jake, and Meimei – enjoy a wide range of sports. Among other things, he ran the Boston Marathon in 2020 – virtually, by completing the distance in Ottawa! and has cycled the epic “Gran Fondo” bike race from Vancouver to Whistler on several occasions. His advocacy for national health and fitness comes naturally!