David Collenette was first elected in the York East riding of Toronto to the House of Commons on 8 July 1974, in the Pierre Trudeau government and returned to Parliament in 1993 representing Don Valley East.
19 Facts About David Collenette
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David Collenette served in the Cabinet under three prime ministers - Pierre Trudeau, John Turner, and Jean Chretien.
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David Collenette was one of only three cabinet members to endorse Jean Chretien in the 1984 Liberal Party of Canada leadership election, along with Charles Caccia and Romeo LeBlanc.
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In October 1996, David Collenette resigned from cabinet citing a letter that he had written on behalf of a constituent.
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An access to information request revealed David Collenette broke ethical guidelines by writing the letter to the Immigration and Refugee Board.
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David Collenette cited this violation as his official reason for resigning from cabinet but his resignation served to remove him from the ongoing Somalia Affair controversy.
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David Collenette successfully argued in the late 1990s for the first substantial increase in funding for Via Rail since cuts in 1981,1990 and 1994.
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David Collenette acted swiftly and shut down Canadian airspace in order to take in diverted US-bound international flights, launching Transport Canada's Operation Yellow Ribbon.
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David Collenette initiated the second tranche of GTA infrastructure funding for $1 billion towards major GO Transit improvements, including the reopening of CN Bradford to Barrie line.
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Mr David Collenette promoted the concept of a rail link between Pearson Airport and downtown Toronto and under his leadership, planning, acquisition of property and a Solicitation of Interest the project was implemented.
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David Collenette designated the Oak Ridges Moraine portion of the Pickering Airport lands administered by Transport Canada, as open greenspace in perpetuity.
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David Collenette initially planned to stay on as a backbench MP, however he was then informed that his riding nomination would not be guaranteed.
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On 29 January 2004, David Collenette announced his retirement from politics and went on to work in academia and as a consultant in the private sector.
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David Collenette is a member of the board of directors of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and of Harbourfront Corporation in Toronto.
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David Collenette is a past member of the board at Toronto East General Hospital Foundation Campaign Executive Team and of the Glendon School of Public and International Affairs.
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David Collenette currently serves as Chair of the NATO Association of Canada.
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David Collenette served as the Government of Ontario Special Advisor for High-Speed Rail in the Windsor - Toronto corridor, from 2015 to 2018.
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David Collenette's report suggested one to two new interprovincial bridge crossings between Gatineau and Ottawa over the next 30 years.
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David Collenette was selected to be the Liberal candidate in the riding of Ottawa Centre for the 40th Canadian federal election but lost to incumbent NDP MP Paul Dewar.