Michael Kram

Michael Kram MP (born December 20, 1978) is a Canadian politician who was elected as a Conservative to represent the riding of Regina—Wascana in the House of Commons of Canada in the 2019 Canadian federal election.[2]

Michael Kram

MP
Kram in 2019
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Regina—Wascana
Assumed office
October 21, 2019
Preceded byRalph Goodale
Personal details
Born (1978-12-20) December 20, 1978
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Political partyConservative
ResidenceRegina, Saskatchewan[1]
Education

Early life and education

Kram grew up and still resides in south Regina, Saskatchewan. His parents are both retired teachers and his grandparents were farmers. He graduated from Dr. Martin LeBoldus High School in Regina.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in computer science and a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in economics. Both degrees are from the University of Regina. Kram also studied economics at Carleton University in Ottawa.[3]

In interviews, Kram has often noted that becoming a Member of Parliament had been his dream since he was in elementary school.[4]

Early career

Before being elected to public office, Kram worked for 20 years in the information technology sector, including a number of contract positions with the Department of National Defence. He worked for over 17 years as a programmer/analyst with Paradigm Consulting, a Regina-based IT consulting firm. During this time, he developed software solutions for a mix of private sector, federal and provincial entities.[3]

As a sideline, Kram worked as an extra and bit-part actor in a number of Canadian movies and TV shows, including Corner Gas: The Movie, Edge of War, A Dog Named Christmas and Crime Stories. His most extensive role was playing Detective Dominick Spinelli in the docu-drama series Crime Stories.[5]

Political career

Kram ran as the Conservative Party of Canada candidate in the constituency of Regina—Wascana in the 2015 Canadian federal election. He was defeated by incumbent long-time Liberal MP Ralph Goodale. While Kram was defeated by a margin of over 10,600 votes, his absolute vote was comparable to the results of Conservative candidates from the previous five elections. Conversely, the NDP and Green votes were lower than in previous elections, suggesting that the Liberal campaign had benefited from strategic voting.[6][7]

2019 federal election
Kram campaigning in Regina with Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer in the run-up to the 2019 election.

Kram ran again as the Conservative candidate for Regina—Wascana in the 2019 federal election. He defeated the incumbent Goodale by a margin of over 7,000 votes, capturing 49.3 per cent of the popular vote.[2]

Due to Goodale's long incumbency, Kram was widely predicted to lose throughout the campaign. On September 18, 2019, University of Regina political studies professor Jim Farney said, "I would guess that the race is going to be closer than it was last time, but that kind of name recognition — the 30 years of networking in public service — is probably going to see another Goodale victory," he said.[8]

On October 17, 2019, The Western Producer predicted that Goodale would hold onto his seat, as did The National.[9][10]

The Election Prediction Project maintained Goodale as their prediction throughout the campaign.[11]

On October 3, 2019, a Hill&Knowlton/ Advanced Symbolics Inc. artificial intelligence poll predicted a Goodale win, albeit by a reduced margin.[12]

Member of Parliament

Kram was sworn in as a Member of Parliament on November 12, 2019.

He was subsequently appointed to the Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade and named Deputy Critic for International Trade for the Conservative Opposition caucus.[3]

In September, 2020, incoming Conservative Party Leader Erin O'Toole switched Kram to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities. [13] Since his appointment to this committee, Kram has become vocal regarding pandemic assistance for airports, especially his local airport in Regina, Saskatchewan. [14][15][16]

Electoral record

Regina—Wascana
2019 Canadian federal election: Regina—Wascana
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
ConservativeMichael Kram22,41849.43+19.16$74,982.33
LiberalRalph Goodale15,24233.6-21.53$92,046.46
New DemocraticHailey Clark5,80112.79+0.24none listed
GreenTamela Friesen1,3162.9+0.84none listed
People'sMario Milanovski4500.99-none listed
IndependentEvangeline Godron1280.28-none listed
Total valid votes/Expense limit 45,355100.0
Total rejected ballots 344
Turnout 45,69976.28
Eligible voters 59,907
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +20.35
Source: Elections Canada[17][18][19]
2015 Canadian federal election: Regina—Wascana
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalRalph Goodale23,55255.13+13.37$96,786.47
ConservativeMichael Kram12,93130.27-5.44$89,000.81
New DemocraticApril Bourgeois5,36212.55-7.53$21,735.49
GreenFrances Simonson8782.06-0.4$4,601.01
Total valid votes/Expense limit 42,723100.0   $193,043.93
Total rejected ballots 176––
Turnout 42,88975.4–
Eligible voters 56,656
Liberal hold Swing +9.41
Source: Elections Canada[20][21][22]

References
  1. "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  2. "Canada election results: Regina Wascana". Global News. October 21, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  3. "CPC website".
  4. "Kram hopes a second run at Goodale gets him a victory".
  5. "IMDB page: Michael Kram".
  6. "Top 8 Federal Ridings to Watch".
  7. "Elections Canada Official Voting Results 2015 Regina Wascana".
  8. "Lone Sask. Liberal Ralph Goodale facing challenge to keep election streak alive".
  9. Briere, Karen (October 17, 2019). "Goodale brand expected to prevail in Sask". The Western Producer. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  10. "Mid-campaign regional analysis: the Prairies".
  11. "Regina Wascana 2019 Federal Election".
  12. "Regina Wascana, Saskatchewan".
  13. "Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities Committee". Michael Kram. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  14. "NAV Canada appears set to axe Regina's air traffic control tower service". leaderpost. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  15. Sigurdson, Josh. "Struggling YQR suffers another setback with loss of Flair Airlines". 620 CKRM The Source | Country Music, News, Sports in Sask. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  16. "Regina International Airport asks for federal money to help survive COVID-19 slowdown | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  17. "List of confirmed candidates". Elections Canada. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  18. "Election Night Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  19. "Candidate Campaign Returns". Elections Canada. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  20. Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for Regina—Wascana, 30 September 2015
  21. Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates
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