David de Burgh Graham

David de Burgh Graham (born July 29, 1981) is a Canadian politician who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the riding of Laurentides—Labelle from 2015 until his defeat in the 2019 federal election. A member of the Liberal Party of Canada, he is also an important player in the free software movement.[1]

David Graham
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Laurentides—Labelle
In office
October 19, 2015 – September 11, 2019
Preceded byMarc-André Morin
Succeeded byMarie-Hélène Gaudreau
Personal details
Born (1981-07-29) July 29, 1981
Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec, Canada
NationalityCanadian
Political partyLiberal
Websitedgraham.liberal.ca

Early life

Graham was born on July 29, 1981,[2] and grew up in the Laurentides region. His great-grandfather was Hirsch Wolofsky, the founder of Keneder Adler (Canadian Eagle), a Yiddish-language newspaper in Montreal.[3] He is the great-great-nephew of Leon Crestohl,[2] who served as the MP for Cartier from 1950 until his death in 1963.[4] Judaism played an important part in his life. Graham attended Hebrew School as a child, and now considers himself a Reconstructionist Jew.[3]

Free Software Movement

At 18 years of age, Graham was an editor for the web sites of the FLOSS community DevChannel.org, freshmeat.net and later the news sites Newsforge.com and Linux.com controlled by the predecessors of Geeknet. He is co-founder[5] of the Open and Free Technology Community in late 2001 when OpenProjects.net split into OFTC and Freenode[6] where he was elected to four terms as president,[7] and remains as honorary adviser. In 2002, OFTC joined Software in the Public Interest and Graham was elected to the Board of Directors in January 2004.[8][9]

Trainspotter

Graham is a noted railfan,[10][11] whose photos have appeared in several publications.[12][13] He is recognized as an expert in rail transportation and public transit[14][15][16][17][18] and the Guelph Mercury newspaper named him among the "Top 40 Under 40" for his work in public transit.[19]

Political career

Prior to his election, Graham worked as a political assistant for Liberal MP Scott Simms.[20] In October 2015, he was elected to Parliament for the riding of Laurentides—Labelle.[21]

As an MP, Graham was quick to start talking about Open Source Software in an official capacity.[22] As a long-time Linux user, Graham was able to advocate for use of free software in government.[23]

Serving a rural riding, it was particularly important for Graham to promote High-Speed Internet.[24] Graham is very aware of the importance of high-speed internet in supporting any digital first agenda for this country. Graham has been a leader in promoting Rural Digital Infrastructure, including basic cell phone access which is missing from much of Canada.[25] He has also promoted co-operatives as a viable solution for rural broadband.[26][27]

Graham was the first MP to use several references in Canada's Hansard including grok,[28] linux,[29] and Electronic Frontier Foundation.[30]

As a Science Fiction fan Graham was the first to talk about Arthur Dent and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in the House of Commons.[31] He also demonstrated a sense of humour with an April Fools joke discussing the petition to sell Montana to Canada for $1 trillion.[32]

References
  1. Rouleau, Yves (2014-09-24). "David Graham sera le candidat Libéral dans Laurentides--Labelle". L'information du nord. Transcontinental. Archived from the original on 30 January 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  2. "PARLINFO - Parliamentarian File - Complete File - GRAHAM, David". Library of Parliament. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  3. Lungren, Paul. "SIX JEWISH MPS HEAD TO OTTAWA". Canadian Jewish News. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  4. "PARLINFO - Parliamentarian File - Federal Experience - CRESTOHL, Leon David, Q.C., B.C.L." Library of Parliament. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  5. Bruce Byfield (18 March 2009). "Linux Syndicate Launches Linux Magazine". Linux Magazine. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  6. "Linux.com :: Freenode and OFTC IRC networks buddy up". Linux.com. 22 May 2007. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  7. Matt Black, Thomas Bliesener and Martin 'Joey' Schulze. (2002). "Debian Weekly News — December 17, 2002". Debian Weekly News. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  8. "election results 2004". Software in the Public Interest. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  9. "2008 board election". Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  10. Moore, Oliver (4 September 2008). "An Iron Road Across The Permafrost". The Globe et Mail. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  11. He is also an advocate for public transit. Particularly rail transportation. What's That About? (Season 2, episode 9 ) The Trainyard. The Knowledge Network. 2007. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  12. Carr, Ken (2008-02-18). Route 66: The Class 66 Story. Visions International Entertainment Ltd. p. 100. ISBN 978-0955826405.
  13. Graham, David. "the world of trains". railfan.ca. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  14. O'Reilly, Nicole (2 December 2008). "GO Transit may get going via VIA Rail". Guelph Mercury. p. A4.
  15. Hallett, Doug (7 March 2008). "Residents United in Retail Fight". Guelph Tribune.
  16. Konieczna, Magda (7 March 2008). "GO junction proposed for Lafarge site". Guelph Mercury.
  17. Thompson, Laura (24 September 2008). "Trains may stop in Guelph by 2011". Guelph Mercury.
  18. Andrews, Phil (25 September 2008). "Getting on board with GO trains". Guelph Mercury.
  19. "David Graham". Guelph Mercury. 27 June 2008. p. E5.
  20. "Biography - David Graham - Your member of parliament for Laurentides—Labelle". davidgraham.ca.
  21. Busque, Eric (20 October 2015). "Élections fédérales 2015: Majorité de 1 475 votes pour Graham". Archived from the original on 25 October 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  22. "Free Software Supporter and Canadian MP David Graham Talks OSS In Government".
  23. "Youtube video of Graham questioning Shared Services Canada 2016-03-10 OGGO". youtube.com.
  24. "House of Commons Debate from June 17th, 2019". openparliament.ca.
  25. "House of Commons Debate from February 20th, 2019".
  26. "Canada's House of Commons Debates of May 22nd, 2018". openparliament.ca.
  27. "Canada's House of Commons Industry Committee on May 16th, 2019". openparliament.ca.
  28. "OpenParliament Search for the grok".
  29. "OpenParliament Search for the Linux".
  30. "OpenParliament Search for the EFF".
  31. "Canada's House of Commons Debates of May 11th, 2016". openparliament.ca.
  32. "Canada's House of Commons Debates of May 11th, 2016". openparliament.ca.
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