Listen to BlackburnNews.com's Adelle Loiselle for Five Questions With Dave Van Kesteren.
[audio wav="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/FIVE-QUESTIONS-WITH-DAVE-VAN-KESTEREN-CON-CKL.wav"][/audio] --- Dave Van Kesteren was elected as the Member of Parliament for Chatham-Kent-Essex in January 2006 as a Conservative, led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. His election to office in 2006 marked the first time in 17 years that Chatham-Kent-Essex had elected a Conservative Member of Parliament.
Prior to becoming the MP for Chatham-Kent-Essex, Dave worked in the auto industry. In 1985, Dave opened his first auto body shop, later running his own used car business and then becoming a Hyundai dealer in 1996. Born in Chatham to Dutch parents who immigrated to Canada in the early 1950`s, he is the fifth child of ten children. Strong proponents of family values, Dave and his wife, Faye, have celebrated¬ 35+ years of marriage and have eight adult children, and have been blessed with many grandchildren.
He is an active member on numerous Parliamentary Associations and Interparliamentary Groups. Specifically, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Canada-United States Interparliamentary Group, Canada-United Kingdom Interparliamentary Association, Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group, Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group, Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association, Canada-China Legislative Association, Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association, and Canada-Taiwan Friendship Group.
Dave hopes to have the privilege of representing the people and their interests of the new Chatham-Kent--Leamington at the Federal level. He is very proud of the riding and has worked hard to keep Canada a strong and prosperous nation, not only for our generation but for those generations to come. --- Interesting riding facts:
- Riding was known as Kent-Essex in 1996, then Chatham-Kent-Essex in 1998 and now Chatham-Kent-Leamington
- Liberals secured the riding from 1997-2006, but Conservative Dave Van Kesteren has held the seat since then
- Riding includes Chatham-Kent south of the Thames River, Leamington and the Indian Reserve of Moravian 47
