# David Tsubouchi

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/David_Tsubouchi
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/David_Tsubouchi.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Tsubouchi
> Source revision: 1349848758
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Canadian politician (born 1951)

The Honourable David Tsubouchi ECO Ontario MPP In office 1995–2003 Preceded by Don Cousens Succeeded by Tony Wong Constituency Markham Personal details Born (1951-08-20) August 20, 1951 (age 74) Toronto Party Progressive Conservative Occupation Lawyer Awards Knight of the Order of Saint Joachim

**David Hiroshi Tsubouchi** (坪内, *Tsubouchi*)[1] (born August 20, 1951) is a former [politician](/source/Politician) in [Ontario](/source/Ontario), Canada. He was a [Progressive Conservative](/source/Progressive_Conservative_Party_of_Ontario) member of the [Legislative Assembly of Ontario](/source/Legislative_Assembly_of_Ontario) from 1995 to 2003, and was a [cabinet minister](/source/Cabinet_minister) in the governments of [Mike Harris](/source/Mike_Harris) and [Ernie Eves](/source/Ernie_Eves). He was the [first Japanese Canadian elected](/source/List_of_electoral_firsts_in_Canada) to a provincial legislature.

## Background

Tsubouchi was born in Toronto, and grew up in [Scarborough](/source/Scarborough%2C_Ontario) in the [Agincourt](/source/Agincourt%2C_Toronto) area.[2] His parents were [Japanese Canadians, originally from British Columbia](/source/Japanese_Canadians_in_British_Columbia), who were [interned during World War II](/source/Internment_of_Japanese_Canadians). After their release they moved to Toronto.[3] He graduated from [Agincourt Collegiate Institute](/source/Agincourt_Collegiate_Institute) in 1968 and attended York University where he received a [Bachelor of Arts](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts) degree in 1972,[4] and a law degree from [Osgoode Hall Law School](/source/Osgoode_Hall_Law_School) in 1975. He was the senior partner in the firm of *Tsubouchi & Nichols* (formerly *Tsubouchi & Parker*) following his graduation.[5] Tsubouchi was also an Associate Director of the [Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre](/source/Noor_Cultural_Centre), and was a frequent contributor to the *[Law Gazette](/source/Law_Gazette)*. He received an [Air Canada](/source/Air_Canada) Heart of Gold award in 1988, and was granted a coat-of-arms from the Canadian [Governor-General](/source/Governor-General)'s office in 1993. Tsubouchi has a younger brother and sister. His father was killed in a hit and run accident in 2005.[3]

Tsubouchi worked briefly as an actor. He had a minor role as a Japanese salesman in [David Cronenberg](/source/David_Cronenberg)'s *[Videodrome](/source/Videodrome)* in 1983,[6] and episodes of [John Byner](/source/John_Byner)'s *[Bizarre](/source/Bizarre_(TV_series))* and *[SCTV](/source/Second_City_Television)*.[7][8]

## Politics

### Municipal councillor

Tsubouchi was elected as a city councillor in ward 5 in [Markham](/source/Markham%2C_Ontario) and served from 1988 to 1994.[3][5]

### Provincial politics

In the [provincial election of 1995](/source/1995_Ontario_general_election), he ran as the [Progressive Conservative](/source/Progressive_Conservative_Party_of_Ontario) candidate in the provincial riding of [Markham](/source/Markham_(provincial_electoral_district)), defeating his nearest opponent by 26,544 votes.[9] The Tories won a majority government in the election and Tsubouchi was appointed as [Minister of Community and Social Services](/source/Ontario_Minister_of_Community_and_Social_Services) in the government of [Mike Harris](/source/Mike_Harris) on June 26, 1995.[10]

In this portfolio, Tsubouchi was responsible for presiding over drastic cuts in the province's [welfare](/source/Welfare_(financial_aid)) system. He also made a number of controversial actions early in his ministry, including suggesting that welfare recipients who had their funding reduced should consider haggling down the price of dented cans of [tuna](/source/Tuna) to 69 cents each.[11] He also claimed that single mothers on welfare had ample time to find jobs, after having given a three-month warning for a 22% cut in benefits.

Later, he prepared a sample menu which listed affordable food purchases for those whose welfare rates had been reduced. His list was found to have less nutritional value than the diet served to prisoners in Ontario jails. There were several calls for his resignation in the wake of these comments; even the right-leaning *[Toronto Sun](/source/Toronto_Sun)* newspaper suggested that he should be removed.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] He remained with the portfolio until August 16, 1996, when he was named [Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations](/source/Ontario_Minister_of_Consumer_and_Commercial_Relations).[12]

Notwithstanding his handling of the Social Services portfolio, Tsubouchi was regarded in some circles as one of the more progressively-minded ministers in the Harris government. He supported the centre-right [Progressive Conservative Party of Canada](/source/Progressive_Conservative_Party_of_Canada) rather than the right-wing [Reform Party](/source/Reform_Party_of_Canada) at the federal level, and in 2000 was the only member of the Progressive Conservative caucus to openly support [Joe Clark](/source/Joe_Clark) for the federal party's leadership. He was also credited by some for at least making an effort to cushion the blow of his government's welfare cuts. Nonetheless, the legacy of his department's cutbacks would follow Tsubouchi for the rest of his career, and make him a frequent target of social activists opposed to the Harris government.

Tsubouchi's tenure as Consumer and Commercial Relations Minister was comparatively uneventful. He was easily re-elected in the [provincial election of 1999](/source/1999_Ontario_general_election), defeating [Liberal](/source/Ontario_Liberal_Party) [Steven Kirsch](/source/Steven_Kirsch) by just over 13,000 votes.[13]

On June 17, 1999, he was appointed as the province's [Solicitor-General](/source/Solicitor_General_of_Ontario).[14] He held this position until a cabinet shuffle on February 8, 2001, when he was named [Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet](/source/Ontario_Chair_of_the_Management_Board_of_Cabinet).[15]

Tsubouchi supported [Ernie Eves](/source/Ernie_Eves)'s successful bid to replace Mike Harris as party leader in 2002. Eves retained him as chair of the Management Board, and also named him as Ontario's [Minister of Culture](/source/Ontario_Minister_of_Culture) on April 15, 2002.[16]

In the [provincial election of 2003](/source/2003_Ontario_general_election), Tsubouchi was upset by Liberal candidate [Tony Wong](/source/Tony_Wong_(Canadian_politician)), losing by about 6,000 votes.[17] In 2004, he supported [John Tory](/source/John_Tory)'s successful bid to replace Eves as party leader.

### Cabinet positions

Eves ministry, Province of Ontario (2002–2003) Cabinet post (1) Predecessor Office Successor Tim Hudak Minister of Culture 2002–2003 Madeleine Meilleur Harris ministry, Province of Ontario (1995–2002) Cabinet posts (4) Predecessor Office Successor Chris Hodgson Management Board Chair 2001–2003 Gerry Phillips Bob Runciman Solicitor General 1999–2001 David Turnbull Norm Sterling Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations 1996–1999 Bob Runciman Tony Silipo Minister of Community and Social Services 1995–1996 Janet Ecker

## After politics

He worked as associate counsel at the law firm [Miller Thomson LLP](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Miller_Thomson_LLP&action=edit&redlink=1), and is currently the founder and chairman of Deduce International Markets Inc.[18] In 2007, he was invested as a Knight in The Equestrian, Secular and Chapterial [Order of Saint Joachim](/source/Order_of_Saint_Joachim) in Toronto.

In recent years, Tsubouchi has worked as a partner at the law firm Fogler, Rubinoff LLP. On June 1, 2013 he published *Gambatte: Generations Of Perseverance And Politics, A Memoir*, a memoir of his career.[19] He has been appointed to head [Ontario College of Trades](/source/Ontario_College_of_Trades) starting on September 9, 2013.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (9 January 2009). ["2008: A Year of Growth & Activity"](https://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/201/300/japanese_cdn_cultural/2009/dec08jan09.pdf?nodisclaimer=1) (PDF). p. 19.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Brennan, Richard; Ibbitson, John (27 June 1995). "Harris, cabinet vow 'significant change'". *The Windsor Star*. p. A1.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-overcome_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-overcome_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-overcome_3-2) Simone, Joseph (10 June 2006). "Ex-cabinet minister has had lifetime of overcoming". *Era - Banner*. p. 01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["David Tsubouchi"](http://www.yorku.ca/univsec/board/biography/tsubouchi.htm). *York University*. Retrieved 12 January 2011.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-yu_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-yu_5-1) ["Ivan Fecan, John Tory, David Tsubouchi, Steve Mirkopoulos to receive York University alumni recognition awards"](http://news.yorku.ca/2003/04/28/ivan-fecan-john-tory-david-tsubouchi-steve-mirkopoulos-to-receive-york-university-alumni-recognition-awards/). *York University*. 28 April 2003. Retrieved 12 January 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["David Tsubouchi - IMDb"](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0875205/). *[IMDb](/source/IMDb)*. Retrieved 11 November 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Bizarre (TV Series 1980–1985) - IMDb"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080200/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1). *[IMDb](/source/IMDb)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["SCTV (TV Series 1976–1981) - IMDb"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075578/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1). *[IMDb](/source/IMDb)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1995_results_9-0)** ["Summary of Valid Ballots by Candidate"](http://results.elections.on.ca/results/1995_results/valid_votes.jsp?e_code=36&rec=0&district=markham&flag=E&layout=G). Elections Ontario. 8 June 1995. Retrieved 2 March 2014.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1995HarrisCab_10-0)** "Mike Harris' cabinet". *The Spectator*. Hamilton, Ont. 27 June 1995. p. A7.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["'Tsubouchi diet' causes uproar"](http://www.cbc.ca/archives/entry/1995-tsubouchi-diet-causes-uproar-in-ontario). *CBC News*. 20 October 1995. Retrieved 12 January 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1996HarrisCab_12-0)** Walker, William (16 August 1996). "Tsubouchi demoted in Harris shuffle". *Toronto Star*. p. A1.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1999_results_13-0)** ["Summary of Valid Ballots by Candidate"](http://results.elections.on.ca/results/1999_results/valid_votes.jsp?e_code=37&rec=0&district=markham&flag=E&layout=G). Elections Ontario. 3 June 1999. Retrieved 2 March 2014.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1999HarrisCab_14-0)** "Ontario Cabinet". *The Spectator*. Hamilton, Ont. 18 June 1999. p. C8.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2001HarrisCab_15-0)** "Flaherty to be new Ontario finance chief". *Sudbury Star*. 8 February 2001. p. A5.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2002EvesCabinet_16-0)** "Ont-Cabinet". Toronto, Ont: Canadian Press NewsWire. 15 April 2002.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2003_results_17-0)** ["Summary of Valid Ballots by Candidate"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150402140237/http://results.elections.on.ca/results/2003_results/valid_votes.jsp?e_code=38&rec=0&district=markham&flag=E&layout=G). Elections Ontario. 2 October 2003. Archived from [the original](http://results.elections.on.ca/results/2003_results/valid_votes.jsp?e_code=38&rec=0&district=markham&flag=E&layout=G) on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Board Members"](http://www.senecac.on.ca/about/governance/boardmembers.html). *Seneca College - Toronto, Ontario, Canada*. Retrieved 12 January 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-openbook_19-0)** ["The Word on the Street Interview Series: David Tsubouchi"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230931/http://www.openbooktoronto.com/news/word_street_interview_series_david_tsubouchi). Open Book Toronto. 19 September 2013. Archived from [the original](http://www.openbooktoronto.com/news/word_street_interview_series_david_tsubouchi) on 3 March 2016.

## External links

- [Ontario Legislative Assembly parliamentary history](https://www.ola.org/en/members/all/david-h-tsubouchi)

- [David Tsubouchi](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0875205/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

v t e Cabinet of Premier of Ontario Mike Harris (1995–2002) Mike Harris John Baird Isabel Bassett Brad Clark Tony Clement Brian Coburn Dianne Cunningham Janet Ecker Brenda Elliott Ernie Eves Jim Flaherty Steve Gilchrist Ernie Hardeman Charles Harnick Chris Hodgson Tim Hudak Cam Jackson Helen Johns David Johnson Frank Klees Al Leach Margaret Marland Marilyn Mushinski Dan Newman Al Palladini Bob Runciman Rob Sampson Bill Saunderson John Snobelen Norm Sterling Gary Stewart Chris Stockwell David Tsubouchi David Turnbull Noble Villeneuve Jim Wilson Elizabeth Witmer David Young

v t e Cabinet of Premier of Ontario Ernie Eves (2002–2003) Ernie Eves John Baird Brad Clark Tony Clement Brian Coburn Dianne Cunningham Carl DeFaria Janet Ecker Brenda Elliott Jim Flaherty Doug Galt Ernie Hardeman Chris Hodgson Tim Hudak Cam Jackson Helen Johns Frank Klees Tina Molinari Dan Newman Jerry Ouellette Bob Runciman Norm Sterling Chris Stockwell David Tsubouchi David Turnbull Jim Wilson Elizabeth Witmer David Young

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [David Tsubouchi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Tsubouchi) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Tsubouchi?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.