Neil Drabkin marks 25 dynamic years in politics

By Mike Cohen

Twenty five years ago, Neil Drabkin volunteered on his very first political campaign. It was August of 1984 and a federal election was on the horizon. Drabkin decided to become a Conservative and give a hand to Gerry Weiner, who was running for Parliament. The Tories ended up winning and so did Weiner. It would be the first of many campaigns in which Drabkin would be involved.

Drabkin is a lawyer who has an honours degree in Political Science and two law degrees from McGill University. After graduating in 1988, he went to Ottawa to serve as senior policy advisor and later deputy chief of staff to Weiner, who was Minister of Muticulturalism and Citizenship. During his time with Weiner, Drabkin distinguished himself by his political intuition and keen legal skills, assisting with the drafting of the Multiculturalism Act, the first of its kind in the world. Drabkin also worked on the Citizenship Act and was instrumental in initiating the first case to denaturalize a Nazi war criminal in Canada when Jacob Luijens was stripped of his citizenship. Weiner, speaking of his former aide, referred to him as “politically astute.” Weiner said, “as a young lawyer at the time, he was someone upon whom I relied for invaluable legal advice. I knew that his time with me in Ottawa was the beginning of a successful career.”

In 1993, Drabkin would find out for the first time what it meant to be a candidate. That was the year he ran for the Conservatives against Sheila Finestone in the Liberal stronghold of Mount Royal at the invitation of then riding association president, Gerry Weinstein. “While I knew my chances were not good, I never anticipated the devastation that would be thrust upon the party,” he said,  referring to the trouncing the Tories were subjected to in that election. “Nevertheless, I was asked to run and I responded and found the experience exhilarating.”

After the Tories lost power in 1993, Drabkin was appointed a Federal Prosecutor with the Justice Department for a one-year term before going on to establish what would become a very successful immigration practice, a natural spinoff from his days with Weiner. As an immigration lawyer, Drabkin was routinely called upon by the media for commentary and was a regular guest on CJAD and Global Television. One of his most high profile cases was the deportation proceeding against former Canadian heavyweight champion Trevor Berbick. Despite the odds being against him, Drabkin skillfully managed to have the removal order against Berbick suspended, a feat that to this day agent to the stars Cookie Lazarus praises him for.

While building his successful law career and hosting a radio show on CIQC (the successor of Canada’s first radio station, CFCF), Drabkin stayed very active in the Conservative Party. He was consistently on the executive of his local riding association in Dollard and then, Pierrefonds-Dollard. In addition, he served as policy director of the Quebec Youth Wing of the party.

In 1997, Drabkin would once again answer to the call and run as the Conservative candidate in Weiner’s old riding of Pierrefonds-Dollard. In the election, he would displace the Bloc as the second place candidate to the Liberal incumbent Bernard Patry and earn the respect of then Tory leader and current Quebec Premier Jean Charest.

With the coming of Stockwell Day as the leader of the Canadian Alliance and Drabkin’s profound respect for him, Drabkin became a member of his newly created political formation and accepted to be his candidate in the 2000 election, once again in the riding of Pierrefonds-Dollard. However, with the Conservative vote split, Drabkin’s fate was predictable.
Although he sat out the 2004 election, Drabkin was summoned once again in the 2006 election campaign to run as the Conservative candidate under the leadership of Stephen Harper in the riding of Mount Royal against his former law professor, Irwin Cotler. “With the Conservative right finally united and the conviction of Stephen Harper to lead our party to victory, I once again accepted to run,” Drabkin said.

Despite Cotler’s and the Liberals’ entrenchment in the riding, Drabkin did manage to double Tory support in Mount Royal and under Harper, the Conservatives took power for the first time in 13 years. “It was great to come out of the political wilderness and see my party return to power after so many years,” said Drabkin. “It gave me great pride to be a part of this process.”

Without any intention to make a return to work in Ottawa, Drabkin resumed his law practice in Montreal. However, given his political experience and time served in Ottawa, it would not take long for Ottawa to come calling. In fact, Drabkin came highly recommended to the newly appointed Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Stockwell Day, who called upon him to serve as his chief of staff. “I’ve always had enormous respect for Stockwell Day,” said Drabkin. “Given my respect for him and the compelling nature of the department, he was appointed to head in the post 9/11 era, I decided to accept the challenge and put my law practice on hold.”

Ironically, his political opponent, Irwin Cotler, became critic to Drabkin’s new department.

As his chief of staff, Drabkin worked with Day on matters of national security with Day having ultimate responsibility for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Canadian Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS), Canada Border Services Agency, National Parole Board, and Corrections Canada. Although a heavy burden to bear, Drabkin handled the job with a high degree of competence at a time when the Toronto 18 and British Air terror plots were uncovered, supporting Day to become one of the most respected ministers in the Harper government.

With the re-election of the Tories in October of last year,  Day was made Minister of International Trade and with him to the portfolio went Drabkin to continue as his chief of staff. In the department of International Trade, Drabkin supports Day in helping him to open up international markets to Canadian business. “Canada is an exporting nation and during this economic crisis, guarding against protectionism and opening up markets are absolutely critical.” Drabkin said.

Drabkin also assists Day in his role as chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Afghanistan. In fact, he has travelled to the war zone on two occasions with Day to get an up close and personal view of the work our soldiers are performing. “Our troops have made a tremendous difference in Afghanistan,” said Drabkin. “It makes you truly proud to be Canadian when you see first hand the contribution they have made.”

Over the years, Drabkin has earned the recognition and respect of the community for the work he performed with Weiner, his work as a lawyer in helping to bring people from the four corners of the world to Canada, his steadfast dedication to conservative principles and the work he now performs in Ottawa.

Among the communities that hold him in high esteem is his own Jewish community. Rabbi Mordechai Zeitz of Congregation Beth Tikvah in Dollard Des Ormeauz said, “I have always admired Neil’s growth as an astute lawyer who is at the same time ‘one with the ordinary people.’ He has never forgotten his humble roots and the opportunities of growth afforded to him and he is a wonderful example of our potential if and when we tap into it.”

Such sentiments are echoed by Rabbi Reuben  J. Poupko of Congregation Beth Israel Beth Aaron in Côte St. Luc. “Our community is extremely proud of the contribution Neil has made and the extent to which he has always been there to assist,” he says. “Although he was not elected to office, we feel he very much represents us in Ottawa.”

B’nai B’rith Canada Executive Vice President Frank Dimant, Canadian Jewish Congress Chief Executive Officer Bernie Farber and Canada-Israel Committee Executive Director Shimon Fogel are united in their praise of Drabkin.

“Neil has been an important player within the Conservative ranks for over 20 years,” says Fogel. “From the CIC’s perspective, he has been a source of sound and helpful advice. In many ways, he is the ideal role model of the successful integration of a dynamic Jewish identity twinned with complete engagement within the Canadian political process.”

Frank Dimant, Executive Vice-President of B’nai Brith Canada says “Neil Drabkin is first and foremost a dedicated concerned Canadian who is a man of principle and as such he  certainly fits well into the government of the day. It has been an absolute pleasure knowing him and having had the opportunity of working with him during his tenure in office in Ottawa and  and for years before that time. All Canadians are well served by such exemplary human beings  who take on leadership our country.”

For 25 years, Drabkin has been a staunch conservative during good times and bad. His dedication to the Tory cause has been consistent and unwavering. Perhaps his commitment can best be summed up by CJAD talk show host Tommy Schnurmacher. “Neil’s smart, fast and as loyal as the day is long,” he says. “Neil saw the conservative light well before it was fashionable to be conservative and has never strayed from his conviction and principles. For this, he has earned the respect of his community.”