- First elected Member of Parliament for Windsor—Tecumseh (previously Windsor-St. Clair) in 2000, re-elected in 2004, 2006,2008 and 2011.
- Began his sustained involvement in the environmental movement as a law student, working with Pollution Probe and the Canadian Environmental Law Association, and served in a leadership capacity well as a wide array of voluntary organizations dedicated to social housing, pension protection, womens' emancipation and civil rights.
- First Chairperson of the Children’s Services Committee of the City of Windsor; also served on the City of Windsor’s Emergency and Health Services Inquiry Commission
- In recognition of his commitment to the community and dedicated service to working families, was named an honourary member of the CAW Local 444, the largest private sector union local in Canada.
- In recognition of his work for wildlands and wildlife, named “Rookie MP of the Year” in 2001 by Wild Canada.
- Recognized by fellow MPs from all parties three times in the Macleans'/Dominion Institute Awards as Canada's Most Knowledgeable Parliamentarian.
- Led or participated in several public diplomacy initiatives to improve relations between the citizens and legislatures of Canada and countless international partners, including Canada-Poland, Canada-Sri Lanka, Canada-Ireland, Canada-France, Canada-Cuba, Canada-Turkey and, of course, our closest bilateral trading partner and ally, the United States of America.
- In recognition of his sustained service to the Windsor/Essex and broader Polish-Canadian community, was awarded a national honour by the Canadian Polish Congress in Toronto. Has been similarly honoured by the Lebanese, Arabic, Rwandan and Armenian communities for his tireless work in furtherance of diversity, tolerance and inter-cultural dialogue.
- Stood with the expatriate Libyan community in their fight against the Gaddafi regime from the earliest days, working to ensure tough sanctions and eventual military intervention didn't deter the provision of vigorous humanitarian aid to the civilian population.
- Ranks among the most senior members of Parliament's Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, having worked for years to both get tough on the most dangerous offenders while ensuring that restitution, judicial discretion and rehabilitation - especially for at-risk youth - remain core principles of Canadian justice. Worked tirelessly to mitigate the worst, most extreme elements of a heavily politicized Tory justice agenda while helping crack down on gang crime, sexual exploitation of children, and offences involving firearms.
- Aggressively pursued legislative solutions directly relevant to Windsor-Tecumseh families, advancing Private Members' Bills or advocating aggressively for single-event sports betting at Caesar's, relaxed visa restrictions for Polish-Canadians and other dual citizens, enhanced family reunification, U Windsor's celebrated Centre for Automotive Engineering Innovation, and elimination of double-taxation on Canada/USA mixed pensions.
- Mounted a widely-celebrated 2008 campaign for Speaker of the House of Commons which drew national attention to the need for greater decorum, respect and civility in Parliament.
- Founder and Co-Chair of the non-partisan Parliamentary Committee on Palliative and Compassionate Care, which has worked cooperatively with health professionals and practitioners across the nation to ensure timely access to quality end of life care for all Canadians, and alleviate the suffering of Canadians with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
- Married to Maureen for 35 years; they proudly raised three children in Windsor, and have been blessed since 2008 by the arrival their first four grand-children, Spencer, Isabella, Grayden and Connor.
