Art Hanger - Definition and Overview

Art Hanger (born February 19, 1943 in Three Hills, Alberta) is a Canadian politician.

Hanger is currently a member of the Conservative Party of Canada in the Canadian House of Commons, representing the riding of Calgary Northeast since 1993. He has also been a member of the Reform Party of Canada (1993-2000), and the Canadian Alliance (2000-2003). Hanger is a former police officer. He arose great controversy in 1996 when he proposed travelling to Singapore to investigate their use of corporal punishment in deterring crime. After an outcry, and criticism from within the party, the trip was cancelled.

Hanger is currently a junior Opposition critic for Citizenship and Immigration, with special responsibility for Foreign Credentials. He is a former Opposition critic for the Solicitor General and for National Defence.

In the summer of 2001, Hanger was the first Alliance MP to be suspended from caucus for criticizing the leadership of Stockwell Day. However, he did not become a member of the Democratic Representative Caucus, as he accepted the September 10, 2001 reinstatement offer that was made to all of the dissident MPs.