Leo Bernier
Leo Bernier | |
|---|---|
| Ontario MPP | |
| In office 1966–1987 | |
| Preceded by | Robert Gibson |
| Succeeded by | Frank Miclash |
| Constituency | Kenora |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 12, 1928 Sioux Lookout,Ontario |
| Died | June 28, 2010(aged 81) Sioux Lookout, Ontario |
| Political party | Progressive Conservative |
| Spouse | Marjorie Bernier |
| Children | 4 |
| Occupation | Businessman |
Leo Edward Bernier(August 12, 1928 – June 28, 2010) was a politician inOntario,Canada. He served in theLegislative Assembly of Ontariofrom 1966 to 1987, and was acabinet ministerin the governments ofBill DavisandFrank Miller.Bernier was a member of theProgressive Conservative Party.Bernier presided over a time in Northern Ontario when the economy was booming. He was also a personable and well-liked MPP who looked out for his constituents. He was known by his nickname as "Emperor of the North".
Background
[edit]Bernier was born inSioux Lookout,Ontario,and educated in the area. He worked as a bush pilot and became the general manager of Bernier & Sons Contractors, and served as president of the local Chamber of Commerce.[1]He was an honorary member of theRoyal Canadian Legionand theKnights of Columbus.
Politics
[edit]He ran for the Ontario legislature in the1963 provincial election,and lost toLiberal-LabourcandidateRobert Gibsonby 840 votes inKenora.[2]Gibson died in 1966, and Bernier was elected in aby-electionto replace him. He was returned by an increased margin in the1967 provincial election,[3]and served as a backbench supporter of theJohn Robartsadministration. When Bill Davis succeeded Roberts aspremieron March 1, 1971, he appointed Bernier as hisMinister of Mines and Northern Affairs.[4]
Bernier was easily re-elected in the1971 provincial election.[5]He was given additional responsibilities asMinister of Lands and Forestson February 2, 1972.[6]On April 7 of the same year, his portfolios were restructured as theMinistry of Natural Resources.
Bernier was re-elected without serious opposition in the elections of1975,[7]1977,[8]1981,[9]and1985.[10]He was namedMinister of Northern Affairson February 3, 1977, and held this position for more than eight years.[11]Bernier was the most powerful minister for Northern Ontario in the Bill Davis government, and was sometimes called the "Emperor of the North". Like most Progressive Conservatives of his time, he supported government intervention in economic matters.
Bernier initially supportedDennis Timbrellin the Progressive Conservative Party's January 1985 leadership convention, but crossed to Frank Miller after Timbrell was eliminated. Miller retained him in the Northern Affairs portfolio after becomingPremier of Ontarioon February 8, 1985.[12]The Progressive Conservatives under Miller were reduced to a tenuousminority governmentin the 1985 election, and were defeated in the house in June 1985. In opposition, Bernier served as his party's critic for Natural Resources and Northern Affairs and Mines. He did not run for re-election in 1987.
In 1975, Bernier selectedamethystas Ontario's mineral emblem.[13]
Cabinet positions
[edit]Later life
[edit]He served as chair of the Boreal West Round Table in the 1990s, and remained active in the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party until his death. In 2004, he supportedJohn Tory's successful bid to become party leader.
Bernier died on June 28, 2010, in Sioux Lookout hospital at the age of 81.[1]In 2012,Highway 664was renamed in his honour.[14]
References
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^Bernier was also Minister of Lands and Forests from February 2, 1972 to April 7, 1972 when it was merged into Natural Resources.
- ^On February 3, 1977, responsibility was changed to Minister of Northern Affairs which remained until June 1985.
- ^Bernier was retained as Minister of Northern Affairs byFrank Millerin both of his cabinets from February to June, 1985.
Citations
[edit]- ^ab"Leo Bernier was voice of Northern Ontario".Toronto Star.June 30, 2010. p. A10.
- ^Canadian Press (September 26, 1963)."78 in Tory Blue Wave -- 23 Is All Grits Saved".The Windsor Star.Windsor, Ontario. p. 25.Retrieved2014-05-24.
- ^Canadian Press (October 18, 1967)."Tories win, but..."The Windsor Star.Windsor, Ontario. p. B2.Retrieved2014-03-30.
- ^Manthorpe, Jonathan; Slinger, John (March 2, 1971). "Changes in policies promised: Davis priorities to include environment and jobless".The Globe and Mail.p. 1.
- ^"Riding-by-riding returns in provincial election".The Globe and Mail.October 23, 1971. p. 10.
- ^"The Cabinet for Ontario".The Globe and Mail.February 3, 1972. p. 4.
- ^"Table of vote results for all Ontario ridings".The Globe and Mail.September 19, 1975. p. C12.
- ^"Ontario provincial election results riding by riding".The Globe and Mail.June 10, 1977. p. D9.
- ^Canadian Press (1981-03-20)."Winds of change, sea of security".The Windsor Star.Windsor, Ontario. p. 22.Retrieved2014-04-01.
- ^"Results of vote in Ontario election".The Globe and Mail.May 3, 1985. p. 13.
- ^Allen, David (February 3, 1977). "Davis names Timbrell new health minister".The Toronto Star.p. 1.
- ^"The Ontario Cabinet".The Globe and Mail.February 9, 1985. p. 4.
- ^"Ontario's official stone is no 'dumb jewel'".Toronto Star.May 16, 1975. p. B2.
- ^"Highway 664 dedicated to the" King of the North "".Daily Commercial News and Construction Record.Vol. 85, no. 155. August 13, 2012. p. 1.
