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George Smitherman
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'''George Smitherman'''
Member of Provincial Parliament MPP (born
1963) is a
Canada Canadian politician, who represents the
riding of
Toronto Centre—Rosedale in the
Legislative Assembly of Ontario. He is notable for being the first openly
gay Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) elected in Ontario, and the first openly gay cabinet minister.
Smitherman has been active in politics for a long time. Right out of high school, Smitherman worked as an organizer for the
Ontario Liberal Party and Premier
David Peterson. Smitherman was chief of staff to Ontario cabinet minister
Hugh O'Neill and senior advisor to Ontario political ministers
Herb Gray and
David Collenette. He was chief of staff and campaign manager to one-time
Mayor of Toronto Barbara Hall. He also ran a private consulting business, and owned a photofinishing shop in downtown Toronto.
In the
Ontario general election, 1999 1999 provincial election, Smitherman was nominated as the
Liberal Party of Ontario Liberal Party candidate in Toronto Centre-Rosedale. The Toronto municipal amalgamation of 1997 proved to be a major issue in the campaign -- the riding's previous MPP,
Ontario Progressive Conservative Party Progressive Conservative (PC)
Al Leach, had chosen not to run again, and former Toronto mayor
John Sewell was running as an independent candidate in protest against the amalgamation legislation. Sewell's entry into the race was controversial, with many activists accusing him of splitting the
left wing vote with the
New Democratic Party (NDP). As well, the provincial campaign dynamic was complex, with many union leaders and other traditional NDP supporters openly advocating
tactical voting strategic voting for the Liberals to defeat the PC government of
Mike Harris.
Smitherman won the seat, and became the first openly gay MPP in Ontario. He proved to be a fiercely partisan and combative politician. Smitherman once famously posed feeding several pigs at an "
Ernie Eves-Trough" to highlight a patronage appointment by the government. Smitherman also lent his support to
Marc Hall, a gay student who fought for the right to bring his boyfriend to
prom. Smitherman handled the difficult auto insurance file for Liberal leader
Dalton McGuinty, an issue that was both complex and contentious.
In the
Ontario general election, 2003 2003 election, Smitherman's role in the campaign was the subject of considerable attention. The Liberal campaign was characterized by many observers as a "good cop/bad cop" routine --- the positive messages of the campaign were delivered by party leader
Dalton McGuinty, while Smitherman was the face of the party's more confrontational campaign tactics.
The Liberals won the election, and McGuinty was sworn in as the 24th
Premier of Ontario on
October 23. Smitherman was named to cabinet as
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (Ontario) Minister of Health, making history as Ontario's first openly gay cabinet minister.
Smitherman has won both praise and criticism for his tough management of the difficult health portfolio, briskly handling a minor scandal involving improper cleaning of medical equipment during his first weeks in office. The Toronto Star captured him weeping after seeing photographs of the conditions some patients endured in nursing homes, putting the pictures on their cover.
A fiercely partisan and passionate politician, he was dubbed "Furious George" for his blunt language with hospital chief executive officers who continue to run deficits year after year. His temper has forced him to apologize to members of the opposition several times in the Legislature. During January and February 2005, speculation grew fierce that McGuinty would demote Smitherman over his confrontational style, but the controversial minister kept his post.
Smitherman was the first Liberal in the history of Toronto's Now Magazine to be voted best MPP, a distinction that the readers of the left-wing weekly typically award to New Democrats. Smitherman is acknowledged to be a committed constituency advocate, especially for his riding's large gay community and the struggling areas of Regent Park and St. Jamestown.
Recently, some Liberals have begun to speculate that Smitherman could be a strong candidate to replace
Paul Martin as federal party leader.
External links
-
Official Constituency Website
-
Legislative Assembly of Ontario biography
-
Ontario Ministry of Health biography
-
Ontario Liberal Party biography
Category:1963 births Smitherman, George
Category:Gay politicians Smitherman, George
Category:LGBT politicians from Canada Smitherman, George
Category:Liberal Party of Ontario MPPs Smitherman, George
Category:Living people Smitherman, George
Category:Ontario MPPs Smitherman, George
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