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George Smitherman |
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George Smitherman MPP (born 1964) is a Canadian politician, who represents the provincial riding of Toronto Centre 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 is currently Ontario's Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, as well as Deputy Premier of Ontario.1
Smitherman has been active in politics since 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 co-owned a photofinishing shop in downtown Toronto.
n the 1999 provincial election, Smitherman was nominated as the 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, 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 strategic voting for the Liberals to defeat the Progressive Conservative government of Mike Harris. While the Progressive Conservatives were re-elected, Smitherman won the seat.
In the legislature, he was nicknamed "Furious George" for his aggressive and often abrasive manner, and rose to become McGuinty's right-hand man and favorite attack dog.2
In the 2003 election 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 Minister of Health. He was also named Deputy Premier and Toronto Regional Minister. He served as co-chair of Barbara Hall's mayoral campaign but resigned after his party formed the provincial government.
Smitherman's initiatives have included efforts to reduce wait times and enhancing access to nurses and doctors. However, he was criticized for ignoring calls for an independent investigation into C. difficile deaths in hospitals, and he was unable improve the lives of nursing home residents who were often forced to sit in soiled diapers for hours on end.2
In the 2007 election, Smitherman was re-elected as the MPP for Toronto Centre. On June 20, 2008, he was succeeded as Minister of Health by David Caplan. Smitherman was shuffled to the new Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, a merger of two formerly separate government departments. McGuinty dismissed suggestions that he combined the energy and infrastructure portfolios to satisfy Smitherman, saying "I think it's a great fit, it's a natural fit, and it's an essential part of our plan to grow this economy." Some speculated that McGuinty also gave him the roles to discourage him from seeking the Toronto mayoralty, but Smitherman maintained that he had no interest in the job.2
In the community, Smitherman is well known for his advocacy in areas such as housing, heritage preservation, community economic development, protection of pension rights, efforts to combat guns and drugs, and human rights issues.
Smitherman was the first Liberal in the history of Toronto's NOW magazine to be voted best MPP.
Smitherman married his partner, Christopher Peloso, a manager with Lindt & Sprüngli, on August 5, 2007, near Elliot Lake, Ontario.3
| Provincial Government of Dalton McGuinty | ||
| Cabinet Posts (2) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Predecessor | Office | Successor |
| Tony Clement | Minister of Health and Long-Term Care (2003–2008) |
David Caplan |
| Gerry Phillips (Energy) David Caplan (Infrastructure) |
Minister of Energy and Infrastructure (2008–present) new merged ministry |
Incumbent |
| Legislative Assembly of Ontario | ||
| Preceded by Al Leach |
Member of Provincial Parliament from Toronto Centre—Rosedale 1999 - present |
Succeeded by incumbent |
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