I’m honoured to rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable community champion who worked tirelessly to make his community and Ontario a better place. As a colleague from the Simcoe region, I want to acknowledge his contributions to our community and the legacy that he has left, which we will measure ourselves by as we move forward.

A local lawyer, deputy judge and former MPP for Simcoe Centre, Bruce Owen served his community for over six decades with integrity and compassion, and through his passion for music. Bruce put service above self, and he dedicated his life to serving his community through various roles.

Bruce passed away at the age of 90 on Monday, February 7, 2022, leaving a proud legacy and family that has left our community a better place. I want to welcome his family here today.

For over 20 years, Bruce practised law in the city of Barrie, serving his clients, particularly in the areas of wills, estates and real estate law. He also served as a deputy judge in Small Claims Court.

Bruce served as a leader in the community through various roles before getting into politics. He was president of the Barrie Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club and the mental health association local chapter. He was involved in the Barrie Concert Association, Georgian Music and as a director of the Ontario Heritage Foundation.

Bruce left a lasting legacy, as in 1972 he was part of the Kiwanis Club and was one of the first volunteers to help establish Kempenfest, which is now known as the city of Barrie’s signature event. I’ve been there many times, and this year Kempenfest will be celebrating their 51st year from August 4 to 7. If you’re in the area, I invite you to come out.

Bruce also served as a member of provincial Parliament, and his determination and resilience in politics led to his election in 1987 after a number of failed attempts. But Bruce distinguished himself as a staunch community advocate who never turned a blind eye to those in need, and demonstrated his unwavering commitment to serving his constituents and making his community stronger and better.

In that role, he championed the introduction of the legislation that prohibited smoking in Ontario workplaces. That was controversial legislation at its time, but now, many years later, it is seen and taken for granted, and has improved the health of Ontarians across the province.

Bruce was also a staunch advocate for the current location of the Royal Victoria Hospital building in Barrie, a significant regional hospital that serves the health needs of many in the region. Bruce also worked tirelessly to successfully attract funding for the development of more than 1,000 not-for-profit housing units in the area, and we know with the crisis we are facing today that that is a critical piece of a contribution to his local constituents.

Bruce was also very involved in making sure that one of our biggest employers in my riding of Simcoe–Grey, in Alliston, came to Alliston. Today, the Alliston Honda Canada manufacturing plant employs approximately 4,200 associates, has the manufacturing capacity to produce 400,000 units every year and is now part of the drive to make Ontario one of the top EV producers worldwide, with the electric CR-V unit coming off production in the Alliston plant today.

Though Bruce was known mostly as a community leader, many people remember him for his passion for music as a lifetime musician. Bruce toured the Barrie area as a soloist and visited virtually every Barrie church, singing Ave Maria at Protestant churches and the latest gospel hits at Roman Catholic churches. He performed a solo in the papal choir when Pope John Paul II visited the Martyr’s Shrine in 1984. He was an accomplished musician who left a lasting impact on all who heard his wonderful voice.

Speaker, in recognition of Bruce’s extraordinary career and his multidimensional personality, he was awarded the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award and the June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award, recognizing his unfailing dedication, commitment and exceptional achievements as a volunteer in Ontario and across his riding. Let us remember Bruce Owen as a remarkable man who dedicated his life to serving others and making his community stronger and better. Let us honour his memory by continuing his work by striving to make our communities better places for everyone.

Bruce’s impact on the city of Barrie, Simcoe county—including my riding of Simcoe–Grey—and Ontario will be lasting, indelible and not forgotten. His legacy will continue to live on through the lives that he has touched and the work that he has accomplished.