It’s an honour to rise in the Legislature today and pay tribute to the late Robert “Bob” Huget, who served as the Sarnia member of provincial Parliament in Ontario’s 35th Parliament from 1990 to 1995. Bob passed away this past June and is greatly missed by his wife, Lori; his daughter Susannah Huget; and his many friends and colleagues who are here today.

Born and educated in Saskatchewan, Bob eventually found his occupational calling in the oil and gas sector, both in BC and Alberta. His interest in this field led him to move to Lambton county, the hub of Ontario’s oil and gas industry, where he worked at Shell Oil’s chemical plant in various capacities. At the same time, he developed a passion for the organized labour movement, eventually becoming the president of Local 800 of the Energy and Chemical Workers Union.

He also owned and operated a small livestock business prior to his time at Queen’s Park, and additionally he served as a member of the Lambton College board of governors, the Sarnia/Lambton Employee Assistance Council and the Canadian Council on Working Life.

In 1990, Bob was elected Sarnia’s first New Democratic Party member of provincial Parliament as part of the Bob Rae NDP government. Bob served in many roles, including as a junior minister responsible for economic development and trade. I remember that election very well. I remember the front-page headline in the paper, the mayor of Sarnia down on one knee acknowledging the victory by Bob Huget that night. There won’t be anybody else here other than his family that will remember that story.

Before and after serving at Queen’s Park, Bob was a tireless leader in the labour movement, both at home and at the provincial level. He was a fearless advocate for workplace justice, health and safety, and for the rights of the working people. Bob was once described in a London Free Press article as “tall, lean and intense,” and I agree with that wholeheartedly.

I had the privilege of meeting Bob on several occasions, and although we served on opposite sides of the political fence, we both shared a mutual respect for our constituents, along with a passion for the hard-working labour community of our area. I also worked in the oil and chemical sector, like Mr. Huget did, before I got here.

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Mr. Glenn Sonier, a past labour leader from the Sarnia community who also worked with Bob at Shell Canada and also shared his passion for organized labour and for the betterment of the lives of Ontario workers. Glenn and Bob worked together at Shell Canada, but it was their efforts outside the workplace, especially with trade unions, that truly motivated them both. Glenn said that, from the very first time they met, he knew Bob was meant to be a leader and that he cared deeply about the workers and what Glenn called the average guy.

Bob’s time at Queen’s Park served him well in his later union leadership roles, as he learned how to be an even stronger advocate for workers and their families. Glenn told me about one time that Bob organized what he called—this was when he was in government, his own government—an occupation of the labour minister’s office. Bob had invited three widows of workers who had died from workplace exposure—I think probably from fibreglass or Dow Chemical—to join him at this occupation. Glenn was amazed by the passion and fortitude that Bob showed in organizing the occupation, which literally helped bring this issue right to the Minister of Labour’s door.

Bob also had a great passion for spreading the labour message and for building a stronger New Democratic Party, especially for young people. Glenn recalled going to Toronto for a meeting with Bob and being invited by him at that time to join him at an NDP convention. At the time, Glenn was travelling with his elderly father and his 11-year-old son, so Bob told him he would make some calls and wrangle an invitation for all three visitors. Glenn’s father was a lifelong Liberal Party supporter up to that point in life, but he was won over by Bob’s friendliness and hospitality. In fact, Bob went out of his way to introduce the three visitors to a number of high-profile NDP leaders, including Ed Broadbent and Jack Layton. Glenn’s father was so impressed that he became an avid NDP supporter, and so did Glenn’s young son. So you never know who you’re going to meet in this world.

Passion, determination and a love for the working person were all hallmarks of Bob Huget. He was truly a man of the people and someone who dedicated his life to bettering the lives of everyone he met.

Thank you, Bob, for having a lifelong passion for working people, whether it was in the oil and gas industry, as an MPP here at Queen’s Park or through your decades of involvement in the organized labour movement. Because of your efforts, you truly left a legacy that you can be proud of, both in Sarnia–Lambton and across our province. And to his family and friends: I know that Canada is a better place today, Ontario is a better place, and I know Sarnia–Lambton is a better place for Bob Huget.

Thank you to those who are joining online as we remember Dr. Charles Morris Godfrey.

Today we are honoured to remember and pay tribute to a former member of our provincial Legislature, the late Mr. Bob Huget, who was the MPP for Sarnia during the 35th Parliament.

Joining us in the Speaker’s gallery are Mr. Huget’s family and friends: his wife, Lori Mackenzie; his daughter, Susannah Huget; his niece Lily Mackenzie; his brothers-in-law David Mackenzie, Dan Mackenzie, Andrew Mackenzie and John Wark; his sisters-in-law Elizabeth Shilton and Jill Marzetti; and his friends Maura McClellan, Andre Foucault and Rhona Foucault. And we still have in the gallery with us the Speaker of the 35th Parliament, Mr. David Warner. Thank you, and welcome.

The member for Don Valley East.

Mr. Robert Huget was a man whose life was marked by deep commitments to helping others and advocating for workers’ rights.

Bob possessed all the qualities you could ask for in a leader, and that shines through in the legacy he leaves behind. Bob did not need to go into politics. He left a successful career in the energy sector and cattle business, singularly motivated by the desire to improve people’s lives. There is no doubt that Bob, through his tireless advocacy and lasting contributions to the city of Sarnia, fulfilled that desire.

Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, in 1947, Bob made his way around Canada before settling in Sarnia, Ontario, with his wife Linda. Early in his career, he excelled in a variety of jobs in oil and oil exploration. Thankfully, Shell Oil was able to attract Bob to Sarnia in 1978, where he joined their chemical plant. There, he developed his passion for workers’ rights and shop floor dynamics.

During his time at Shell, Bob adopted a team approach to organizational design and industrial relations. He believed that management and labour should be able to sit down and work together to resolve issues in a fair and dignified way. It follows then that Bob was a fair and dignified man, the kind anyone would follow as a leader. Because of this quality, he often took on high-pressure union roles. People relied on Bob’s advocacy to protect their rights and they trusted him with this responsibility, one that he never shrunk away from.

Bob led his life with a sense of duty. He became president of the Energy and Chemical Workers Union, Local 800. He threw himself into the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada and joined the Sarnia-Lambton employment assistance council and the Lambton College board of governors. He also served as vice-president of the Canadian council on working life. Running for office was the next logical step.

When Bob campaigned to be a member of provincial Parliament, he used nothing but face-to-face interactions at the door and group meetings. He knew that authentic and meaningful engagement was the brand of politics that would resonate most with voters, and it was the brand that came most naturally to him.

On September 6, 1990, Bob won his seat in the Ontario Legislature and, in 1991, was appointed parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Energy. He was later promoted to the position of Minister without Portfolio responsible for economic development and trade.

Bob Huget rose to some pretty high places. However, at the end of the day, he was most proud of the real tangible things he had done to make a difference in people’s lives. When asked what his key accomplishment as an MPP was, Bob responded that he was most proud of bringing a new process-technology training centre to Lambton College in Sarnia, providing a place for high-tech training in the petrochemical, mining and food processing industries. This centre is part of Bob’s legacy and is responsible for launching countless careers.

The way Bob sounds in his interviews, you could tell that he really listened—not only did he listen, but he cared. He cared and was equipped with the knowledge, experience and the expertise to make a difference. He was deeply invested in his community, in people and in our democracy.

I understand that Bob maintained his persevering spirit and sense of humour until the end. I would like to acknowledge Bob’s guests and thank them for lending him to this chamber. Thank you to Bob’s family, friends and colleagues for being here with us today in honour of his memory.

It’s my great honour to rise on behalf of the NDP caucus to pay tribute to Bob Huget, who served in the NDP government as MPP for Sarnia from 1990 to 1995, and from 1994 as Minister without Portfolio, responsible for economic development.

Bob was a proud New Democrat and trade unionist, one of those people who bleeds orange, whose unwavering commitment to workers’ rights and activism for social justice exemplifies the values and principles upon which our party was founded. Bob’s family and friends shared many of those same values and deep NDP roots. I want to welcome here today Bob’s loving spouse of 24 years, Lori Mackenzie; their beloved daughter, Susannah Huget; Bob’s brothers-in-law, David, Dan and Andrew Mackenzie and John Wark; his sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Shilton and Jill Marzetti; his niece Lily Mackenzie; and friends Maura McClellan, Andre Foucault and Rhona Foucault.

As a member of the Ontario Legislature, Bob was well liked by his colleagues both within the NDP caucus and across party lines. Former NDP Premier Bob Rae called him “one of the most respected members of the Legislature ... a decent and hard-working representative with a deep commitment to equality and social justice.”

Former MPP Karen Haslam describes Bob as a wonderful friend and “tireless advocate for the rights of working men and women ... a man of conscience with a sense of humour that made working with him a pleasure.”

Other members of the class of 1990, former MPP Gilles Bisson and Speaker David Warner, who is also with us today, recall Bob’s effectiveness as a parliamentarian, whose style and clear, direct manner of speaking made members stop and actually listen to what he had to say.

Bob was a popular MPP among staff as well. NDP leader Marit Stiles, who worked in Bob’s ministry office, told me that Bob was a great team player who appreciated the work of staff and truly understood the privilege and responsibility he had to effectively represent his community, and she said, “He had the best and most infectious laugh.”

Liberal MPP Sean Conway said, “Listening to Bob, one got a strong and principled articulation of the labour point of view,” adding that “Bob was good company and always had something interesting to say about the news of the day.”

Bob’s credentials as a lifelong New Democrat were established early. Born in Saskatchewan in 1947, a province governed by then-Premier Tommy Douglas, Bob eventually moved to Sarnia to work for Shell Oil, where his passion for workers’ rights led to his election as president of Local 800 of the Energy and Chemical Workers Union and years of volunteering in local, provincial and federal NDP campaigns.

Following the 1995 election, Bob moved to Hamilton, becoming Ontario vice-president of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union. MPP Peter Tabuns told me that as CEP leader, Bob was amazingly generous with his time, drawing on his deep knowledge of Queen’s Park, the labour movement and industry to provide invaluable advice to Peter on climate issues and just transition.

Over his last decade and a half, Bob showed incredible courage, determination and grit in his struggle with COPD, never losing hope or his sense of humour. He was an avid NASCAR fan who took over the running of the NASCAR pool for his final 10 years. He found a new cause and new purpose as St. Joseph’s Healthcare’s patient and family adviser for those living with COPD, becoming close personal friends with his respirologist.

Bob’s wife, Lori, told me that for Bob, his advocacy for people with lung disease was perhaps his most meaningful and rewarding public contribution. The week after Bob’s passing, St. Joe’s lowered its flag to half-mast in recognition of Bob’s great passion to improve services for patients and for showing that the best way to change patient care is by listening to patient stories.

Bob Huget passed away on June 1, 2022, at the age of 75. He was a loving and supportive spouse to Lori, a wonderful father to Susie and a champion and friend to many. Our sincere condolences to all whose lives were touched by Bob, and our profound gratitude for his lifetime of service to working people and all Ontarians.

Applause.