Thank you, Speaker. Despite the circumstance, I rise with a smile on my face because I’m going to speak about one of the hardest-working community figures in my region of Windsor–Essex, Michael Ray.

Mike was a professional leader, leaving no ambiguity at all as to where he stood on a given issue. Mike set the bar high. From a young age onward, he stayed well dressed, with suit and tie. Even though he grew up in Hamilton and attended Western University, deep down Michael was always a Windsorite at heart. He observed, early on, the corollary of community benefits with strong, local political representation.

Our community was blessed to first gain Mike when he arrived at Essex District High School as a memorable business and economics teacher, widely respected amongst his peers.

While he loved teaching, a passion for law drew Mike in. He graduated from the University of Windsor law school in 1972, worked at the city of Windsor, and, in 1974, was appointed as the director of Legal Assistance of Windsor.

In 1980, Mike was elected to serve on city council on a platform that observed that the corporation could no longer be left in the hands of councillors who exhibited a lack of care or concern for the public interest, an unwillingness or incapacity to attend diligently to council business, or a disregard for the type of behaviour and conduct the public is entitled to expect from its elected officials. This said it all about Mike: high standards, high ethics, and high decorum.

Mike notoriously worked the phones like no other. He took feedback as an opportunity to do better. His campaign billboard truly cemented the clarity that Mike was known for. It had Mike’s picture, saying, “Mike Ray Listens.” He would arrive in-person with flowers when someone he knew passed away. He picked up the phone and called the people he knew and cared about to check in on them. He found the time. Mike was your friend, and you didn’t have to pay a heavy cost to be his friend.

Mike had a particular interest in environmental integrity, sound urban planning, fiscal responsibility and access to justice. He represented those who were unable to represent themselves. He didn’t pursue judicial appointments; he believed in public service.

In 1987, Mike was elected as the member of provincial Parliament for Windsor-Walkerville, and here too he didn’t shy away from candour and colour. He went head to head with his own government on multiple occasions. He would never abandon his studiousness in understanding the implications of his government’s policies.

In 1990, Mike returned to Windsor full-time and continued his work helping people. He rejoined the community legal aid clinic and worked hard to give Windsor law students courtroom experience. And even with significant opposition, he was successful in his efforts and brought those who were initially skeptical about the curriculum involving courtroom time for students as expert presenters. For his efforts and distinction, Mike was selected for the University of Windsor Law’s 2021 Builders of Windsor Law Award.

In the words of his long-time colleague Marion Overholt, Mike Ray was a committed and tireless advocate. Throughout his career, he was never afraid to say what he thought and to do what was best. He championed clinic law practice, and his tenacity and commitment to this community never wavered. As the director of Legal Assistance of Windsor, he advocated for opportunities for students to provide essential legal services to low-income residents at a time when student clinics were a novel and sometimes controversial idea. Mike persevered and showed the profession that providing students with an opportunity to learn and apply practical skills, all while giving back to their communities, was an essential component of their legal education and professional development. And watching him in action, you knew Mike knew his material, and any organization that had Mike’s experience in hand was one that you knew was truly left in good hands.

In closing, I want to thank former MPP Dave Cooke, Jamie Henderson, Marion Overholt and Al Santing, who helped me tell Mike’s story today, and former Windsor mayor Eddie Francis for introducing us.

And to Lea, Tim, Dane, Stacey, Cole and Cathy, who have joined us today, thank you for sharing Mike with us.