Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If you seek it, you will find unanimous consent to allow members to make statements in remembrance for the late Mr. David Rotenberg, with five minutes allotted to His Majesty’s loyal opposition, five minutes allotted to the independent members as a group, and five minutes allotted to His Majesty’s government.

I’m honoured to rise today to pay tribute to the late Mr. David Rotenberg, who served as the Conservative MPP for the former riding of Wilson Heights—later incorporated into the ridings of York Centre, Willowdale, and Eglinton–Lawrence—from 1977 to 1985. He was appointed the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs in 1978 and later appointed parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Housing in 1981.

I’d like to welcome and thank Mr. Rotenberg’s wonderful family and friends who are here with us today. I know this list has grown from when it was first envisioned that you would come, and I know that you are all here with pride. I know the Speaker mentioned your names, but it’s an honour to mention your names as well.

We’re joined by his stepchildren Jacob Freedman and Jonathan Freedman; his niece Reena Greenwald; his nephews Noam Rotenberg and Paul Rotenberg; his great-nephew Zev Rotenberg; his grandchildren Joshua Freedman and Elishua Benchoreen; his great-grandchildren Ora Aviner, Shoshana Aviner and Tiferet Aviner; and former MPPs David Warner, Judy Marsales and Phil Gillies. Thank you all for being here.

Born in Toronto in 1930, he never lost his love and affinity for the city, taking great pride in the belief that Toronto is one of the greatest cities of the western world.

At eight years old, Mr. Rotenberg realized his passion for politics during the 1938 municipal election, when he successfully predicted the four controllers who won the nine-way contest in his then ward of Rosedale. I hope he played the lottery.

He went on to study political science and economics at the University of Toronto and graduated with honours in 1952.

Prior to his service in the Legislature of Ontario, Mr. Rotenberg had already garnered a rich career in politics and public service. In 1961, he won his first campaign and was elected to the city of Toronto council, where he served until 1972. Concurrently, he served on the Metro Toronto council and as president of the city of Toronto council from 1970 to 1972.

During his time serving in municipal politics, Mr. Rotenberg fought to make the city much more livable—something we definitely have to do today, as well. He supported the creation of more parks, stricter pollution laws, and faster action on urban renewal and housing programs.

Afterwards, he served as the commissioner for the TTC, from 1975 to 1977, before winning his first provincial election campaign.

Despite a tireless career in politics and community service, Mr. Rotenberg always made time for his family. He spent more time with his family than the average politician during his time in office. After council meetings, it was conventional to go out for dinner on the city. However, Mr. Rotenberg always chose to go home and have dinner with his family and was always home on Friday nights for family night.

Mr. Rotenberg was likewise an involved member of his community. His community service is remarkably extensive and consists of service with the Toronto Jewish Congress, where he served as vice-president and treasurer; the Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto, where he served as president; the Armour Heights Lodge, where he served as president; the Shaarei Shomayim Synagogue, where he served as a board member; and the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, where he served as honorary director. Mr. Rotenberg was named an honorary officer in the Canadian Jewish Congress.

Former Speaker Mr. David Warner had the following to say about Mr. Rotenberg: “David Rotenberg was a serious, hard-working MPP. I appreciated working with him on committee because he was a good listener, highly principled and co-operative.”

Mr. Warner also recalls sharing with us that he agreed to participate in a charity boxing match with him once. He was told his opponent would be another MPP. He thought nothing much of the anticipated match and certainly didn’t think he could get hurt—that was until his opponent turned out to be Mr. Rotenberg. Mr. Warner discovered all too late that Mr. Rotenberg took this event with the same seriousness he applied to his parliamentary duties. There turned out to be no need for a bell to end round 1, and the following days left Mr. Warner feeling quite sore and achy. His only consolation was that the Boys and Girls Club in Regent Park garnered a few extra dollars—certainly, at his expense.

Mr. Rotenberg was truly a loving family man, a man of community service, and a dear friend to many.

Again, I would like to welcome and thank Mr. Rotenberg’s wonderful family and friends who are here with us today to share this.

Mr. Rotenberg lives on in his immortalized words in Hansard and in the many results of the efforts he made throughout his political career. Most of all, he lives on in the lives and memories of his loving and proud family and all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

It is a privilege to stand here and speak a few words of tribute to the life and service of Mr. David Rotenberg, who passed away on January 13, 2022.

Politics was Mr. Rotenberg’s passion from a very young age. Born and raised in Toronto, he was interested and engaged in municipal politics even as a child, impressing others with his knowledge of local electoral races. When he went on to post-secondary studies, he followed his passion to the University of Toronto, where he studied political science and economics.

As a young man, Mr. Rotenberg knew that he wanted to be a politician. He worked hard to achieve that goal, bidding for a city councillor position in two municipal elections before he was 28. He was finally successful in 1960, winning a city councillor seat for the first time and beginning a long career in municipal politics that would see him re-elected four more times.

After an unsuccessful bid for mayor, Mr. Rotenberg took a break from politics for a few years before attempting to jump into the provincial arena in 1975. Although initially unsuccessful, Mr. Rotenberg persevered and earned a seat in this chamber in 1977, as a representative for the riding of Wilson Heights here in Toronto. During his time as an MPP, Mr. Rotenberg served as a parliamentary assistant for many years and was appointed to cabinet in 1985.

Apart from politics, Mr. Rotenberg was also very active in his community, serving as president of the Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto and vice-president of the Toronto Jewish Congress.

Those who knew Mr. Rotenberg recognized him as a man who was full of heart and care for his constituents, his community and his family.

Family was a priority for Mr. Rotenberg. Despite all the rigorous demands of a political career, he made sure to be home often for dinner with his wife and two daughters, and he often reserved Fridays as family night.

This dedication to his family is demonstrated by the many friends and family who are here today to honour and remember him. I want to thank you all for being here today.

Mr. David Rotenberg lived a life of service to his community and to his province. His life serves as an exemplary model of public service, and for this, he will always be remembered.

The member for Thornhill.

We give thanks for the life and public service of David Rotenberg.

Orders of the day?

Orders of the day? The member for Barrie–Innisfil.

The House recessed from 0919 to 1015.

I am truly honoured to stand here today for this tribute to David Rotenberg, the former Progressive Conservative representative of Wilson Heights.

David Rotenberg, sometimes known as the ultimate underdog, knew at six years old that politics was his passion. He had a mind for names and politics, and he attended the University of Toronto, where he graduated with honours in political science and economics.

By the time David was only 28, he had already made two efforts to win a seat at Toronto city council, and, in 1960, he finally won that spot at city hall, where his fashion-forward business suits would become a fixture.

David had an instinctive nature, and he knew how to navigate through obstacles. David’s motto was, “You have to know how to give in on the minor issues in order to win on the major ones.” This was known as the “Rotenberg style.”

David worked on city council, and his work was immense. He served as vice-president of the Canadian National Exhibition, commissioner of the Toronto Transit Commission, and vice-president of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. That’s a handful; I know this, just after sitting in this House for such a short period.

Although David’s work ethic was strong, his passion for politics was only outweighed by his immense love for his family. Cecile, David’s first wife, and his daughters, Meta and Chana, were the loves of his life. When most city council members would commonly go out for dinner—I know the member across talked about that—David always made sure he would go home, even in between meetings at council, and he always made sure he was home for Shabbat dinner.

He spent more time at home than you would expect with his busy schedule, but even with that, it was never enough. When he was asked to run federally, David responded that he’d run on the guarantee that he would lose. David wanted to make sure his girls knew he was home every night.

Often, he would jest that he didn’t have the time to play much bridge—he loved bridge; we know that, up there, don’t we?—or read sufficient light detective novels, but his dedication to his work and family never wavered.

David was constantly multi-tasking. A Globe and Mail reporter once wrote—and this is a mouthful: “In his office, this was the incredible, exhausting scene: he was taking, holding and stacking phone calls. At the same time he was leafing through a mountain of pink telephone-call slips he had to answer.... composing a long, detailed, fact-filled story just solicited by the Globe and Mail, for that night’s edition.... And he was answering a reporter. And he had three department heads or lieutenants walking in right then for urgent business.” He would keep all of this in a careful holding pattern until each matter could be dealt with, and like an air traffic controller, David navigated through all issues.

In 1977, David was elected to the Ontario Legislature. He was an old-school Conservative, and his goals were honest. He wasn’t the type to finger-point when things went wrong. David served as the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Housing. In 1985, he was appointed Minister without Portfolio for urban affairs. David believed in the profession of a politician, always working constructively and collaboratively, serving under Premier Bill Davis then under Premier Frank Miller. He worked well on both sides of the chamber—including a good working relationship with Bob Rae. He worked to get the best results for the people. And he was mindful of the funds being spent on projects, reminding his colleagues that it was not the government’s money; it was the public’s money.

After politics, David happily went back into the insurance business.

David was always very social. Did I mention he loved bridge?

David also sat on countless charity boards—the member across mentioned a few of them—and extensively contributed his time and efforts to his community with many organizations, including as president of the Armour Heights Lodge of B’nai Brith and as director of the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care.

Unfortunately, Cecile was taken early, and David became a widower far too soon.

But David was given a second chance at love, and in 1996, he married Riva. I was told that it was love at first sight.

As a stepfather and father, David was a tremendous support system to his children. And he was a caring grandfather and great-grandfather to his ever-growing family—and it was growing, as you can see.

David fulfilled his dreams by retiring in Israel, and he continued to surround himself with more extended family. He would never miss a family event or a blessing involved with his synagogue.

David was a “Kohen,” a special lineage within Judaism—a leader, a guide. He felt strongly about his community and was constantly helping others.

Unfortunately, I did not know David personally. To gain access into David Rotenberg the man, I interviewed family members who gave me the essence of David.

One of the things that we should appreciate was the progressive continuum that David felt he was part of. The great Rabbi Tarfon said, “It is not your responsibility to finish the work—but neither are you free to desist from it.” These words depict David’s dedication to the continuum.

David was supportive of the proactive work of this government and the constant common goals of good governance and a commitment to the community. David felt that public service was ever-evolving, and he was content knowing that he had passed the baton to the next generation. I should add that the members from Eglinton–Lawrence and York Centre both feel the sentiment, and they wanted to relay that as well. We are very proud to take that baton or that torch and run with it.

Today, we are fortunate to be surrounded by so many of David’s family members, friends and colleagues in the House—his daughters, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, former MPPs, and Speakers of this chamber. It’s a remarkable gathering that is quite redeeming and reflected in a life well loved and lived.

I want to thank David’s family for sharing him with the community and our province.

May his memory always be a blessing.

Applause.