Thank you, Speaker. To you and through you to the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery: People with disabilities face many challenges and obstacles in their daily lives. Ontarians with accessibility needs should not have to worry about spending endless hours filling out repetitive paperwork to obtain accessible parking permits. For far too long, complicated bureaucratic processes have created confusion and unnecessary hardship for those who already face many difficulties.

Can the minister please explain how our government is providing relief and making life easier for Ontarians with disabilities?

Could the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery please elaborate on what other measures we are implementing to make services more accessible for everyone?

Here’s what this guy has voted against when it comes to the housing file: He voted against our housing renewal strategy, which has provided over $4 billion to our community housing advocates to deal with rent supplements, bolstering homeless shelters and supportive housing—something that he has talked about but always seemed to vote against. What else has he voted against? The social services relief fund, which provided our municipal partners $1.2 billion to improve homeless shelters, to protect staff, and to support vulnerable people. He also voted—and I can’t believe that he actually did this—against our creation of the Homelessness Prevention Program, where we added $25 million, where we consolidated a number of supportive housing programs to try to make it streamlined and to be able to have a coordinated municipal response.

It doesn’t matter whether it was $4 billion for community housing, $1.2 billion for the social services relief fund or $25 million for homelessness—each and every time, the Green Party and this leader voted against that measure.

Part of what we’re doing in Bill 23 is we’re again incentivizing the construction of rental accommodation by eliminating the development charges so we can get shovels in the ground faster. So the tenants in London, the tenants across Ontario will have affordable rental opportunities. That’s exactly why the government put this policy in place.

But again, Speaker, I want to highlight that this government has made some significant tenant protections as part of our strengthening community housing and protecting tenants in Ontario.

And I want to again let those tenants know what New Democrats did when they had an opportunity to stand up for increased fines against unethical landlords: They voted against it.

Thank you very much for the question—and those are the great people of Scarborough calling the member. He’s doing great work. He’s answering that call.

Speaker, we recently marked a crucial milestone in the building of the Ontario Line, the crown jewel in our multi-billion-dollar GTA transit expansion plan. I’m glad to inform the member that on November 9 our government awarded the Ontario Transit Group the contract to design, build and finance the south portion of the Ontario Line, from Exhibition and Ontario Place to the Don Yard portal. We also recently issued two qualification requests for the Ontario Line’s northern segment to support underground station and tunnel building between the Gerrard portal and the Don Valley bridge, as well as the construction of three kilometres of elevated tracks in Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park.

Speaker, for 15 years, Torontonians were stuck with zero transit growth from the NDP-backed Liberals. Well, with this milestone, our government is filling the transit gap that we inherited from the Liberals by building a world-class relief line that will connect riders to the grid and get them from point A to point B.

What’s more, Speaker, riders from Thorncliffe Park, who have needed transit for way too long, will be finally able to commute to the downtown core in speedy time: 26 minutes, from 42.

To the member’s point, it’s called the Ontario Line, and it benefits all Ontarians by supporting 4,700 jobs a year during construction, cutting overall fuel consumption by more than seven million litres a year and generating up to $11 billion in economic activity for our province. In fact, every $1 billion invested in transit helps support 10,000 jobs and boosts Ontario’s real GDP by another $1 billion.

Unlike the Liberals and NDP, we’re saying yes to building transit, yes to connecting the grid, yes to the people of Ontario and to the great people of Scarborough.

I voted against the government’s housing bills because they won’t solve the housing crisis. I want to vote for bills that actually solve the crisis. Let’s be clear: Dismantling environmental protections, attacking local democracy, paving over farmland, wetlands and nature, downloading costs onto property taxpayers, and forcing people into long, expensive commutes will not solve the housing crisis.

I’ve put forward plans that show how good planning with zoning changes that allow four-plexes and walk-up four-storey apartments, mid-rise apartments along transit corridors and arterial roads, clamping down on housing speculation, investing in deeply affordable co-op and non-profit housing—those are the solutions that will solve the housing crisis.

Will the minister say no to what the land speculators want and yes to the solutions that will actually deliver housing that’s affordable in the communities people want to live in?

Mr. Schreiner moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 45, An Act to amend the Planning Act to require official plans to authorize midrise housing developments in specific circumstances and to make related amendments / Projet de loi 45, Loi modifiant la Loi sur l’aménagement du territoire pour exiger que les plans officiels autorisent l’aménagement d’immeubles d’habitation de moyenne hauteur dans des circonstances particulières et apporter des modifications connexes.

I have a petition that reads:

“Support Gender-Affirming Health Care.”

To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas two-spirit, transgender, non-binary, gender-diverse, and intersex communities face significant challenges to accessing health care services that are friendly, competent, and affirming in Ontario;

“Whereas everyone deserves access to health care, and they shouldn’t have to fight for it, shouldn’t have to wait for it, and should never receive less care or support because of who they are;

“Whereas gender-affirming care is life-saving care;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to support the reintroduction of a private member’s bill to create an inclusive and representative committee to advise the Ministry of Health on how to realize accessible and equitable access to and coverage for gender-affirming health care in Ontario.”

Speaker, I’m happy to sign this. I will be sending it with page Aiden to the Clerks’ table.

I would like to thank Rhéo and Michelle Courchesne from Blezard Valley in my riding for these petitions.

“Health Care Not For Sale.

“Whereas Ontarians get health care based on their needs, not their ability to pay;

“Whereas the Ford government wants to privatize our health care system;

“Whereas privatization will bleed nurses, doctors and PSWs out of our public hospitals and will download costs to patients;”

They petition the Legislative Assembly as follows: “to immediately stop all plans to privatize Ontario’s health care system, and fix the crisis in health care by:

“—repealing Bill 124 to help recruit, retain, return and respect health care workers with better pay and better working conditions;

“—licensing tens of thousands of internationally educated nurses and other health care professionals already in Ontario;

“—incentivizing health care professionals to choose to live and work in northern Ontario.”

I support this petition. I will affix my name to it and give it to Oriana to bring to the Clerk.

“Let’s Fix the Northern Health Travel Grant.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas people in the north are not getting the same access to health care because of the high cost of travel and accommodations;

“Whereas by refusing to raise the Northern Health Travel Grant (NHTG) rates, the Ford government is putting a massive burden on northern Ontarians who are sick;

“Whereas gas prices cost” way “more in northern Ontario;”

They petition the Legislative Assembly as follows: “to establish a committee with a mandate to fix and improve the NHTG;

“This NHTG advisory committee would bring together health care providers in the north, as well as recipients of the NHTG to make recommendations to the Minister of Health that would improve access to health care in northern Ontario through adequate reimbursement of travel costs.”

I support this petition. I will affix my name to it and send it to the Clerk with the page.

I’d like to present the following petition:

“Whereas we know that building critical infrastructure is crucial to delivering better services, moving people faster and generating long-term sustainable economic growth; and

“Whereas under the leadership of Premier Ford our government is making historic investments to build and repair infrastructure in every region of Ontario; and

“Whereas at the heart of the plan is a capital investment of $158.8 billion over the next 10 years, with $20 billion in 2022 and 2023 alone, and includes plans to invest in trains, roads and subways; and

“Whereas our plan includes $25.1 billion in capital over 10 years to support planning, building and improving highways, including Highway 413, the Bradford Bypass, the 401 and Highway 7; and

“Whereas part of this capital investment includes $61.6 billion in capital over 10 years for public transit, including expanding GO rail services to London and Bowmanville; and

“Whereas our government plans to invest in hospital infrastructure with a $40-billion, 10-year program; and

“Whereas these investments will increase the capacity in our hospitals, build new health care facilities and renew existing hospitals and community health centres; and

“Whereas in education, our government is investing $21 billion, including about $14 billion in capital grants over the next 10 years to support the renewal and the expansion of school infrastructure and child care projects;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows”—and I will affix my signature and give it to page Nicholas.

I had about 700 or 800 education workers show up at my office a little while ago. They signed these petitions and asked that I read them and submit them, which I’m happy to do.

A petition “to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario: Negotiate in Good Faith with Education Workers.

“Whereas the government has launched an unprecedented attack against democratic rights of workers to collectively bargain and to strike; and

“Whereas the government’s refusal to adequately fund our public education system at the appropriate levels to provide a high-quality service has resulted in staffing shortages and a lack of supports available for students who need them when they need them; and

“Whereas the government has the power to invest in public education so that our kids can get the education they deserve, and the workers who make schools run can have a decent standard of living and safe working conditions;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“Immediately repeal Bill 28 and Bill 124; and

“Negotiate in good faith with education workers through their union;

“Invest the funds necessary in public education to address the staffing crisis and support children’s learning.”

Speaker, I wholeheartedly support this. I will affix my signature and send it to the table with Mabel.

I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to end sprawl and build climate-friendly cities.

“Whereas the government’s plan to address the housing crisis is one that favours sprawl development; and

“Whereas paving over the wetlands that protect us and the farmland that feeds us is fiscally and environmentally irresponsible; and

“Whereas we already have more than enough land within current urban boundaries available to build the housing we need, including 88,000 acres of land in the greater Golden Horseshoe alone; and

“Whereas we can address both the housing and climate crises by building infill missing middle and mid-rise housing in existing neighbourhoods;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly to amend the Planning Act to allow for fourplexes and four-storey walk-up apartment buildings in neighbourhoods and mid-rise on main streets and transit corridors as of right.”

I fully support this petition, will sign it and ask page Camilla to bring it to the table.

I have a petition here entitled “To Raise Social Assistance Rates.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Ontario’s social assistance rates are well below Canada’s official Market Basket Measure poverty line and woefully inadequate to cover the basic costs of food and rent;

“Whereas individuals on the Ontario Works program receive just $733 per month and individuals on the Ontario Disability Support Program receive just $1,169 per month, only 41% and 65% of the poverty line;

“Whereas the Ontario government has not increased social assistance rates since 2018, and Canada’s inflation rate in January 2022 was 5.1%, the highest rate in 30 years;

“Whereas the government of Canada recognized through the CERB program that a ‘basic income’ of $2,000 per month was the standard support required by individuals who lost their employment during the pandemic;

“We, the undersigned citizens of Ontario, petition the Legislative Assembly to increase social assistance rates to a base of $2,000 per month for those on Ontario Works, and to increase other programs accordingly.”

I support the petition. I will be affixing my signature and giving it to page Scarlett.

I would like to thank Colin and Helene Pick from Capreol in my riding for these petitions.

“Gas Prices....

“Whereas northern Ontario motorists continue to be subject to wild fluctuations in the price of gasoline; and

“Whereas the province could eliminate opportunistic price gouging and deliver fair, stable and predictable fuel prices; and

“Whereas five provinces and many US states already have some sort of gas price regulation; and

“Whereas jurisdictions with gas price regulation have seen an end to wild price fluctuations, a shrinking of price discrepancies between urban and rural communities and lower annualized gas prices;”

They petition the Legislative Assembly as follows:

“Mandate the Ontario Energy Board to monitor the price of gasoline across Ontario in order to reduce price volatility and unfair regional price differences while encouraging competition.”

I support this petition. I will affix my name to it and ask page Kennedy to bring it to the Clerk.

“Repeal Bill 124....

“Whereas Bill 124 removes the right of public employees to negotiate fair contracts;

“Whereas Bill 124 limits the wage increase in the broader public sector to a maximum of 1% per year at a time of unprecedented inflation;

“Whereas Ontario’s public servants have dealt with two years of unheralded difficulties in performing their duties to our province;

“Whereas those affected by Bill 124 are the people who teach us, care for us, make our hospitals and health care system work and protect the most vulnerable among us;

“Whereas the current provincial government is showing disrespect to public servants to keep taxes low for some of our country’s most profitable corporations;”

They petition the Legislative Assembly as follows:

“Immediately repeal Bill 124 and show respect for the public sector workers.”

I support this petition. I will affix my name to it and send it to the table with page Kennedy.

“Time to Care....

“Whereas quality care for the 78,000 residents of LTC homes is a priority for many Ontario families; and

“Whereas the provincial government does not provide adequate funding to ensure care and staffing levels in LTC homes to keep pace with residents’ increasing acuity and the growing number of residents with complex behaviours; and

“Whereas several Ontario coroner’s inquests into LTC homes deaths have recommended an increase in direct hands-on care for residents and staffing levels and the most reputable studies on this topic recommend 4.1 hours of direct care per day;”

They petition the Legislative Assembly as follows:

“To amend the LTC Homes Act ... for a legislated minimum care standard of four hours per resident per day, adjusted for acuity level and case mix” right now.

I support this petition. I will affix my name to it and ask my great page Kennedy to bring it to the Clerk.

It is truly a privilege to stand here and speak a few words of tribute to Mr. Edward Thomas Philip’s remarkable life and contributions. Edward passed away peacefully at Mackenzie Health hospital in Richmond Hill on January 31, 2022, at the age of 81.

I would like to extend my welcome to his family members, who were just introduced—Mr. Andrew Philip, who is here today, and another member of his family who couldn’t be here today, Ms. Audrey Philip—as we honour Edward and his years of service to Ontario.

Born in Montreal, Edward moved to Ontario and received his bachelor of arts and master of education degrees from the University of Ottawa, and a PhD from the University of Toronto.

He was a dedicated leader. Even before his time in politics, Edward led leadership training at the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

Edward Thomas Philip’s political career was very successful as he first entered politics in 1975, representing the riding of Etobicoke–Rexdale. Edward was the chair of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, and he played a role in monitoring the Office of the Provincial Auditor, Management Board of Cabinet, the Ministry of Government Services, and the Ombudsman. Edward held important roles as the NDP critic for housing, rent review, government services, transportation and communications. He also held the position of deputy whip.

The public and Edward’s peers saw his passion translate into his work. As a condominium owner, he made condominium issues one of the strongest platforms for his political career. He would often have 10- to 15-hour days, with his Queen’s Park office flooded with phone messages from hundreds of people regarding housing-related concerns. He saw this as his responsibility and the responsibility of the office he held. Edward looked after all these people and desperately tried to ensure condominium owners were treated fairly.

Edward was a very hard-working and committed man to his province and saw the value of provincial politics. These were the issues that affected families directly, the things people spoke about around the dinner table, and the ones they thought about before they went to bed. He would say he wouldn’t enter other levels of politics because there are too many things to do provincially. Don’t we all know that?

Aside from his political career, Edward did not shy away from opportunities to make a difference. He was a freelance writer, broadcaster, former director of Mental Health Canada, and a member of the Ontario Association for Continuing Education and the Creative Education Foundations.

A creative man, Edward’s hobbies consisted of theatre and music.

Without a doubt, Edward lived a life full of extraordinary achievements. He was a very caring man whose legacy will continue to live on. I thank him for his service, and I extend my condolences to his family and loved ones.

May he rest in peace.

Point of order, the member for Barrie–Innisfil.

Today we are honoured to remember and pay tribute to a former member of our provincial Legislature, the late Mr. Ed Thomas Philip, who was the MPP for Etobicoke during the 30th, 31st, 32nd and 33rd Parliaments and the MPP for Etobicoke–Rexdale during the 34th and 35th Parliaments.

Joining us today in the Speaker’s gallery is Mr. Philips’s son, Andrew Philip. His daughter, Sarah Philip, and his former wife, Audrey Philip, are watching from home.

Also in the Speaker’s gallery is Mr. David Warner, who was Speaker of the Legislature during the 35th Parliament.

I recognize the member for Beaches–East York.

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

Ed Philip passed away peacefully on Monday, January 31, 2022, at the age of 81.

He was a five-term MPP with the NDP, from 1975 to 1995, for the riding of Etobicoke and later Etobicoke–Rexdale. He was a senior cabinet minister from 1990 to 1995 with the Rae government. Ed served as the Minister of Municipal Affairs, the Minister of Transportation, and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Technology. He was also the opposition critic for transportation, communications, housing, rent review, and government services. He held the position of deputy whip and chaired the Standing Committee on Administration of Justice.

He studied at the University of Ottawa, where he received a BA and a master’s of education and completed postgraduate work at the University of Toronto, at OISE.

He was an active New Democrat since the founding convention, which took place on October 7 to 9, 1961, and his father was an active member of the CCF.

Prior to becoming an MPP, Ed was responsible for leadership training at the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

When I found out that I had the honour of reading a eulogy for Ed, I reached out to people who knew him.

His former wife, Audrey, talked about their twins, Andrew and Sarah. Sarah, she said, is now in Ottawa and will be a social worker by the summer. Andrew is looking into a career in Web development. He is with us in the House today. Welcome, Andrew.

Ed is also fondly remembered by his brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Barbara.

Ed loved his children very much and was extremely proud of them.

Audrey said that being an MPP was very important for Ed, not for the value of being a politician, but for introducing legislation that could benefit constituents.

He worked seven days a week, woke up early, went to the gym. His days were a whirlwind of activity completely dedicated to serving his community.

Former MPP Gilles Bisson served with Ed in this Legislature from 1990 to 1995. He said that Ed was respected by everyone in the House and was a very positive and kind person.

Former MPP Rosario Marchese also served with Ed from 1990 to 1995. He said that Ed was extremely committed to his constituency and that he worked non-stop.

And the current Speaker of the House, who I believe is the only serving MPP who served with Ed, from 1990 to 1995, said that when he was first elected—and the Speaker was 27 at the time—he was Ed’s critic and that Ed was very courteous and polite to him, and he really appreciated that very much as a new MPP.

Mr. Philip, as housing critic during the 1990s, brought in legislation to protect condo owners. A condominium magazine wrote that he was a condo owner since 1973, introduced 12 private members’ bills dealing with condominium issues, and he was a member of the Etobicoke Condominium Association. He wanted to see property managers licensed and bonded, and he insisted that condominium homes were overtaxed. He tabled authoritative research that showed that residential condominiums within the residential property class were over-assessed, and the Liberal government of the day therefore reduced property taxes for residential condominium owners Ontario-wide and enhanced fairness for condo owners. This was the first private member’s bill passed in this House by a member of the NDP. Rosario Marchese took on this work, bringing forward condo legislation four years in a row. And I’m hoping that I can build on this legacy, as last year I brought forward a condo bill to provide greater protection to condo owners and renters. In reading Ed’s story, I do see a number of parallels. I am hoping that I can build on the legacy that Ed had here. As well as the condo issue, I’ve also done graduate work at OISE.

I reached out to Stephen Lewis, who was the leader of the NDP when Ed was first elected—and I’ll say that Stephen Lewis was one of the greatest orators in this House, and his words are just so magical here. He said:

“Ed ... was one of the most conscientious members imaginable. He never set any responsibility aside. He hunkered down in every circumstance and met every expectation.

“And that was the point. No expectation was too demanding or too minor. Whether a serious debate was looming in the House, or careful preparation for question period was required, or he was faced with a tangled constituency problem, Ed would disappear into his office and emerge hours later with an answer or solution intact. He did it every time. Over and over again. Ad infinitum.

“His devotion to duty was unfailing.

“What’s more, self-promotion was never part of Ed’s character. He was earnest, self-effacing, kind, and forever decent. He was one of those rare people for whom the word ‘malice’ had no meaning.

“He brought a quiet dignity to the practice of politics.”

I’ll leave the last word to Ed. He said that working as an MPP was “not like work.”

I want to thank Ed’s family for being here and for all the sacrifices you’ve made over the years. We all know—everyone in this House knows—that our families have to make sacrifices so that we can serve our constituents, so thank you for those sacrifices, and thank you for doing me the honour of reading you this eulogy for Ed.

As the member for Etobicoke–Lakeshore, it is an honour to pay tribute to a former member of provincial Parliament for Etobicoke-Lakeshore, Mr. Edward Thomas Philip.

I also want to mention that Ed’s son is here. Andrew, welcome to Queen’s Park today.

Ed Thomas Philip was a dedicated servant of Etobicoke and of this great province. His constituents clearly recognized and appreciated this, given he was elected for five consecutive terms. On election night in 1990, just having won his fifth term, he spoke plainly about his electoral success, saying, “I’ve been out there and accessible for 12 years.”

Ed was born in Montreal in 1940. He received his BA and master of education degrees from the University of Ottawa and completed his postgraduate work at the University of Toronto.

In reading about his life, it’s clear that Ed excelled at and was very well versed in a broad range of disciplines and vocations.

Prior to his election, Ed oversaw leadership training at the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. He was a freelance writer, broadcaster and member of the Ontario Association for Continuing Education and the Creative Education Foundations. He was also bilingual.

Ed was a five-term member of provincial Parliament with the New Democratic Party, from 1975 to 1995, and was an active member of the New Democratic Party since its founding convention. He was Minister of Municipal Affairs and the Office for the Greater Toronto Area, Minister of Industry, Trade and Technology, and Minister of Transportation in the Rae government.

Prior to the NDP’s electoral victory in 1990, Ed served as opposition critic on a range of portfolios, including housing, rent review, government services, transportation and communications.

He was the government’s financial watchdog, overseeing the Provincial Auditor, Management Board of Cabinet and the Ministry of Government Services, as well as the Ombudsman, and he held the post of deputy whip.

Ed was obviously an exceptionally hard worker. In his long tenure at Queen’s Park, he had the distinction of chairing the Standing Committee on the Administration of Justice and the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. He also served as a member on the following standing committees: procedural affairs, the Ombudsman, the administration of estimates, as well as the Select Committee on the Highway Transportation of Goods and the Select Committee on Retail Store Hours.

Committee work is not usually a widely known function of our Parliament, but it is where the granular detail of legislation and policy is parsed and deliberated on. Good committee work requires a knowledgeable and seasoned parliamentarian, and the good people of Etobicoke–Rexdale certainly had that in Ed Philip.

Politics is, at its core, about people. Ed clearly cared about his constituents, and he cared about the portfolios that he held in government and in opposition.

In a 1983 condominium industry publication, Ed was featured in an article hailing his work ethic and dedication, particularly as it related to issues in the industry. The article highlighted his 10- to 15-hour workdays here at Queen’s Park and at his constituency office in Etobicoke. I would like to quote briefly from it:

“Philip has been a member of the Etobicoke Condominium Association since 1973, and has been involved in rent review and tenant issues, as well as about 2,000 cases for constituents in his riding each year. Philip is a politician who honestly enjoys canvassing, and spends most of his life working, but, ‘it’s not like work,’ he says. His Rexdale riding is one of the largest in the province, and last election, ‘the national press said I had the safest seat in the province,’ a point he is proud to make.”

Before closing, I would like to acknowledge and pay tribute to Ed’s position as a former director of Mental Health Canada. The ongoing work of destigmatizing matters of mental health in this country owes a great deal to the dedication and work of trailblazers like Ed.

On behalf of the Ontario Progressive Conservative caucus, let me again say that it is an honour to pay tribute to this former Etobicoke–Rexdale MPP, Ed Philip. We thank his family for giving so much of Ed Thomas Philip to the people of Ontario, and we give thanks for his life.

I recognize the member for Etobicoke–Lakeshore.

Thank you, and on behalf of the assembly, I thank the members who have joined us today for those tributes. I hope that you enjoy the rest of your day here at Queen’s Park.

Today we are honoured to remember and pay tribute to a former member of our provincial Legislature, the late Mr. Alan William Pope, who was the MPP for Cochrane South during the 31st, 32nd, 33rd and 34th Parliaments.

Mr. Pope’s family and friends are watching the tributes from home this afternoon, including his wife, Linda Fillion-Pope; his son, David Pope; and his daughter-in-law, Kirstin Danielson.

Joining us in the Speaker’s gallery is Mr. David Warner, Speaker during the 35th Parliament.

I’ll recognize the member for Timiskaming–Cochrane.

I’m pleased to stand here today to pay tribute to Mr. Alan William Pope, member of provincial Parliament for Cochrane South from 1977 to 1990.

Born in Ayr, Scotland, Alan Pope attended Timmins High School and Waterloo Lutheran University, and he graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School.

During his time in government, he held many prominent cabinet positions, including Minister of Natural Resources, Minister of Health, Attorney General, minister for French language services, and Justice secretary.

By the public and his peers, he was seen as a man with a strong presence, a formidable work ethic and dedicated mindset. These are the characteristics that drove Alan’s perseverance and led him to success.

From his early days as president of the national Young Progressive Conservatives in 1969, to getting his feet wet in municipal politics in Timmins in 1973, he took the daring leap into politics sooner than many of us here did. That could be why one of the first things people noticed about Mr. Pope’s political career is the youthful energy he had during his time in office—an energy that never seemed to go away. One local paper described Alan as the “disarmingly youthful chap” who became Minister of Natural Resources. He put this energy into everything he did, but that youthful spirit didn’t stop him from having to make the hard decisions or standing up for what he believed in. As he became a veteran member in government and his party, he developed a reputation by his peers as someone who would always speak his mind and stand up for what he thought was right. If you wanted something sugar-coated, Alan wasn’t the guy to ask. He was the real deal.

After leaving politics, he continued to serve his community. He spearheaded the funding and building of the Timmins and District Hospital, and he pushed forward the development of the Gillies Lake Conservation Area and many other projects. He cared deeply about his community and the people he served.

He was a man who had a passion for the outdoors and his family. He loved dearly his wife, Linda; his son, David; and his beloved grandchildren, Beatrice and Theodore.

Thank you, Alan, for your service.

And thank you to everyone here and his family for allowing me to do this tribute to him today.