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.

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.

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.