It is an honour to rise in this great House to pay tribute to the life of a colleague who once represented my riding. Today, Speaker, I’m going to spend a few moments to remember and give my respects to Mitro Makarchuk, MPP for Brantford, who was affectionately known simply as Mac.

Joining us here today are Mac’s sister, Lisa Makarchuk; his brother-in-law, James Love; his nephew, Darwin Milian Valdez; his friend Honora Dines; and, of course, former Speaker David Warner. I welcome you all here today.

Mac passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie. True to character until the end, Mac waited to pass until a few minutes after an extended family and friend visit.

He was born in 1929 in northern Saskatchewan to hard-working parents who had emigrated the previous year from Ukraine.

In addition to his many different interests, Mac had a long, varied and adventure-filled life as an MPP for the New Democratic Party; a city councillor for Brantford; a journalist; an inveterate and generous party thrower and partygoer; boat builder, cruiser and charterer; Royal Canadian Navy seaman and Royal Canadian Air Force flight lieutenant stationed in various places in the world.

After leaving school, Mac decided to try his hand at journalism and joined the news team at the Brantford Expositor. One day in 1965, he was sent to cover a nomination for the local NDP, which didn’t have a candidate—as we’ve already heard. Nobody was running, so Mac offered himself as the candidate. He ended up losing that federal election, but he was nominated to the provincial NDP and elected to represent Brantford here at the Ontario Legislature in 1967, serving one term. Mac was elected to Brantford city council as an alderman in 1972. He returned to the Legislature in 1975 and was re-elected in the 1977 election.

He lost his seat in 1981 to PC candidate Phil Gillies, who would be a cabinet minister, and who, to this day, is my friend and mentor. Phil Gillies ran against Mac twice. In the 1977 election, Mac came out on top. And in 1981, it was Phil Gillies who won.

After Gillies was himself defeated in 1987, he went to a gathering at the old Press Club on Wellesley Street. With some other now-former MPPs, Phil climbed the stairs to the club. He was enjoying the evening at the bar, but Mac Makarchuk—I’m told Mac looked at Phil and said, “Welcome to the alumni association. It took you long enough. Come on, let’s have a drink.

This was the disposition of Brantford–Brant politics, regardless of party affiliation. The camaraderie of public service always comes first.

After Mac Makarchuk left the Legislature in 1981, he dove into some really interesting business projects, one of which was the construction of a large tour boat to accommodate meetings, tourists and parties in Toronto harbour. He also built a personal yacht that led to some media questions. When the Globe and Mail interviewed Mac about this, the reporter asked, “How do you reconcile being a socialist-leaning politician and owning a $2-million boat?” Mac replied, “I’m still a socialist. I think everybody should have one of these.”

He was active in the anti-nuclear-arms movement. He supported various political and environmental organizations and was actively engaged with all of them.

With his wife, Carolynne, he was a global traveller through dozens of countries. He sunned in the tropics, and he enjoyed good wine, fine dining, and conversation, especially if it was political.

He was one of a kind—charismatic and imbued with a boundless sense of humour. He had a powerful influence on everyone around him. He turned political adversaries into lifelong, trusted friends. He had the ability to turn dreams into reality.

Mac was certainly one of a kind and leaves behind a legacy of working across the aisle for the people he once represented, and I currently represent, in Brantford–Brant.

He used his charisma to get things done, and he championed the creation of the Doug Snooks community centre in the Eagle Place community in Brantford.

Even though he retired from politics four decades ago, his name is mentioned with affection, respect and fondness not only in Brantford–Brant but at MPP alumni gatherings throughout southern Ontario.

In conclusion, on behalf of the government of Ontario and the riding of Brantford–Brant—and I know I speak for many former MPPs who served in this grand House alongside Mac—I salute you, sir, for your service to Ontario. Thank you for serving the people of Brantford–Brant with professionalism, style and respect.

And to Mac’s family who have joined us, thank you for loaning him to the people of Ontario for so many years.

You will be remembered as a journalist, an MPP, a city councillor, a shipbuilder, a businessman, and a compassionate, caring man who wanted to figure out what binds us together rather than what drives us apart. For all of that, Mac, we respect and salute you.