Louis Joseph Dickson was a well-loved member of the Ajax community. He was known as Joe, Mr. Ajax or Joe Everywhere by his friends and constituents.

Joe was the oldest of 10 children. He was born in Ajax and lived and worked there his whole life. Joe Dickson, a businessman and dedicated member of the community, started Dickson Printing in 1960, and it stayed in business until 2020. He was a representative for Ajax who cared deeply about his community and what it needed.

His wife Donna, his son Jim Dickson, his two sisters-in-law—and we’re also joined by David Warner, former Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. We’re glad you’re here today.

Joe was known for his great sense of humour, friendly smile, a willingness to listen and a love to weave a story. I think he may have figured out what every politician wants to know: how to clone himself. He never seemed to miss a grand opening, an event, a celebration or a constituent concern. So I think he may have figured it out after all. He was always there with a scroll, a smile, a picture, a kind word, a story to tell. He was a larger-than-life figure who loved life, his family and, as he often referred to her, his guardian angel, Donna.

He was always willing to go where he was needed. He was a great politician who served with passion and style. Anyone could talk to him, no matter their religion or political party. He always worked hard to protect the interests of the people who lived in Ajax. Joe was very involved in the process of making November Hindu Heritage Month, and the community has always been very grateful for his support. It was one of his proudest accomplishments.

If you saw Joe driving around in his small blue and yellow Dickson Printing car, you would never think that he liked fast cars. I only found that out recently. According to his son, he liked anything with a fast engine, but he was especially proud of his 1969 Dodge Charger, which he kept in mint condition.

Joe was involved in many activities in his community for a long time. In the early 1970s, he was a member of the local school board. In the 1980s and 1990s, he was an Ajax municipal and regional councillor. He was re-elected to council in 1997. He was given the Ajax Civic Award, which is given every year to a person who has used their free time in extraordinary ways to support their community.

He was a big reason why Ajax Home Week and Ajax Environmental Affairs Week were started, both of which he was intimately involved in. He looked forward to the homecoming week and being part of the parade, touching base with constituents, giving out candies to the kids, and he especially loved the pancake breakfast by the lake with the veterans and seniors during homecoming week events. He was a great friend to the Legion and a big supporter of veterans.

Before being elected to the provincial Legislature in 2007, he worked in several jobs in the community. I can list a few, but I’m sure there are many more that will be mentioned. He was the founder and co-chair of the annual Ajax-Pickering Multiple Sclerosis Walk and executive vice-chairman of the Ajax Municipal Housing Corp. He was involved in the Ajax Heritage Advisory Committee. He ran as a Liberal candidate for Ajax–Pickering in the 2007 election. He was voted back in office in 2011 and again in 2014. During his time in the Ontario provincial Parliament, he was parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Northern Development and Mines, and deputy government whip.

Joe was an inspiration to me, and he was one of the reasons I decided to run for trustee and then for MPP. We had some great talks. One time in particular, after I had finished bending his ear on a complaint I had, he said to me: “Well, why don’t you run?” And I did. I just wanted to thank Joe for supporting that. He was that kind of guy. After I entered my name, he gave me the Joe rules: Always, always be accessible to your constituents, and always be willing to talk.

He was unapologetic in his faith and his service to God and was a member of the Catholic Church up until his death. Joe will always be remembered for being kind and willing to help people in need, both in and out of his community.

I also understand and recognize Laura Oliver, who was his assistant. She was his right hand in outreach in his constituency office.

And so, as I close, I echo the words of others: Thank you, Joe. You will be truly missed.