Bud Wildman
Encyclopedia
Charles Jackson "Bud" Wildman (born June 3, 1946) is a Canadian
politician. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
as a New Democratic Party
Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) from 1975 to 1999, representing the riding
of Algoma
, and was a cabinet minister in the government of Bob Rae
.
, the McArthur College of Education, Queen's University and Algoma University
. He lived in Echo Bay, Ontario after graduating, and worked as a high school history teacher.
, defeating incumbent Progressive Conservative
Bernt Gilbertson
by 398 votes. Wildman's victory was regarded by many as an upset; he received support from NDP bastions such as Wawa
, but also from more traditionally Conservative areas on the north shore of Lake Huron
.
He was re-elected by an increased margin over PC candidate Dave Liddle in the 1977 election
, and retained his seat by significant margins in the elections of 1981
, 1985
, 1987
and 1990
.
Wildman supported Jim Foulds
's bid to lead the provincial NDP in 1982, and made little secret of his opposition to Bob Rae
's leadership in the years that followed. He was actively preparing a leadership campaign of his own in early 1990, as Rae appeared ready to leave provincial politics and run for the leadership of the federal NDP
. By all accounts, he was extremely disappointed when Rae eventually decided to remain as provincial leader.
, and Wildman was appointed to cabinet as Minister of Natural Resources and Minister responsible for Native Affairs
on October 1, 1990. He was promoted to Minister of the Environment and Energy on February 3, 1993, while retaining the Native Affairs portfolio. He claimed that he gained a greater appreciation of Rae's leadership abilities during this period.
As Natural Resources minister, Wildman initiated the first public audit of Ontario's forest resources. Wildman promoted an ecosystem
management approach for sustainability. Ontario's Environmental Bill of Rights was also approved during his tenure as Minister of Environment and Energy.He was a prominent defender of public ownership of Ontario Hydro and sceptic on nuclear power.
As Minister responsible for Native Affairs during the entire tenure of the Rae government, Wildman instituted a regime of dealing with First Nations
on a government to government basis, signing a "Statement of Political Relationship" with Ontario First Nation Chiefs, and concluded a number of land claims settlements. He also established the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy, which sought to address health problems among native peoples in a culturally sensitive manner.
and reduced to third-party status, although Wildman retained the Algoma riding by a reduced margin. Rae resigned as leader the next year and Wildman served as interim leader
in the legislature from February 10, 1996 until June 24, 1996 when Howard Hampton
took over the position after his victory in that year's Ontario NDP leadership convention. Wildman had been approached by the NDP's northern Ontario MPPs about running for the leadership of the party but declined.
The Algoma riding was radically redistributed in 1996, merging with the neighbouring riding of Algoma—Manitoulin and incorporating other territory from surrounding ridings as well. Wildman decided not to run in the 1999 election
, and retired from provincial politics after almost a quarter century at Queen's Park.
in the 2000 federal election
, running in Sault Ste. Marie
for the New Democratic Party
. The NDP actively targeted this seat as winnable, and party leader Alexa McDonough
visited the riding very late in the campaign. Wildman was however unsuccessful, finishing a surprisingly poor second with less than 25% of the vote against Liberal
incumbent Carmen Provenzano
.
was a federal NDP candidate in 1997 and was subsequently elected mayor of St. Joseph
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
politician. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario , is the legislature of the Canadian province of Ontario, and is the second largest provincial legislature of Canada...
as a New Democratic Party
Ontario New Democratic Party
The Ontario New Democratic Party or , formally known as New Democratic Party of Ontario, is a social democratic political party in Ontario, Canada. It is a provincial section of the federal New Democratic Party. It was formed in October 1961, a few months after the federal party. The ONDP had its...
Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) from 1975 to 1999, representing the riding
Electoral district (Canada)
An electoral district in Canada, also known as a constituency or a riding, is a geographical constituency upon which Canada's representative democracy is based...
of Algoma
Algoma (provincial electoral district)
Algoma was a provincial electoral district in northern Ontario, Canada that elected one member to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. It existed from 1867 to 1884, 1902 to 1934 and from 1967 to 1999. In 1999, the riding was abolished into Algoma—Manitoulin....
, and was a cabinet minister in the government of Bob Rae
Bob Rae
Robert Keith "Bob" Rae, PC, OC, OOnt, QC, MP is a Canadian politician. He is the Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre and interim leader of the Liberal Party of Canada....
.
Background
He was educated at Carleton UniversityCarleton University
Carleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
, the McArthur College of Education, Queen's University and Algoma University
Algoma University College
Algoma University is a postsecondary institution in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, offering undergraduate university degrees in more than 30 academic programs...
. He lived in Echo Bay, Ontario after graduating, and worked as a high school history teacher.
Politics
Wildman was first elected to the legislature in the provincial election of 1975Ontario general election, 1975
The Ontario general election of 1975 was held on September 18, 1975, to elect the 125 members of the 30th Legislative Assembly of Ontario of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
, defeating incumbent Progressive Conservative
Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
The Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario , is a right-of-centre political party in Ontario, Canada. The party was known for many years as "Ontario's natural governing party." It has ruled the province for 80 of the years since Confederation, including an uninterrupted run from 1943 to 1985...
Bernt Gilbertson
Bernt Gilbertson
Bernt Nicole Gilbertson was a Canadian politician, who represented the electoral district of Algoma in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1967 to 1975. He was a member of the Progressive Conservatives.A resident of St...
by 398 votes. Wildman's victory was regarded by many as an upset; he received support from NDP bastions such as Wawa
Wawa, Ontario
Wawa is a township in the Canadian province of Ontario, located within the Algoma District. Formerly known as the township of Michipicoten, the township was officially renamed for its largest and best-known community in 2009....
, but also from more traditionally Conservative areas on the north shore of Lake Huron
Lake Huron
Lake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Hydrologically, it comprises the larger portion of Lake Michigan-Huron. It is bounded on the east by the Canadian province of Ontario and on the west by the state of Michigan in the United States...
.
He was re-elected by an increased margin over PC candidate Dave Liddle in the 1977 election
Ontario general election, 1977
The Ontario general election of 1977 was held on June 9, 1977, to elect the 125 members of the 31st Legislative Assembly of Ontario of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
, and retained his seat by significant margins in the elections of 1981
Ontario general election, 1981
The Ontario general election of 1981 was held on March 19, 1981, to elect members of the 32nd Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
, 1985
Ontario general election, 1985
The Ontario general election of 1985 was held on May 2, 1985, to elect members of the 33rd Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada...
, 1987
Ontario general election, 1987
The Ontario general election of 1987 was held on September 10, 1987, to elect members of the 34th Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada.The governing Ontario Liberal Party, led by David Peterson, was returned to power with a large majority...
and 1990
Ontario general election, 1990
The Ontario general election of 1990 was held on September 6, 1990, to elect members of the 35th Legislative Assembly of the province of Ontario, Canada....
.
Wildman supported Jim Foulds
Jim Foulds
James Francis Foulds is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1971 to 1987 as a member of the New Democratic Party....
's bid to lead the provincial NDP in 1982, and made little secret of his opposition to Bob Rae
Bob Rae
Robert Keith "Bob" Rae, PC, OC, OOnt, QC, MP is a Canadian politician. He is the Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre and interim leader of the Liberal Party of Canada....
's leadership in the years that followed. He was actively preparing a leadership campaign of his own in early 1990, as Rae appeared ready to leave provincial politics and run for the leadership of the federal NDP
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
. By all accounts, he was extremely disappointed when Rae eventually decided to remain as provincial leader.
Government
The NDP won the 1990 provincial electionOntario general election, 1990
The Ontario general election of 1990 was held on September 6, 1990, to elect members of the 35th Legislative Assembly of the province of Ontario, Canada....
, and Wildman was appointed to cabinet as Minister of Natural Resources and Minister responsible for Native Affairs
Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs (Ontario)
The Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs is the Government of Ontario ministry responsible for issues relating to First Nations, Métis and Inuit in Ontario. The current Minister of Aboriginal Affairs is Kathleen Wynne who sits in the Executive Council of Ontario or cabinet...
on October 1, 1990. He was promoted to Minister of the Environment and Energy on February 3, 1993, while retaining the Native Affairs portfolio. He claimed that he gained a greater appreciation of Rae's leadership abilities during this period.
As Natural Resources minister, Wildman initiated the first public audit of Ontario's forest resources. Wildman promoted an ecosystem
Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a biological environment consisting of all the organisms living in a particular area, as well as all the nonliving , physical components of the environment with which the organisms interact, such as air, soil, water and sunlight....
management approach for sustainability. Ontario's Environmental Bill of Rights was also approved during his tenure as Minister of Environment and Energy.He was a prominent defender of public ownership of Ontario Hydro and sceptic on nuclear power.
As Minister responsible for Native Affairs during the entire tenure of the Rae government, Wildman instituted a regime of dealing with First Nations
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
on a government to government basis, signing a "Statement of Political Relationship" with Ontario First Nation Chiefs, and concluded a number of land claims settlements. He also established the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy, which sought to address health problems among native peoples in a culturally sensitive manner.
Return to opposition
The NDP were defeated in the 1995 general electionOntario general election, 1995
The Ontario general election of 1995 was held on June 8, 1995, to elect members of the 36th Legislative Assembly of the province of Ontario, Canada...
and reduced to third-party status, although Wildman retained the Algoma riding by a reduced margin. Rae resigned as leader the next year and Wildman served as interim leader
Interim leader
An interim leader, in Canadian politics, is a party leader appointed by the party's legislative caucus or the party's executive to temporarily act as leader when a gap occurs between the resignation or death of a party leader and the election of a formal successor...
in the legislature from February 10, 1996 until June 24, 1996 when Howard Hampton
Howard Hampton
Howard George Hampton, MPP is a Canadian lawyer and politician. He has served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Canada, since 1987 as the Member of Provincial Parliament from the northern riding of Kenora—Rainy River. A member of the Ontario New Democratic Party, he was also the party's...
took over the position after his victory in that year's Ontario NDP leadership convention. Wildman had been approached by the NDP's northern Ontario MPPs about running for the leadership of the party but declined.
The Algoma riding was radically redistributed in 1996, merging with the neighbouring riding of Algoma—Manitoulin and incorporating other territory from surrounding ridings as well. Wildman decided not to run in the 1999 election
Ontario general election, 1999
An Ontario general election was held on June 3, 1999, to elect members of the 37th Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
, and retired from provincial politics after almost a quarter century at Queen's Park.
Federal politics
Wildman attempted to win a seat in the federal House of CommonsCanadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
in the 2000 federal election
Canadian federal election, 2000
The 2000 Canadian federal election was held on November 27, 2000, to elect 301 Members of Parliament of the Canadian House of Commons of the 37th Parliament of Canada....
, running in Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie (electoral district)
Sault Ste. Marie is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1968.In 2004, due to population changes in boundary distribution, the riding expanded significantly to include a significant portion of the Algoma District, from...
for the New Democratic Party
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
. The NDP actively targeted this seat as winnable, and party leader Alexa McDonough
Alexa McDonough
Alexa Ann Shaw McDonough OC is a Canadian politician who became the first woman to lead a major, recognized political party in Canada, when she was elected the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party's leader in 1980...
visited the riding very late in the campaign. Wildman was however unsuccessful, finishing a surprisingly poor second with less than 25% of the vote against Liberal
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
incumbent Carmen Provenzano
Carmen Provenzano
Carmen Provenzano was a Canadian politician. He represented the Sault Ste. Marie electoral district in the Canadian House of Commons from 1997 to 2004. He was a member of the Liberal Party of Canada....
.
Later life
Since leaving politics Wildman has worked as a consultant. He served as the chair of the Board of Governors of Algoma University. Wildman is also a member of the board of directors of the Sault Ste. Marie and District Group Health Centre. His son Jody WildmanJody Wildman
Joseph David "Jody" Wildman is a Canadian municipal politician. He served as a municipal councillor for the Township of St. Joseph, Ontario on St. Joseph Island from 2000 to 2003, when he was elected reeve...
was a federal NDP candidate in 1997 and was subsequently elected mayor of St. Joseph
St. Joseph, Ontario
St. Joseph is a township in the Canadian province of Ontario, the largest of four municipalities on St. Joseph Island. Its population presently stands at 1,129 .The mayor of the township is Jody Wildman.-Communities:...
.