Cyril Lloyd Francis
Encyclopedia
Cyril Lloyd Francis, PC
(March 19, 1920 – January 20, 2007) was a Canadian politician and one time Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons
. Francis was known by his middle name.
Following service in the Royal Canadian Air Force
during World War II
, Francis earned a Master of Arts
(MA) and doctorate
(Ph.D) in economics, and lectured in the discipline from 1948 to 1951 at the University at Buffalo
. He then joined the Department of National Health and Welfare in Ottawa
as a senior economist.
In 1956, Francis and partner, lawyer Donald Sim, carrying on business as Lynhar Developments, acquired and laid out the Stinson Avenue area of Bells Corners in Nepean. They quickly formed a partnership with William Teron, T.F.S. Lands, to build the houses in Lynwood Village.
The Lynwood Plaza at Bells Corners was built by Francis and Sim’s Lynhar Developments and included what would become the landmark Robinson IGA.
Long time Nepean Reeve D. Aubrey Moodie
, in his book, “The Spirit of Nepean” described Francis as one of the contributors to the foundation of Nepean. Moodie explains about the introduction of lot levies, now known as development charges, and how they contributed to the financial stability of Nepean Township. It was the transfer of large sums of money in the form of lot levies, along with Francis and Teron's aggressive development activity that enabled much of Nepean's Parkwood Hills and Bells Corners neighbourhoods to be built. To the pleasure of some and the disdain of others, Mr. Francis was one of a list of individuals credited with the introduction of lot levies as a development finance tool that is relied upon to this day to fund infrastructure commensurate with new residential developments.
In 1958, Francis became President of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, a union representing civil servants in certain professions. In 1959, he entered municipal politics by being elected alderman
on Ottawa City Council
. From 1960 to 1963, he served on the city's Board of Control
and as Deputy Mayor.
He entered federal politics as a Liberal
candidate in the 1962 election
but was defeated in the Ottawa-area riding of Carleton. His electoral record was mixed throughout his career and he would only win election on alternate attempts. Accordingly, he served as Member of Parliament
(MP) for Carleton from 1963 to 1965 and then for Ottawa West in 1968-1972, 1974-1979 and 1980-1984.
He served as Chief Government Whip from 1970 to 1971 and then as Parliamentary Secretary
to the Minister of Veterans Affairs
until he was defeated in the 1972 election
. After he returned to Parliament in the 1974 election
, he served as Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board
from 1975 to 1976.
In 1980, he became Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons. He succeeded Jeanne Sauvé
as Speaker on January 15, 1984 when Sauvé became Governor General of Canada
.
The Liberal government was defeated in the 1984 election
, and Francis lost his seat. His term as Speaker ended when the new House of Commons convened in November of that year.
On the conclusion of his term as Speaker, Francis was appointed to the Queen's Privy Council for Canada
. In late 1984, the new Prime Minister of Canada
, Brian Mulroney
, appointed Francis to the position of Ambassador to Portugal
. Francis returned to Ottawa at the conclusion of his appointment in 1987.
He died in January 2007, after suffering from stomach cancer.
Queen's Privy Council for Canada
The Queen's Privy Council for Canada ), sometimes called Her Majesty's Privy Council for Canada or simply the Privy Council, is the full group of personal consultants to the monarch of Canada on state and constitutional affairs, though responsible government requires the sovereign or her viceroy,...
(March 19, 1920 – January 20, 2007) was a Canadian politician and one time Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons
Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons
The Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada is the presiding officer of the lower house of the Parliament of Canada and is elected at the beginning of each new parliament by fellow Members of Parliament...
. Francis was known by his middle name.
Following service in the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Francis earned a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
(MA) and doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
(Ph.D) in economics, and lectured in the discipline from 1948 to 1951 at the University at Buffalo
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, also commonly known as the University at Buffalo or UB, is a public research university and a "University Center" in the State University of New York system. The university was founded by Millard Fillmore in 1846. UB has multiple campuses...
. He then joined the Department of National Health and Welfare in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
as a senior economist.
In 1956, Francis and partner, lawyer Donald Sim, carrying on business as Lynhar Developments, acquired and laid out the Stinson Avenue area of Bells Corners in Nepean. They quickly formed a partnership with William Teron, T.F.S. Lands, to build the houses in Lynwood Village.
The Lynwood Plaza at Bells Corners was built by Francis and Sim’s Lynhar Developments and included what would become the landmark Robinson IGA.
Long time Nepean Reeve D. Aubrey Moodie
D. Aubrey Moodie
Douglas Aubrey Moodie was reeve of Nepean Township, Ontario from 1954 to 1969 and was known as the "Father of Nepean". He was born in Bells Corners, Nepean Township, Ontario ....
, in his book, “The Spirit of Nepean” described Francis as one of the contributors to the foundation of Nepean. Moodie explains about the introduction of lot levies, now known as development charges, and how they contributed to the financial stability of Nepean Township. It was the transfer of large sums of money in the form of lot levies, along with Francis and Teron's aggressive development activity that enabled much of Nepean's Parkwood Hills and Bells Corners neighbourhoods to be built. To the pleasure of some and the disdain of others, Mr. Francis was one of a list of individuals credited with the introduction of lot levies as a development finance tool that is relied upon to this day to fund infrastructure commensurate with new residential developments.
In 1958, Francis became President of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, a union representing civil servants in certain professions. In 1959, he entered municipal politics by being elected alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
on Ottawa City Council
Ottawa City Council
The Ottawa City Council is the governing body of the City of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It is composed of 23 city councillors and the mayor. The mayor is elected at large, while each of the councillors represent wards throughout the city. Council members are elected to four year terms with the...
. From 1960 to 1963, he served on the city's Board of Control
Ottawa Board of Control
The Ottawa Board of Control was an important part of the governance of Ottawa, Ontario from 1908 until 1978 when it was abolished. Through the 19th century Ottawa had been governed by a mayor and city council, but most councilors were only part time and could spend only a few hours per week on...
and as Deputy Mayor.
He entered federal politics as a 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...
candidate in the 1962 election
Canadian federal election, 1962
The Canadian federal election of 1962 was held on June 18, 1962 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 25th Parliament of Canada...
but was defeated in the Ottawa-area riding of Carleton. His electoral record was mixed throughout his career and he would only win election on alternate attempts. Accordingly, he served as Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
(MP) for Carleton from 1963 to 1965 and then for Ottawa West in 1968-1972, 1974-1979 and 1980-1984.
He served as Chief Government Whip from 1970 to 1971 and then as Parliamentary Secretary
Parliamentary Secretary
A Parliamentary Secretary is a member of a Parliament in the Westminster system who assists a more senior minister with his or her duties.In the parliamentary systems of several Commonwealth countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, it is customary for the prime minister to...
to the Minister of Veterans Affairs
Minister of Veterans Affairs (Canada)
The Minister of Veterans Affairs is the Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet whose position was created in 1944. The Department of Veterans Affairs Canada was split from the Department of Pensions and National Health and was given the responsibility of administering benefits and pensions...
until he was defeated in the 1972 election
Canadian federal election, 1972
The Canadian federal election of 1972 was held on October 30, 1972 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 29th Parliament of Canada. It resulted in a slim victory for the governing Liberal Party, which won 109 seats, compared to 107 seats for the opposition Progressive...
. After he returned to Parliament in the 1974 election
Canadian federal election, 1974
The Canadian federal election of 1974 was held on July 8, 1974 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 30th Parliament of Canada. The governing Liberal Party won its first majority government since 1968, and gave Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau his third term...
, he served as Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board
President of the Treasury Board (Canada)
The position of President of the Treasury Board was created as a ministerial position in the Canadian Cabinet in 1966 when the Treasury Board became a full-fledged department. From 1867 to 1966 the Treasury Board had been part of the Department of Finance....
from 1975 to 1976.
In 1980, he became Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons. He succeeded Jeanne Sauvé
Jeanne Sauvé
Jeanne Mathilde Sauvé was a Canadian journalist, politician, and stateswoman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 23rd since Canadian Confederation....
as Speaker on January 15, 1984 when Sauvé became Governor General of Canada
Governor General of Canada
The Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II...
.
The Liberal government was defeated in the 1984 election
Canadian federal election, 1984
The Canadian federal election of 1984 was held on September 4 of that year to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 33rd Parliament of Canada...
, and Francis lost his seat. His term as Speaker ended when the new House of Commons convened in November of that year.
On the conclusion of his term as Speaker, Francis was appointed to the Queen's Privy Council for Canada
Queen's Privy Council for Canada
The Queen's Privy Council for Canada ), sometimes called Her Majesty's Privy Council for Canada or simply the Privy Council, is the full group of personal consultants to the monarch of Canada on state and constitutional affairs, though responsible government requires the sovereign or her viceroy,...
. In late 1984, the new Prime Minister of Canada
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
, Brian Mulroney
Brian Mulroney
Martin Brian Mulroney, was the 18th Prime Minister of Canada from September 17, 1984, to June 25, 1993 and was leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada from 1983 to 1993. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by the introduction of major economic reforms, such as the Canada-U.S...
, appointed Francis to the position of Ambassador to Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
. Francis returned to Ottawa at the conclusion of his appointment in 1987.
He died in January 2007, after suffering from stomach cancer.
External links
- Biography of Cyril Lloyd Francis from the Library of Parliament.