Evelyn Gigantes
Encyclopedia
Evelyn Adelaide Gigantes (born November 1, 1942 in Yarmouth
, Nova Scotia
) is a former politician
in Ontario
, Canada
. She served as a New Democratic Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
on three occasions between 1975 and 1995, and was a prominent cabinet minister in the government of Bob Rae
.
The daughter of Earle Sanford Peach and May Murphy, Gigantes grew up in Aylmer, Quebec
, later earning a Bachelor of Arts
degree from Carleton University
. She worked as a radio and television broadcaster before entering political life, and was for a time an interviewer with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
, and host of her own current affairs show in Ottawa. During her time out of political office, she was a member of a City of Ottawa Municipal Energy Planning Project, and served as a representative on women's issues for the National Union of Provincial Government Employees.
Gigantes first ran for the Ontario legislature in a by-election
held on September 30, 1974. She was defeated by Progressive Conservative
Paul Frederick Taylor in the Ottawa area riding of Carleton East
, losing by 240 votes. The following year, however, she defeated Taylor by 281 votes in the provincial election of 1975
.
The NDP lost some of its marginal seats in the provincial election of 1977
, but Gigantes was re-elected over Progressive Conservative Darwin Kealey by 781 votes (the Liberal candidate was a very close third).
The Progressive Conservatives had presided over a minority government
from 1975 to 1981, but won a parliamentary majority in the 1981 provincial election
. Many senior figures in the New Democratic Party had little respect for newly-chosen leader Michael Cassidy
, and the party's electoral performance suffered accordingly. Gigantes finished third in her bid for re-election in Carleton East, falling behind both Liberal
Bernard Grandmaitre
and the winner, Progressive Conservative Bob McQuarrie.
Gigantes returned to the legislature through a by-election win in Ottawa Centre
on December 31, 1984, called after Cassidy resigned as Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for the riding. She defeated Progressive Conservative candidate Graham Bird by over 2,000 votes; the Liberal candidate was Lowell Green
, who later became famous in the region for hosting a right-wing radio call-in show. Gigantes was re-elected over Bird by an increased margin in the 1985 provincial election
.
After the 1985 election
, the Liberal Party under David Peterson
was able to form a minority administration with support from the NDP (which did not join the Liberals in a formal coalition, but offered support on key legislative initiatives). Gigantes served as her party's critic for the Attorney General and for Women's Issues in this period. The Liberals won a landslide majority government in the 1987 provincial election
, and Gigantes lost her seat to Liberal Richard Patten
by 1,087 votes.
The NDP unexpectly won a majority government under Bob Rae
in the 1990 provincial election
, and Gigantes, once again campaigning in Ottawa Centre, defeated Patten by almost 3,000 votes. As a result of her legislative experience, she was appointed to Rae's first cabinet as Minister of Health on October 1, 1990.
Gigantes's tenure in this portfolio was brief. She resigned her portfolio on April 18, 1991, after revealing confidential information during a legislative debate. (Gigantes had improperly revealed the name of a patient in response to a question from opposition MPP Ernie Eves
.) Her comments were considered an error in judgement rather than premeditated slander, and Gigantes was returned to cabinet on July 31, 1991 as Minister of Housing.
In cabinet, Gigantes was a prominent skeptic of the NDP's pledge to introduce public automobile insurance. She believed that the cost in lost jobs would not be compensated by increased savings before the next election, and supported the Rae government's decision to withdraw from this promise in 1991. She later opposed the NDP's funding cutbacks in 1992, but was a supporter of Social Contract
legislation in 1993. (Gigantes accused the unions which opposed this legislation of protecting their own interests against those of the most vulnerable citizens.)
As Housing Minister, Gigantes supported the construction of non-profit housing and maintained provincial rent controls. On one occasion, she also replaced the scandal-ridden Metro Toronto Housing Authority with a group of government-appointed overseers.
Gigantes was forced to resign from cabinet a second time, on August 18, 1994, after conflict-of-interest allegations arose in her handling of the Housing portfolio. On one occasion, Gigantes recommended her friend Nancy Smith to head the Ontario Housing Corporation.
The NDP were defeated in the 1995 provincial election
, and Gigantes again lost the Ottawa Centre riding to Richard Patten by over 1,500 votes. She has not sought a return to political life since this time.
In 2002, Gigantes registered a complaint against police intimidation at a public protest in Ottawa. In 2004, she co-chaired a candidate search committee for the federal New Democratic Party
.
Gigantes supported Bill Blaikie
for the leadership of the federal NDP in 2002-03.
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Yarmouth is a town and fishing port located on the Gulf of Maine in rural southwestern Nova Scotia, Canada. It is the shire town of Yarmouth County. The town is located in the heart of the world's largest lobster fishing grounds and has Canada's highest lobster catch.- History :The townsite may...
, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
) is a former politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
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...
. She served as a New Democratic Party member of 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...
on three occasions between 1975 and 1995, and was a prominent 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....
.
The daughter of Earle Sanford Peach and May Murphy, Gigantes grew up in Aylmer, Quebec
Aylmer, Quebec
Aylmer is a former city in Quebec, Canada. It became a sector of the City of Gatineau on January 1, 2002. Located on the Ottawa River and Route 148 it is a part of the National Capital Region. The population in 2006 was 41 882 — approx. 16% of Gatineau...
, later earning a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree from Carleton University
Carleton 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...
. She worked as a radio and television broadcaster before entering political life, and was for a time an interviewer with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
, and host of her own current affairs show in Ottawa. During her time out of political office, she was a member of a City of Ottawa Municipal Energy Planning Project, and served as a representative on women's issues for the National Union of Provincial Government Employees.
Gigantes first ran for the Ontario legislature in a by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
held on September 30, 1974. She was defeated by 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...
Paul Frederick Taylor in the Ottawa area riding of Carleton East
Carleton East
Carleton East was a provincial electoral district in Ontario, Canada. It was created for the 1967 election and was abolished in 1998 into Carleton—Gloucester and Ottawa—Vanier....
, losing by 240 votes. The following year, however, she defeated Taylor by 281 votes in the provincial election of 1975
Ontario 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....
.
The NDP lost some of its marginal seats in the provincial election of 1977
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....
, but Gigantes was re-elected over Progressive Conservative Darwin Kealey by 781 votes (the Liberal candidate was a very close third).
The Progressive Conservatives had presided over a minority government
Minority government
A minority government or a minority cabinet is a cabinet of a parliamentary system formed when a political party or coalition of parties does not have a majority of overall seats in the parliament but is sworn into government to break a Hung Parliament election result. It is also known as a...
from 1975 to 1981, but won a parliamentary majority in the 1981 provincial election
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....
. Many senior figures in the New Democratic Party had little respect for newly-chosen leader Michael Cassidy
Michael Cassidy
Michael Morris Cassidy is a Canadian politician. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1971 to 1984, and in the Canadian House of Commons from 1984 to 1988...
, and the party's electoral performance suffered accordingly. Gigantes finished third in her bid for re-election in Carleton East, falling behind both Liberal
Ontario Liberal Party
The Ontario Liberal Party is a provincial political party in the province of Ontario, Canada. It has formed the Government of Ontario since the provincial election of 2003. The party is ideologically aligned with the Liberal Party of Canada but the two parties are organizationally independent and...
Bernard Grandmaitre
Bernard Grandmaître
Bernard "Ben" C. Grandmaitre is a retired politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1984 to 1999, and served as a cabinet minister in the government of David Peterson.Grandmaitre was educated as Ottawa schools, and owned a small business in...
and the winner, Progressive Conservative Bob McQuarrie.
Gigantes returned to the legislature through a by-election win in Ottawa Centre
Ottawa Centre (provincial electoral district)
Ottawa Centre is an urban provincial electoral district in Ontario, Canada that has been represented in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario since 1968...
on December 31, 1984, called after Cassidy resigned as Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for the riding. She defeated Progressive Conservative candidate Graham Bird by over 2,000 votes; the Liberal candidate was Lowell Green
Lowell Green
Lowell Green is a Canadian radio personality. He hosts The Lowell Green Show, a conservative morning talk show on Ottawa radio station CFRA, and has also syndicated programming to several other Canadian radio stations....
, who later became famous in the region for hosting a right-wing radio call-in show. Gigantes was re-elected over Bird by an increased margin in the 1985 provincial election
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...
.
After the 1985 election
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...
, the Liberal Party under David Peterson
David Peterson
David Robert Peterson, PC, O.Ont was the 20th Premier of the Province of Ontario, Canada, from June 26, 1985 to October 1, 1990. He was the first Liberal premier of Ontario in 42 years....
was able to form a minority administration with support from the NDP (which did not join the Liberals in a formal coalition, but offered support on key legislative initiatives). Gigantes served as her party's critic for the Attorney General and for Women's Issues in this period. The Liberals won a landslide majority government in the 1987 provincial election
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 Gigantes lost her seat to Liberal Richard Patten
Richard Patten
Richard Andrew Patten is a politician in Ontario, Canada. Patten was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, representing the riding of Ottawa Centre.-Biography:...
by 1,087 votes.
The NDP unexpectly won a majority government under 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....
in the 1990 provincial election
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....
, and Gigantes, once again campaigning in Ottawa Centre, defeated Patten by almost 3,000 votes. As a result of her legislative experience, she was appointed to Rae's first cabinet as Minister of Health on October 1, 1990.
Gigantes's tenure in this portfolio was brief. She resigned her portfolio on April 18, 1991, after revealing confidential information during a legislative debate. (Gigantes had improperly revealed the name of a patient in response to a question from opposition MPP Ernie Eves
Ernie Eves
Ernest Lawrence "Ernie" Eves was the 23rd Premier of the province of Ontario, Canada, from April 15, 2002, to October 23, 2003.-Beginnings:...
.) Her comments were considered an error in judgement rather than premeditated slander, and Gigantes was returned to cabinet on July 31, 1991 as Minister of Housing.
In cabinet, Gigantes was a prominent skeptic of the NDP's pledge to introduce public automobile insurance. She believed that the cost in lost jobs would not be compensated by increased savings before the next election, and supported the Rae government's decision to withdraw from this promise in 1991. She later opposed the NDP's funding cutbacks in 1992, but was a supporter of Social Contract
Social contract
The social contract is an intellectual device intended to explain the appropriate relationship between individuals and their governments. Social contract arguments assert that individuals unite into political societies by a process of mutual consent, agreeing to abide by common rules and accept...
legislation in 1993. (Gigantes accused the unions which opposed this legislation of protecting their own interests against those of the most vulnerable citizens.)
As Housing Minister, Gigantes supported the construction of non-profit housing and maintained provincial rent controls. On one occasion, she also replaced the scandal-ridden Metro Toronto Housing Authority with a group of government-appointed overseers.
Gigantes was forced to resign from cabinet a second time, on August 18, 1994, after conflict-of-interest allegations arose in her handling of the Housing portfolio. On one occasion, Gigantes recommended her friend Nancy Smith to head the Ontario Housing Corporation.
The NDP were defeated in the 1995 provincial election
Ontario 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 Gigantes again lost the Ottawa Centre riding to Richard Patten by over 1,500 votes. She has not sought a return to political life since this time.
In 2002, Gigantes registered a complaint against police intimidation at a public protest in Ottawa. In 2004, she co-chaired a candidate search committee for the federal 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...
.
Gigantes supported Bill Blaikie
Bill Blaikie
William Alexander "Bill" Blaikie, PC is a Canadian politician. He has been a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba since April 2009, representing the Winnipeg division of Elmwood as a member of the New Democratic Party of Manitoba, and Minister of Conservation and Government House Leader...
for the leadership of the federal NDP in 2002-03.