Gord Mills
Encyclopedia
Gordon L. Mills was a politician
in Ontario
, Canada
. He served as a New Democratic Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
from 1990 to 1995.
medal (1971) and a Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada (1992).
in the city of Barrie
. He was elected to the Ontario legislature in the provincial election of 1990
, defeating Liberal
Kirk Kemp by over 3,000 votes in the riding of Durham East
, near Oshawa
. The NDP won a majority government in this election, and, because of his police background, Mills served as the parliamentary secretary
to the Solicitor-General for most of the period from 1990 to 1995. As one of the oldest members of the NDP caucus, he was a strong advocate for pension benefits and for including the residents of land-lease communities (many of whom are seniors) under the Landlord and Tenants Act.
In 1994, he was one of twelve NDP Member of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) who voted against Bill 167, a government bill to extend spousal benefits to same-sex couples. This decision cost him the support of many within the party.
The NDP were defeated in the 1995 provincial election
, having lost much of their support in the Greater Toronto Area
. Mills was personally defeated in Durham East, finishing a poor second against Progressive Conservative
John O'Toole
.
He died in 2004, at age 82.
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...
. He 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...
from 1990 to 1995.
Background
Mills worked as a farmer between 1942 and 1957, and was a police officer from 1957 to 1979. From 1979 until his election to the Legislature in 1990, he worked as a tax auditor for the Ontario government. He was also a news reporter, and worked with the Special Investigation Unit of the Canadian Military Police. Mills received a General Service Medal from NATO (1964-67), a Canadian Forces Decoration (1970), a United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
medal (1971) and a Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada (1992).
Politics
From 1976 to 1982, Mills was an aldermanAlderman
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...
in the city of Barrie
Barrie, Ontario
Barrie is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada, located on the western shore of Lake Simcoe, approximately 90 km north of Toronto. Although located in Simcoe County, the city is politically independent...
. He was elected to the Ontario legislature in the provincial election of 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....
, defeating 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...
Kirk Kemp by over 3,000 votes in the riding of Durham East
Durham East (provincial electoral district)
Durham East was a provincial electoral district in the Durham Region in Ontario, Canada that elected members to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. It contained parts of the towns of Oshawa, Whitby, Scugog, and Newcastle....
, near Oshawa
Oshawa, Ontario
Oshawa is a city in Ontario, Canada, on the Lake Ontario shoreline. It lies in Southern Ontario approximately 60 kilometres east of downtown Toronto. It is commonly viewed as the eastern anchor of both the Greater Toronto Area and the Golden Horseshoe. It is now commonly referred to as the most...
. The NDP won a majority government in this election, and, because of his police background, Mills served as the 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 Solicitor-General for most of the period from 1990 to 1995. As one of the oldest members of the NDP caucus, he was a strong advocate for pension benefits and for including the residents of land-lease communities (many of whom are seniors) under the Landlord and Tenants Act.
In 1994, he was one of twelve NDP Member of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) who voted against Bill 167, a government bill to extend spousal benefits to same-sex couples. This decision cost him the support of many within the party.
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...
, having lost much of their support in the Greater Toronto Area
Greater Toronto Area
The Greater Toronto Area is the largest metropolitan area in Canada, with a 2006 census population of 5.5 million. The Greater Toronto Area is usually defined as the central city of Toronto, along with four regional municipalities surrounding it: Durham, Halton, Peel, and York...
. Mills was personally defeated in Durham East, finishing a poor second against 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...
John O'Toole
John O'Toole
John O'Toole is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He has been a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario since 1995, representing the riding of Durham for the Progressive Conservative Party....
.
He died in 2004, at age 82.