John Richard Simonett (September 2, 1911 – January 17, 1983) was a politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1959 to 1971 who represented the riding Frontenac—Addington.
Jack Simonett | |
|---|---|
| Ontario MPP | |
| In office 1959–1971 | |
| Preceded by | David John Rankin |
| Succeeded by | Wilmer John Nuttall |
| Constituency | Frontenac—Addington |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 2, 1911 Harrowsmith, Ontario |
| Died | January 17, 1983 (aged 71) Kingston, Ontario |
| Political party | Progressive Conservative |
| Occupation | Automobile dealer |
| Portfolio | Minister without portfolio, 1962-1963 |
Background
editSimonett was born in Frontenac County, Ontario to William Harry Simonett and Caroline Barr. He ran an automobile dealership in Sharbot Lake.[1] He died January 17, 1983.[2]
Politics
editSimonett served for several years on the council of Oro Township and was reeve for six years.[1]
In the 1959 provincial election, Simonett ran as the PC candidate in the eastern Ontario riding of Frontenac—Addington. He defeated Liberal Armand Quintal by 2,238 votes.[3] He was re-elected in the general elections in 1963 and 1967.[4][5]
On October 25, 1962, he was appointed as Minister without Portfolio.[6] After the 1963 election, Simonett was appointed as the Minister of Energy Resources.[7] He continued in that position, after the 1967 election, until October 5, 1969, at which time he was appointed as the Minister of Public Works.[8] In 1971, he supported Bill Davis in his bid to become leader of the party.[9] On March 11, 1971, he was appointed to a newly created post of vice chairman of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission, a move that was criticized as a reward for supporting Davis in the leadership campaign.[10][11] Simonett announced his retirement from politics in 1971.[12]
Cabinet positions
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "New Members of Ontario's Cabinet Pleased, Hopeful". The Globe and Mail. 26 October 1962. p. 4.
- ^ " "Tribute in the Legislative Assembly". Legislative Assembly of Ontario. 18 January 1993.
- ^ Canadian Press (12 June 1959). "Complete Results of Ontario Voting by Constituencies". The Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa. p. 26.
- ^ Canadian Press (26 September 1963). "78 in Tory Blue Wave -- 23 Is All Grits Saved". The Windsor Star. Windsor, Ontario. p. 25.
- ^ Canadian Press (18 October 1967). "Tories win, but..." The Windsor Star. Windsor, Ontario. p. B2.
- ^ "Cabinet shuffle stresses youth; Cass appointed Attorney-General". The Globe and Mail. 26 October 1962. p. 1.
- ^ "Taking over from Robart Macaulay". The Globe and Mail. 17 October 1963. p. 10.
- ^ Cahill, Jack (5 June 1969). "Ontario's pollution war handed to lawyer". Toronto Star. pp. 1, 4.
- ^ "Candidates asked to pick key issues for PC convention". Toronto Star. 16 January 1971. p. 2.
- ^ "Northland post for Simonett, Davis announces". The Globe and Mail. 12 March 1971. p. 4.
- ^ "An unsavory tradition". The Globe and Mail. 15 March 1971. p. 6.
- ^ Manthorpe, Jonathan (31 May 1971). "Tory MPPs finding decisions to retire may not be final". The Globe and Mail. p. 3.