Joseph Wilfred Spooner (February 8, 1910 – February 14, 2001) was a politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1955 to 1967 who represented the northern Ontario riding of Cochrane South. He was a cabinet minister in the governments of Leslie Frost and John Robarts. Prior to his provincial role he served as a municipal councillor for Timmins City Council from 1939 to 1951 and then as mayor of Timmins from 1952 to 1955.
Wilf Spooner | |
|---|---|
| Ontario MPP | |
| In office 1955–1967 | |
| Preceded by | Bill Grummett |
| Succeeded by | Bill Ferrier |
| Constituency | Cochrane South |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 8, 1910 Massey, Ontario |
| Died | February 14, 2001 (aged 91) North Bay, Ontario |
| Political party | Progressive Conservative |
| Occupation | Accountant |
Background
editOutside politics Spooner was an accountant and worked for an insurance agency serving clients in northeastern Ontario. Spooner was one of the charter members of the Rotary Club of Timmins.
Politics
editHe was considered an extremely influential voice for Northern Ontario during his time at Queen's Park. He held three different ministerial positions, including serving as Minister of Lands and Forests, Minister of Mines and Minister of Municipal Affairs. As Minister of Mines, he was credited with implementing important health and safety initiatives in response to the dire working conditions in the gold mines in the Kirkland Lake district. As Minister of Lands and Forests, he expanded the provincial park system.[1] He officially opened Cold Creek Conservation Area in 1962.[2]
Cabinet posts
editLater life
editIn 1978, Premier Bill Davis appointed Spooner as the chair of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission. In 1987, he received an honorary doctorate from University of Sudbury.[3]
References
edit- ^ "Obituary - Wilf, Ontario Politician, age 92". Genealogy.com. February 20, 2001.
- ^ Richardson, Arthur Herbert (1974). The History of the Conservation Movement in Ontario to 1970. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0802033296.
- ^ "University of Sudbury / Université de Sudbury - Honorary Doctorate Recipients". usudbury.ca. Retrieved 26 April 2022.