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John Richard Simonett

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Jack Simonett
Ontario MPP
In office
1959–1971
Preceded byDavid John Rankin
Succeeded byWilmer John Nuttall
ConstituencyFrontenac—Addington
Personal details
Born(1911-09-02)September 2, 1911
Harrowsmith, Ontario
DiedJanuary 17, 1983(1983-01-17) (aged 71)
Kingston, Ontario
Political partyProgressive Conservative
OccupationAutomobile dealer
PortfolioMinister without portfolio, 1962-1963

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.

Background

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Simonett 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

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Simonett 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

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Ontario provincial government of John Robarts
Cabinet posts (2)
Predecessor Office Successor
Ray Connell Minister of Public Works
1969-1971
James Auld
Robert Macaulay Minister of Energy and Resources Management
1963-1969
Was styled "Minister of Energy Resources" from 1963-1964
George Kerr

References

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  1. ^ a b "New Members of Ontario's Cabinet Pleased, Hopeful". The Globe and Mail. 26 October 1962. p. 4.
  2. ^ " "Tribute in the Legislative Assembly". Legislative Assembly of Ontario. 18 January 1993.
  3. ^ Canadian Press (12 June 1959). "Complete Results of Ontario Voting by Constituencies". The Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa. p. 26.
  4. ^ Canadian Press (26 September 1963). "78 in Tory Blue Wave -- 23 Is All Grits Saved". The Windsor Star. Windsor, Ontario. p. 25.
  5. ^ Canadian Press (18 October 1967). "Tories win, but..." The Windsor Star. Windsor, Ontario. p. B2.
  6. ^ "Cabinet shuffle stresses youth; Cass appointed Attorney-General". The Globe and Mail. 26 October 1962. p. 1.
  7. ^ "Taking over from Robart Macaulay". The Globe and Mail. 17 October 1963. p. 10.
  8. ^ Cahill, Jack (5 June 1969). "Ontario's pollution war handed to lawyer". Toronto Star. pp. 1, 4.
  9. ^ "Candidates asked to pick key issues for PC convention". Toronto Star. 16 January 1971. p. 2.
  10. ^ "Northland post for Simonett, Davis announces". The Globe and Mail. 12 March 1971. p. 4.
  11. ^ "An unsavory tradition". The Globe and Mail. 15 March 1971. p. 6.
  12. ^ Manthorpe, Jonathan (31 May 1971). "Tory MPPs finding decisions to retire may not be final". The Globe and Mail. p. 3.
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