Politics Robert W. Mackenzie

1 politics

1.1 in opposition
1.2 in government
1.3 cabinet positions

politics

mackenzie ran provincial office in provincial election of 1955, candidate of ontario ccf in riding of windsor—walkerville. finished second, losing progressive conservative m.c. davies 3,000 votes.

he ran canadian house of commons federal new democratic party in 1972 federal election, finished third in riding of hamilton—wentworth in close three-way race. ran again in 1974 federal election, , lost wider margin. progressive conservative candidate sean o sullivan won riding on both occasions.

in opposition

mackenzie elected ontario legislature in provincial election of 1975, winning working class riding of hamilton east wide margin. re-elected in elections of 1977, 1981, 1985, 1987 , 1990. time faced serious challenge in 1985, when liberal shirley collins came within 1,600 votes of defeating him. on other occasions, won significant margins. mackenzie supported bob rae ndp leadership in 1982.

following inconclusive 1985 election, ndp under bob rae allowed liberal party under david peterson form minority government, lasted 2 years. mackenzie part of minority group in ndp caucus recommended supporting progressive conservatives instead, on grounds urban-based red tories more support labour issues liberal party (which dominated rural members). mackenzie served party s labour critic 1985 1990.

in government

the ndp won majority government in 1990 provincial election, , mackenzie appointed province s minister of labour on october 1 of year. in 1992, helped navigate passage of bill 40, introduced anti-scab provisions during strikes , other positions supported labour movement. bill became law on january 1, 1993, , regarded 1 of labour-friendly bills in recent ontario history (it may noted many of provisions later undone government of mike harris). mackenzie introduced legislation dealing pay equity nurses , child-care attendants, , extended unionization rights farm workers. in 1993, accepted rae government s social contract legislation necessary province.

in office, mackenzie known passionate supporter of labour interests within cabinet. journalist thomas walkom recounted following story in book, rae days:

@ 1 cabinet meeting, instance, mackenzie had finished delivering passionate plea aid jobless steelworkers in hard-hit uranium-mining town of elliot lake. energy minister jenny carter spoke up. why bother? said peterborough anti-nuclear activist. ll dead of cancer anyway. mackenzie, according 1 participant @ meeting, furious literally lunged across cabinet table @ hapless carter. luckily, wide table.

there controversy in 1994 when mackenzie s son david hired special advisor premier s office. mackenzie resigned labour minister on october 20, 1994, , did not seek re-election in 1995.

cabinet positions