John Chataway

John Edward Chataway (Fort Erie, March 3, 1947 – Toronto, December 31, 2004) was a Progressive Conservative Member of the Nova Scotia Legislative Assembly for Chester-St. Margaret's since July 1999, and a cabinet minister.

He had been in decline since an aneurysm in the brain in February 2000. He was a descendant of the Chataway who surveyed the Manitoba–Ontario border, distant cousin of Christopher Chataway, and a great admirer of Winston Churchill.

He attended high school in Lindsay, Ontario, and was treasurer of the student council. His twin brother, Rick, was vice-president. Inspired by his cousin, Chris, he was a very good distance runner.

Chataway was a graduate of Waterloo Lutheran University (now Wilfrid Laurier University). He taught school in Nova Scotia and was a long-time municipal councillor. His rambling, historic home near Chester Basin is known locally as the Rat's Nest where, after a few drinks, Chataway would play recordings of Winston Churchill's speeches at full volume for the edification of his many friends. Chataway was very active in historical preservation efforts in the Chester area. He was an excellent amateur auctioneer, much in demand for charity fundraisers.

After his election as MLA in 1999, Chataway was named Minister of Housing. Political opponents in Chester alleged he was a slum landlord, a charge he denied, and he was moved to the human resources, environment, and labor portfolios. He resigned from cabinet for health reasons in January, 2001, but stayed on as MLA. He suffered a stroke while visiting his sister, Joan, in Toronto at Christmas, 2004, and died a few days later.