- Donald Abel
-
Donald Clarke Abel MPP for Wentworth North In office
1990–1995Preceded by Chris Ward Succeeded by Toni Skarica Personal details Born February 4, 1952
Hamilton, OntarioPolitical party New Democratic Party Residence Cameron, Ontario Occupation Licensing Officer, Business Owner Donald Clarke Abel (born February 4, 1952) is a former Canadian politician and community activist. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in the 1990 provincial election as an Ontario New Democratic Party MPP, representing the riding of Wentworth North.
Contents
Background
Prior to entering politics, Abel studied economics, industrial sociology, political science, labour history and labour law at the Labour College of Canada in Ottawa. He served 10 years as the president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 1572, and was a CUPE national representative for a brief period preceding his election to the legislature.
Politics
Abel's election victory was rated as one of the biggest election upsets of the 1990 provincial election, as he defeated the high profile Liberal cabinet minister Chris Ward. Prior to the election, Liberal insiders declared Ward's seat "the safest seat in Ontario". Abel won by a mere 88 votes.
Abel served as government whip from 1990 to 1993, deputy chief government whip from 1993 to 1995, and government caucus personnel committee chair from 1993 to 1995. He played a major role in supporting the government's controversial rent control bill, and is remembered for his stand on environmental issues, including his adamant opposition to the proposed construction of a megadump in Flamborough. Plans for the dump were cancelled in 1996.
In 1994, Abel was one of twelve NDP MPPs to vote against Bill 167, a government bill which proposed to extend spousal benefits to same-sex couples.
Abel also introduced a private member's bill providing certain rights for hearing dogs, which failed to pass through the legislature before the government was defeated in the 1995 election.
After politics
After his defeat in 1995, he established the Dundas Review, a weekly community newspaper in Dundas. He ran for mayor of Dundas in the final municipal election before the amalgamation of Hamilton-Wentworth, but lost to incumbent mayor John Addison.
Abel and his wife Debra have owned and operated a cottage resort in central Ontario since 1998.
On a first ballot vote against two other contenders, Abel was chosen as the provincial NDP candidate for Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock for the 2011 Ontario Election. This placed him in a race with two other candidates with parliamentary experience.[1] Although finishing in third place, the Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock NDP received its highest number of votes since the 1990 provincial election.
Electoral record
Ontario general election, 2011 Party Candidate Votes % ±% Progressive Conservative Laurie Scott [2] 22,357 45.4 +4.3 Liberal Rick Johnson 16,522 33.6 -10.13 New Democrat Don Abel[3] 8,517 17.3 +11.32 Green Anita Payne[4] 1,562 3.2 +3.44 Freedom Charles Olito 254 0.5 +0.1 Total valid votes 49,212 100.00 Note: the 2011 election was held on October 6, 2011.
** Preliminary Results - Not Official Yet. **Ontario general election, 1995 Party Candidate Votes % ±% Progressive Conservative Toni Skarica 21,165 55.65 - Liberal Chris Ward 10,393 27.33 - New Democrat Donald Abel 6,474 17.02 - Total valid votes 38,032 100.00 Ontario general election, 1990 Party Candidate Votes % ±% New Democrat Donald Abel 11,472 34.05 - Liberal Chris Ward 11,384 33.79 - Progressive Conservative Don Matthews 8,740 25.94 - Family Coalition Rien Vanden Enden 1,236 3.67 - Confederation of Regions Eileen Butson 860 2.55 - Total valid votes 33,692 100.00 References
- ^ Gervais, Lisa. "Don Abel chosen NDP candidate for provincial election". Article. Haliburton Echo. http://www.haliburtonecho.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3168154. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
- ^ "Laurie Scott crowned PC nominee". Haliburton Echo.
- ^ "Don Abel chosen NDP candidate" Haliburton Echo.
- ^ Green party candidate sees health and environment as top priorities
External links
Sources
- Elections Ontario Past Election Results
- "Elections Ontario - 2011 General Election Results By District". Elections Ontario. 2011-10-07. http://www.wemakevotingeasy.ca/en/general-election-district-results.aspx?d=029. Retrieved 2011-10-08.
Categories:- 1952 births
- Living people
- Ontario New Democratic Party MPPs
- People from Hamilton, Ontario
- Canadian trade unionists
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
