John Fraser (Ontario MPP)

John P. Fraser[1] MPP (born c. 1958) is a Canadian politician who currently serves as the interim leader of the Ontario Liberal Party. Fraser previously served as interim leader from June 2018 to March 2020. Fraser is the member of provincial parliament (MPP) for Ottawa South and was first elected in a by-election on August 1, 2013.

For other people with the same name, see John Fraser.

John Fraser
MPP
Fraser in 2013
Interim Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party
Assumed office
August 3, 2022
DeputyMitzie Hunter
Preceded bySteven Del Duca
In office
June 14, 2018 – March 7, 2020
Preceded byKathleen Wynne
Succeeded bySteven Del Duca
Parliamentary Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party
In office
March 8, 2020 – August 3, 2022
LeaderSteven Del Duca
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byPosition suspended
Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament
for Ottawa South
Assumed office
September 9, 2013
Preceded byDalton McGuinty
Personal details
Born
John P. Fraser

1959 (age 63–64)
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Political partyLiberal
SpouseLinda Fraser
Residence(s)Ottawa, Ontario
Occupation
  • Politician
  • business manager

Following the resignation of Kathleen Wynne as party leader after the party's poor performance in the 2018 election, he was unanimously endorsed by the other six remaining Liberal MPPs to become interim leader on June 13, 2018[2] and unanimously elected the next day by a vote of the party executive and riding association presidents.[3]

After Steven Del Duca was elected Liberal leader on March 7, 2020, Fraser remained the party's parliamentary leader as Del Duca didn't have a seat in the legislature.[4]

Background

Fraser was born in Ottawa and grew up in Elmvale Acres and Alta Vista. According to his biography, "he spearheaded the Our Children, Our Hospital campaign to save the Cardiac Care Unit at CHEO and organized a fundraiser which raised $20,000 for the Heron Road Emergency Food Bank, [and] for a number of years, he served as a palliative care volunteer at the General Campus of the Ottawa Hospital and as a coach to the Canterbury Mustangs Football Team."

Fraser was the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.[5] As the parliamentary assistant, Fraser led the development of a comprehensive strategy for palliative and end-of-life care in Ontario, including a $75 million investment.[6] In March 2018, Fraser was part of an announcement to deliver $105 million investment in CHEO to improve mental health and special needs services for children.[7]

As MPP, Fraser led an initiative that would ensure all children have their vision tested before entering senior kindergarten as well as introducing legislation aimed at protecting vulnerable workers and increasing transparency in government. Fraser sponsored several private member's bills including Bill 53, The Protecting Passenger Safety Act 2014 which would stiffen penalties for individuals who transport passengers for compensation without a licence, permit, or authorization. Fraser has worked closely with other Members of Provincial Parliament on legislation including being part of the team that brought forward Rowan's Law, concussion legislation that will protect young athletes; as well as a bill that established "Remembrance Week" in Ontario.[8]

Prior to being elected, Fraser was former Premier Dalton McGuinty's local constituency assistant for 14 years.[9] Fraser spent 18 years managing small- and medium-sized local businesses before entering the public service.[10]

He is married to Linda Fraser and has three children and three grandchildren.[11]

Politics

In 2013, Fraser ran as the Liberal candidate in the riding of Ottawa South in a by-election to replace Dalton McGuinty who had just retired. He defeated Progressive Conservative candidate Matt Young by 1,238 votes.[12][13] He faced Young again in the 2014 election this time defeating him by 8,610 votes.[14]

In the 2018 Ontario general election, Fraser was re-elected MPP for Ottawa South, receiving 5,464 more votes than the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario candidate Karin Howard.[15] As a result of her party's poor performance in the election, Premier Kathleen Wynne resigned as leader of the Ontario Liberal Party on election night.[16] On June 13, the Liberal caucus unanimously endorsed Fraser to serve as the party's interim leader On June 14, he was appointed interim leader following a vote by caucus members, the party executive, and riding association presidents.[17]

He was re-elected in the 2022 Ontario general election and again became interim leader of the Ontario Liberal Party effective August 3, 2022.[18]

Electoral record
2022 Ontario general election: Ottawa South
Party Candidate Votes%±%
LiberalJohn Fraser18,28245.14+5.51
New DemocraticMorgan Gay9,61923.75-3.44
Progressive ConservativeEdward Dinca9,39023.19-6.04
GreenNira Dookeran1,8844.65+1.57
New BlueMartin Ince6751.67
Ontario PartyMyles Dear3860.95
IndependentDaniel Thomas1540.38
CommunistLarry Wasslen1090.27+0.05
Total valid votes 40,499
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots
Turnout 44.99
Eligible voters 90,016
Liberal hold Swing +4.47
Source: Elections Ontario[19]
2018 Ontario general election: Ottawa South
Party Candidate Votes%±%
LiberalJohn Fraser20,77339.63−10.40
Progressive ConservativeKarin Howard15,31929.23-2.63
New DemocraticEleanor Fast14,25027.19+14.82
GreenLes Schram1,6183.09−1.26
LibertarianRobert Daigneault3420.65+0.07
CommunistLarry Wasslen1140.22−0.08
Total valid votes 52,616100.0  
Liberal hold Swing
Source: Elections Ontario[20]
2014 Ontario general election: Ottawa South
Party Candidate Votes%±%
LiberalJohn Fraser23,72750.03+7.70
Progressive ConservativeMatt Young15,11031.86−6.84
New DemocraticBronwyn Funiciello5,86712.37−1.93
GreenMatt Lakatos-Hayward2,0644.35+1.23
LibertarianJean-Serge Brisson2730.58−0.01
Special NeedsJohn Redins2440.51+0.22
CommunistEspoir Manirambona1410.30
Total valid votes 47,426 100.0  
Liberal hold Swing +7.27
Source(s)
"General Election Results by District, 064 Ottawa South". Elections Ontario. 2014. Archived from the original on 23 September 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
Ontario provincial by-election, August 1, 2013: Ottawa South
Resignation of Dalton McGuinty
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalJohn Fraser14,92142.33−6.53$ 95,351.00
Progressive ConservativeMatt Young13,64238.70+5.2789,316.00
New DemocraticBronwyn Funiciello5,04214.30+0.9140,274.11
GreenTaylor Howarth1,0993.12−0.112,212.50
LibertarianJean-Serge Brisson2080.59+0.030.00
Special NeedsJohn Redins1020.29−0.240.00
IndependentDaniel Post910.26 0.00
FreedomDave McGruer850.24 0.00
PauperJohn Turmel580.16 0.00
Total valid votes / Expense limit 35,248 100.00 −21.16 $ 104,501.00
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 216 0.61 +0.12
Turnout 35,464 40.38 −10.81
Eligible voters 87,816   +0.06
Liberal hold Swing −5.90
Source(s)
"Summary of Valid Votes Cast for Each Candidate - August 1, 2013 By-Elections" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
"Statistical Summary – 2013 By-Election" ( Excel Spreadsheet (23KB)). Elections Ontario. Archived from the original on 11 June 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
"2013 Ottawa South By-Election – Candidate Campaign Returns (CR-1)". Archived from the original on 10 April 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2014.

References
  1. @ONPARLeducation (13 July 2022). "Within the halls of the Legislature are walls that contain the names of every Member of Provincial Parliament elected to Ontario's Legislature since 1867" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. Breen, Kerri (13 June 2018). "Ontario Liberals to vote on interim leader as MPP John Fraser endorsed by caucus". Global News. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  3. "Ottawa-area legislator John Fraser appointed interim Ontario Liberal leader". Globe and Mail. The Canadian Press. 14 June 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  4. "Steven Del Duca prepares to lead Liberals from outside the legislature". Toronto Star. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  5. "Legislative Assembly of Ontario".
  6. "Province Strengthens End-Of-Life Care With $75 Million Investment". news.ontario.ca. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  7. "Ontario Liberals promise $105M for new CHEO treatment centre". Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  8. "Biography". Biography. Archived from the original on 11 May 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  9. "McGuinty's 'fixer' John Fraser and the Ottawa South fiefdom". Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  10. "Newsroom : Biography : John Fraser". news.ontario.ca. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  11. MacGregor, Roy (21 May 2014). "McGuinty's 'fixer' John Fraser and the Ottawa South fiefdom". The Globe and Mail.
  12. Lafaro, Joe (2 August 2013). "Liberals' John Fraser sneaks past PCs for Ottawa South win". Metro News. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
  13. "2013 By-elections Results: Ottawa South" (XLS). Elections Ontario. 1 August 2013.
  14. "General Election by District: Ottawa South". Elections Ontario. 12 June 2014. Archived from the original on 23 September 2014.
  15. "Ottawa South Election Night Results". Elections Ontario. 8 June 2018. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  16. Janus, Andrea (7 June 2018). "Kathleen Wynne ready to 'pass the torch,' quits as Ontario Liberal leader". CBC News.
  17. "Ottawa-area MPP John Fraser selected interim Ontario Liberal leader". CBC News, June 14, 2018.
  18. "Ontario Liberal caucus picks John Fraser to be interim leader — again". CBC News Toronto. 25 July 2022.
  19. "Candidates in: Ottawa South (079)". Elections Ontario. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  20. "Summary of Valid Votes Cast for each Candidate" (PDF). Elections Ontario. p. 8. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
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