John Richard Simonett

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.

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

Background

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

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]

References
  1. "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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