George Smitherman

File:George Smitherman Nomination .jpg

George Smitherman speaking to supporters at his nomination as the Liberal candidate in the provincial riding of Toronto Centre.

George Smitherman MPP (born 1964) is a Canadian politician, who represents the riding of Toronto Centre—Rosedale in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. He is notable for being the first openly gay Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) elected in Ontario, and the first openly gay cabinet minister. Smitherman is the current Deputy Premier of Ontario.

Smitherman has been active in politics for a long time. Right out of high school, Smitherman worked as an organizer for the Ontario Liberal Party and Premier David Peterson. Smitherman was chief of staff to Ontario cabinet minister Hugh O'Neill and senior advisor to Ontario political ministers Herb Gray and David Collenette. He was chief of staff and campaign manager to one-time Mayor of Toronto Barbara Hall. He also ran a private consulting business, and co-owned a photofinishing shop in downtown Toronto.

In the 1999 provincial election, Smitherman was nominated as the Liberal Party candidate in Toronto Centre-Rosedale. The Toronto municipal amalgamation of 1997 proved to be a major issue in the campaign -- the riding's previous MPP, Progressive Conservative (PC) Al Leach, had chosen not to run again, and former Toronto mayor John Sewell was running as an independent candidate in protest against the amalgamation legislation. Sewell's entry into the race was controversial, with many activists accusing him of splitting the left wing vote with the New Democratic Party (NDP). As well, the provincial campaign dynamic was complex, with many union leaders and other traditional NDP supporters openly advocating strategic voting for the Liberals to defeat the PC government of Mike Harris.

Smitherman won the seat, and became the first openly gay MPP in Ontario. He proved to be a fiercely partisan and combative politician. Smitherman once famously posed feeding several pigs at an "Ernie Eves-Trough" to highlight a patronage appointment by the government. Smitherman also lent his support to Marc Hall, a gay student who fought for the right to bring his boyfriend to the school prom. Smitherman handled the difficult auto insurance file for Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty, an issue that was both complex and contentious.

In the 2003 election, Smitherman's role in the campaign was the subject of considerable attention. The Liberal campaign was characterized by many observers as a "good cop/bad cop" routine --- the positive messages of the campaign were delivered by party leader Dalton McGuinty, while Smitherman was the face of the party's more confrontational campaign tactics.

The Liberals won the election, and McGuinty was sworn in as the 24th Premier of Ontario on October 23. Smitherman was named to cabinet as Minister of Health, making history as Ontario's first openly gay cabinet minister.

Smitherman has won both praise and criticism for his management of the health portfolio, handling a scandal involving improper cleaning of medical equipment during his first weeks in office.

A fiercely partisan and passionate politician, he was dubbed "Furious George" for his blunt language with hospital chief executive officers who continue to run deficits year after year. His temper has forced him to apologize to members of the opposition several times in the Legislature. During January and February 2005, speculation grew that McGuinty would demote Smitherman over his confrontational style, but the controversial minister kept his post.

Smitherman was the first Liberal in the history of Toronto's NOW magazine to be voted best MPP, a distinction that the readers of the left-wing weekly typically award to New Democrats. Smitherman is acknowledged to be a committed constituency advocate, especially for his riding's large gay community and the struggling areas of Regent Park and St. Jamestown.

In May, 2006, at an awards ceremony at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Smitherman admitted to having used drugs before being elected to office.

Smitherman married his partner Christopher Peloso, a manager with Lindt, on August 5, 2007 near Elliot Lake, Ontario.

External links

• Official Constituency Website
• Legislative Assembly of Ontario biography
• Ontario Ministry of Health biography
• Ontario Liberal Party biography

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