Rick Bartolucci

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Rick Bartolucci
Rick Bartolucci
Incumbent
Assumed office 
June 26, 1995
Preceded by Sharon Murdock
In office
October 23, 2003 – October 29, 2007
Preceded by Jim Wilson
Succeeded by Michael Gravelle
Incumbent
Assumed office 
October 30, 2007
Preceded by Monte Kwinter
Born 1943
Sudbury, Ontario
Political party Liberal
Occupation teacher
Religion Roman Catholic

Rick Bartolucci (born October 10, 1943 in Sudbury, Ontario) is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He has been a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario since 1995, representing the division of Sudbury, and has been a cabinet minister in the government of Dalton McGuinty since 2003.

Contents

[edit] Early life and career

Bartolucci was educated at North Bay Teacher's College and Laurentian University, and worked as a teacher and school principal for thirty years. He was a Sudbury alderman and regional councillor from 1979 to 1982 and 1985 to1991, and was deputy mayor of Sudbury for a time. Bartolucci also served as a regional police chief.[1]

[edit] Member of Provincial Parliament

[edit] Opposition member

Bartolucci was first elected to the Ontario legislature in the 1995 provincial election, defeating New Democratic Party incumbent Sharon Murdock in Sudbury. The Progressive Conservative Party of Mike Harris won a majority government in this election, and Bartolucci entered the legislature as a member of the Official Opposition. He was appointed as his party's critic for Culture, and helped organize a December 1995 meeting at Queen's Park where artists and cultural workers criticized the Harris government's spending cuts in the sector.[2] Bartolucci also criticized the Harris government's decision to close two of Sudbury's three hospitals, saying it would compromise patient care in the region.[3]

Bartolucci was one of at least three MPPs who were prevented from attending the Harris government's first Speech from the Throne in 1995, when police officers called by the Harris government to guard against protesters refused them entry into the legislature. The other MPPs included veteran opposition member Sean Conway and cabinet minister Cam Jackson. Many opposition members described the police presence as excessive.[4]

Bartolucci was a co-manager of Dwight Duncan's bid to lead the Ontario Liberal Party in 1996,[5] and moved to the camp of Gerard Kennedy when Duncan was eliminated. Kennedy was defeated on the final ballot by Dalton McGuinty.[6]

In early 1997, Bartolucci introduced a Private Member's Bill to limit class sizes in Ontario's public and separate schools.[7] Bartolucci also introduced a bill giving police the power to apprehend any person under eighteen who was involved in prostitution, and take that person to a safe house.[8] The government introduced legislation modeled on Bartolucci's proposal in 2000,[9] and passed it into law with opposition support in June 2002. Fourteen months later, Bartolucci complained that the law had still not been enacted.[10]

Bartolucci was re-elected by an increased margin in 1999, as the Progressive Conservatives won a second majority government. He was appointed to the Liberal Party's election committee following the campaign,[11] and served as Chief Opposition Whip.[12] In 2000, he criticized the provincial government for requiring cancer patients in Northern Ontario to pay for most of their transportation costs to and from treatment, while patients referred from Toronto to Sudbury received free transportation and lodging.[13] Bartolucci indicated that he was exploring the possibility of a class-action lawsuit on the matter.[14] He also introduced legislation to make price gouging during emergencies illegal.[15]

Bartolucci called for Highway 69 to be widened between Sudbury and Parry Sound, following several fatal accidents in the area.[16] He also chaired the JoeMac committee, which undertook a national campaign to have the killers of Sudbury police officer Joe MacDonald moved to a maximum security prison and generally opposed what it regarded as lenient treatment for federal offenders.[17]

[edit] Cabinet minister

[edit] Minister of Northern Development and Mines

Bartolucci was re-elected by a landslide in the 2003 election, as the Liberals won a majority government across the province. On October 23, 2003, Bartolucci was appointed as Minister of Northern Development and Mines in the newly-formed government of Dalton McGuinty. Soon after his appointment, he called for the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund to be re-focused on job production with support from the private sector.[18] In March 2004, Bartolucci announced that he would end the previous government's efforts to privatize the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission, and would restructure the commission instead.[19]

Bartolucci introduced the McGuinty government's Northern Prosperity Plan in December 2004. Highlights included a revamped Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, a GO North program to attract investors to the region, and a pilot Northern Ontario Grow Bonds Program.[20] In July 2005, he announced the Northern Ontario Youth Internship and Co-op program designed to give young workers an incentive to stay in northern Ontario.[21]

Bartolucci announced a twelve-year project for the expansion of Highway 69 in June 2005.[22] He announced a new provincial mining strategy in March 2006.[23]

Bartolucci declined to intervene when Inco announced the closure of its Copper Cliff copper refinery in May 2005, saying that he would not compel a company to keep open a financially troubled entity. The United Steelworkers of America subsequently protested this decision.[24]

In 2004, Bartolucci re-designated the Muskoka District as a part of southern rather than northern Ontario. The area was part of southern Ontario until 2000, when the Harris government chose to include it as part of the north. Bartolucci had criticized this decision at the time, arguing that it would allow wealthy cottage communities to access funds earmarked for northern development.[25]

Bartolucci rang the ceremonial opening bell at the American Stock Exchange in New York City on April 19, 2005, when he was in New York City to promote Northern Ontario mining. An official press release indicated that he was the first Canadian cabinet minister to be given this honour.[26]

In January 2006, Bartolucci announced that the McGuinty government would investigate the possibility of an all-season road to the coast of James Bay. This decision was welcomed by some First Nations leaders, who had long complained of difficult access to and from the area.[27]

Bartolucci later presided over the opening of Ontario's first diamond mine in June 2006, and spoke of "limitless" potential for growth in the field.[28] The McGuinty government later proposed a new tax on diamond mining, which was opposed by industry groups such as DeBeers Canada. Bartolucci subsequently introduced modifications to the tax, including deductions for new mining construction and spending made under agreements with aboriginal communities.[29]

In August 2006, Justice Patrick Smith of the Ontario Superior Court issued a ruling against the mining exploration company Platinex Inc. in an ongoing battle with the remote Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug aboriginal community. Platinex was ordered not to work at the site for five months, and ordered a consultation process involving the province. Bartolucci welcomed this decision as an "important step forward", but argued that it would not "impact the legitimacy of other mining claims in Ontario".[30] In January 2007, the government applied for intervenor status to participate in injunction proceedings.[31]

Bartolucci criticized the federal government of Stephen Harper in April 2006, arguing that its proposed settlement of a softwood lumber dispute with the United States would amount to "selling out Ontario".[32]

[edit] Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services

Bartolucci was re-elected without difficulty in the 2007 provincial election. On October 30, 2007, he was appointed as Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

In November 2007, Bartolucci called on the federal government to honour an election commitment to hire 2,500 new front-line police officers across Canada. He also argued that the officers should be divided among the provinces by population, an arrangement that would give Ontario 1,000 new officers.[33] In March 2008, Bartolucci's staff said that Ontario would likely only receive funding for 500 officers, Bartolucci accused the Stephen Harper government of short-changing the province.[34]

Bartolucci defended the use of police tasers in late 2007, in response to mounting criticism that followed the death of Robert Dziekański in British Columbia. Bartolucci argued there was no conclusive evidence that tasers cause death.[35] He later amended the province's sex offender registry, after the Auditor General reported that prisoners released from federal institutions had not been included on the list.[36]

In February 2008, Bartolucci met with leaders of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation to discuss grievances about the territory's police detachments. Conditions at many detachments were described as unsafe, and required at $23 million to be brought up to code. Bartolucci expressed sympathy with the concerns raised, although he did not propose an immediate resolution.[37]

Bartolucci and Attorney General Chris Bentley appealed to the federal government to introduce stricter gun control legislation in March 2008, including a ban on handguns. They also criticized the government for extending an amnesty to gun owners who refuse to register their firearms, saying that this approach effectively undermines the Canadian gun registry.[38]

Bartolucci supported the McGuinty government's decision to renew Julian Fantino's contract as head of the Ontario Provincial Police in February 2008.[39] Two months later, Bartolucci introduced new animal protection legislation that he described as the toughest in Canada.[40]

[edit] Electoral record

2007 Ontario provincial election : Sudbury edit
Party Candidate Votes % +/- Expenditures
     Liberal (x)Rick Bartolucci 19,307 58.77
     New Democratic Party Dave Battaino 8,914 27.13
     Progressive Conservative Louis Delongchamp 2,605 7.93
     Green David Sylvestre 1,608 4.89
     Family Coalition Carita Murphy-Marketos 293 0.89
     Independent J. David Popescu 124 0.38
Total valid votes 32,851 100.00
Rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 201
Turnout 33,052 51.11
Electors on the lists 64,665


2003 Ontario provincial election : Sudbury edit
Party Candidate Votes % +/- Expenditures
     Liberal (x)Rick Bartolucci 24,631 68.98 $58,280.81
     Progressive Conservative Mila Wong 5,068 14.19 $34,319.74
     New Democratic Party Harvey Wyers 4,999 14.00 $16,359.88
     Green Luke Norton 1,009 2.83 $508.44
Total valid votes 35,707 100.00
Rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 274
Turnout 35,981 55.95
Electors on the lists 64,304


1999 Ontario provincial election : Sudbury edit
Party Candidate Votes % +/- Expenditures
     Liberal (x)Rick Bartolucci 21,732 58.71 $52,531.80
     Progressive Conservative Mila Wong 10,948 29.58 $61,776.00
     New Democratic Party Paul Chislett 3,891 10.51 not listed
     Natural Law Bernard Fram 184 0.50 $0.00
     Independent Ed Pokonzie 159 0.43 not listed
     Independent J. David Popescu 103 0.28 $123.60
Total valid votes 37,017 100.00
Rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 245
Turnout 37,262 55.69
Electors on the lists 66,904


1995 Ontario provincial election : Sudbury edit
Party Candidate Votes % +/- Expenditures
     Liberal Rick Bartolucci 12,349 40.66 $38,419.00
     New Democratic Party (x)Sharon Murdock 8,698 28.64 $45,265.43
     Progressive Conservative Richard Zanibbi 8,093 26.64 $43,588.00
     Independent Don Scott 506 1.67 $459.00
     Natural Law David Gordon 315 1.04 $0.00
     Green Lewis Poulin 290 0.95 $69.68
     Independent Ed Pokonzie 123 0.40 $0.00
Total valid votes 30,374 100.00
Rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 405
Turnout 30,779 62.10
Electors on the lists 49,562
v • d • e
Current members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
39th Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Liberal

McGuinty · Aggelonitis · Albanese · Arthurs · Balkissoon · Bartolucci · Bentley · Berardinetti · Best · Bradley · Broten · Brown · Brownell · Bryant · Cansfield · Caplan · Carroll · Chan · Colle · Craitor · Crozier · Delaney · Dhillon · Dickson · Dombrowsky · Duguid · Duncan · Flynn · Fonseca · Gerretsen · Gravelle · Hoy · Jaczek · Jeffrey · Kular · Kwinter · Lalonde · Leal · Levac · Mangat · Matthews · Mauro · McMeekin · McNeely · Meilleur · Milloy · Mitchell · Moridi · Naqvi · Orazietti · Pendergast · Peters · Phillips · Pupatello · Qaadri · Ramal · Ramsay · Rinaldi · Ruprecht · Sandals · Sergio · Smith · Smitherman · Sorbara · Sousa · Takhar · Van Bommel · Watson · Wilkinson · Wynne · Zimmer
Progressive
Conservative

Runciman* · Arnott · Bailey · Barrett · Chudleigh · Dunlop · Elliott · Hardeman · Hillier · Hudak · Jones · Klees · MacLeod · Martiniuk · Miller · Munro · Murdoch · O'Toole · Ouellette · Savoline · Scott · Shurman · Sterling · Wilson · Witmer · Yakabuski
New Democrat
Hampton · Bisson · DiNovo · Gélinas · Horwath · Kormos · Marchese · Miller · Prue · Tabuns
* Runciman is the current interim Leader of the Opposition as PC Leader John Tory has no seat in the legislature.

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Glen Colbourn, "Swing ridings can be crucial in today's vote", Hamilton Spectator, 8 June 1995, A15.
  2. ^ Peter Goddard, "Who's Who in arts rally against cuts", Toronto Star, 5 December 1995, E4.
  3. ^ "News of hospital merger raises health-care concerns", Globe and Mail, 1 October 1996, A9.
  4. ^ Greg Crone, "Members chafe under beefed-up security", Kitchener-Waterloo Record, 29 September 1995, A3. A similar incident took place in March 1996, when riot police who were called to the legislature by the Harris government burst into Bartolucci's office without any warning or explanation, just prior to a melee with protesting public service workers. See Greg Crone, "Actions of police embarrassed Ontario, opposition MPPs say", Kitchener-Waterloo Record, 20 March 1996, D8.
  5. ^ Chris Vander Doelen and Richard Brennan, "City success Duncan's model", Windsor Star, 26 June 1996, A3.
  6. ^ Mike Whitehouse, "Northern light: Rick Bartolucci has battled for Northern Ontario", Sudbury Star, 13 December 2003, B10.
  7. ^ Ian Urquhart, "No reins -- or whips in House today", Toronto Star, 6 February 1997, A23. The government dropped this bill from the legislative agenda in January 1998. See Jim Poling, "Agostino's bill a housekeeping casualty", Hamilton Spectator, 12 January 1998, A5.
  8. ^ Michelle Shephard, "Prostitute, 14, `overdoses' on cocaine while in custody", Toronto Star, 12 February 1999, A1.
  9. ^ Richard Mackie, "New Ontario law aims to rescue child prostitutes", Globe and Mail, 19 December 2000, A8.
  10. ^ "Ernie, tell the truth - why won't you protect our children?" [press release], Canada NewsWire, 12 August 2003.
  11. ^ Doug Draper, "MCGUINTY SLAMS 'SPINELESS' ATTACK", Hamilton Spectator, 19 July 1999, A2.
  12. ^ "McGuinty announces caucus critic changes", Canada NewsWire, 23 August 2002, 08:21.
  13. ^ Ian Urquhart, "Tories no longer government fixers", Toronto Star, 7 June 2000, A1.
  14. ^ Lisa Priest, "Northern Ontario cancer patients face 'discrimination'", Globe and Mail, 17 June 2000, A3.
  15. ^ John Ivison, "Gas prices too high: Liberals: Price gouging", National Post, 21 August 2003, A8.
  16. ^ "Cottage highway accidents kill six", Globe and Mail, 4 June 2001, A7; Pat Conroy, "Triple fatality renews protests --- Demands for Highway 69 widening ignored", Toronto Star, 9 August 2002, A4.
  17. ^ "Local campaign goes national", Canadian Press, 18 March 2002, 22:39; Adrian Humphreys, "Prison knew alarms faulty years before escape: report", National Post, 8 March 2003, A7.
  18. ^ "Minister defends Heritage Fund", Globe and Mail, 23 December 2003, A9.
  19. ^ "Ontario government charts `bold new course' for Ontario Northland: Bartolucci", Canadian Press, 4 March 2004, 13:53.
  20. ^ "Premier McGuinty is moving ahead with a three-pronged plan that he says will bring prosperity to northern Ontario", Broadcast News, 3 December 2004, 18:00; "Northern Ontario Grow Bonds Campaign Extended" [press release], Canada NewsWire, 7 April 2005, 13:28.
  21. ^ "New northern Ontario co-op program hopes to retain local students", Canadian Press, 22 July 2005, 21:20. In the same month, Bartolucci also committed $10 million to clean abandoned mine sites. See "Abandoned mine sites to be cleaned up with $10 million in provincial aid", Canadian Press, 27 July 2005, 19:59.
  22. ^ Adelle Larmour, "Minister, MPPs square off over 69", Northern Ontario Business, 1 June 2005, 24.
  23. ^ "Mining red tape to be eased Conservatives vow to help industry", Winnipeg Free Press, 7 March 2006, B6. The journal Mineweb summarizes the plan in this manner: "The strategy details four key objectives: promote long-term sustainability and global competitiveness; to support modern, safe and environmentally sound exploration and mining; to clarify and modernize stewardship of mineral resources; and to promote community development and opportunities for all." See "Ontario unveils new mineral strategy", Mineweb, 8 March 2006.
  24. ^ "Inco vows to close Sudbury, Ont., copper refinery despite plea from mayor", Canadian Press, 27 May 2005, 05:36; Sean Barry, "Union takes fight over Copper Cliff to mines minister", Metal Bulletin News Alert Service, 7 June 2005, 16:12.
  25. ^ Susan Bourette, "Why Northern Ontario is creeping southward: Eves's Muskoka riding gets Heritage Fund access", Globe and Mail, 15 May 2000, A1; Richard Mackie, "Muskoka moves to Southern Ontario", Globe and Mail, 27 May 2004, A11.
  26. ^ "Minister of Northern Development and Mines takes part in opening bell ceremony at the American Stock Exchange", Canada NewsWire, 18 April 2005, 13:43.
  27. ^ "Province announces funding to study proposed all-season road to James Bay", Canadian Press, 25 January 2006, 19:30.
  28. ^ Angela Pacienza, "Ontario opens first diamond mine", Globe and Mail, 20 June 2006, B7.
  29. ^ "Ontario changes controversial diamond-mining tax", Reuters News, 5 July 2007, 13:32.
  30. ^ Kate Harries, "Judge rules for native band", Globe and Mail, 1 August 2006, A9.
  31. ^ "Ontario Committed to Resolution in Far North Mineral Exploration Dispute", Canada NewsWire, 10 January 2007, 11:40.
  32. ^ Karen Howlett, "Reduction in quotas comes as surprise to Ontario", Globe and Mail, 27 April 2006, A14.
  33. ^ "McGuinty Government Calls on Ottawa to Give Ontario Fair Share of 2,500 New Police Officers", Canada NewsWire, 15 November 2007, 13:15.
  34. ^ Chinta Puxley, "Ontario Liberals wage fresh attack on Ottawa for holding up crucial funding", Canadian Press, 5 March 2008, 16:45.
  35. ^ Steve Lambert, "Provincial justice ministers defend use of Tasers despite fatalities", Canadian Press, 15 November 2007, 15:06.
  36. ^ Robert Benzie, "Hundreds not included on registry, auditor says", Toronto Star, 12 December 2007, A19.
  37. ^ Chinta Puxley, "Aboriginal territory can't go on with medieval police detachments: chiefs", Canadian Press, 25 February 2008, 17:16.
  38. ^ Tonda MacCharles, "Ontario protests federal gun amnesty plan", Toronto Star, 4 March 2008, A14.
  39. ^ Keith Leslie, "Fantino gets one-year contract extension as OPP commissioner", Canadian Press, 11 March 2008, 15:59.
  40. ^ Jim Wilkes, "Act would put bite on animal abusers", Hamilton Spectator, 4 April 2008, A10.