Member of Provincial Parliament (1981-1994)
From 1981 to 1994, Don served as MPP for York Centre and then
Markham Riding …
- Appointed Deputy Speaker of the House, and Parliamentary Assistant
for the Minister of Citizenship and Culture, Don then became Minister
of Correctional Services.
- During his 13 years as MPP, Don:
- Chaired three Provincial Task Forces
(Care for the Elderly, Human and Social Services, and GTA Transportation)
- Served
on five Legislative Standing Committees (including Finance and
Economics, and Natural Resources)
- Sponsored two groundbreaking
Private Members Acts: Anti-Smoking Bill in Public Places, and Protection
of Heritage Buildings.
- As MPP, Don demonstrated leadership and vision
when dealing with important local issues. He was a powerful
activist for:
- Saving Rouge Valley from becoming a proposed mega-dump
- The approval
of Markham-Stouffville Hospital in 1985
- Increased GO Transit
local commuter rail services, and the construction of Highway
407
- “Neighbourhood Watch” and “Block Parent” programs.
- Don
was successful at obtaining Provincial funding for:
- Local Schools,
including Unionville and Milliken Mills
- Lbraries in Thornhill, Unionville
and Markham
- Markham Theatre
- Centennial Arena and Thornhill Arena
- Fletcher’s Fields.
|
