Art Eggleton
Encyclopedia
Arthur "Art" C. Eggleton, PC
(born September 29, 1943) is a former Canadian Cabinet minister and Mayor of Toronto, and is currently a Senator
representing Ontario.
in 1969. He served as budget chief in the council elected in 1973 under David Crombie. He was the Liberal Party of Canada
's candidate in the October 16, 1978 federal by-election
held in Toronto's west-end Parkdale
electoral district
. He was defeated by Progressive Conservative
candidate Yuri Shymko
. He then ran for Toronto City Council in Ward 4. On November 13, 1978, he finished first amongst a field of 10 candidates and became Ward 4's senior alderman on council (at the time, two alderman were elected from each ward).
, and was elected. During his time as Mayor, the City moved forward on implementing its new official plan which resulted in several new significant buildings in the downtown west, or railway lands area - the Convention Centre, Skydome, the CBC Broadcast Centre, to name a few. The City administration under his leadership also produced a record level of social housing projects for low income people; 50 acres (202,343 m²) of new parks; innovative new responses to the problems of the homeless and emotionally troubled with projects like Street City, the Singles Housing Opportunities Program, and the Gernsteins Centre. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Toronto Atmospheric Fund and other environmental programs that resulted in the City receiving a United Nations award. He established the Mayor's Committee on Community and Race Relations to help bring about the successful integration of people from different cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds. In 1985, he withstood a challenge from city councillor Anne Johnston
, a fellow Liberal, who ran against Eggleton for the mayoralty in that year's civic election. He retired from municipal politics in 1991 as the longest serving mayor in Toronto history. In recognition of his service to the City, Mr. Eggleton received Toronto's highest honour, the Civic Award of Merit in 1992.
in the suburban Toronto riding of York Centre
, again as a Liberal, and won election. He was appointed to the position of President of the Treasury Board
and Minister for Infrastructure in the new Cabinet.
From January 1996 to June 1997, he served as Minister for International Trade. Eggleton retained his seat in the 1997 election
, and was appointed Minister of National Defence
. In 1999, Eggleton supported Canada's involvement in NATO's campaign in Kosovo.
He was re-elected again in the 2000 election
, and continued as Minister of Defence focusing on sweeping changes to the National Defence Act which implemented changes to the military justice system, including the set up of several oversight entities including a Military Ombudsman and a Military Police Complaints Commission. He also improved compensation and benefits for Canadian Forces personnel and their families.
Eggleton was fired from cabinet in May 2002, after he had hired his former girlfriend to do some research, creating an uproar over non-tendered contracts and Liberal conflict of interest scandals. This happened during the growing leadership turmoil between Chrétien and Paul Martin
, the latter who departed cabinet just the next week in disputed circumstances.
Eggleton then became a member of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade. On May 13, 2004, Eggleton announced he would not be a candidate in the 2004 federal election
making way for the nomination of Ken Dryden
as the Liberal candidate in York Centre.
on March 24, 2005. He is currently the Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
, and a member of the Senate Committee on National Finance. He was co-opted to the Bureau of Liberal International
as a Vice President at the 185th Executive Committee in Cape Town, South Africa in November 2010.
See also List of Ontario senators.
Queen's Privy Council for Canada
The Queen's Privy Council for Canada ), sometimes called Her Majesty's Privy Council for Canada or simply the Privy Council, is the full group of personal consultants to the monarch of Canada on state and constitutional affairs, though responsible government requires the sovereign or her viceroy,...
(born September 29, 1943) is a former Canadian Cabinet minister and Mayor of Toronto, and is currently a Senator
Canadian Senate
The Senate of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the House of Commons, and the monarch . The Senate consists of 105 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister...
representing Ontario.
City council
Eggleton, an accountant by profession, was first elected to Toronto city councilCity council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
in 1969. He served as budget chief in the council elected in 1973 under David Crombie. He was the Liberal Party of Canada
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
's candidate in the October 16, 1978 federal by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
held in Toronto's west-end Parkdale
Parkdale (electoral district)
Parkdale was a Canadian federal electoral district represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1917 to 1979. It included the community of Parkdale in the western part of Toronto...
electoral district
Electoral district (Canada)
An electoral district in Canada, also known as a constituency or a riding, is a geographical constituency upon which Canada's representative democracy is based...
. He was defeated by Progressive Conservative
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues....
candidate Yuri Shymko
Yuri Shymko
Yuri Shymko is a former politician, human rights advocate, social activist, and community leader in Ontario, Canada. He served in the Canadian House of Commons from 1978 to 1979, and in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1981 to 1987...
. He then ran for Toronto City Council in Ward 4. On November 13, 1978, he finished first amongst a field of 10 candidates and became Ward 4's senior alderman on council (at the time, two alderman were elected from each ward).
As Mayor of Toronto
In 1980, he ran against mayor John SewellJohn Sewell
John Sewell, CM is a Canadian political activist and writer on municipal affairs; he was the mayor of Toronto, Ontario from 1978 to 1980.-Background:...
, and was elected. During his time as Mayor, the City moved forward on implementing its new official plan which resulted in several new significant buildings in the downtown west, or railway lands area - the Convention Centre, Skydome, the CBC Broadcast Centre, to name a few. The City administration under his leadership also produced a record level of social housing projects for low income people; 50 acres (202,343 m²) of new parks; innovative new responses to the problems of the homeless and emotionally troubled with projects like Street City, the Singles Housing Opportunities Program, and the Gernsteins Centre. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Toronto Atmospheric Fund and other environmental programs that resulted in the City receiving a United Nations award. He established the Mayor's Committee on Community and Race Relations to help bring about the successful integration of people from different cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds. In 1985, he withstood a challenge from city councillor Anne Johnston
Anne Johnston
Anne Johnston was a longtime city councillor in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She was first elected to Toronto City Council in 1972, and served until 1985 when she ran against incumbent Mayor Art Eggleton, but was defeated. In 1988 she was elected to Metro Toronto Council...
, a fellow Liberal, who ran against Eggleton for the mayoralty in that year's civic election. He retired from municipal politics in 1991 as the longest serving mayor in Toronto history. In recognition of his service to the City, Mr. Eggleton received Toronto's highest honour, the Civic Award of Merit in 1992.
Federal politics
He ran in the 1993 electionCanadian federal election, 1993
The Canadian federal election of 1993 was held on October 25 of that year to elect members to the Canadian House of Commons of the 35th Parliament of Canada. Fourteen parties competed for the 295 seats in the House at that time...
in the suburban Toronto riding of York Centre
York Centre
York Centre is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1904 to 1917 and since 1953....
, again as a Liberal, and won election. He was appointed to the position of President of the Treasury Board
President of the Treasury Board (Canada)
The position of President of the Treasury Board was created as a ministerial position in the Canadian Cabinet in 1966 when the Treasury Board became a full-fledged department. From 1867 to 1966 the Treasury Board had been part of the Department of Finance....
and Minister for Infrastructure in the new Cabinet.
From January 1996 to June 1997, he served as Minister for International Trade. Eggleton retained his seat in the 1997 election
Canadian federal election, 1997
The Canadian federal election of 1997 was held on June 2, 1997, to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 36th Parliament of Canada. Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's Liberal Party of Canada won a second majority government...
, and was appointed Minister of National Defence
Minister of National Defence (Canada)
The Minister of National Defence is a Minister of the Crown; the Canadian politician within the Cabinet of Canada responsible for the Department of National Defence which oversees the Canadian Forces....
. In 1999, Eggleton supported Canada's involvement in NATO's campaign in Kosovo.
He was re-elected again in the 2000 election
Canadian federal election, 2000
The 2000 Canadian federal election was held on November 27, 2000, to elect 301 Members of Parliament of the Canadian House of Commons of the 37th Parliament of Canada....
, and continued as Minister of Defence focusing on sweeping changes to the National Defence Act which implemented changes to the military justice system, including the set up of several oversight entities including a Military Ombudsman and a Military Police Complaints Commission. He also improved compensation and benefits for Canadian Forces personnel and their families.
Eggleton was fired from cabinet in May 2002, after he had hired his former girlfriend to do some research, creating an uproar over non-tendered contracts and Liberal conflict of interest scandals. This happened during the growing leadership turmoil between Chrétien and Paul Martin
Paul Martin
Paul Edgar Philippe Martin, PC , also known as Paul Martin, Jr. is a Canadian politician who was the 21st Prime Minister of Canada, as well as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada....
, the latter who departed cabinet just the next week in disputed circumstances.
Eggleton then became a member of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade. On May 13, 2004, Eggleton announced he would not be a candidate in the 2004 federal election
Canadian federal election, 2004
The Canadian federal election, 2004 , was held on June 28, 2004 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 38th Parliament of Canada. The Liberal government of Prime Minister Paul Martin lost its majority, but was able to form a minority government after the elections...
making way for the nomination of Ken Dryden
Ken Dryden
Kenneth Wayne Dryden, PC, is a Canadian politician, lawyer, businessman, author, and former NHL goaltender. Dryden is married with two children and four grandchildren and is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame...
as the Liberal candidate in York Centre.
Appointment to the Senate
He was appointed to the Senate by Paul MartinPaul Martin
Paul Edgar Philippe Martin, PC , also known as Paul Martin, Jr. is a Canadian politician who was the 21st Prime Minister of Canada, as well as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada....
on March 24, 2005. He is currently the Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
Canadian Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
The Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology is a Canadian Senate committee of the Government of Canada.It has a mandate to examine legislation and matters relating to social affairs, science and technology generally, including: veterans affairs; Indian and Inuit affairs; ...
, and a member of the Senate Committee on National Finance. He was co-opted to the Bureau of Liberal International
Liberal International
Liberal International is a political international federation for liberal parties. Its headquarters is located at 1 Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 2HD within the National Liberal Club. It was founded in Oxford in 1947, and has become the pre-eminent network for liberal parties and for the...
as a Vice President at the 185th Executive Committee in Cape Town, South Africa in November 2010.
See also List of Ontario senators.