Joseph Tascona
Encyclopedia
Joseph N. Tascona is a lawyer
and former elected member of the Ontario Legislative Assembly representing the ridings
of Barrie—Simcoe—Bradford and Simcoe Centre
for the Progressive Conservative Party
from 1995 to 2007.
He has an M.B.A. from McMaster University
and an LL.B. from Queen's University, and worked as a prominent labour and employment lawyer before entering public life. He also worked for the Ford Motor Company
in matters relating to production and labour relations. He has also written several articles for the Industrial Relations Centre at Queen's University on labour and employment law.
Tascona began his political career at the municipal level, serving from 1991 to 1995 as an alderman
in the City of Barrie's second ward. Tascona was responsible for the building of the Barrie Public Library, Molson Hockey Centre and securing Barrie's waterfront land for public use. In the provincial election of 1995
, he was elected in the riding of Simcoe Centre, defeating Liberal Bruce Owen
by over 17,000 votes (incumbent New Democrat Paul Wessenger
finished third). The Conservatives won the election. Tascona was elected Chairperson of the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly on April 30, 1997 and Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Administration of Justice on May 3, 1999.
In the 1999 provincial election
, Tascona was re-elected in the redistributed riding of Barrie—Simcoe—Bradford, defeating Liberal Maura Bolger by 18,345 votes. During his second term, Tascona was a parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Education from March 8, 2000 until March 1, 2001, to the
Solicitor General
from March 5, 2001 until April 23, 2001, and to the Minister of Consumer and Business Services from April 25, 2002 until September 2, 2003.
Although the Progressive Conservatives were defeated in the 2003 provincial election
, Tascona was re-elected in his riding with a margin of victory of 9,531 votes. He was subsequently appointed opposition critic for the Attorney General and Government Service
. Tascona was also elected as Second Deputy Chair of the Committee of the Whole House. In April 2006, he introduced a private member's bill Restore the Deed Act, calling for the protection of homewoners from title and mortgage fraud and such measures were implemented by the provincial government.
In the 2007 provincial election
, Tascona was defeated by Aileen Carroll
, the riding's former federal Member of Parliament who was defeated in the 2006 federal election
. Tascona has returned to practicing law.
Tascona is returning to public life once again, as he runs for mayor in the City of Barrie, in the Oct. 25, 2010 vote. He was the first to register in the race. He lost to Barrie city councilor Jeff R. Lehman on October 25.
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and former elected member of the Ontario Legislative Assembly representing the ridings
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...
of Barrie—Simcoe—Bradford and Simcoe Centre
Simcoe Centre
Simcoe Centre was a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that was represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1988 to 1997. This riding was created in 1987 from parts of Grey—Simcoe, Simcoe South and Wellington—Dufferin—Simcoe ridings....
for the Progressive Conservative Party
Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
The Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario , is a right-of-centre political party in Ontario, Canada. The party was known for many years as "Ontario's natural governing party." It has ruled the province for 80 of the years since Confederation, including an uninterrupted run from 1943 to 1985...
from 1995 to 2007.
He has an M.B.A. from McMaster University
McMaster University
McMaster University is a public research university whose main campus is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on of land in the residential neighbourhood of Westdale, adjacent to Hamilton's Royal Botanical Gardens...
and an LL.B. from Queen's University, and worked as a prominent labour and employment lawyer before entering public life. He also worked for the Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
in matters relating to production and labour relations. He has also written several articles for the Industrial Relations Centre at Queen's University on labour and employment law.
Tascona began his political career at the municipal level, serving from 1991 to 1995 as an alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
in the City of Barrie's second ward. Tascona was responsible for the building of the Barrie Public Library, Molson Hockey Centre and securing Barrie's waterfront land for public use. In the provincial election of 1995
Ontario general election, 1995
The Ontario general election of 1995 was held on June 8, 1995, to elect members of the 36th Legislative Assembly of the province of Ontario, Canada...
, he was elected in the riding of Simcoe Centre, defeating Liberal Bruce Owen
Bruce Owen
Bruce Owen is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as a Liberal from 1987 to 1990.- Early life :...
by over 17,000 votes (incumbent New Democrat Paul Wessenger
Paul Wessenger
Paul Wessenger is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a New Democratic Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1990 to 1995.-Background:...
finished third). The Conservatives won the election. Tascona was elected Chairperson of the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly on April 30, 1997 and Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Administration of Justice on May 3, 1999.
In the 1999 provincial election
Ontario general election, 1999
An Ontario general election was held on June 3, 1999, to elect members of the 37th Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
, Tascona was re-elected in the redistributed riding of Barrie—Simcoe—Bradford, defeating Liberal Maura Bolger by 18,345 votes. During his second term, Tascona was a parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Education from March 8, 2000 until March 1, 2001, to the
Solicitor General
Solicitor General of Ontario
The Solicitor General of Ontario was in charge of the Ministry of the Solicitor General of Ontario is responsible for police and other law enforcement agencies in the province...
from March 5, 2001 until April 23, 2001, and to the Minister of Consumer and Business Services from April 25, 2002 until September 2, 2003.
Although the Progressive Conservatives were defeated in the 2003 provincial election
Ontario general election, 2003
The Ontario general election of 2003 was held on October 2, 2003, to elect the 103 members of the 38th Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
, Tascona was re-elected in his riding with a margin of victory of 9,531 votes. He was subsequently appointed opposition critic for the Attorney General and Government Service
Ministry of Government Services (Ontario)
The Ministry of Government Services is responsible for the delivery and management of government operations. Its goal is to provide cost-effective services to all residents and businesses and to the Ontario Public Service. It replaced the former Management Board Secretariat and the former Ministry...
. Tascona was also elected as Second Deputy Chair of the Committee of the Whole House. In April 2006, he introduced a private member's bill Restore the Deed Act, calling for the protection of homewoners from title and mortgage fraud and such measures were implemented by the provincial government.
In the 2007 provincial election
Ontario general election, 2007
The Ontario general election of 2007 was held on October 10, 2007 to elect members of the 39th Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada. The Liberals under Dalton McGuinty won the election with a majority government, winning 71 out of a possible 107 seats with 42.2% of the popular...
, Tascona was defeated by Aileen Carroll
Aileen Carroll
Margaret Aileen Carroll, PC, MPP is a Canadian politician. She was the federal Minister for International Cooperation in the Paul Martin government, and later Ontario's Minister of Culture and Minister Responsible for Seniors.- Personal life :Carroll has a Bachelor of Arts from St...
, the riding's former federal Member of Parliament who was defeated in the 2006 federal election
Canadian federal election, 2006
The 2006 Canadian federal election was held on January 23, 2006, to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 39th Parliament of Canada. The Conservative Party of Canada won the greatest number of seats: 40.3% of seats, or 124 out of 308, up from 99 seats in 2004, and 36.3% of votes:...
. Tascona has returned to practicing law.
Tascona is returning to public life once again, as he runs for mayor in the City of Barrie, in the Oct. 25, 2010 vote. He was the first to register in the race. He lost to Barrie city councilor Jeff R. Lehman on October 25.