Leslie Wismer
Encyclopedia
Leslie E. Wismer was a trade union official and a member of the Ontario legislature representing Riverdale, Toronto
for the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
(CCF) from 1943 to 1945 and again from 1948 until 1951.
During World War II
, Wismer served as an officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force
with the rank of flight lieutenant
.
He was first elected to the legislature in the 1943 provincial election
by defeating incumbent Conservative MPP William Summerville
but was defeated in 1948
by Gordon Millen
. Wismer was again elected for a second, and final, term in 1948
.
After leaving the legislature following the 1951 election
, Wismer moved to Ottawa, Ontario where he served as president of the Ottawa Trades and Labour Council, president of Mooretown Housing Inc. and as public relations director and then research director of the Trades and Labour Congress of Canada
. Upon the creation of the Canadian Labour Congress
in 1956, he became the new body's legislative director. Wismer was expelled by the Ottawa Labour Council and resigned from his position with the CLC due to a spending and conflict of interest scandal related to Wismer's role at Mooretown Housing, a labour council owned housing development. In 1957, Wismer was appointed head of organizing for the National Defence Employees Association
.
While serving in the legislature, Wismer once denounced modern art
as "nihilist
" and as part of a global, subversive attack on Christianity
during a speech in which he asked the government to delay a $6,000 grant to the Art Gallery of Toronto
until it could be determined how much was paid for two busts by Picasso and Matisse which Wismer denounced as showing "just how hideous some things can be". Wismer's stand was criticized by Labor-Progressive (Communist) MPP Joseph Salsberg who proclaimed "it will be a sorry day when politicians assume the role of arbiters in art."
Riverdale, Toronto
Riverdale is a large neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is bounded by the Don River Valley to the west, Danforth Avenue and Greektown to the north, Jones Avenue, the CN/GO tracks, and Leslieville to the east, and Lake Shore Boulevard to the south....
for the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (Ontario Section)
The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation – The Farmer-Labor Party of Ontario, or more informally and commonly known as The Ontario CCF, was a democratic socialist political party that existed from 1932 to 1961. It was the provincial wing of the National CCF. The party officially had no leader in...
(CCF) from 1943 to 1945 and again from 1948 until 1951.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Wismer served as an officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
with the rank of flight lieutenant
Flight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
.
He was first elected to the legislature in the 1943 provincial election
Ontario general election, 1943
The Ontario general election of 1943 was held on August 4, 1943, to elect the 90 Members of the 21st Legislative Assembly of Ontario of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
by defeating incumbent Conservative MPP William Summerville
William Summerville
William Arthur Summerville was a municipal and provincial politician in Toronto, Canada.Summerville was born in Bruce County and moved with his family to Toronto at age three. His first career was as a musician. He played cornet for the 48th Highlanders and toured North America with different...
but was defeated in 1948
Ontario general election, 1948
The Ontario general election of 1948 was held on June 7, 1948, to elect the 90 members of the 23rd Legislative Assembly of Ontario of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
by Gordon Millen
Gordon Millen
Gordon Millen was a politician from Toronto, Canada. He served several years on city council before being elected as a Member of Provincial Parliament....
. Wismer was again elected for a second, and final, term in 1948
Ontario general election, 1948
The Ontario general election of 1948 was held on June 7, 1948, to elect the 90 members of the 23rd Legislative Assembly of Ontario of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
.
After leaving the legislature following the 1951 election
Ontario general election, 1951
The Ontario general election of 1951 was held on November 22, 1951, to elect the 90 members of the 24th Legislative Assembly of Ontario of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
, Wismer moved to Ottawa, Ontario where he served as president of the Ottawa Trades and Labour Council, president of Mooretown Housing Inc. and as public relations director and then research director of the Trades and Labour Congress of Canada
Trades and Labour Congress of Canada
The Trades and Labour Congress of Canada was a Canada-wide central federation of trade unions from 1883 to 1956. It was founded at the initiative of the Toronto Trades and Labour Council and the Knights of Labor...
. Upon the creation of the Canadian Labour Congress
Canadian Labour Congress
The Canadian Labour Congress, or CLC is a national trade union centre, the central labour body in English Canada to which most Canadian labour unions are affiliated.- Formation :...
in 1956, he became the new body's legislative director. Wismer was expelled by the Ottawa Labour Council and resigned from his position with the CLC due to a spending and conflict of interest scandal related to Wismer's role at Mooretown Housing, a labour council owned housing development. In 1957, Wismer was appointed head of organizing for the National Defence Employees Association
Union of National Defence Employees
One of the largest components of the Public Service Alliance of Canada is the Union of National Defence Employees.They represent more than 14,000 civilian employees working in the Department of National Defence...
.
While serving in the legislature, Wismer once denounced modern art
Modern art
Modern art includes artistic works produced during the period extending roughly from the 1860s to the 1970s, and denotes the style and philosophy of the art produced during that era. The term is usually associated with art in which the traditions of the past have been thrown aside in a spirit of...
as "nihilist
Nihilism
Nihilism is the philosophical doctrine suggesting the negation of one or more putatively meaningful aspects of life. Most commonly, nihilism is presented in the form of existential nihilism which argues that life is without objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value...
" and as part of a global, subversive attack on Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
during a speech in which he asked the government to delay a $6,000 grant to the Art Gallery of Toronto
Art Gallery of Ontario
Under the direction of its CEO Matthew Teitelbaum, the AGO embarked on a $254 million redevelopment plan by architect Frank Gehry in 2004, called Transformation AGO. The new addition would require demolition of the 1992 Post-Modernist wing by Barton Myers and Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg...
until it could be determined how much was paid for two busts by Picasso and Matisse which Wismer denounced as showing "just how hideous some things can be". Wismer's stand was criticized by Labor-Progressive (Communist) MPP Joseph Salsberg who proclaimed "it will be a sorry day when politicians assume the role of arbiters in art."