Patrick Lawlor
Encyclopedia
Patrick Daniel Lawlor was a Canadian politician who served as the Ontario NDP Member of the Ontario legislature for the Toronto riding of Lakeshore
from 1967 to 1981.
He graduated from the University of St. Michael's College
at the University of Toronto
and then earned a law degree from the University of Toronto Law School and opened a law practice in Long Branch, Ontario, which later became part of Etobicoke. He earned his PhD in the 1960s.
In 1979, he published a book of poetry called the psychotic personality of our time,Book title was published with all lower case letters. and also wrote an unpublished play. He and his wife, Leslie, had four children.
. Lawlor characterized the book as philosophical poetry. He said in the preface, "The world of symbols... that pre-reflective almost inarticulate knowledge found in myth - those ancient stories of our coming to ourselves; the dense, opaque, wonder-full sometimes terrifying world, which we all inhabit, but have lost or forgotten." In a book dedication he called the writing of the book, "a distillation of a peculiar experience - a learning - an end which is also a beginning."
and again in 1963
in the riding of Peel. He was defeated both times placing third behind Liberal incumbent Bruce Beer.
In 1967 he ran again, this time at the provincial level, and was successful by defeating Progressive Conservative MPP Alan Eagleson
to win the Lakeshore seat in the 1967 provincial election
. He was subsequently re-elected in the 1971
, 1975
and 1977 provincial elections
. Lawlor served as the NDP's justice critic and, briefly, finance critic. He retired at the 1981 provincial election
but attempted to return to politics three years later running as the NDP candidate in Etobicoke—Lakeshore
but was defeated, placing third behind Progressive Conservative Patrick Boyer
.
Lawlor was friends with Ontario Premier John Robarts
despite their different political allegiances.
Stephen Lewis
, who led the NDP for part of Lawlor's tenure, described him as having an "analytical, insightful and outrageous style."
. His report, issued in 1984, advocated allowing parties to seek relief in court or before the Ontario Human Rights Commission
by using a class action
.
After suffering a heart attack, Lawlor was rushed to St. Joseph's Health Centre in Toronto where he died shortly after.
Lakeshore (provincial electoral district)
Lakeshore was a provincial electoral district that elected members to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. It was roughly located in southern Etobicoke It existed from 1963 to 1987 when it was abolished into Etobicoke—Lakeshore....
from 1967 to 1981.
Background
Lawlor was born in Edmonton, Alberta. He and his family moved to Toronto, Ontario when he was around 7 years old.He graduated from the University of St. Michael's College
University of St. Michael's College
The University of St. Michael's College is a college of the University of Toronto, founded in 1852 by the Congregation of St. Basil of Annonay, France. While mainly an undergraduate college for liberal arts and sciences, St. Michael's retains its Roman Catholic affiliation through its postgraduate...
at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
and then earned a law degree from the University of Toronto Law School and opened a law practice in Long Branch, Ontario, which later became part of Etobicoke. He earned his PhD in the 1960s.
In 1979, he published a book of poetry called the psychotic personality of our time,Book title was published with all lower case letters. and also wrote an unpublished play. He and his wife, Leslie, had four children.
the psychotic personality of our time
Lawlor's book of poetry consists of 50 poems named and numbered Canto I - Canto L using Roman numeralsRoman numerals
The numeral system of ancient Rome, or Roman numerals, uses combinations of letters from the Latin alphabet to signify values. The numbers 1 to 10 can be expressed in Roman numerals as:...
. Lawlor characterized the book as philosophical poetry. He said in the preface, "The world of symbols... that pre-reflective almost inarticulate knowledge found in myth - those ancient stories of our coming to ourselves; the dense, opaque, wonder-full sometimes terrifying world, which we all inhabit, but have lost or forgotten." In a book dedication he called the writing of the book, "a distillation of a peculiar experience - a learning - an end which is also a beginning."
Politics
Lawlor ran for the federal NDP in the 1962 federal electionCanadian federal election, 1962
The Canadian federal election of 1962 was held on June 18, 1962 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 25th Parliament of Canada...
and again in 1963
Canadian federal election, 1963
The Canadian federal election of 1963 was held on April 8 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 26th Parliament of Canada. It resulted in the defeat of the minority Progressive Conservative government of Prime Minister John Diefenbaker.-Overview:During the Tories' last year in...
in the riding of Peel. He was defeated both times placing third behind Liberal incumbent Bruce Beer.
In 1967 he ran again, this time at the provincial level, and was successful by defeating Progressive Conservative MPP Alan Eagleson
Alan Eagleson
Robert Alan Eagleson is a disbarred Canadian lawyer, convicted felon in two countries, former politician, hockey agent and promoter...
to win the Lakeshore seat in the 1967 provincial election
Ontario general election, 1967
The Ontario general election of 1967 was held on October 17, 1967, to elect the 117 members of the 28th Legislative Assembly of Ontario of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
. He was subsequently re-elected in the 1971
Ontario general election, 1971
The Ontario general election of 1971 was held on October 21, 1971, to elect the 117 members of the 29th Legislative Assembly of Ontario of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
, 1975
Ontario general election, 1975
The Ontario general election of 1975 was held on September 18, 1975, to elect the 125 members of the 30th Legislative Assembly of Ontario of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
and 1977 provincial elections
Ontario general election, 1977
The Ontario general election of 1977 was held on June 9, 1977, to elect the 125 members of the 31st Legislative Assembly of Ontario of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
. Lawlor served as the NDP's justice critic and, briefly, finance critic. He retired at the 1981 provincial election
Ontario general election, 1981
The Ontario general election of 1981 was held on March 19, 1981, to elect members of the 32nd Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
but attempted to return to politics three years later running as the NDP candidate in Etobicoke—Lakeshore
Etobicoke—Lakeshore
Etobicoke—Lakeshore is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1968....
but was defeated, placing third behind Progressive Conservative Patrick Boyer
Patrick Boyer
J. Patrick Boyer is a university professor, author and a former Progressive Conservative Member of Parliament ....
.
Lawlor was friends with Ontario Premier John Robarts
John Robarts
John Parmenter Robarts, PC, CC, QC was a Canadian lawyer and statesman, and the 17th Premier of Ontario.-Early life:...
despite their different political allegiances.
Stephen Lewis
Stephen Lewis
Stephen Henry Lewis, is a Canadian politician, broadcaster and diplomat. He was the leader of the social democratic Ontario New Democratic Party for most of the 1970s. During many of the those years as leader, his father David Lewis was simultaneously the leader of the Federal New Democratic Party...
, who led the NDP for part of Lawlor's tenure, described him as having an "analytical, insightful and outrageous style."
Later life
After leaving the legislature, Lawlor was commissioned to investigate legal reforms surrounding hate speech by attorney-general Roy McMurtryRoy McMurtry
Roland "Roy" McMurtry, OC, OOnt is a judge and former politician in Ontario, Canada and the current Chancellor of York University.-Early life:McMurtry was born in Toronto and educated at St. Andrew's College, graduating in 1950...
. His report, issued in 1984, advocated allowing parties to seek relief in court or before the Ontario Human Rights Commission
Ontario Human Rights Commission
The Ontario Human Rights Commission was established in the Canadian province of Ontario on March 29, 1961 to administer the Ontario Human Rights Code...
by using a class action
Class action
In law, a class action, a class suit, or a representative action is a form of lawsuit in which a large group of people collectively bring a claim to court and/or in which a class of defendants is being sued...
.
After suffering a heart attack, Lawlor was rushed to St. Joseph's Health Centre in Toronto where he died shortly after.