Robert Maurice
Encyclopedia
Robert Oza Maurice was a Canadian
businessman and political figure. He was a candidate in several municipal elections, and led the unregistered Recreation Party of Canada in 2003. He also used the name Robert Maurice-Mayer.
, and left school after Grade 10. After studying in a seminary
, he became a driving school instructor and franchiser of small businesses. He also wrote pamphlets on subjects such as world peace
, violence against women, and the power of bureaucracy
.
A 1995 article in the Toronto Star
newspaper described him as a "confidence man" who had "left in his wake a string of bankruptcies, unpaid debts, court judgments, criminal convictions and bogus humanitarian efforts". Maurice himself did not endorse this description, though he acknowledged that his business history included "difficult times". He described himself as a "planet builder" and "original franchisor of small businesses".
and marijuana, lower drinking ages, and a shorter work week. As party leader, Maurice ran for Mayor of Greater Sudbury in the 2003 municipal election
. He acknowledged his "shadowy past", and said that he went into business in an effort to help people rather than to take their money. He was quoted as saying, "There are problems when you run businesses, and that's the price you have to pay to be a business operator under today's systems. I've been charged, I've been fined, but I've never been convicted and gone to jail."
He ran on a platform of bringing "modern democracy and fair economics to the world". Among other things, he said that he would take money from government and bankers and give it to mathematicians, who would best be able to distribute it. He received 102 votes (0.19%), placing twelfth out of fourteen candidates.
newspaper indicates that he ran in several mayoral campaigns before 2003.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
businessman and political figure. He was a candidate in several municipal elections, and led the unregistered Recreation Party of Canada in 2003. He also used the name Robert Maurice-Mayer.
Business career
Maurice was born in Sudbury, OntarioOntario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, and left school after Grade 10. After studying in a seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
, he became a driving school instructor and franchiser of small businesses. He also wrote pamphlets on subjects such as world peace
World peace
World Peace is an ideal of freedom, peace, and happiness among and within all nations and/or people. World peace is an idea of planetary non-violence by which nations willingly cooperate, either voluntarily or by virtue of a system of governance that prevents warfare. The term is sometimes used to...
, violence against women, and the power of bureaucracy
Bureaucracy
A bureaucracy is an organization of non-elected officials of a governmental or organization who implement the rules, laws, and functions of their institution, and are occasionally characterized by officialism and red tape.-Weberian bureaucracy:...
.
A 1995 article in the Toronto Star
Toronto Star
The Toronto Star is Canada's highest-circulation newspaper, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its print edition is distributed almost entirely within the province of Ontario...
newspaper described him as a "confidence man" who had "left in his wake a string of bankruptcies, unpaid debts, court judgments, criminal convictions and bogus humanitarian efforts". Maurice himself did not endorse this description, though he acknowledged that his business history included "difficult times". He described himself as a "planet builder" and "original franchisor of small businesses".
2003 campaign
Maurice became the founder and leader of the unregistered Recreation Party of Canada in 2003. The party supported the legalization of prostitutionProstitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
and marijuana, lower drinking ages, and a shorter work week. As party leader, Maurice ran for Mayor of Greater Sudbury in the 2003 municipal election
Greater Sudbury municipal election, 2003
The Greater Sudbury municipal election, 2003 was held in the city of Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada on November 10, 2003. All municipal elections in the province of Ontario are held on the same date; see Ontario municipal elections, 2003 for elections in other cities.The election chose the mayor...
. He acknowledged his "shadowy past", and said that he went into business in an effort to help people rather than to take their money. He was quoted as saying, "There are problems when you run businesses, and that's the price you have to pay to be a business operator under today's systems. I've been charged, I've been fined, but I've never been convicted and gone to jail."
He ran on a platform of bringing "modern democracy and fair economics to the world". Among other things, he said that he would take money from government and bankers and give it to mathematicians, who would best be able to distribute it. He received 102 votes (0.19%), placing twelfth out of fourteen candidates.
Death
Maurice died in 2004, at age 58. His obituary in the Sudbury StarSudbury Star
The Sudbury Star is a Canadian daily regional newspaper, published in Sudbury, Ontario. It is run by the media conglomerate Sun Media, which is controlled by Quebecor....
newspaper indicates that he ran in several mayoral campaigns before 2003.