William Griesinger
Encyclopedia
William Griesinger was an Ontario
merchant and political figure. He represented Windsor—Sandwich
in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
from 1945 to 1959 as a Progressive Conservative
member.
He was born in Windsor, Ontario
, the son of Lewis Griesinger. In 1934, he married Mary Adele Allen, with whom he raised daughter Rosemary and adopted son William. He was owner and general manager of the Windsor Lumber Company. Griesinger served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force
during World War I
, reaching the rank of major, and was awarded the Military Cross. After the war, he continued to serve with the local militia as lieutenant-colonel. Griesinger served in the provincial cabinet as Minister Without Portfolio and Chief Commissioner of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario from 1948 to 1949, Minister of Planning and Development from 1949 to 1953 and Minister of Public Works in the provincial cabinet from 1953 to 1958.
He resigned from the provincial cabinet in 1958 after he was implicated in a stock trading scandal involving Northern Ontario Natural Gas
(NONG), a natural gas company. Specifically, Premier
Leslie Frost
had ordered all members of his Cabinet to divest themselves of any stock in NONG, but Griesinger did not do so. Later, Premier Frost described Griesinger's involvement in the matter as a "minor indiscretion".
Ontario
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....
merchant and political figure. He represented Windsor—Sandwich
Windsor—Sandwich
Windsor—Sandwich was a provincial electoral district in Ontario, Canada. It came into existence for the first time with the 1934 Ontario election, and was eliminated with the 1967 election as a result of redistribution...
in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario , is the legislature of the Canadian province of Ontario, and is the second largest provincial legislature of Canada...
from 1945 to 1959 as a Progressive Conservative
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...
member.
He was born in Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
, the son of Lewis Griesinger. In 1934, he married Mary Adele Allen, with whom he raised daughter Rosemary and adopted son William. He was owner and general manager of the Windsor Lumber Company. Griesinger served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force
Canadian Expeditionary Force
The Canadian Expeditionary Force was the designation of the field force created by Canada for service overseas in the First World War. Units of the C.E.F. were divided into field formation in France, where they were organized first into separate divisions and later joined together into a single...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, reaching the rank of major, and was awarded the Military Cross. After the war, he continued to serve with the local militia as lieutenant-colonel. Griesinger served in the provincial cabinet as Minister Without Portfolio and Chief Commissioner of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario from 1948 to 1949, Minister of Planning and Development from 1949 to 1953 and Minister of Public Works in the provincial cabinet from 1953 to 1958.
He resigned from the provincial cabinet in 1958 after he was implicated in a stock trading scandal involving Northern Ontario Natural Gas
Northern Ontario Natural Gas
Northern Ontario Natural Gas was a natural gas company in Canada in the 1950s and 1960s, which was involved in a stock trading scandal that implicated Supreme Court of Ontario judge Leo Landreville and three members of Premier Leslie Frost's cabinet....
(NONG), a natural gas company. Specifically, Premier
Premier of Ontario
The Premier of Ontario is the first Minister of the Crown for the Canadian province of Ontario. The Premier is appointed as the province's head of government by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and presides over the Executive council, or Cabinet. The Executive Council Act The Premier of Ontario...
Leslie Frost
Leslie Frost
Leslie Miscampbell Frost, was a politician in Ontario, Canada, who served as the 16th Premier from May 4, 1949 to November 8, 1961. Due to his lengthy tenure, he gained the nickname "Old Man Ontario".-Early years:...
had ordered all members of his Cabinet to divest themselves of any stock in NONG, but Griesinger did not do so. Later, Premier Frost described Griesinger's involvement in the matter as a "minor indiscretion".