| Parliament 1 | Ontario Provincial |
|---|---|
| Term start 1 | June 7, 2018 |
| Term end 1 | May 3, 2022 |
| Predecessor 1 | Riding established |
| Successor 1 | George Pirie |
| Riding 1 | Timmins |
| Parliament 2 | Ontario Provincial |
| Term start 2 | June 3, 1999 |
| Term end 2 | May 9, 2018 |
| Predecessor 2 | Riding established |
| Successor 2 | Riding dissolved |
| Riding 2 | Timmins—James Bay |
| Parliament 3 | Ontario Provincial |
| Term start 3 | September 6, 1990 |
| Term end 3 | June 3, 1999 |
| Predecessor 3 | Alan Pope |
| Successor 3 | Riding dissolved |
| Riding 3 | Cochrane South |
| Office 4 | Dean of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario |
| Alongside 4 | Ted Arnott and Jim Wilson |
| Term start 4 | June 7, 2018 |
| Term end 4 | May 3, 2022 |
| Predecessor 4 | Jim Bradley |
| Successor 4 | Ted Arnott |
| Party | New Democratic |
| Birth date | May 14, 1957 (age 69) |
| Birth place | Timmins, Ontario, Canada |
| Spouse | Murielle |
| Occupation | Trade unionist |
Gilles C. Bisson[1] (born May 14, 1957) is a Franco-Ontarian politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a New Democratic member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1990 until his defeat in the 2022 Ontario general election. From 1999 to 2022 he represented the northern riding of Timmins.
Background
Bisson is Franco-Ontarian.[2] He was a labour union organizer, who worked for the Ontario Federation of Labour (of which he was the Northeast Director for a time).[3]
A licensed private pilot, Bisson owns a small aircraft which he uses to fly between communities in his far-flung riding, the legislative seat in Toronto and elsewhere.[4] Bisson was a member of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets with #10 Timmins Kiwanis Squadron where he attained the rank of Flight Sergeant. He also served in both the Canadian Armed Forces "reg force" in 1974/1975 and as a reservist with the Algonquin Regiment B Company.
Bisson is married, is a father of two daughters, and is a grandfather of four.[5]
Politics
Bisson was elected to the Ontario legislature in the provincial election of 1990, defeating Liberal Frank Krznaric by about 2,000 votes in the old riding of Cochrane South.[6] He served as parliamentary assistant to the Ministers of Northern Development and Mines and Francophone Affairs in Bob Rae's government, and also served as a member of the cabinet committee on the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1993.[7]
Although the NDP were defeated in the provincial election of 1995, Bisson significantly increased the margin of his victory in Cochrane South.[8] He was, in fact, the only NDP candidate elected with more than 50% riding support in that cycle. He was easily re-elected in the 1999 election,[9] and fought off a closer challenge from Liberal Michael Doody, a former mayor of Timmins and broadcaster, in the election of 2003.[10] He was re-elected in 2007, 2011, and 2014.[11][12][13]
Bisson's popularity has helped make Timmins—James Bay one of the top ridings in Ontario for the federal NDP as well, helping Charlie Angus pick up the seat in the 2004 election.
On August 29, 2008, Bisson announced he would run to succeed Howard Hampton in the 2009 Ontario New Democratic Party leadership election. Bisson was defeated, finishing in third place behind first runner-up Peter Tabuns and the victor, Andrea Horwath.[3][14]
From 2014 until 2022 he was the party's House Leader and was the NDP's critic for Natural Resources and Forestry issues.[15]
Bisson lost his seat to Progressive Conservative candidate George Pirie in the 2022 Ontario general election.[16][17][18][19]
References
- ^ "Within the halls of the Legislature are walls that contain the names of every Member of Provincial Parliament elected to Ontario's Legislature since 1867.". No. 1547261235305058304. 13 July 2022.
- ^ Joncas, Danny (2 March 2009). "L'attente tire à sa fin pour Bisson Un premier Franco-Ontarien à la tête d'un parti politique provincial?" (in French). Francopresse. Archived from the original on 21 November 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
- ^ Nolan, Daniel (March 6, 2009). "Horwath a community organizer; Hard-working MPP confident". The Spectator. p. A6.
- ^ Cowan, James (March 7, 2009). "Ontario NDP Faces 'Brutal Realities'; Leadership Race". National Post. p. A4.
- ^ "ABOUT". Archived from the original on 20 October 2017.
- ^ "Ontario election: Riding-by-riding voting results". The Globe and Mail. September 7, 1990. p. A12.
- ^ Gombu, Phinjo (July 15, 1991). "Residents demand deal to save mill Kapuskasing residents camping out at Queen's Park". Toronto Star. p. A8.
- ^ "Summary of Valid Ballots by Candidate". Elections Ontario. June 8, 1995. Archived from the original on March 5, 2014. Retrieved 2014-02-03.
- ^ "Summary of Valid Ballots by Candidate". Elections Ontario. June 3, 1999. Archived from the original on March 5, 2014. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
- ^ "Summary of Valid Ballots by Candidate". Elections Ontario. October 2, 2003. Archived from the original on March 5, 2014. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
- ^ "Summary of Valid Ballots Cast for Each Candidate". Elections Ontario. October 10, 2007. p. 15 (xxiv). Archived from the original on March 30, 2013. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
- ^ "Summary of Valid Ballots Cast for Each Candidate". Elections Ontario. October 6, 2011. p. 18. Archived from the original on March 30, 2013. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
- ^ "General Election by District: Timmins-James Bay". Elections Ontario. June 12, 2014. Archived from the original on June 14, 2014.
- ^ Cowan, James (March 9, 2009). "New NDP leader vows to double membership; Andrea Horwath". National Post. p. A4.
- ^ Reevely, David (June 25, 2014). "Horwath sticks around, names NDP shadow cabinet"
- ^ "Veteran outgoing Timmins MPP Bisson says change sometimes 'unavoidable'". Sudbury.com. Retrieved 2022-06-03.
- ^ Powers, Lucas (3 June 2022). "Ontario's Progressive Conservatives sail to 2nd majority, NDP and Liberal leaders say they will resign". CBC News
- ^ "TVO | Current affairs, documentaries and education"
- ^ "Former MPP looks back on keys to his past political reign"