Steve Owens (politician)
| Steve Owens | |
|---|---|
| Ontario MPP | |
|
In office 1990–1995 | |
| Preceded by | Cindy Nicholas |
| Succeeded by | Dan Newman |
| Constituency | Scarborough Centre |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
September 21, 1956 Toronto, Ontario |
| Political party | New Democrat |
| Spouse(s) | Joanne |
| Occupation | Hospital worker, Union executive |
| Portfolio | Minister Without Portfolio (1994-1995) Responsible for Education and Training |
Stephen David Owens (born September 21, 1956) is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a New Democratic Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1990 to 1995, and served as a cabinet minister in the government of Bob Rae.
Background
Owens holds a General Arts and Science Certificate, and worked as a hospital orderly at Toronto General Hospital. He served as president and vice-president of Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 2001, and is also a member of the Royal Canadian Legion.[1]
Politics
In 1990, he ran as the New Democratic Party candidate in the 1990 provincial election, defeating Liberal incumbent Cindy Nicholas by 4,162 votes in the riding of Scarborough Centre.[2] The NDP won a majority government and Owens was appointed as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Correctional Services. Later he served as a parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Finance.[3] On October 21, 1994, he was appointed as a Minister without portfolio responsible for Education and Training, serving as an assistant to Education Minister Dave Cooke.[4]
During his tenure as MPP he also served as party whip and caucus chair.[5][6]
The NDP were defeated in the 1995 provincial election, and Owens finished third against Progressive Conservative Dan Newman in his bid for re-election.[7]
Electoral record
| Ontario general election, 1990 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ∆% | ||||
| New Democratic | Steve Owens | 13,401 | 47.3 | |||||
| Liberal | Cindy Nicholas | 9,239 | 32.5 | |||||
| Progressive Conservative | Joe Trontadus | 5,713 | 20.1 | |||||
| Total valid votes | 28,353 | 100.0 | ||||||
| Toronto Star.[2] | ||||||||
| Ontario general election, 1995 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ∆% | ||||
| Progressive Conservative | Dan Newman | 12,717 | 45.87 | |||||
| Liberal | Mary Ellen Pimblett | 7,163 | 25.84 | |||||
| New Democratic | Steve Owens | 6,841 | 24.67 | |||||
| Independent | John Brereton | 649 | 2.34 | |||||
| Natural Law | Eleanor Hyodo | 349 | 1.25 | |||||
| Total valid votes | 28,079 | 100.0 | ||||||
| Elections Ontario.[7] | ||||||||
After politics
In 2002-03, Owens supported Bill Blaikie for the leadership of the federal New Democratic Party.
References
- ↑ Pugliese, David; Hum, Peter (September 7, 1990). "Ontario's new government is made of social...". Ottawa Citizen (CanWest News). p. 1.
- 1 2 "How Metro-Area Voted". The Toronto Daily Star (Toronto). 1990-09-07. p. A10.
- ↑ "No friends of no-fault: Insurance plan faces enemies even in NDP ranks". The Windsor Star. February 3, 1993. p. A3.
- ↑ "Rae rejigs duties of 3 veterans". The Spectator (Hamilton, Ont). October 22, 1994. p. A16.
- ↑ Coyle, Jim (May 29, 1991). "Japanese investment flap overblown windbaggery". The Ottawa Citizen. p. A5.
- ↑ "Probability of provincial layoffs doesn't sit well in backbenches". The Hamilton Spectator. April 1, 1993. p. A8.
- 1 2 "Summary of Valid Ballots by Candidate". Elections Ontario. 1995-06-08. Retrieved 2012-09-04.