Product Code Database
Bruce Owen (May 24, 1931 – February 7, 2022) was a Canadian lawyer and politician in Ontario. He served as a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1987 to 1990, representing Simcoe Centre for the provincial Liberal Party.
Owen ran for the Ontario legislature in the 1967 provincial election, but lost to PC candidate Arthur Evans by 2,530 votes in Simcoe Centre. He ran again in the 1981 election, and lost to PC candidate George Taylor by a wider margin. Owen was finally elected in the 1987 election, defeating PC incumbent Earl W. Rowe by 2,492 votes in Simcoe Centre. He served as a backbench member of David Peterson's Liberal majority government for the next three years. During his tenure as an MPP, he played a pivotal role in bringing a Honda car plant to Alliston, as well as obtaining site approval for the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre. He also tabled legislation to Smoking ban in workplaces.
The Liberals were defeated in the 1990 provincial election, and Bruce Owen lost his seat to Paul Wessenger of the NDP by almost 3,000 votes. He attempted a comeback in the 1995 election, but lost to PC candidate Joe Tascona by 17,729 votes.
Owen presented a plan to city council for a new arts theatre in 2005, noting that the existing Fisher Auditorium is showing signs of age. His plan has been supported by some figures in the tourism sector.
Owen died at the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie, Ontario, on February 7, 2022, at the age of 90. He had suffered a heart attack prior to his death. A funeral was held for Owen at the Trinity Anglican Church in Barrie on February 12, 2022.
External links
|
|
