BOB RUNCIMAN, MPP LEEDS-GRENVILLE
LEADER OF THE OFFICIAL OPPOSITION
Bob Runciman has been the member for Leeds-Grenville since 1981. A resident of Brockville, his unique blend of political and life experience makes him well qualified to serve the people of Ontario.
The defeat of the Progressive Conservative Government on October 2, 2003 put Mr. Runciman in the opposition benches. He served first as House Leader of the Official Opposition and Critic for Consumer and Business Services and then was asked by the John Tory, new leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, to serve as Leader of the Official Opposition in the Legislature.
Prior to the 2003 election, Mr. Runciman was Minister of Public Safety and Security, with responsibility for the consolidated issues of policing, corrections, and public safety as they relate to the economy and the security of Ontario’s borders following the events of September 11th.
Previously, Mr. Runciman was Minister of Economic Development and Trade and has served as Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations, Solicitor General and Minister of Correctional Services. He was also Chair of Cabinet, Chair of Cabinet’s Environment Committee and co-Chair of Justice and Intergovernmental Affairs.
While Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations he led the initiative that resulted in the European Union dropping its ban on Ontario ice wine opening up a huge market for Ontario wine makers.
During his first stint as Solicitor General and Minister of Correctional Services, Mr. Runciman brought about the most dramatic and far-reaching improvements in public safety and policing in Ontario’s history. This included boot camps for young offenders, adding 1,000 new front-line police officers, a $5 million Survivor’s Tuition Fund for families of police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, and completely revamping the Ontario Parole Board to ensure that public safety is paramount. Mr. Runciman also tabled a bill on Canada’s first Sex Offender Registry and introduced a new computer system to track serial predators. He led the Ontario government’s fight against the discredited Young Offenders Act and against a wasteful and ineffective long-gun registration system.
Another important initiative is unfolding with the construction of the St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre on the site of the Brockville Psychiatric Hospital. Mr. Runciman has long promoted the concept that an effective correctional system must include treatment for inmates with mental health problems. The first phase of the new facility opened in the fall of 2003. The Royal Ottawa Hospital provides mental health services for inmates at the new centre and working with educational facilities will development new techniques that will serve as a model for future correctional facilities.
Mr. Runciman began his political career as a municipal councillor in Brockville. As a councillor he chaired the city’s Urban Renewal Committee for eight years and was actively involved in the renewal of infrastructure in the downtown core and the acquisition of the Central Canada Coal Company property for use as a park and museum. Before his election to the Ontario Legislature, he was employed in production management in the chemical industry. He has significant experience in the labour relations field, both as a union president and contract negotiator.
Mr. Runciman has also worked as a reporter for two Eastern Ontario daily newspapers. His business experience has included ownership of a weekly newspaper and commercial printing business. Mr. Runciman is married to the former Jeannette Bax. They have had three children: two daughters, Sue and Robin, and one son, Bill (deceased). They are the proud grandparents of Iylish.
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