Gregory "Greg" Sorbara, MPP (born September 4, 1946 in Toronto, Ontario) a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for Vaughan. A Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP is an elected member of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada. Events 476 - Romulus Augustus, last emperor of the Western Roman Empire, is deposed when Odoacer proclaims himself Year 1946 ( MCMXLVI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Toronto (təˈrɒntoʊ colloquially pronounced or) is the largest city in Canada and is the provincial capital of Ontario Ontario (ɒnˈtɛrioʊ is a province located in the central part of Canada, the largest by population and second largest after Quebec See also Politics of Ontario The Legislative Assembly of Ontario (also known as Ontario Legislative Assembly or OntLA) is the Legislature Vaughan is a federal and provincial electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons Sorbara served as the Minister of Finance in the Ontario Liberal Party government of Premier Dalton McGuinty from 2003 to 2007. The Ministry of Finance is a portfolio in the Executive Council of Ontario commonly known as the Cabinet. The Ontario Liberal Party is a Centrist provincial political party in the province of Ontario, Canada. The Premier of Ontario is the first Minister of the Crown for the Canadian province of Ontario. Dalton James Patrick McGuinty Jr MPP (born July 19, 1955, in Ottawa Ontario) is a Canadian lawyer and politician
He resigned on October 11, 2005, following a police investigation involving his family's real estate development firm and was reinstated on May 23, 2006 after a judge ruled that there was no cause for including Sorbara's name on a search warrant. Events 1138 - A massive earthquake struck Aleppo, Syria. 1531 - Huldrych Zwingli is killed Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Real estate is a legal term (in some jurisdictions notably in the USA, United Kingdom Sorbara chaired the party's successful 2007 election campaign but announced on October 26, 2007 that he was leaving the cabinet to spend more time with his family but would continue as a backbench MPP. The Ontario general election of 2007 was held on October 10 2007 to elect members ( MPPs) of the 39th Legislative Assembly of the Province For other meanings see Backbench A backbencher is a Member of Parliament (MP or a legislator who does not hold governmental
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Early career
Sorbara was involved in philanthropic and environmental causes in his early years. He left the University of Toronto without graduating in the 1960s to work with street youth in Vancouver, and spent a number of years working as an organic farmer in the British Columbia interior. This article is about the University of Toronto's St George Campus Vancouver (vænˈkuːvɚ is a coastal Organic farming is a form of agriculture that relies on Crop rotation, Green manure, Compost, Biological pest control, and mechanical Cultivation British Columbia (ˌbrɪtɨʃ kəˈlʌmbiə ( BC) ( (la Colombie-Britannique C He subsequently returned to Toronto, completed his education at York University, Glendon College and Osgoode Hall Law School, and practised law before running for public office. York University (Université York is a public Research university located in Toronto, Ontario. Glendon College (French Collège universitaire Glendon) is one of the two campuses of York University, Canada 's third-largest university in Toronto See also Osgoode Hall for the downtown Toronto building that originally housed the law school Osgoode Hall Law School of York University, is
Sorbara was first elected to the Ontario legislature in the 1985 provincial election, defeating incumbent Progressive Conservative William Hodgson in York North, a suburban riding north of Toronto. The Ontario general election of 1985 was held on May 2, 1985, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, The Ontario PC Party, formally known as the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario (in french Parti progressiste-conservateur de l'Ontario) is a Right-of-centre William Marshall Chamberlain Hodgson ( March 18, 1912 — October 27, 1988) was a politician in Ontario, Canada. For the current provincial district in New Brunswick, please see York North (provincial electoral district York North The Liberals under David Peterson were able to form a minority government after this election, and Sorbara was appointed Minister of Colleges and Universities and Minister of Skills Development on June 26, 1985. David Robert Peterson, PC (born December 28, 1943 in Toronto, Ontario) was the twentieth Premier of the Province Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian is killed during the retreat from the Sassanid Empire. Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar)
Sorbara was re-elected in the redistributed riding of York Centre in the 1987 provincial election. York Centre is a federal and provincial electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons The Ontario general election of 1987 was held on September 10, 1987, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario On September 29, 1987, he became Minister of Labour with responsibility for Women's Issues. Events 522 BC - Darius I of Persia kills the Magian usurper Gaumâta securing his hold as king of the Persian Empire. Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) The Ministry of Labour is responsible for labour issues in the Canadian province of Ontario. The Ontario Women's Directorate is a Government agency under the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration responsible for Women's issues, specifically Following a cabinet shuffle in August 1989, he became Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations. The Former Ministry of Consumer and Business Services in the Canadian province of Ontario was responsible for government relations with citizens and businesses
In 1990, Sorbara was a vocal opponent of Peterson's plans to call a snap election at just over two-and-a-half years into his mandate. He argued that the government should return to the electorate after a standard four-year cycle was completed, and run on the full record of its accomplishment. His objections were dismissed, and the Liberals were upset by the New Democratic Party in the election which followed. The Ontario New Democratic Party, formally known as New Democratic Party of Ontario, is a Social democratic political party in Ontario, Canada The Ontario general election of 1990 was held on September 6, 1990, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of the province of Ontario Sorbara had little difficulty defeating NDP candidate Laurie Orrett in his riding.
In 1992, Sorbara ran for the leadership of the Liberal Party as an "anti-establishment" candidate, claiming that the party had lost touch with its support base in the Peterson years. Ballot-by-ballot results of Leadership conventions in the Ontario Liberal Party, a political party in the Province of Ontario, Canada. Although he is usually regarded as being on the right of the Liberal Party, Sorbara's campaign incorporated both left-wing and right-wing elements, opposing the NDP's labour laws but also promising to target poverty and homelessness in Ontario. He also spoke of in favour of government intervention in economic matters, arguing that growth could be best accomplished in partnership with the private sector. He finished third on the first ballot, and remained in this position until dropping from the race after the fourth ballot. Sorbara refused to support either Murray Elston or Lyn McLeod (the eventual winner) on the fifth and final ballot, and did not seek re-election in 1995. Murray John Elston (born October 8, 1949 in Wingham, Ontario) is an executive and former Canadian politician Lyn McLeod (born 1942 is a Politician in Ontario, Canada. She served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
From 1995 to 2003, Sorbara was a partner in The Sorbara Group, a prominent real estate and land development firm, and served as a director on the corporate board of Royal Group Technologies Inc. Royal Group Technologies is a large Canadian Building supplies maker and plastics company He was also director of the York United Way, as well as a Member of the Board of Alumni that governs York University. The United Way of Canada ( Centraide Canada in French) is a national Charitable organization in Canada, made up of 124 autonomous United Way and York University (Université York is a public Research university located in Toronto, Ontario.
Political comeback
Sorbara supported Dalton McGuinty's successful bid for the provincial party leadership at the 1996 leadership convention. Dalton James Patrick McGuinty Jr MPP (born July 19, 1955, in Ottawa Ontario) is a Canadian lawyer and politician He did not run in the 1999 provincial election, but was elected Party President in over Alvin Curling in November 1999. An Ontario general election was held on June 3 1999, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada. Alvin Curling (born November 15, 1939 in Kingston, Jamaica) is a prominent Black Canadian. He later won a 2001 by-election in the redistributed Greater Toronto Area riding of Vaughan—King—Aurora, defeating Progressive Conservative candidate Joyce Frustaglio by almost 10,000 votes. Vaughan—King—Aurora was a federal electoral riding in Ontario, Canada, that was represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1997 to Vaughan City Council is the governing body of the city of Vaughan Ontario, Canada.
Sorbara's return to the legislature was seen as a significant victory for the Liberals. Previously, the Progressive Conservative Party had dominated the suburban and commuter ridings around Toronto (the so-called "905 belt", referring to the region's telephone code). Sorbara's victory indicated that the Liberals were once again positioned to win seats in the region, and to threaten the Conservative hold on government accordingly. Sorbara himself was given a prominent role in the Liberal Party's 2003 campaign.
Minister of Finance
The Liberals won the 2003 election, and Sorbara (who was re-elected without difficulty) was appointed Minister of Finance in the Ontario Cabinet on October 23, 2003. The Ontario general election of 2003 was held on October 2, 2003, to elect the 103 members of the 38th Legislative Assembly (Members of Provincial The Ministry of Finance is a portfolio in the Executive Council of Ontario commonly known as the Cabinet. The Executive Council of Ontario (informally and more commonly the Cabinet of Ontario) plays an important role in the Government of Ontario, in accordance with the Events 4004 BC - Creation of the world begins according to the calculations of Archbishop James Ussher 42 BC - Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar.
Sorbara became involved in a potentially serious conflict-of-interest controversy not long after his appointment. In late 2003, the Ontario Securities Commission informed the Finance Minister's office that Royal Group Technologies would be announcing they were under investigation by the OSC. The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC is a regulatory agency which administers and enforces securities Legislation in the Canadian province Royal Group Technologies is a large Canadian Building supplies maker and plastics company As a former director of Royal Group, this placed Sorbara in a conflict of interest as he also oversaw the OSC. Sorbara could not consult the Premier concerning the conflict of interest as he was restricted by the province's Securities Act from informing anyone else of the impending announcement by the company. Royal Group did not announce the investigation for almost two months.
There were calls for the minister to resign after the controversy became public knowledge, but Sorbara was cleared of any wrongdoing by the provincial integrity commissioner in August 2004.
Sorbara is a moderate fiscal conservative, though he supports the general principle of government intervention and is not a social conservative. Social conservatism is a political or moral ideology that affirms the government's role in encouraging or enforcing traditional values or behaviors in the belief that these are what
On May 18, 2004, Provincial Finance Minister Greg Sorbara released the McGuinty government's first budget. Events 1152 - Henry II of England marries Eleanor of Aquitaine. The centrepiece was a controversial new Health Premium of $300 to $900, staggered according to income. This violated a key Liberal campaign pledge not to raise taxes, and gave the government an early reputation for breaking promises. The Liberals defended the premium by pointing to the previous government's hidden deficit, and McGuinty claimed he needed to break his campaign pledge on taxation to fulfill his promises on other fronts. This broken promise has created a lasting public relations difficulty for the Liberal Party.
The Ontario Health Premium also became a major issue in the early days of the 2004 federal election, called a week after the Ontario budget. Most believe that the controversy hampered Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin's bid for re-election.
Also controversial was the elimination of coverage for health services not covered by the Canada Health Act including eye examinations and physical therapy. Other elements of the McGuinty government's first budget were a four-year plan to tackle the deficit left behind by the Conservatives, free immunization for children, investments in education and investments to lower waiting times for cancer care, cardiac care, joint replacement and MRI and CT scans.
On May 11, 2005, Sorbara delivered his second budget. Events 330 - Byzantium is renamed ''Nova Roma'' during a dedication ceremony but is more popularly referred to as Constantinople The flagship of the budget was the "Reaching Higher" plan. Investing $6. 2 billion over the next four years, the plan increases accessibility for low-income students with loans and grants while funding more enrolements, expands medical school spaces, and invests in new faculty, graduate scholarships and research.
The budget also broke a vow to balance the budget in 2007-08. Sorbara instead aimed at balance in 2008-09.
Sorbara also moved to expand infrastructure spending by encouraging Ontario's large pension plans to invest in the construction of new roads, schools and hospitals. Specific projects in the budget included a 10-year expansion of the TTC and Go Transit, 15,000 new affordable housing units and improved border crossings. NDP leader Howard Hampton described this move as "privatization by stealth. "
After a cabinet shuffle on June 29, 2005, Finance Minister Sorbara was also named as the Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet. Events 512 - A Solar eclipse is recorded by a monastic chronicler in Ireland. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Treasury Board/Management Board of Cabinet is a joint sub-committee of Cabinet Ministers and Parliamentary Assistants who manage the fiscal plan of the government including controlling all government
Sorbara was easily re-elected to the Legislature in the 2007 election, but surprised many when on October 26, 2007, he announced that he no longer wanted to sit in Cabinet, citing he wanted to devote more time for his constituents and his family. The Ontario general election of 2007 was held on October 10 2007 to elect members ( MPPs) of the 39th Legislative Assembly of the Province Events 740 - An Earthquake strikes Constantinople, causing much damage and death Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. [1]
Police probe and controversy
On October 11, 2005, the RCMP raided the Sorbara Group offices as part of the ongoing Royal Group Technologies investigation. Events 1138 - A massive earthquake struck Aleppo, Syria. 1531 - Huldrych Zwingli is killed Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The police warrant stated that there were reasonable grounds to believe Sorbara and other directors of Royal Group defrauded the company and shareholders when they bought land in Brampton, that was owned by a subsidiary of the Sorbara Group. [1] Sorbara initially resisted opposition calls for him to step down, but later resigned as Minister of Finance the same day.
Sorbara has issued a brief statement on this controversy. [2] He denies any knowledge of the specific allegations against him, but notes that it is his responsibility as a minister to step aside "pending a resolution of this issue".
Following Sorbara's announcement, Dwight Duncan was appointed as Minister of Finance and Chair of the Management Board. Dwight Duncan, MPP (born January 3, 1959) is a politician in Ontario, Canada. Sorbara returned to cabinet in May 2006 after a judge ruled there was no evidence to justify the inclusion of Sorbara's name on a search warrant.
Federal Liberal leadership campaign
Sorbara was initially a supporter of John Manley's bid to lead the federal Liberal Party in early 2003. The Liberal Party of Canada ( Parti libéral du Canada) colloquially known as the Grits (originally " Clear Grits " is a major Canadian political Manley subsequently dropped from the race. Sorbara was one of the key backers of former Ontario NDP Premier Bob Rae's bid to lead the Liberal Party of Canada. Robert Keith "Bob" Rae PC OC QC OOnt MP (born August 2, 1948) is a Canadian The Liberal Party of Canada ( Parti libéral du Canada) colloquially known as the Grits (originally " Clear Grits " is a major Canadian political
Personal
His daughter Martina Sorbara is a successful singer-songwriter, currently touring the United Kingdom as frontwoman to the electropop outfit Dragonette. Martina Sorbara is a Canadian Singer-songwriter. She is the daughter of Greg Sorbara, who is a Member of Provincial The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Dragonette is a Canada-born London England-based Electropop band consisting of Canadian singer Martina Sorbara, bassist and producer Dan Kurtz drummer Joel Stouffer
References
- ^ "Sorbara quits cabinet", Toronto Star, 2007-10-26. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 740 - An Earthquake strikes Constantinople, causing much damage and death Retrieved on 2007-10-26. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 740 - An Earthquake strikes Constantinople, causing much damage and death
| Provincial Government of Dalton McGuinty | ||
| Cabinet Posts (2) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Predecessor | Office | Successor |
| Dwight Duncan | Minister of Finance (2006-2007) |
Dwight Duncan |
| Janet Ecker | Minister of Finance (2003-2005) |
Dwight Duncan |
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