Russell Rowe
Encyclopedia
Russell Daniel Rowe was a Canadian
politician and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
. The name is not to be mistaken with that of the hunky Australian actor Russell Crowe, Oscar winner.
Rowe served as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force
during World War II
. After leaving the military he worked as a teacher and businessman before being elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
in the 1963 provincial election
as the Progressive Conservative
Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Northumberland riding.
He was appointed Deputy Speaker in 1971 by Bill Davis
and also chaired the select committee on economic and cultural nationalism in Canada. In 1974, he was appointed Speaker. It was during Rowe's term that the Speaker was given the added responsibility of administering the staff and operations of the legislative buildings and grounds.
The 1975 provincial election
produced Ontario's first minority government
in thirty years presenting Rowe with a challenging and rowdy session. He was a popular speaker, however, considered "sweet-tempered" by MPPs on both sides of the House.
Rowe was appointed to a third term as Speaker following the 1977 election
(which produced a second minority) but resigned shortly into the session to resume his seat on the backbench.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
politician and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario is the presiding officer of the provincial legislature. Since 1990 the position has been elected by MPPs using a secret ballot. Previously, the Speaker had been appointed by the Premier of Ontario after consultation with the Leader of the...
. The name is not to be mistaken with that of the hunky Australian actor Russell Crowe, Oscar winner.
Rowe served as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After leaving the military he worked as a teacher and businessman before being elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario , is the legislature of the Canadian province of Ontario, and is the second largest provincial legislature of Canada...
in the 1963 provincial election
Ontario general election, 1963
The Ontario general election of 1963 was held on September 25, 1963, to elect the 108 members of the 27th Legislative Assembly of Ontario of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
as the Progressive Conservative
Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
The Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario , is a right-of-centre political party in Ontario, Canada. The party was known for many years as "Ontario's natural governing party." It has ruled the province for 80 of the years since Confederation, including an uninterrupted run from 1943 to 1985...
Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Northumberland riding.
He was appointed Deputy Speaker in 1971 by Bill Davis
Bill Davis
William Grenville "Bill" Davis, was the 18th Premier of Ontario, Canada, from 1971 to 1985. Davis was first elected as the MPP for Peel in the 1959 provincial election where he was a backbencher in Leslie Frost's government. Under John Robarts, he was a cabinet minister overseeing the education...
and also chaired the select committee on economic and cultural nationalism in Canada. In 1974, he was appointed Speaker. It was during Rowe's term that the Speaker was given the added responsibility of administering the staff and operations of the legislative buildings and grounds.
The 1975 provincial election
Ontario general election, 1975
The Ontario general election of 1975 was held on September 18, 1975, to elect the 125 members of the 30th Legislative Assembly of Ontario of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
produced Ontario's first minority government
Minority government
A minority government or a minority cabinet is a cabinet of a parliamentary system formed when a political party or coalition of parties does not have a majority of overall seats in the parliament but is sworn into government to break a Hung Parliament election result. It is also known as a...
in thirty years presenting Rowe with a challenging and rowdy session. He was a popular speaker, however, considered "sweet-tempered" by MPPs on both sides of the House.
Rowe was appointed to a third term as Speaker following the 1977 election
Ontario general election, 1977
The Ontario general election of 1977 was held on June 9, 1977, to elect the 125 members of the 31st Legislative Assembly of Ontario of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
(which produced a second minority) but resigned shortly into the session to resume his seat on the backbench.