René Brunelle

René Brunelle
Ontario MPP
In office
1958–1981
Preceded byPhilip Kelly
Succeeded byRené Piché
ConstituencyCochrane North
Personal details
Born(1920-01-22)January 22, 1920
Penetanguishene, Ontario
DiedApril 14, 2010(2010-04-14) (aged 90)
Magog, Quebec
Political partyProgressive Conservative
SpouseAndrée Hebert
Children4
OccupationTourism operator
Military service
AllegianceCanadian
Branch/serviceArmy
Years of service1942–1945
RankOfficer
UnitLes Fusiliers de Sherbrooke

René Joseph Napoléon Brunelle (January 22, 1920 – April 14, 2010) was a Canadian politician, who represented Cochrane North in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1958 to 1981 as a Progressive Conservative member.

Background

Brunelle was born in Penetanguishene, Ontario and educated in Timmins, Ottawa, at Khaki University and the University of Toronto. He was a director for the Northern Telephone Company and Spruce Falls Pulp and Paper Company (Kimberly Clark), and joined the Canadian Army in 1943 during World War II, serving with Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke. Brunelle subsequently worked as a tourism operator at Remi Lake, near Moonbeam.[1]

Politics

He first tried his hand at Federal politics by running in the Canadian election of 1949. He lost to J.A. Bradette in the riding of Cochrane by 2,467 votes.[2] He ran again in 1953 and 1958 losing both times.[3][4] Shortly after losing the Federal election he entered a provincial by-election in the riding of Cochrane North. This time he won the election.[5]

He served as a backbench supporter for eight years before he was appointed to cabinet as Minister of Lands and Forests on November 24, 1966.[6] In 1972, he was appointed as Minister of Social and Family Services.[7] In 1975 he was shuffled to a Minister without portfolio role.[8] Two years later he was promoted to Provincial Secretary for Resources Development.[9] In 1981 he announced that he was retiring from politics and would not contest the 1981 election.[10]

Cabinet positions

Ontario provincial government of Bill Davis
Cabinet posts (3)
Predecessor Office Successor
Donald Irvine Provincial Secretary for Resource Development
1977–1981 		Russ Ramsay
Thomas Wells Minister of Community and Social Services
[note 1]
1972–1975 		James Taylor
Sub-Cabinet Post
Predecessor Title Successor
Minister without portfolio
(1975–1977)
Ontario provincial government of John Robarts
Cabinet posts (2)
Predecessor Office Successor
George Wardrope Minister of Mines
1967–1968 		Allan Lawrence
Kelso Roberts Minister of Lands and Forests
1966–1972 		Leo Bernier

Later life

After leaving politics he was hired by Spruce Falls Power and Paper Co. Ltd. as a consultant.[10] He died in Magog, Quebec at the age of 90. After his retirement from politics, the René Brunelle Provincial Park near Kapuskasing, Ontario was named in his honour.[1]

References

Notes

  1. ^ Was styled as Minister of Social and Family Services from February to April, 1972.

Citations

  1. ^ a b "Deaths: René Brunelle". The Globe and Mail. April 17, 2010.
  2. ^ "Tally of votes secured by candidates in all ridings". The Windsor Star. June 28, 1949. pp. 10–11. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  3. ^ "Latest coast-to-coast results in Monday's Federal election". The Windsor Star. August 11, 1953. pp. 10–11. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  4. ^ "Detailed ruslts show breadth of Tory sweep". The Ottawa Citizen. April 1, 1958. pp. 24–25. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  5. ^ Canadian Press (May 13, 1958). "Conservatives sweep All Four By-elections". Globe and Mail. Toronto. p. 1.
  6. ^ "Five added to Cabinet by Robarts". The Globe and Mail. November 25, 1966. p. 1.
  7. ^ "The Cabinet for Ontario". The Globe and Mail. February 3, 1972. p. 4.
  8. ^ "Davis rebuffs Rhodes after appointing him housing portfolio". The Globe and Mail. October 8, 1975. pp. 1, 2.
  9. ^ Allen, David (February 3, 1977). "Davis names Timbrell new health minister". The Toronto Star. p. 1.
  10. ^ a b Speirs, Rosemary (April 17, 1981). "Former minister hired by firm that got grant". The Globe and Mail. p. 4.