Sid Handleman

Sidney Bernard "Sid" Handleman (March 20, 1921 – June 23, 1988) was a Canadian politician who represented Carleton in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1971 to 1980 as a Progressive Conservative member.

Sid Handleman
Ontario MPP
In office
1971–1980
Preceded byBill Johnston
Succeeded byBob Mitchell
ConstituencyCarleton
Personal details
Born(1921-03-20)March 20, 1921
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
DiedJune 23, 1988(1988-06-23) (aged 67)
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Political partyProgressive Conservative
Spouse(s)Ruth Grace
Children2
ResidenceOttawa, Ontario, Canada

Background

Handleman was born in Toronto in 1921 to Bernard Handleman and Esther White. He attended the London School of Economics and the University of Saskatchewan and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce.[1] He married Ruth Grace. Together they lived in Ottawa, Ontario where they raised a son and a daughter.[2]

Politics

In the 1971 provincial election, Handleman ran as the Progressive Conservative candidate in the riding of Carleton beating Liberal candidate F. Marchington by 7,706 votes.[3] In February 1974, Handleman was appointed to cabinet as Minister of Housing.[4] However, on July 4 he suffered a heart attack and spent three weeks recovering in hospital.[5][6] In October, in order to reduce his workload, he was transferred from Housing to a Minister without portfolio.[7] In July 1975, he was promoted back to full status as Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations.[8]

In the 1975 election, he was re-elected but with a reduced margin of 844 votes[9] but increased his winning plurality in 1977 election.[10]

In 1975 he gained some notoriety when he said that the year would be remembered as the "year of economic pillage and rape" due to the 'unreasonable demands' of workers for wage increases.[11] He remained in his role as Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations until September 1977 when he resigned citing frustrations about working in cabinet under a minority government. He said, "I recognize the need for opposition. There also has to be a government that can make decisions and be accountable for it. There has to be strength in government."[12]

In February 1980, Handleman announced his retirement from politics. His retirement was effective April 15.[13]

Cabinet posts
Ontario provincial government of Bill Davis
Cabinet posts (2)
Predecessor Office Successor
John Clement Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations
1975–1977		 Larry Grossman
Bob Welch Minister of Housing
1974 (February–October)		 Donald Irvine
Sub-Cabinet Post
Predecessor Title Successor
Minister Without Portfolio
(1974–1975)

Later life

After he left politics he joined a consulting firm in Ottawa and became a political columnist for the Toronto Star. He died of a heart attack at age 67.[2]

References
  1. Pierre G. Normandin; A. Léopold Normandin, eds. (1978). Canadian Parliamentary Guide. p. 790.
  2. Mitchell, Alanna (June 28, 1988). "Sidney Handleman, minister in Davis cabinet". Toronto Star. p. A20.
  3. "Riding-by-riding returns in provincial election". The Globe and Mail. October 23, 1971. p. 10.
  4. Dunlop, Marilyn (February 27, 1974). "The new cabinet lines up like this". The Toronto Star. p. A3.
  5. "Handleman in hospital after heart attack". The Globe and Mail. July 5, 1974. p. 5.
  6. "Handleman is released from hospital". The Globe and Mail. July 27, 1974. p. 4.
  7. Mosher, Peter (October 8, 1974). "Irvine is sworn in as Housing Minister despite Handleman's reluctance to quit". The Globe and Mail. p. 5.
  8. "2 ministers plagued by recent illnesses to take on new Cabinet responsibilities". The Globe and Mail. January 15, 1975. p. 31.
  9. "Table of vote results for all Ontario ridings". The Globe and Mail. September 19, 1975. p. C12.
  10. "Ontario provincial election results riding by riding". The Globe and Mail. June 10, 1977. p. D9.
  11. "Handleman says 197S will go down as year of rape and pillage". The Globe and Mail. May 29, 1975. p. 1.
  12. Williamson, Robert (September 1, 1977). "Handleman quits Cabinet post, cites minority-frustration". The Globe and Mail. p. 1.
  13. "Handleman resignation leaves open spring vote". The Globe and Mail. February 22, 1980. p. 4.
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