Wilf Spooner

Joseph Wilfred "Wilf" Spooner (February 8, 1910 – February 14, 2001) was a politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1955 to 1967 who represented the northern Ontario riding of Cochrane South. He was a cabinet minister in the governments of Leslie Frost and John Robarts. Prior to his provincial role he served as a municipal councillor for Timmins City Council from 1939 to 1951 and then as mayor of Timmins from 1952 to 1955.

Wilf Spooner
Ontario MPP
In office
1955–1967
Preceded byBill Grummett
Succeeded byBill Ferrier
ConstituencyCochrane South
Personal details
Born(1910-02-08)February 8, 1910
Massey, Ontario
DiedFebruary 14, 2001(2001-02-14) (aged 91)
North Bay, Ontario
Political partyProgressive Conservative
OccupationAccountant

Background

Outside politics Spooner was an accountant and worked for an insurance agency serving clients in northeastern Ontario. Spooner was one of the charter members of the Rotary Club of Timmins.

Politics

He was considered an extremely influential voice for Northern Ontario during his time at Queen's Park. He held three different ministerial positions, including serving as Minister of Lands and Forests, Minister of Mines and Minister of Municipal Affairs. As Minister of Mines, he was credited with implementing important health and safety initiatives in response to the dire working conditions in the gold mines in the Kirkland Lake district. As Minister of Lands and Forests, he expanded the provincial park system.[1] He officially opened Cold Creek Conservation Area in 1962.[2]

Cabinet posts
Ontario provincial government of John Robarts
Cabinet post (1)
Predecessor Office Successor
Fred Cass Minister of Municipal Affairs
1962-1967		 Darcy McKeough
Ontario provincial government of Leslie Frost
Cabinet posts (2)
Predecessor Office Successor
Clare Mapledoram Minister of Lands and Forests
1958-1962		 Portfolio discontinued
Philip Kelly Minister of Mines
1957-1958		 James Maloney

Later life

In 1978, Premier Bill Davis appointed Spooner as the chair of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission.

References
  1. "Obituary - Wilf, Ontario Politician, age 92". Genealogy.com. February 20, 2001.
  2. Richardson, Arthur Herbert (1974). The History of the Conservation Movement in Ontario to 1970. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0802033296.
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