John Ferris (Ontario politician)

John P. Ferris (January 29, 1933 - September 27, 2015) was a politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1975 to 1977 who represented the central Ontario riding of London South. He was also a long time school board trustee who served as chair of London school boards in 1975 and again in 1986.

John Ferris
Ontario MPP
In office
1975–1977
Preceded byJohn White
Succeeded byGordon Walker
ConstituencyLondon South
Personal details
Born(1933-01-29)January 29, 1933
DiedSeptember 27, 2015(2015-09-27) (aged 82)
Political partyLiberal
Spouse(s)Joan Ferris
Children3
OccupationInsurance administration

Background

Ferris was raised in London, Ontario and graduated from Catholic Central High School.[1] He was an employee of London Life Insurance before becoming a school trustee in 1971. He was married to Joan for 56 years and together they raised three children.[2]

Politics

In 1971, he became a school board trustee out of concern for separate school funding. He said, "There was an argument going on about the continuation of separate schools. What would happen with my own kids was a concern." In 1975, he was elected as chair of the London School Board of Education.[1]

later that year, he ran as the Liberal candidate in the 1975 provincial election. He defeated PC candidate in John Eberhard in the riding of London South in what was viewed as an upset result. After winning his seat in the legislature he resigned as board chair and was replaced by Eberhard's father Richard Eberhard who was vice-chair of the board.[3] He was named education critic for the Liberal party for the next term of parliament.[4]

In the 1977 election, Ferris lost to PC candidate Gordon Walker who rerook the seat for the Conservatives.[5]

He returned to the school board in 1978 and continued in that position until he retired in 2010.[1]

References
  1. O'Brien, Jennifer (May 11, 2010). "Catholic board loses 2nd veteran". The London Free Press.
  2. Brown, Dan (October 7, 2015). "Equal funding for Catholic education spurred John Ferris to enter politics in 1971 where he remained for 39 years". The London Free Press.
  3. Stead, Silvia (September 19, 1975). "Jubilant Liberals sweep to three victories in Conservatives' old London stronghold". The Globe and Mail. p. A1.
  4. "Liberals name critics for next session". The Globe and Mail. October 4, 1975. p. 38.
  5. Jefferson, James (June 10, 1977). "From PCs to Liberals to PCs--and then to defeat in London". The Globe and Mail. p. C9.
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