Incumbent Michale Gravelle Celebrates Opening of Campaign Office
Over 100 people join MPP Michael Gravelle (centre w/red tie) to celebrate the opening of his campaign office in Thunder Bay Thursday, August 25, 2011. Photo courtesy Larry Joy.
THUNDER BAY, ON – Over 100 people joined Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle yesterday, August 25th, as he celebrated the opening of his campaign office on Algoma Steet with a BBQ.
Biography from Gravelle’s website… Michael Gravelle was first elected to the Ontario Legislature in 1995 as M.P.P. for the Port Arthur riding. He was re-elected as the first Member of Provincial Parliament for the new Thunder Bay–Superior North riding in June, 1999.
A long history of political and public service preceded Michael’s election to office. During the 1970s, he spent nine years as Special Assistant to the Honourable Robert Andras, former M.P. and a senior minister in the Trudeau Cabinet. In 1979, Michael moved to Toronto where he served as a Communications Officer for the then-Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.
From 1981 to 1986, Michael was a publicist for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and served in the radio news and television sports departments. From 1987 to 1993, he acted as Co-ordinator, Northern Development Councils for the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.
Returning to politics in 1993, Michael served as Special Assistant to the federal M.P. for the Thunder Bay-Nipigon riding until his own election in 1995.
In his community, Michael has always been a motivated leader. He is co-founder of the North of Superior Film Association and continues to participate in their annual Northwest Film Festival. In Thunder Bay, he has been on the Boards of Directors for the Magnus Theatre Company and the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay.
Since his election in 1995, Michael has served on the Standing Committees for Social Development, Government Agencies and General Government. In the last parliament, he served in a number of critic capacities including Northern Development, Native Affairs and Culture, Heritage and Recreation. As Critic for Culture, his work led to the publication of a report titled “Why Arts, Culture & Heritage Matter“.
Following his re-election in June 1999, Michael was named Liberal Transportation Critic and led a fact-finding tour into Ontario’s transportation crisis, to discuss with Ontarians their concerns related to transportation, and to come up with solutions. In September 2000, he assumed responsibilities as Critic for Community and Social Services, and moved back to his former portfolio as Critic for Northern Development and Mines in the summer of 2002. Since then, he has been working on Northern policy and spearheading a review of the Northern Health Travel Grant, as well as looking at a host of other issues that matter to Northerners.
In October of 2003, Michael was re-elected to a third term and was named Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour, as well as Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Health and Social Services. He was later elected Chair of the Government Caucus, and gave up his duties as Parliamentary Assistant to concentrate on his role as Caucus Chair.
His fourth term came as a result of his re-election in October 2007. It was then that Michael earned the appointment to Minister of Northern Development and Mines, and was given the additional portfolio of Forestry as part of that Ministry in 2009. He continues to serve in that role, and in his role as M.P.P., with pride and enthusiasm.
Born in 1949, Michael was raised and educated in Thunder Bay and continues to make his home there.
If you would like to visit MPP Michael Gravelle’s new campaign office it is located at 179 S. Algoma Street in Thunder Bay, in the Bay & Algoma district. You can also call the office at (807) 343-3033.
