Ron Hansen (politician)

Ron Hansen (born May 27, 1943) is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a New Democratic Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1990 to 1995.

Background[]

Hansen worked as a stationary engineer before entering political life.

Politics[]

In 1987 Hansen ran as the New Democratic Party candidate in the riding of Lincoln and finished third against Liberal Harry Pelissero in the provincial election of 1987.^[1]

The NDP won a majority government in the 1990 provincial election, and Hansen defeated Pelissero by 1,012 votes in a rematch from 1987.^[2] He served as a backbench supporter of the government of Bob Rae for the next five years. He was not awarded any posts such as parliamentary assistant or chair of a legislative committee because he refused to 'toe the party line' on government bills.^[3]

In 1994, Hansen was one of twelve NDP members to vote against Bill 167, a bill extending financial benefits to same-sex partners. Premier Bob Rae allowed a free vote on the bill which allowed members of his party to vote with their conscience.^[4]

The NDP were defeated in the 1995 provincial election, and Hansen finished third in his bid for re-election, behind Pelissero and the winner, Progressive Conservative Frank Sheehan.^[5]

References[]

External links[]

• Ontario Legislative Assembly parliamentary history (archived)