Ron Kanter

Ronald M. Kanter (born February 25, 1948) is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as a Liberal from 1987 to 1990.

Ronald M. Kanter
Ontario MPP
In office
1987–1990
Preceded byLarry Grossman
Succeeded byZanana Akande
ConstituencySt. Andrew—St. Patrick
Personal details
Born (1948-02-25) February 25, 1948
Brantford, Ontario
Political partyLiberal
OccupationLawyer, administrator

Background

Kanter was educated at Glendon College, York University, the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, and Osgoode Hall Law School. He was called to the Bar in 1976. In 1984, he was named a course director at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. Kanter served as special assistant to Ontario Liberal Party leader Stuart Smith from 1976 to 1980.

Politics

He served as an alderman on the Toronto City Council from 1980 to 1987, and was also a member of the Metro Toronto council from 1985 to 1987.

He was elected to the Ontario legislature in the 1987 provincial election, upsetting Progressive Conservative leader and longtime MPP Larry Grossman by 3,676 votes in the constituency of St. Andrew—St. Patrick.[1] Shortly after the election he was appointed as Parliamentary Assistant to Solicitor General Joan Smith in David Peterson's government.

In July 1989, Kanter was implicated in the Patti Starr affair. Starr, who was head of the National Council of Jewish Women, misused her position by having the organization make political contributions to the riding associations of prominent Liberal MPPs. Kanter's riding of St. Andrew-St. Patrick was among those who received these illegal contributions.[2] In August, when Peterson shuffled his cabinet in the wake of the scandal, Kanter was not included.[3]

The Liberals were defeated by the Ontario New Democratic Party in the 1990 provincial election. Kanter's connection to the tainted Starr scandal was mentioned as one of the reasons that he finished third in his bid for re-election, 1,383 votes behind winner Zanana Akande of the NDP.[4]

Later life

Kanter now practises regulatory law with the firm of Macdonald Sager LLP. He serves on the Toronto Board of Trade Task Force, and writes and speaks frequently on municipal government and planning issues.

In July 1990, he authored a publication entitled "Space for all: options for a Greater Toronto Area greenlands strategy". The report, commissioned by the provincial government recommended the establishment of a regional green lands system. Kanter said "Not only should green lands be protected, but they should be linked wherever possible by trail systems, local parks, river valleys and other green corridors." The report placed special emphasis on the protection of the Oak Ridges Moraine.[5]

Election results (partial)
1980 Toronto municipal election, Toronto City Councillor, Ward Five (two members elected)
Candidate Total votes  % of total votes
(x)Ying Hope 9,926 37.07
Ron Kanter 6,409 23.93
Menno Verster 5,777 21.57
David Scott 3,218 12.02
Jimmy Kabitsis 912 3.41
Vincent Corriero 537 2.01
Total valid votes 26,779 100.00

146 out of 148 polls reporting.

References
  1. "Results from individual ridings". The Windsor Star. September 11, 1987. p. F2.
  2. Matt Maychak. Liberal links to fallen Starr scares MPPs. Toronto Star. June 15, 1989. pg A30.
  3. Alan Storey, Derek Ferguson. Tainted ministers axed: Peterson drops 8 in cabinet shuffle. Toronto Star. August 2, 1989. pp. A1, A27.
  4. Hall, Joseph (September 12, 1990). "School principal Akande graduated to Queen's Park". Toronto Star. p. A13.
  5. "Report calls for $100 million to protect Metro-area lands". Toronto Star. July 27, 1990. p. A11.
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