David Ramsay, a longtime MPP and former Minister of Natural Resources, has died.
Ramsay, who represented Timiskaming and later Timiskaming-Cochrane, died July 29, 2020. He was 72.
In an Ontario Liberal Party statement, leader Steven Del Duca said Ramsay "was a champion for Northern Ontario and a pillar of our caucus for many years."
Ramsay was first elected in 1985 as an NDP member. He crossed the floor to the Liberals in 1986 and represented the Northern Ontario riding until 2011. Throughout his political career he held cabinet positions as Minister of Natural Resources, Minister of Correctional Services, and Minister of Agriculture and Food.
"He ran for the leadership of our party, served as caucus chair and was re-elected time and time again. He never forgot the people who sent him to Queen’s Park, working hard in Timiskaming day in and day out," reads Del Duca's statement.
"When I first arrived at Queen’s Park, David was there. I can say from experience that he was a truly decent and good-natured person. He believed in Ontario and the ability for communities to come together. He led by example and always had time to chat and help others."
