Joe Tascona

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Joseph N. Tascona (born October 9, 1951 in Barrie, Ontario) is a lawyer and former elected member of the Ontario Legislative Assembly representing the ridings of Barrie—Simcoe—Bradford and Simcoe Centre for the Progressive Conservative Party from 1995 to 2007.

He has an M.B.A. from McMaster University and an LL.B. from Queen's University, and worked as a prominent labour and employment lawyer before entering public life. He also worked for the Ford Motor Company in matters relating to production and labour relations. He has also written several articles for the Industrial Relations Centre at Queen's University on labour and employment law.

Tascona began his political career at the municipal level, serving from 1991 to 1995 as an alderman in the City of Barrie's second ward. Tascona was responsible for the building of the Barrie Public Library, Molson Hockey Centre and securing Barrie's waterfront land for public use. In the provincial election of 1995, he was elected in the riding of Simcoe Centre, defeating Liberal Bruce Owen by over 17,000 votes (incumbent New Democrat Paul Wessenger finished third). The Conservatives won the election, and Tascona became Chairperson of the Standing Committes Legislative Assembly and Justice.

In the 1999 provincial election, Tascona was re-elected in the redistributed riding of Barrie--Simcoe--Bradford, defeating Liberal Maura Bolger by over 18,000 votes. He was a parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Education, Solicitor General and the Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs.

The Progressive Conservatives were defeated in the 2003 provincial election, although Tascona had little difficulty being re-elected in his riding (this time by just under 10,000 votes). He was subsequently appointed opposition critic for the Attorney General and Government Service. Tascona was also elected as Deputy Speaker. In April 2006, he introduced a private member's bill Restore the Deed Act, calling for the protection of homewoners from title and mortgage fraud and such measures were implemented by the provincial government.

In the 2007 provincial election, Tascona was defeated by Aileen Carroll, the riding's former federal Member of Parliament who was defeated in the 2006 federal election. Tascona has returned to practicing law.