Hugh Patrick O'Neil (born July 10, 1936 in Belleville, Ontario) is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1975 to 1995,[1] and served as a cabinet minister in the government of David Peterson.
O'Neil was educated at Peterborough Teachers' College, and worked as a teacher and real estate broker before entering political life.
He was first elected to the Ontario legislature in the 1975 provincial election, defeating Progressive Conservative candidate Robin Jeffrey by 659 votes in the eastern Ontario riding of Quinte. He was re-elected by a much greater margin in the 1977 provincial election, and in the elections of 1981, 1985, 1989, and 1990.
The Liberals under David Peterson formed a minority government following the 1985 election, and O'Neil was appointed as Minister of Industry, Trade and Technology on June 26, 1985. He was re-elected again in the 1987 provincial election, in which the Liberals won a landslide majority.
After the election, O'Neil was named Minister of Tourism and Recreation. Following a cabinet shuffle, he was named as Minister of Mines on August 2, 1989. He also became Minister of Culture and Communications on June 5, 1990. In addition, O'Neil served as Peterson's regional minister for eastern Ontario.
The Liberals were defeated by the New Democratic Party in the 1990 provincial election. O'Neil was re-elected in Quinte, though by a reduced margin. He served as his party's critic for Tourism and Recreation for the entirety of the next parliament, and did not run for re-election in 1995, choosing instead to retire from politics and return to a business career in real estate.
He now owns and manages developments in the residential, commercial and industrial sector.
Since retirign from politics in 1995 O'Neil has been actively involved in his community and has served as:
Honorary Colonel - Canadian Armed Forces 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron, Canadian Forces Base Trenton
Honorary Chair - The Loyalist College Foundation Board of Directors
Honorary Chair - Festival of Trees Belleville, in support of the Quinte Arts Council and The Lung Association
Honorary Patron of the Quinte Symphony Orchestra
Honorary Chair - The Quinte Ballet School of Canada's Gala Dinner and Auction to raise funds in support of the school's scholarship and bursary program
Vice-Chair of the Ontario Trillium Foundation Board of Directors - an agency of the Ontario Ministry of Culture which receives approx. 120 million dollars a year to dispurse
Campaign Advisor / Fundraiser for the new 32 million dollar Hastings Manor Foundation Board Seniors Residence
One of Four Honorary Fundraising Chairs for the new Trenton RCAF Museum. Other chairs included Mr. Roy Bonisteel, Hon. Lincoln Alexander and Len Birchall
Mr. O'Neil is a recipient of Canada's 125th Commemorative Medal, Queen's "Silver Jubilee" Medal (1952–1977), Medal of Distinction - International Association of Lion's Clubs (1984), and an Honorary Diploma in Applied Arts and Technology from Loyalist College.
Mr. O'Neil is married to Donna Grace (McColl) and they have two children: David and Catherine.
The O'Neil collection of papers, photos, and legislative records is available for viewings at the Quinte Genealogy Centre located in the Quinte West Public Library in Trenton, Ontario.