Ron Knight (Ontario politician)

Ronald Henry (Ron) Knight (born 1932) is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, who represented the riding of Port Arthur from 1967 to 1971. He was elected as a Liberal in 1967 but in 1969 he announced that he was quitting the Liberal caucus to sit as an independent.

Background

Prior to being elected, Knight had had a long career as a radio and television broadcaster. His first radio broadcasting job was with Ottawa's largest radio station, CFRA, in 1954. He then held positions at stations in Rouyn Noranda, Pembroke and Fort William (now Thunder Bay). In 1961, he was hired by CKPR-TV, in Fort William, to broadcast the evening news, and he held that position until 1967. Even while serving as an MPP, Knight held a part-time position with Toronto radio station CHUM.

Politics

After winning in the general election in 1967, he served on four Standing Committees during the 28th Legislative Assembly of Ontario. He was defeated in the 1971 general election by the NDP candidate Jim Foulds. His most notable contribution, as an MPP, was his delivery of the first speech ever made, in the Legislative Assembly, in a language other than English or French, when he was given permission to give a speech in Ojibway.^[1] Knight was actively opposed the forced amalgamation of Fort William, Ontario and Prince Arthur, Ontario to form the City of Thunder Bay.

Later life

After his defeat in the 1971 general election, Knight held positions at radio stations in Richmond Hill, Newmarket,^[2] and Barrie, finally retiring, in 1987, from CHAY-FM, in Barrie.^[3]

References

External links

• Ontario Legislative Assembly Parliamentarian History