Jenny Carter
| Jenny Carter | |
|---|---|
| Ontario MPP | |
|
In office 1990–1995 | |
| Preceded by | Peter Adams |
| Succeeded by | Gary Stewart |
| Constituency | Peterborough |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
December 26, 1931 Worcester Park, Surrey, England |
| Political party | New Democrat |
| Spouse(s) | Cyril Carter (died 1993) |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | Peterborough, Ontario |
| Occupation | Teacher |
Jenny Carter (born December 26, 1931) is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. She was a New Democratic Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1990 to 1995, and served as a cabinet minister in the government of Bob Rae.
Background
Carter obtained a degree in French from the University of London and degrees in English and Canadian Studies from Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, and a post-graduate certificate from the Institute of Education.[1] She worked as a secondary school teacher before entering political life.[2]
Carter's husband Cyril, who once ran for the federal New Democratic Party, died in 1993. As of 2010, Trent University offers Cyril and Jenny Carter Scholarships in Environmental Studies and Mathematics.[3]
Politics
In the 1990 provincial election she ran as the NDP candidate in the riding of Peterborough. She defeated Liberal incumbent Peter Adams by 134 votes.[4][5]
She was appointed to Rae's first cabinet on October 1, 1990, as the provincial Minister of Energy.[6] A self-confessed novice, she said that her husband knew more about the energy sector then she did.[1] Shortly after her appointment her husband who was a member of the Peterborough Utilities Commission resigned his post. He said, "Legally, I have no conflict but I recognize the public perception of conflict of interest is wider than the strict legal definition of a specific pecuniary interest."[7]
In November 1990, Carter announced that the government was putting a freeze on the construction of nuclear plants. She told Ontario Hydro to divert $240 million earmarked for site preparation for new nuclear plants to instead be used for energy conservation efforts. Carter who earlier said in a speech to the house that she was an anti-nuclear activist declared, "We cannot afford to keep building power stations at $25 billion each." She promised to give priority to new hydroelectric and natural gas projects.[8] Rather than a total ban, she said that she would await the outcome of a study of Ontario's energy needs for the next 25 years.[9]
In March 1991, Carter announced that the government would switch heating in public housing projects to gas from electricity. She said, "installing gas heating in new non-profit homes will save 100 megawatts."[10]
In July 1991, Carter was dropped from cabinet. Critics said that she failed to establish herself as energy minister. She was replaced by William Ferguson.[11] For the remainder of her term, she served as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Citizenship.
In 1995 Carter lost to Progressive Conservative Gary Stewart in her bid for re-election.[12]
Cabinet positions
| Provincial Government of Bob Rae | ||
| Cabinet Post (1) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Predecessor | Office | Successor |
| Lyn McLeod | Minister of Energy 1990–1991 |
Will Ferguson |
After politics
Since leaving politics, Carter has contributed occasional articles to the Peterborough Collective and has served on the Peterborough NDP riding association executive.
References
- 1 2 "Starting from scratch: Energy minister faces tough job without knowing 'technical things'". The Ottawa Citizen. November 13, 1990. p. A5.
- ↑ Stephens, Laurie (October 2, 1990). "Rookie MPPs face trial by fire in Ontario's first NDP government". Kitchener - Waterloo Record. p. A4.
- ↑ "Trent University - Academic Calendar 2009-2010". Trent University. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
- ↑ Kenny, Eoin (May 25, 1995). "Some MPs weigh in on provincial election". Kingston Whig - Standard. p. 6.
- ↑ "Ontario election: Riding-by-riding voting results". The Globe and Mail. September 7, 1990. p. A12.
- ↑ "Ontario cabinet". The Windsor Star. October 1, 1990. p. A4.
- ↑ "Energy minister's spouse quits post". Toronto Star. October 20, 1990. p. A8.
- ↑ "NDP softens tough anti-nuke stand". The Windsor Star. November 30, 1990. p. A11.
- ↑ Bueckert, Dennis (March 5, 1991). "Ontario freeze on nuke plants irks Jake Epp". Toronto Star. p. B7.
- ↑ "Public units switch to gas for heating". The Ottawa Citizen. March 13, 1991. p. A5.
- ↑ Maychak, Matt; Moloney, Paul (July 31, 1991). "Rae dumps 3 ministers, shuffles in 3 rookies". Toronto Star. p. A1.
- ↑ "Summary of Valid Ballots by Candidate". Elections Ontario. June 8, 1995.
