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Record-setting York-Simcoe MPP Julia Munro retires

Caroline Mulroney, daughter of the former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, is running in this year's election June 7 to take over the riding.

Competing with boys is not foreign to York-Simcoe MPP Julia Munro, but she has never let that stop her.

Long before she earned the title of longest-serving woman MPP in Ontario’s history after about 23 years in politics, she had already grown used to standing out as an ambitious woman.

“I told my father when I was about 17 or 18 that he’d brought me up to compete with little boys and that’s what I intended to do,” she said. “He was upset because he could see that that would take me out of the stay-at-home mother and sort of mid-century expectations. It was OK to be bright and educated but you don’t want to flaunt it, I guess. All that’s changed with very few exceptions.”

But after more than two decades in politics, Munro is retiring this year.

Caroline Mulroney, daughter of the former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, is running in this year's June 7 election to take over the riding.

Munro started her career as a history teacher, and she was first elected as an MPP in June 1995.

She went on to introduce six bills in the legislature, including a small business bill of rights, and another to fine dog abusers up to $60,000. She has also held more than a dozen different positions, such as official Opposition critic for the poverty reduction strategy, deputy speaker of the legislative assembly, and the Progressive Conservatives (PC) caucus’ critic for the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan.

“When I taught, I was always the minority (as a woman) in the department. When I started in politics, there were always more men than women. Is this a big deal? No, I don’t think it is,” she said. “Am I going to say we’re not treated equally? No, that’s really pretty silly. I think a great deal of it is overkill by people … assuming there are still major flaws.”

Still, Munro recalls instances of sexism over the years, such as the tendency of men being introduced before women.

Even about five years ago, she said, she noticed sexist nuances in a political meeting with a group of men to discuss Ontario pensions when she was the first person asked about a number of presentations.

“Good thing I was paying attention … because that’s pretty much a stress to be the first person to respond and be ready and have something worthy of discussion. Fortunately, I met the criteria and brought up some issues.

“So the men all get up (after the meeting), and they now have pulled out their business cards to give me. It was beautiful. They probably thought I was there to pour the coffee or take notes. I thought it was cute.”

Despite a few instances, Munro never felt held back because of her gender, and she will fondly remember her accomplishments and the many connections she made with people in the York-Simcoe riding.

For instance, the first person convicted under the OSPCA Amendment Act she introduced — to set standards of animal care and fine dog abusers — got a $17,000 fine, she said.

“It was very early in being used in court, which is sort of your ultimate goal to be able to have a conviction and obviously it works. You’ve laid out the ramifications. If you don’t like it … there’s consequences,” she said.

Her passion for animals stems from age 14 when she started competing show dogs. She has kept up the hobby throughout her entire adult life with standard poodles and borzois.

“Love me, love my dog. On my honeymoon (with husband, John), we actually visited a kennel. It was a kennel that had really great show dogs and I had seen them advertised. The people who owned the kennel were just dumbfounded. They were very charming about it, but… ‘You’re on your honeymoon?’” she said, laughing.

While she is glad to leave behind legislation protecting animals in Ontario, she said there are many issues left to tackle for York-Simcoe, especially growth and managing that growth.

“With modern connections and transportation… you’ve got tremendous opportunity. Don’t blow it. If I was sitting in the municipal chair, I’d be thinking, ‘What are the things that happen in other towns? What are the problems they face? Am I going to face those same problems?’”

Munro said she is “absolutely thrilled” to have Caroline Mulroney taking over the riding, but for now she is focused on taking a break from politics before helping on election campaigns.

“I’m planting a garden, and I’m going to sit there and hopefully watch it grow, (and) right now I’m focusing on that I’m going to go away for the May 24 weekend for the first time in 23 years. Isn't that exciting?” she said.

“However, there have been people who have whispered in my ear and said, ‘I think you’ll be busy again soon.’ And I don’t say no.”


Jenni Dunning

About the Author: Jenni Dunning

Jenni Dunning is a community editor and reporter who covers news in the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury.
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