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Marion Boyd

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For other people named Marion Boyd, see Marion Boyd (disambiguation).

Marion Boyd
Ontario MPP
In office
1990–1999
Preceded byDavid Peterson
Succeeded byRiding abolished
ConstituencyLondon Centre
Personal details
Born
Phyllis Marion Watt

(1946-03-26)March 26, 1946
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
DiedOctober 11, 2022(2022-10-11) (aged 76)
Inverhuron, Ontario, Canada
Political partyNew Democrat
ResidenceLondon, Ontario
OccupationMediator

Phyllis Marion Boyd (née Watt; March 26, 1946 – October 11, 2022) was a Canadian politician in Ontario. She was a New Democratic member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1990 to 1999 who represented the riding of London Centre. She served as a member of cabinet in the government of Bob Rae.

Early life

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Boyd was born in Toronto on March 26, 1946, to Bill and Dorothy Watt.[1][2] She studied at Glendon College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English and history in 1968. From 1968 to 1973, she worked as an assistant to the president of York University. In 1975–76, she helped faculty members of York University win their first union contract.[3] She subsequently worked as an executive director of the London Battered Women's Advocacy Clinic, and served two terms as president of the London Status of Women Action Group.[4] She was widely known as a feminist.[3]

Politics

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In 1985, Boyd was the NDP candidate in London North in the provincial election of 1985, but finished third against incumbent Liberal Ron Van Horne.[5] She ran in London Centre in the 1987 election, and lost to sitting Premier David Peterson by almost 9,000 votes.[6] She campaigned as a federal New Democrat in the 1988 general election, finished third behind Liberal Joe Fontana and Progressive Conservative Jim Jepson in London East.[7]

Boyd sought a rematch against Peterson in the 1990 provincial election. This time she won, defeating the Premier by more than 8,000 votes.[8] It was almost unheard of for a provincial premier to be defeated in his own riding, and the size of Boyd's victory was all the more surprising. The NDP won the election, and the new Premier, Bob Rae, appointed her as Minister of Education on October 1, 1990.[9]

When fellow cabinet member Anne Swarbrick resigned due to health issues, Boyd took over responsibility for Women's Issues on September 11, 1991.[10] Boyd launched a high-profile campaign against domestic abuse in the same year.[11] She was transferred to the Ministry of Community and Social Services on October 15, 1991, when Zanana Akande resigned due to a conflict of interest.[12]

Boyd was promoted to Attorney General of Ontario on February 3, 1993, the first woman to hold that position as well as the first non-lawyer.[13] In this capacity she was responsible for the Equality Rights Statute Amendment Act (Bill 167), that would have provided same-sex couples with rights and obligations mostly equal to those of opposite-sex common law couples.[14] The bill failed on a free vote when twelve NDP members voted with the opposition parties against the bill.[15] The bill's failure was a personal disappointment for Boyd, who had invested considerable effort in promoting its passage. The Progressive Conservative Party, which voted unanimously against Bill 167, formed government after the next election and ultimately passed similar legislation five years later when required by the Supreme Court of Canada's ruling in M v H.[16]

Boyd also approved a highly controversial plea-bargain deal that allowed serial killer Karla Homolka to receive a 12-year prison sentence in return for testimony which led to the conviction of Homolka's then-husband, Paul Bernardo. The deal was criticized in much of the Canadian media, and many questioned Boyd's judgment in the matter. At the time the extent of Homolka's personal involvement in Bernardo's crimes was not known.[17]

Boyd remained as Attorney General until the Rae government was defeated in the 1995 election. She was one of seventeen NDP MPPs to successfully retain their seats in that election, defeating PC candidate Patrick McGuinness by 1,732 votes.[18] Boyd remained a high-profile MPP, serving as the NDP's Health Critic from 1997 to 1999.[2]

The London Centre riding was eliminated by redistribution in 1996. Boyd ran against fellow incumbent Dianne Cunningham of the Progressive Conservative Party in London North Centre, and lost by just over 1,700 votes.[19]

Cabinet positions

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Ontario provincial government of Bob Rae
Cabinet posts (3)
Predecessor Office Successor
Howard Hampton Attorney General
1993–1995
also named Minister of Justice and Responsible for Women's Issues 		Charles Harnick
Zanana Akande Minister of Community and Social Services
1991–1993
Also Responsible for Women's Issues 		Tony Silipo
Sean Conway Minister of Education
1990–1991 		Tony Silipo

Source:[2]

Electoral record (Federal)

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London East

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1988 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Joe Fontana 19,547 37.7% +11.8%
Progressive Conservative Jim Jepson 19,445 37.5% −9.7%
New Democratic Marion Boyd 12,667 24.4% −2.5%
Independent Peter Ewart 201 0.4% +0.4%

Source:[20]

Electoral record (provincial)

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London North

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1985 Ontario general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Ronald Van Horne 20,536 54.4% +4.8%
Progressive Conservative George Auold 11,433 30.3% −7.7%
New Democratic Marion Boyd 5,191 13.8% +1.4%
Freedom Robert Smeenk 566 1.5% +1.5%

Source:[21]

London Centre

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1987 Ontario general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal David Peterson 18,194 55.2% +0.4%
New Democratic Marion Boyd 9,266 28.1% +11.0%
Progressive Conservative Dennis McKaig 3,864 11.7% −14.8%
Family Coalition Brenda Rowe 695 2.1% +2.1%
Freedom Lloyd Walker 589 1.8% +0.2%
Independent Stunning Bentley 375 1.1% +1.1%

Source:[22]

1990 Ontario general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
New Democratic Marion Boyd 17,837 51.3% +23.2%
Liberal David Peterson 9,671 27.8% −27.4%
Progressive Conservative Mark Handelman 5,348 15.4% +3.7%
Family Coalition John Van Geldersen 982 2.8% +0.7%
Freedom Lloyd Walker 589 1.4% −0.4%
Independent Terry Smart 375 0.8% +0.8%
Communist Issam Mansour 84 0.2% +0.2%
Independent Sidney Tarleton 73 0.2% +0.2%

Source:[23]

1995 Ontario general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
New Democratic Marion Boyd 11,096 36.8% −14.5%
Progressive Conservative Patrick McGuinness 9,364 31.0% +15.6%
Liberal Ron Postian 7,559 25.1% −2.7%
Family Coalition Mike Dwyer 1,041 3.5% +0.7%
Green Jeff Culbert 533 1.8% +1.8%
Freedom Lloyd Walker 452 1.5% +0.1%
Natural Law Liz Overall 134 0.4% +0.4%

Source:[24]

London North Centre

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1999 Ontario general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Dianne Cunningham 18,320 40.21
New Democratic Marion Boyd 16,611 36.46
Liberal Roger Caranci 9,518 20.89
Family Coalition Andrew Jezierski 466 1.02
Green Jeff Culbert 366 0.80
Freedom Robert Metz 156 0.34
Natural Law Stephen Porter 120 0.26
Total valid votes 45,557 100.00

Source:[24]

After politics

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Boyd was appointed chair to the Task Force on the Health Effects of Woman Abuse in 2000. It was convened in response to the problem of domestic violence against women.[25] Later that year the task force produced a report with 29 recommendations. The key conclusion was that doctors should begin screening female patients as young as 12 years old for signs of abuse.[26]

In December 2003, it came to light that religious tribunals had some legal basis under the Arbitration Act. Some argued that this interpretation allowed for Muslim Sharia law to be applied in settling family disputes.[27] In the spring of 2004, the issue flared up even more with some claiming that the use of Sharia law tribunals was infringing on the rights of Muslim women.[28] In the summer of 2004, Premier Dalton McGuinty asked Boyd to investigate the issue.[29]

In December 2004, Boyd released a report that found no evidence of complaints with regards to faith-based arbitration. She concluded that no changes to the act were needed with respect to religious tribunals. She made 46 recommendations for changes to the Arbitration Act primarily dealing with arbitrator training and clarifying the roles and responsibilities of tribunals.[27] In 2005, in response to public opinion, McGuinty ignored Boyd's main conclusion and tabled changes to the act under the Family Statute Law Amendment Act.[30][31]

While incorporating many of Boyd's recommendations, the act specifically removed any legal status for the arbitration of custodial and marital disputes by religious tribunals.[32] The act mandated that all family law arbitrations in Ontario be conducted only in accordance with Canadian law.[33] Some critics argued that this was a missed opportunity to incorporate aspects of Islamic law into the Canadian judicial system.[34]

Boyd died in Inverhuron, Ontario on October 11, 2022, at the age of 76.[35][36][37]

References

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  1. ^ "Marion Boyd Obituary". Davey-Linklater Funeral Home. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "Marion Boyd". Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Hall, Joseph (September 14, 1990). "Social activist eager to make changes". Toronto Star. p. A11.
  4. ^ Zarzour, Kim (July 21, 1987). "Police lax on wife-beaters, critics say". Toronto Star. p. D1.
  5. ^ Canadian Press (May 3, 1985). "Across the province". Toronto Star. p. A13.
  6. ^ "Here's how red tide swamped Ontario – riding by riding; Peterson's Liberals romp to victory". The Gazette. Montreal. September 11, 1987. p. A6.
  7. ^ "Riding-by-riding look at election results from across the country". The Ottawa Citizen. November 22, 1988. p. B6.
  8. ^ "Ontario election: Riding-by-riding voting results". The Globe and Mail. September 7, 1990. p. A12.
  9. ^ "Ontario cabinet". The Windsor Star. October 1, 1990. p. A4.
  10. ^ "Swarbrick gives up women's portfolio". The Globe and Mail. September 12, 1991. p. A12.
  11. ^ "Ontario ads may be triggering assaults". The Hamilton Spectator. November 3, 1992. p. A1.
  12. ^ "Rae reassigns cabinet ministers". Edmonton Journal. October 16, 1991. p. A16.
  13. ^ Walker, William (February 3, 1993). "Rae chops 10 ministries 'leaner' cabinet sworn in". Toronto Star. p. A1.
  14. ^ DeMara, Bruce (June 11, 1993). "NDP bill to grant more spousal rights to same-sex couples". Toronto Star. p. A1.
  15. ^ Powell, Betsy (June 10, 1994). "Ontario rejects same-sex bill; Angry gay activists shout 'shame' after compromise defeated". The Gazette. p. A1.
  16. ^ Mallan, Caroline (October 28, 1999). "Same-sex couples granted new rights; Bill's passage follows order by top court to end discrimination". Toronto Star. p. 1.
  17. ^ Duncanson, John; Pron, Nick; Rankin, Jim (September 3, 1995). "Deal With The Devil". Toronto Star. p. F1.
  18. ^ "Summary of Valid Ballots by Candidate". Elections Ontario. June 8, 1995. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020.
  19. ^ "Summary of Valid Ballots by Candidate". Elections Ontario. June 3, 1999. Archived from the original on March 30, 2014.
  20. ^ "Profile – London East, Ontario (1968-04-23 – 1997-04-26)". Ottawa, Canada: Library of Parliament. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  21. ^ "Election Ontario – Riding candidates for the Sept. 10 vote". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. August 28, 1987. p. A10. ProQuest 386129093. Retrieved October 14, 2022 – via ProQuest.
  22. ^ "Winners across Ontario". Toronto Star. September 11, 1987. p. A13. ProQuest 435632657. Retrieved October 14, 2022 – via ProQuest.
  23. ^ "Results from across province". Toronto Star. September 7, 1990. p. A11. ProQuest 435632657. Retrieved October 14, 2022 – via ProQuest.
  24. ^ a b "Data Explorer". Toronto: Elections Ontario. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  25. ^ Swanson, Lynne (March 21, 2000). "Abuse against women a public health issue: MD". CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal. 162 (6): 848. ISSN 0820-3946. PMC 1231285. PMID 10750474.
  26. ^ Swanson, Lynne (November 28, 2000). "Task force recommends screening females for abuse beginning at age 12". CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal. 163 (11): 1492. ISSN 0820-3946. PMC 80431.
  27. ^ a b Hogben, Alia. "Arbitration and Family Laws: Muslim Women Campaign to Eliminate the Use of Religious Laws in Legally-Binding Arbitration". Canadian Woman Studies. 25 (Summer 2006): 133–136.
  28. ^ Hurst, Lynda (May 22, 2004). "Ontario sharia tribunals assailed; Women fighting use of Islamic law But backers say rights protected". Toronto Star. p. A1.
  29. ^ "Former Attorney General And Women's Issues Minister To Review Arbitrations Processes". Government of Ontario. June 25, 2004. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  30. ^ Freeze, Colin; Howlett, Karen (September 12, 2005). "McGuinty government rules out use of sharia law". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  31. ^ Joppke, Christian (April 1, 2013). Legal Integration of Islam: A Transatlantic Comparison. Harvard University Press. ISBN 9780674074934.
  32. ^ Urquhart, Ian (February 11, 2006). "Sharia, pensions, health care on MPPs' agenda". Toronto Star. p. F5.
  33. ^ "McGuinty Government Modernizes Provincial Laws". Ottawa: Canada NewsWire. June 22, 2006.
  34. ^ Kutty, Faisal (2010). "The Myth and Reality of 'Shari'a' Courts in Canada: A Delayed Opportunity for the Indigenization of Islamic Legal Rulings". University of St. Thomas Law Journal. 7 (3): 559. SSRN 1749046.
  35. ^ Needles, Craig (October 14, 2022). "Former London MPP and Ontario Attorney General Marion Boyd dies at 76". Blackburn News. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  36. ^ "Former Ontario attorney general Marion Boyd dead at 76". CBC News. October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  37. ^ Richmond, Randy (October 14, 2022). "'Giant killer' Marion Boyd remembered for advocacy for same-sex rights, women". The London Free Press. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
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