Bob Chiarelli facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bob Chiarelli
Chiarelli in 2022
Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament for Ottawa West—Nepean Ottawa West (1987–1997)
In office March 4, 2010 – June 7, 2018
Preceded by	Jim Watson
Succeeded by	Jeremy Roberts
In office September 10, 1987 – July 23, 1997
Preceded by	Reuben Baetz
Succeeded by	Alex Cullen
57th Mayor of Ottawa
In office January 1, 2001 – December 1, 2006
Preceded by	Allan Higdon (interim)
Succeeded by	Larry O'Brien
Regional Chair of Ottawa-Carleton
In office November 10, 1997 – January 1, 2001
Preceded by	Peter Clark
Succeeded by	Position abolished
Personal details
Born	Robert Chiarelli (1941-09-24) September 24, 1941 (age 83) Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Political party	Liberal
Spouses	Susan Orth ​ (divorced)​ Carol Chiarelli ​ ​ (m. 1985; died 1996)​ Randi Hansen
Profession	Lawyer

Roberto Chiarelli (born September 24, 1941) is a Canadian politician. He has held important roles in both provincial and local government. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for the Ontario Liberal Party. He served from 1987 to 1997 and again from 2010 to 2018.

He represented areas like Ottawa West and Ottawa West—Nepean. Before that, he was the Regional Chair of Ottawa-Carleton from 1997 to 2001. He also served as the Mayor of Ottawa from 2001 to 2006. Chiarelli was part of the provincial government's team, called the provincial cabinets, under leaders Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne. In 2022, he ran for Mayor of Ottawa again.

About Bob Chiarelli

Bob Chiarelli grew up in Ottawa, Ontario. His father came from Italy and owned a grocery and butcher shop. The family lived above the store in an area called Little Italy.

Bob was a talented ice hockey player in high school. He even went to Clarkson University in New York State on a hockey scholarship. After getting his business degree, he came back to Ottawa. He studied law at the University of Ottawa. Bob started his career as a lawyer in 1969. He also spent seven years working for the National Capital Commission. Today, he lives in Ottawa with his partner, Randi Hansen. He has five adult children and two grandchildren.

Provincial Politics

Bob Chiarelli began his political career in 1987. He ran as a Liberal candidate in the provincial election. He won the election in the area of Ottawa West. He defeated the Progressive Conservative candidate by a large number of votes.

He served as a helper to the Chair of the Management Board in 1987–88. Chiarelli was re-elected in the provincial elections of 1990 and 1995. In 1996, he supported Dalton McGuinty to become the leader of the Ontario Liberal Party. In 1997, he decided to leave his provincial role. He wanted to try for a position in local government instead.

Return to Provincial Politics

In 2010, Chiarelli decided to return to provincial politics. He ran as the Liberal candidate in a special election. This election was held in the Ottawa West–Nepean area. The previous representative, Jim Watson, had left to run for Mayor of Ottawa. Bob Chiarelli won this special election on March 4, 2010.

He was re-elected in the 2011 and 2014 elections. On August 18, 2010, Chiarelli was given an important job in the government. He became the Minister of Public Infrastructure and Renewal. This role involves planning and building important public projects.

On June 7, 2018, Chiarelli lost his seat in the provincial election. He finished third in his area. The Progressive Conservatives, led by Doug Ford, won a large majority of seats. This ended 15 years of Liberal government in Ontario.

Municipal Politics

In November 1997, Chiarelli ran for the position of Regional Chair of Ottawa-Carleton. This role was like being the head of the local government for the Ottawa area. He won, defeating the person who held the job before him, Peter Clark. For the next three years, he worked to combine the different local governments into one big city. The provincial government agreed to this in 2000. Chiarelli then announced he would run to be the first mayor of the new, larger city of Ottawa.

Chiarelli was elected as the first mayor of the newly combined city of Ottawa. This happened on November 13, 2000. He won against Claudette Cain, who was a former mayor of Gloucester, Ontario. He was easily re-elected in the 2003 election. He beat his closest opponent by almost 40,000 votes.

2006 Election

A map showing where Bob Chiarelli received votes in the 2006 election. His strongest support was near his home and in southern areas.

In the 2006 election, Chiarelli ran for mayor again. His main opponents were former Kanata councillor Alex Munter and businessman Larry O'Brien.

Chiarelli's biggest plan was to expand the city's light-rail system. This system would run from Barrhaven to downtown Ottawa. His opponents said that he did not talk enough with the public about this project. The project was stopped shortly after he left office.

Chiarelli also had plans to improve the east side of the city. He wanted to bring more jobs and businesses to the area east of the Rideau River. He also planned to build new roads to connect Orleans with the south end of the city. He also promised to make the existing bike trail system bigger. This would add more trails connecting suburban and rural parts of Ottawa.

In the election, he finished in third place. He received just over 15% of the votes. Larry O'Brien won the mayoral position.

Return to Municipal Politics

On December 10, 2021, Bob Chiarelli announced he wanted to be mayor again. He ran in the 2022 municipal election. He finished third in this election, with 5.08% of the votes.

Electoral Record

See also

In Spanish: Bob Chiarelli para niños