David Crombie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Crombie
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David Crombie, 2016
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| 56th Mayor of Toronto | |
| In office December 1, 1972 – August 31, 1978 |
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| Preceded by | William Dennison |
| Succeeded by | Fred Beavis (Interim) |
| Member of Parliament for Rosedale |
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| In office August 31, 1978 – October 1, 1988 |
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| Preceded by | Donald Stovel Macdonald |
| Succeeded by | David MacDonald |
| Minister of National Health and Welfare | |
| In office June 4, 1979 – March 2, 1980 |
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| Prime Minister | Joe Clark |
| Preceded by | Monique Bégin |
| Succeeded by | Monique Bégin |
| Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development | |
| In office September 17, 1984 – June 29, 1986 |
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| Prime Minister | Brian Mulroney |
| Preceded by | Doug Frith |
| Succeeded by | Bill McKnight |
| Secretary of State for Canada and Minister responsible for Multiculturalism | |
| In office June 30, 1986 – March 30, 1988 |
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| Prime Minister | Brian Mulroney |
| Preceded by | Benoît Bouchard |
| Succeeded by | Lucien Bouchard |
| Other offices | |
| 1969–1972 | Toronto Alderman |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
David Edward Crombie
April 24, 1936 Swansea, Ontario, Canada |
| Political party | Progressive Conservative |
| Spouse | Shirley Ann (Bowden) Crombie |
| Children | Jonathan, Robin, Carrie |
| Occupation |
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David Edward Crombie (born April 24, 1936) is a Canadian former politician and teacher. He is best known for being the 56th Mayor of Toronto from 1972 to 1978. After being mayor, Crombie was elected to the Canadian Parliament. He was a member of the Progressive Conservative Party. He also served as a government minister in charge of different departments.
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Early Life and City Planning
David Crombie was born in Swansea, a village that is now part of Toronto, Ontario. In the 1960s, he taught about politics and city life at Ryerson. During this time, he became involved in a movement to improve Toronto's cities.
At that time, Toronto's city council often allowed many old buildings to be torn down. This made way for new apartment buildings, offices, and highways. Crombie and other city reformers wanted to stop this. They believed in protecting communities and improving social services.
Becoming Mayor of Toronto
Crombie was first elected to Toronto's city council in 1970. In 1972, he became the Mayor of Toronto. He brought a new way of thinking about city development. This new approach focused on making cities better for people and communities.
How Did Mayor Crombie Change Toronto?
As mayor, David Crombie worked hard to control new construction. He first tried to limit all new buildings to 45 feet (about 13.7 meters) tall. This rule was later changed. He then created a new plan with different height limits across the city. This plan was approved.
Crombie also worked to stop large highway projects. The Spadina Expressway had already been stopped in 1971. Crombie tried to stop the Allen Expressway but was not successful. However, he did stop plans for the Scarborough Expressway. This project was eventually cancelled thanks to his efforts.
He also opposed tearing down older, poorer neighborhoods to build new housing projects. Plans to rebuild areas like Trefann Court, Kensington Market, and Cabbagetown were stopped under his leadership. Instead, he helped create the St. Lawrence neighborhood. This area has mid-sized buildings with different types of homes and businesses. It was designed to be a mixed-income community.
Crombie was very popular and was re-elected as mayor in 1974 and 1976. Because of his popularity and his height, he was often called the city's "tiny, perfect mayor" by the media.
Moving to National Politics
In 1978, Crombie left his job as mayor to enter national politics. He won an election and became a member of the House of Commons of Canada. He was part of the Progressive Conservative Party.
He served as the Minister of Health and Welfare from 1979 to 1980. This was during the short time when Joe Clark was Prime Minister.
After the Conservatives won the 1984 election, Crombie became the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs. Later, he became the Secretary of State and Minister of Multiculturalism.
Protecting Toronto's Waterfront
After leaving national politics in 1988, Crombie returned to city planning. He led a special group called the royal commission on the Future of Toronto's Waterfront. This group studied how to protect and improve Toronto's waterfront.
He wrote important reports like Watershed and Regeneration. These reports suggested new ways to plan for a healthy and lasting waterfront. The government then asked Crombie to lead an agency to put these ideas into action.
One big idea was to create a waterfront trail. Today, the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail stretches for a very long distance along Canada's Great Lakes. Crombie also helped create a charity to continue this work. This charity helps protect and restore the Rouge Valley, which is now a national park.
Improving Health for Indigenous Peoples
In 1979, as Minister of Health and Welfare, Crombie worked to improve health services for Indigenous peoples. He said the government wanted to work with Indigenous leaders to review health issues.
He also appointed someone to investigate problems with health care in certain communities. A judge named Justice Thomas Berger suggested that the government should talk more with Indigenous and Inuit peoples about health programs. He also suggested giving money to Indigenous groups to help them develop their own health plans. These ideas were later adopted, changing how health care was provided to Indigenous communities.
Later Career and Recognition
From 1994 to 1999, David Crombie was the first chancellor of Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University).
He continued to advise city and provincial governments on urban issues in Toronto. In 2007, he retired as the CEO of the Canadian Urban Institute. In 2014, he spoke out against plans to make the runways longer at Billy Bishop Airport. He believed this would allow more jet planes and harm the Toronto Islands.
On May 13, 2004, Crombie was given the Order of Canada, a high honor. In 2012, he became a member of the Order of Ontario. He was also added to the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame in 2013.
A park in Toronto is named after him. It is in an area that used to be industrial but was turned into housing.
Family Life
David Crombie has two daughters, Robin and Carrie. His son, Jonathan Crombie, was an actor who starred in the Anne of Green Gables TV series. Jonathan passed away in 2015 at the age of 48.
