Joe Fontana facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Joe Fontana PC
Fontana in 2012
61st Mayor of London
In office December 1, 2010 – June 19, 2014
Preceded by	Anne Marie DeCicco-Best
Succeeded by	Joni Baechler
Member of Parliament for London North Centre
In office June 2, 1997 – September 20, 2006
Preceded by	District created
Succeeded by	Glen Pearson
Member of Parliament for London East
In office November 21, 1988 – June 1, 1997
Preceded by	Jim Jepson
Succeeded by	District abolished
Personal details
Born	(1950-01-13) January 13, 1950 (age 75) Cellara, Cosenza, Italy
Political party	Liberal

Joseph Frank Fontana, born on January 13, 1950, is a Canadian politician who was born in Italy. He was a member of the Liberal Party in the House of Commons of Canada from 1987 to 2006. Later, he became the mayor of London, Ontario in 2010.

Early Life and Education

Joe Fontana was born in Cellara, Cosenza, Italy in 1950. When he was four years old, he moved to Canada with his parents.

He first studied chemical engineering at the University of Waterloo. However, he left school to become a drummer in a rock band. Later, he moved to London, Ontario. He briefly went back to school at the University of Western Ontario. But he left again to work in real estate and the insurance business.

Starting in Local Politics

Joe Fontana became interested in local politics. He was against building a federal prison in London. In 1976, he ran for a spot on the city council for Ward 3, but he did not win.

In 1978, he tried to become the Liberal candidate for a federal area called London-Middlesex, but he lost that too. However, later that year, he was elected to the London City Council. He served on the council until 1988. From 1985 to 1988, he was also on London's Board of Control.

Serving as a Member of Parliament

In 1988, Joe Fontana was elected to the House of Commons of Canada. This is where laws are made for Canada. He was part of the opposition party. He worked as a critic for urban affairs and housing.

He also formed a band called "True Grit" with other Liberal politicians. One of them was Jean Chrétien, who later became Prime Minister. Chrétien played the trombone in the band!

Joe Fontana became the head of the Liberal group in Ontario. He worked on special teams for Via Rail (Canada's passenger train service) and for the economy. In 1990, he supported Paul Martin when Martin tried to become the leader of the Liberal Party.

Key Roles in Parliament

Joe Fontana was re-elected in 1993. He became a parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Transport. In this role, he helped create the National Airports Policy. This policy changed how airports in Canada were managed.

From 1996 to 1999, he was the head of the national Liberal group three times. This was a record! In 1999, he became the head of the committee that deals with citizenship and immigration. He also led the Liberal group for Southwestern Ontario.

He served as the Minister of Labour in Paul Martin's government. This was a minority government, which means it did not have the most seats in Parliament. His time as Minister of Labour ended on February 6, 2006, when Stephen Harper became Prime Minister.

Joe Fontana was re-elected to Parliament in 1997, 2000, 2004, and 2006. After his time as Minister, he became the critic for Science and Research for the Liberal Party. Many people thought he might try to become the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. However, he decided not to run and instead supported Gerard Kennedy.

Becoming Mayor of London

On September 8, 2006, Joe Fontana announced he would run for mayor in London. He was running against the current mayor, Anne Marie DeCicco-Best. On September 20, 2006, he officially left his seat in the House of Commons to focus on the mayoral race. He did not win this election, losing to Mayor DeCicco-Best.

He later announced he would run again in the 2010 London mayoral election. He ran against DeCicco-Best once more. This time, Joe Fontana won the election and became the mayor of London.

In 2012, Joe Fontana received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. He received this because he was a member of the Privy Council of Canada.

Electoral Results

Here are the results from some of the elections Joe Fontana was part of:

London Mayoral Election, 2010

London Mayoral Election, 2006

Federal Election, 2006 (London North Centre)

Federal Election, 2004 (London North Centre)

^ Conservative change is from combined Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative totals.

Federal Election, 2000 (London North Centre)

^ Canadian Alliance change is from Reform

Federal Election, 1997 (London North Centre)

Federal Election, 1993 (London East)

Federal Election, 1988 (London East)

See also

• List of University of Waterloo people