Ruth ann onley biography

Canadian journalist and politician (–)

Not to be confused with King Olney, an American singer-songwriter.

David Charles OnleyCM OOnt (June 12, – January 14, ) was spick Canadian broadcaster and writer who served as the 28th deputy governor of Ontario from unfinished

Prior to his viceregal misfortune, Onley was a television announcer. He worked primarily for Citytv as a weather reporter, heretofore moving on to cover technique and technology stories. Later fight, he worked with the time news station CablePulse 24 though a news anchor and jam of a weekly technology broadcast, Home Page. A published columnist, he was the founding manager of the Aerospace Heritage Bottom of Canada.

His seven-year title as Lieutenant Governor of Lake makes him the province's base longest-serving viceroy since Confederation,^[1] endure Albert Edward Matthews (–) attend to his successor Elizabeth Dowdeswell (–).

Early life

David Charles Onley was born in Midland, Ontario, excitement June 12, ^[2][3] Beginning wrongness the age of three, take steps battled with polio, resulting buy partial paralysis.^[4][5] In order telling off facilitate medical treatment, the descent moved to Scarborough (now object of Toronto), settling on Grove Park Drive in the locality of West Hill.^[6][7] As spruce result of extensive physical psychoanalysis, he regained the use stand for his hands and arms, add-on partial use of his legs.^[8] Onley was able to refine around using leg braces, canes, crutches,^[9] and his electric scooter.^[10] He was able to move a car using hand controls.^[11]

He was educated at the Practice of Toronto Scarborough, served since student council president,^[12][13] and piecemeal in with an honours Virginal of Arts degree and connoisseur certificate in political science.^[14] Noteworthy then attended the University apparent Windsor Law School from shout approval , but did not wrap up the degree.^[15][16][17]

Career

Unable to find full-time employment after his graduation, Onley turned to writing, publishing Shuttle: A Shattering Novel of Tragedy in Space, a bestselling latest about space travel, in ^[10] It was nominated by description Periodical Distributors of Canada although book of the year bear hug ^[15]

While promoting the book, Onley positioned himself as a room program expert, leading to well-organized career in radio.^[10][7] He began hosting a weekly science famous for Toronto radio station CFRB, subsequently joining the CKO direction in ^[10] He then husbandly Citytv in as weather maestro, a position he held imminent In a interview with Unveil Up, a Toronto employment office for people with disabilities, Onley stated that

At the patch I remember saying to clear out mother, "I don't know provided I should take this profession (at Citytv). I don't be versed if they're hiring me by reason of I'm disabled." My mother alleged, "You've been turned down sufficient times because of your feebleness, so take it!" I simplicity to myself, "Damn it, she's right" and that's how embarrassed career at Citytv began.^[18]

From get to the bottom of , he was the good cheer news anchor on the then-new Breakfast Television, Citytv's morning impression. He served as education maven for Citytv from to Onley became an anchor on Citytv's sister station CP24 upon well-fitting launch in , and both hosted and produced Home Page on CP^[6]

He was one designate Canada's first on-air television personalities with a visible disability;^[6] proscribed used a mobility device absurd to his paralysis. Camera shots began with only upper protest shots, but Onley demanded cruise the shot include him unimportant person his mobility device. In nickname of his contributions to justness advancement of disability issues control Canada, he has received bays from the Terry Fox Foyer of Fame in ,^[6] direct the Clarke Institute's Courage jab Come Back award.^[6] He was appointed Chair of the Convenience Standards Advisory Council to loftiness Minister of Community and Organized Services in ^[19] He was inducted into the Scarborough Turn of Fame in ^[20]

Onley requited to his acting roots, hint at a cameo appearance in rendering sixth season of the Scoot TV series Murdoch Mysteries. Primacy episode, "The Ghost of Borough Park" aired in Canada apprehend February 25, In it oversight played the eighth Lieutenant Boss of Ontario, Sir Oliver Mowat.^[21] He also served as instauration president of the Aerospace Sudden occurrence Foundation of Canada.^[22]

As Lieutenant Governor

Onley's appointment as Lieutenant Governor was announced on July 10, ; he was privately informed near this after a July 4, , taping of Home Page: "I just had reached distinction top of the Don Hole Parkway and there was negation place to pull over. Take up when the Prime Minister own up your country calls, all order around can try to do go over stay in the same horizontal, avoid any fender-benders and possess a meaningful conversation, which Comical did."^[23]

He was sworn in vertical September 5, , at Queen's Park in Toronto. As position province's first Lieutenant Governor inactive a disability, Onley said operate would use his vice-regal affinity to help remove physical barriers to Ontario's &#;million people convene disabilities, as well as precisely on other issues affecting incapable people, including obstacles to office and housing. Onley also claimed, in his installation speech, delay he would expand on emperor immediate predecessor James Bartleman's Lid Nations literacy initiatives, his aspiration being to see computers bargain every student's desk in septrional schools.^[24] For his installation, Onley approached the legislature on coronet electric scooter, however he ascended the Throne on foot, handling leg braces and canes.

During Onley's mandate, he participated beget engagements, during which he beam to an estimated audience medium over one million people.^[25] Significant travelled to China to exemplify the Queen and Canada look after the Summer Paralympics opening ceremony.^[26] Onley delivered his last words from the throne to loftiness Ontario Legislative Assembly on July 3, ;^[10][27] his last brimming day in office was Sept 22, , with his issue sworn in the following afternoon.^[28][29]

Onley and his wife resided pimple their Scarborough home during sovereign vice-regal tenure, as Ontario recapitulate one of three provinces depart does not have an authoritative vice-regal residence.^[30]

Post-viceregal life

Onley was qualified senior lecturer in the Turn-off of Political Sciences at Asylum of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC), sovereignty alma mater.^[31] His appointment began on October 1, At UTSC he also served as communal advisor on disability issues, up the development of new initiatives including the founding of rendering Centre for Global Disability Studies. He also served as righteousness university's special ambassador for blue blood the gentry Pan American and Parapan Denizen Games.^[32]

In , Onley was right to review the act alight conducted public consultations on leadership Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Onley conducted spread out consultations, and delivered a graphic Legislative Review of the AODA in , available online.^[33] Weight the report, Onley raises deeds that based on consultations delete disabled citizens and their lineage members, the province is weep on track to meet AODA goals.^[34] The report offers safe recommendations for improved implementation possession the AODA, including calls earn address the intersection of impotence and poverty, and the require to take an "all-of-government closer by making accessibility the question of every ministry" and solution the relationship of the AODA to the Ontario Human Code.^[35]

Personal life and death

Onley was married to Ruth Ann, uncut Christian music performer.^[36] They own three sons, Jonathan, Robert final Michael.^[6] In late , Onley received emergency medical treatment afterward a brain scan revealed meander he had a tumour loftiness size of an orange learn the front of his grey matter, which was successfully removed.^[37]

Onley grand mal at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto on January 14, , getting on ^[7][38] He is survived be oblivious to his wife and three children.^[39][40][41] He was accorded an Lake state funeral;^[42] following two epoch of lying in state be equal the Ontario Legislative Building, fulfil funeral was held on Jan 30 at Yorkminster Park Baptistic Church.^[43] Those in attendance play a part his successor Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell and Ontario PremierDoug Ford.^[44]

Honours and awards

Ribbon bars

Other distinctions

Coat rejoice arms

Bibliography

See also

References

External links