The Honourable
David Onley
CM OOnt
Onley in 2013
28th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
In office
September 5, 2007 – September 23, 2014
MonarchElizabeth II
Governors General
Premier
Preceded byJames Bartleman
Succeeded byElizabeth Dowdeswell
Personal details
Born
David Charles Onley

(1950-06-12)June 12, 1950
Midland, Ontario, Canada
DiedJanuary 14, 2023(2023-01-14) (aged 72)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Spouse
Ruth Ann Onley
​
(m. 1982)​
ChildrenJonathan, Robert, Michael
Alma materUniversity of Toronto
OccupationJournalist

David Charles Onley CM OOnt (June 12, 1950 – January 14, 2023) was a Canadian broadcaster and writer who served as the 28th lieutenant governor of Ontario from 2007 until 2014.

Prior to his viceregal appointment, Onley was a television journalist. He worked primarily for Citytv as a weather reporter, before moving on to cover science and technology stories. Later on, he worked with the 24-hour news station CablePulse 24 as a news anchor and host of a weekly technology series, Home Page. A published author, he was the founding president of the Aerospace Heritage Foundation of Canada.

His seven-year term as Lieutenant Governor of Ontario makes him the province's third longest-serving viceroy since Confederation,[1] behind Albert Edward Matthews (1937–1946) and his successor Elizabeth Dowdeswell (2014–2023).

Early life

David Charles Onley was born in Midland, Ontario, on June 12, 1950.[2][3] Beginning at the age of three, he battled with polio, resulting in partial paralysis.[4][5] In order to facilitate medical treatment, the family moved to Scarborough (now part of Toronto), settling on Orchard Park Drive in the neighbourhood of West Hill.[6][7] As a result of extensive physical therapy, he regained the use of his hands and arms, and partial use of his legs.[8] Onley was able to get around using leg braces, canes, crutches,[9] and his electric scooter.[10] He was able to drive a car using hand controls.[11]

He was educated at the University of Toronto Scarborough, served as student council president,[12][13] and graduated in 1975 with an honours Bachelor of Arts degree and specialist certificate in political science.[14] He then attended the University of Windsor Law School from 1976 to 1977, but did not complete 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 Disaster in Space, a bestselling novel about space travel, in 1981.[10] It was nominated by the Periodical Distributors of Canada as book of the year in 1982.[15]

While promoting the book, Onley positioned himself as a space program expert, leading to a career in radio.[10][7] He began hosting a weekly science show for Toronto radio station CFRB, subsequently joining the CKO network in 1983.[10] He then joined Citytv in 1984 as weather specialist, a position he held until 1989. In a 2004 interview with Link Up, a Toronto employment agency for people with disabilities, Onley stated that

At the time I remember saying to my mother, "I don't know if I should take this job (at Citytv). I don't know if they're hiring me because I'm disabled." My mother said, "You've been turned down enough times because of your disability, so take it!" I thought to myself, "Damn it, she's right" and that's how my career at Citytv began.[18]

Onley on the set of Home Page, 2006

From 1989 to 1995, he was the first news anchor on the then-new Breakfast Television, Citytv's morning show. He served as education specialist for Citytv from 1994 to 1999. Onley became an anchor on Citytv's sister station CP24 upon its launch in 1998, and both hosted and produced Home Page on CP24.[6]

He was one of Canada's first on-air television personalities with a visible disability;[6] he used a mobility device due to his paralysis. Camera shots began with only upper body shots, but Onley demanded that the shot include him in his mobility device. In honour of his contributions to the advancement of disability issues in Canada, he has received awards from the Terry Fox Hall of Fame in 1997,[6] and the Clarke Institute's Courage to Come Back award.[6] He was appointed Chair of the Accessibility Standards Advisory Council to the Minister of Community and Social Services in 2005.[19] He was inducted into the Scarborough Walk of Fame in 2006.[20]

Onley returned to his acting roots, with a cameo appearance in the sixth season of the Canadian TV series Murdoch Mysteries. The episode, "The Ghost of Queens Park" aired in Canada on February 25, 2013. In it he played the eighth Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Sir Oliver Mowat.[21] He also served as founding president of the Aerospace Heritage Foundation of Canada.[22]

As Lieutenant Governor

Queen Elizabeth II holds audience with Lieutenant Governor of Ontario David C. Onley at Buckingham Palace, 2008

Onley's appointment as Lieutenant Governor was announced on July 10, 2007; he was privately informed of this after a July 4, 2007, taping of Home Page: "I just had reached the top of the Don Valley Parkway... and there was no place to pull over. And when the Prime Minister of your country calls, all you can try to do is stay in the same lane, avoid any fender-benders and have a meaningful conversation, which I did."[23]

He was sworn in on September 5, 2007, at Queen's Park in Toronto. As the province's first Lieutenant Governor with a disability, Onley said he would use his vice-regal position to help remove physical barriers to Ontario's 1.5 million people with disabilities, as well as focus on other issues affecting disabled people, including obstacles to employment and housing. Onley also stated, in his installation speech, that he would expand on his immediate predecessor James Bartleman's First Nations literacy initiatives, his aim being to see computers on every student's desk in northern schools.[24] For his installation, Onley approached the legislature on his electric scooter, however he ascended the Throne on foot, using leg braces and canes.

During Onley's mandate, he participated in 2550 engagements, during which he spoke to an estimated audience of over one million people.[25] He travelled to China to represent the Queen and Canada at the 2008 Summer Paralympics opening ceremony.[26] Onley delivered his last speech from the throne to the Ontario Legislative Assembly on July 3, 2014;[10][27] his last full day in office was September 22, 2014, with his successor sworn in the following afternoon.[28][29]

Onley and his wife resided in their Scarborough home during his vice-regal tenure, as Ontario is one of three provinces that does not have an official vice-regal residence.[30]

Post-viceregal life

Onley was appointed senior lecturer in the Department of Political Sciences at University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC), his alma mater.[31] His appointment began on October 1, 2014. At UTSC he also served as special advisor on disability issues, encouraging the development of new initiatives including the founding of the Centre for Global Disability Studies. He also served as the university's special ambassador for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games.[32]

In 2018, Onley was appointed to review the act and conducted public consultations on the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Onley conducted extensive consultations, and delivered a written Legislative Review of the AODA in 2019, available online.[33] In the report, Onley raises concerns that based on consultations with disabled citizens and their family members, the province is not on track to meet 2025 AODA goals.[34] The report offers concrete recommendations for improved implementation of the AODA, including calls to address the intersection of disability and poverty, and the need to take an "all-of-government approach by making accessibility the responsibility of every ministry" and clarify the relationship of the AODA to the Ontario Human Rights Code.[35]

Personal life and death

Onley was married to Ruth Ann, a Christian music performer.[36] They have three sons, Jonathan, Robert and Michael.[6] In late 2019, Onley received emergency medical treatment after a brain scan revealed that he had a tumour the size of an orange at the front of his brain, which was successfully removed.[37]

Onley died at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto on January 14, 2023, aged 72.[7][38] He is survived by his wife and three children.[39][40][41] He was accorded an Ontario state funeral;[42] following two days of lying in state at the Ontario Legislative Building, his funeral was held on January 30 at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church.[43] Those in attendance included his successor Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell and Ontario Premier Doug Ford.[44]

Honours and awards

Country Order Class or position Years Citation
 Canada Order of Canada Member 2016–2023 [45][46]
 Canada Order of Ontario Chancellor 2007–2014 [47]
 Canada Order of Ontario Member 2007–2023 [47]
 Canada Order of St. John Vice-Prior of the Order of St. John in Ontario (2007–2014), Knight of Justice of the Order 2007–2023 [48]
Country Organization Award or position Year Citation
 Canada Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons King Clancy Award 1992 [49]
 Canada Scarborough Women Teachers Association Award for Broadcasting Excellence 1992 [50]
 Canada Clarke Institute Courage to Come Back Award 1996 [6]
 Canada Terry Fox Hall of Fame Inductee 1997–2023 [6]
 Canada University of Toronto Positive Impact Award 2001 [50]
 Canada City of Scarborough Scarborough Walk of Fame Inductee 2006–2023 [6]
 Canada Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School National Leadership Award 2009 [51]
Academic honours
Country Organization Award or position Year Citation
 Canada Canada Christian College Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) date unknown [52]
 Canada Centennial College Honorary Fellow 2003–2023 [50]
 Canada University of Guelph-Humber Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) 2008 [50]
 Canada University of Windsor Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) 2008 [50]
 Canada University of Western Ontario Doctor of Laws (jure dignitatis) 2008 [50][53]
 Canada Nipissing University Doctor of Education (honoris causa) 2009 [54][55]
 Canada University of Toronto Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) 2009 [56][57]
 Canada York University Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) 2009 [58]
 Canada Carleton University Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) 2011 [59]
 Canada Law Society of Upper Canada Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) 2013 [60]

Ribbon bars


RibbonDescriptionDateNotes
Order of Canada2016Member (CM)[45][46]
Order of St. John2007Knight of Justice (KStJ)[48]
Order of Ontario2007Member (OOnt)[47]
125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal1992Recipient[61]
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal2012Canadian version[62]

Other distinctions

  • He served as Colonel of the Regiment of The Queen's York Rangers in his capacity of Lieutenant Governor.[63]
  • He was the Honorary Colonel of 25 Field Ambulance in a personal capacity.[64]
  • Midland has a David Onley Park, dedicated on his 63rd birthday (June 12, 2013).[65]

Coat of arms

Coat of arms of David Onley
Crest
Issuant from a Loyalist civil coronet Azure a phoenix Or issuant from flames proper and holding in its beak a cane Azure;
Escutcheon
Azure on a pile reversed an open book Argent bound and charged with a Latin cross Azure;
Supporters
Two eagles wings elevated and addorsed Or each gorged with a coronet erablé Azure and standing on a grassy mount Vert set with three apples Gules slipped Or;
Motto
PER ARDUA AD ALTA (Through Difficulties to the Heights)[66]

Bibliography

  • Shuttle: A Shattering Novel of Disaster in Space (1981) ISBN 0-89083-951-4 (book), ISBN 0-88646-826-4 (audio edition)

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Former lieutenant governor of Ontario David Onley dead at 72". Toronto Sun. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Media Advisory – Lieutenant Governor welcomes Lieutenant Governor-designate David Onley". news.ontario.ca. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  3. ↑ "The Honourable David C. Onley, O.Ont". Queen's Printer for Ontario. September 2007. Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved September 15, 2007.
  4. ↑ "Onley vows focus on access". Toronto Star. September 5, 2007.
  5. ↑ "That Polio Season: Lt.-Gov. David Onley and the Epidemic of 1953". Toronto Star. July 11, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Prime Minister announces appointment of David C. Onley as Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario" (Press release). Canadian Prime Minister's Office. July 10, 2007. Archived from the original on July 14, 2007. Retrieved July 13, 2007.
  7. 1 2 3 David ONLEY Obituary (2023) - The Globe and Mail
  8. ↑ Vanessa, Balintec (January 15, 2023). "Honour late lieutenant-governor David Onley by making Ontario accessible, advocates, friends say". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
  9. ↑ "Lieutenant-Governor David Onley on the mend after fall". Toronto Star. June 21, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Thiessen, Connie (January 15, 2023). "Former broadcaster and Ontario Lt.-Gov. David Onley has died". Broadcast Dialogue. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Disabled drivers helpless at self-serve pumps". Toronto Star. October 12, 2010. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  12. ↑ "'A life-long champion of accessibility': U of T remembers former lieutenant governor and alumnus David Onley". University of Toronto News. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  13. ↑ "What You Might Not Have Known About David Onley". CityNews. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  14. ↑ "David Onley, former Ontario lieutenant-governor, dies at 72". The Globe and Mail. January 14, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  15. 1 2 "David C. Onley". The Canadian Encyclopedia. January 16, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  16. ↑ Ham, Rob (November 16, 2021). "Hon.David Onley, CM OOnt". A Seat at the Table. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  17. ↑ "2012 Warriors' Day Parade Distinguished Guest of Honour and Reviewing Officer: Colonel The Honourable David C. Onley, O.Ont., The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario". The Warriors' Day Parade. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  18. ↑ "David Onley: A Success Story". Archived from the original on May 21, 2008. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
  19. ↑ "Lieutenant Governor welcomes Lieutenant Governor-designate David Onley" (PDF). Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. July 10, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 30, 2007.
  20. ↑ "2006 Star Inductees". Scarborough Walk of Fame. December 8, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Ontario Lt.-Gov. David Onley films cameo for CBC drama 'Murdoch Mysteries'". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
  22. ↑ Raza, Ali. "David Onley to be Special Ambassador for Pan Am and Parapan Games at UTSC". Toronto.com. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  23. ↑ David Onley Appointed Next Lt.-Gov. Of Ontario Archived July 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, www.citynews.ca, June 10, 2007
  24. ↑ "Vice-regal role model". Toronto Star. September 6, 2007.
  25. ↑ "End of mandate report". Lieutenant Governor of Ontario web site. September 17, 2014. Archived from the original on January 9, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada" (Press release). Queen's Printer for Canada. August 26, 2008. Archived from the original on March 9, 2010. Retrieved March 8, 2010.
  27. ↑ "Liberals' throne speech details left-leaning agenda". Toronto Star. July 3, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Elizabeth Dowdeswell sworn in as Ontario lieutenant-governor". Toronto. September 23, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  29. ↑ Gross, John (September 23, 2014). "Installation of Elizabeth Dowdeswell as the 29th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario". Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Incoming lieutenant-governor plans to smooth path for all". Toronto Star. September 3, 2007.
  31. ↑ "Ontario's 28th Lt. Governor David Onley joins UTSC faculty". University of Toronto. September 25, 2014.
  32. ↑ "David Onley, former lieutenant-governor of Ontario, dead at 72". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. January 14, 2023.
  33. ↑ Onley, David. "Legislative Review of the AODA". Ontario.ca. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  34. ↑ Onley, David. "2019 Legislative Review of the AODA - Section 3 and 4". Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  35. ↑ Onley, David. "2019 Legislative Review of the AODA - Section 6 - Recommendations". Ontario.ca. Government of Ontario. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Ruth Ann Onley". Archived from the original on December 27, 2008.
  37. ↑ Leung, Wency (May 19, 2021). "New targeted radiation treatment potential 'game-changer' for cancer patients, oncologists say". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  38. ↑ "David Onley, former broadcaster and Ont. lieutenant-governor, dies at age 72". CTVNews. January 14, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Lieutenant Governor's Statement On The Death Of The Honourable David C. Onley". LG Ontario. January 14, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  40. ↑ "David Onley, former Ontario lieutenant-governor, dies at 72". The Globe and Mail. January 14, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  41. ↑ Skjerven, Kelly (January 14, 2023). "Former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario David Onley dies at 72". Toronto Star. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  42. ↑ "Former Lt.-Gov. David Onley to be remembered Jan. 30 at state funeral". The Canadian Press, via CBC News. January 19, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  43. ↑ "Former Lt.-Gov. David Onley lies in state at Ontario legislature". The Canadian Press, via CBC News. January 28, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  44. ↑ Alhmidi, Maan; Jones, Allison (January 28, 2023). "Former Ontario lieutenant-governor David Onley remembered at funeral as role model, family man". The Canadian Press, via CBC News. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  45. 1 2 "Order of Canada's newest appointees include Paralympian, Supreme Court judge and astrophysicist". CBC News, December 30, 2016.
  46. 1 2 Order of Canada citation
  47. 1 2 3 "The Order of Ontario". Government of Ontario. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  48. 1 2 Canada Gazette
  49. ↑ "David Onley". CityNews. Archived from the original on September 19, 2007. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  50. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lieutenant Governor of Ontario: Honours Archived October 6, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  51. ↑ Guelph Mercury. Fight for Equality: Our lady of Lourdes Catholic High School Honours province's Lieutenant Governor. . Retrieved March 2, 2009
  52. ↑ "Canada Christian College". Archived from the original on July 15, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  53. ↑ "Honorary Degree Recipients 1881 – present" (PDF). University of Western Ontario. July 2019. p. 16. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  54. ↑ "Honorary Degree Recipients | Nipissing University". Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  55. ↑ "Honorary Degree Recipients | Nipissing University". Nipissingu.ca. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  56. ↑ "Honorary Degree Recipients". Convocation.utoronto.ca. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  57. ↑ "Honorary Degree Recipients 1850 – 2016" (PDF). University of Toronto. p. 30. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  58. ↑ Current Students. "Senate | University Secretariat". Yorku.ca. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  59. ↑ "Honorary Degrees (Fall 2011) – Convocation". Archived from the original on August 14, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
  60. ↑ "Honorary LLD | The Law Society of Upper Canada". Lsuc.on.ca. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  61. ↑ "Rethinking Normalcy to Achieve Equality for Disabled Persons". University of Toronto Scarborough. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  62. ↑ "His Honour the Honourable David Onley". The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  63. ↑ "Honoraries". The Queen's York Rangers. Retrieved January 18, 2023. The Rangers have a unique appointment is that of Colonel of the Regiment. This position is held in perpetuity by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario [emphasis added]...
  64. ↑ "The Honourable David C. Onley". Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.
  65. ↑ "David Onley Park officially dedicated". June 14, 2013.
  66. ↑ "Onley, David Charles [Individual]". November 12, 2020.
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