Ross Romano
Rosario "Ross" Romano MPP (born 1979) is a Canadian politician who serves as Chief Government Whip in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.[1] A member of the Progressive Conservative (PC) Party, Romano has held a number of portfolios since the PCs formed government in 2018, including as minister of government and consumer services, and minister of colleges and universities. He represents the riding of Sault Ste. Marie. During his tenure as minister of colleges and universities, the 2021 Laurentian University financial crisis unfolded, which raised questions and criticism about Romano's knowledge of the financial state of the University and his involvement[2]
Ross Romano | |
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![]() Romano speaking during the Members' Statements in 2018 | |
Ontario Chief Government Whip | |
Assumed office June 30, 2022 | |
Premier | Doug Ford |
Preceded by | Lorne Coe |
Ontario Minister of Government and Consumer Services | |
In office June 18, 2021 – June 24, 2022 | |
Premier | Doug Ford |
Preceded by | Lisa Thompson |
Succeeded by | Kaleed Rasheed |
Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities | |
In office June 20, 2019 – June 18, 2021 | |
Premier | Doug Ford |
Preceded by | Merrilee Fullerton |
Succeeded by | Jill Dunlop |
Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie | |
Assumed office June 1, 2017 | |
Preceded by | David Orazietti |
Sault Ste. Marie City Councillor | |
In office December 1, 2014 – June 12, 2017 | |
Preceded by | Frank Manzo |
Succeeded by | Ozzie Grandinetti |
Constituency | Ward 6 |
Personal details | |
Born | October 13, 1979 |
Political party | Progressive Conservative |
Occupation |
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Political career
He was first elected in a by-election on June 1, 2017 and became the first Conservative to represent the district in 32 years.[3] A lawyer by profession, Romano began his political career upon being elected to the Sault Ste. Marie City Council in 2014.[4] Romano was re-elected on June 7, 2018 with a 1.29% advantage over Michele McCleave-Kennedy.[5]
Electoral record
2018 Ontario general election: Sault Ste. Marie | ||||||||
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Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | ||||
Progressive Conservative | Ross Romano | 13,498 | 42.03 | +1.66 | ||||
New Democratic | Michele McCleave-Kennedy | 13,084 | 40.74 | +7.92 | ||||
Liberal | Jaclynne Hamel | 3,199 | 9.96 | –13.05 | ||||
Green | Kara Flannigan | 1,044 | 3.25 | +1.26 | ||||
Northern Ontario | Sandy Holmberg | 993 | 3.09 | |||||
Libertarian | Lance Brizard | 299 | 0.93 | +0.65 | ||||
Total valid votes | 32,117 | 100.0 | ||||||
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots | ||||||||
Turnout | 54.79 | |||||||
Eligible voters | 58,616 | |||||||
Progressive Conservative hold | Swing | –3.13 | ||||||
Source: Elections Ontario[6] |
Ontario provincial by-election, June 1, 2017 Resignation of David Orazietti | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | ||||
Progressive Conservative | Ross Romano | 10,411 | 40.37 | +27.98 | ||||
New Democratic | Joe Krmpotich | 8,465 | 32.82 | +7.63 | ||||
Liberal | Debbie Amaroso | 5,935 | 23.01 | –35.57 | ||||
Green | Kara Flannigan | 512 | 1.98 | –1.25 | ||||
None of the Above | Above Znoneofthe | 313 | 1.21 | |||||
Libertarian | Gene Balfour | 71 | 0.28 | –0.10 | ||||
Pauper | John Turmel | 47 | 0.18 | |||||
Total valid votes | 25,785 | 100.0 | ||||||
Turnout | 43.93 | |||||||
Registered electors | 58,690 | |||||||
Progressive Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | +10.14 | ||||||
Source: Elections Ontario[7] |
References
- Armstrong, Kenneth (June 30, 2022). "Ross Romano to be named chief government whip". SooToday.com. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
- "The fix: Inside Laurentian University's demise".
- "Tories’ Ross Romano wins provincial byelection in Sault Ste. Marie". The Globe and Mail, June 1, 2017.
- "Candidate profile: Ross Romano, 'we've knocked on every single door'". CTV Northern Ontario, May 24, 2017.
- "Ontario Elections. Incumbent Ross Romano Elected In Sault Ste. Marie." Sault Online, June 7, 2018.
- "Summary of Valid Votes Cast for each Candidate" (PDF). Elections Ontario. p. 9. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- "Online Election Night Results (174 of 174 polls reporting)". Elections Ontario. 1 June 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.