Frank Klees, MPP
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FRANK
KLEES BIOGRAPHY
First
elected to the Ontario Legislature in June 1995 to represent the riding
of York Mackenzie (Newmarket, Aurora and King Township), Frank Klees was
re-elected in June 1999 for a second term as MPP for the new riding of
Oak Ridges (Richmond Hill, Whitchurch-Stouffville and Markham-north of
16th Ave.), and again in October 2003, for a third term, in Oak Ridges.
On October 10, 2007, he was elected as MPP for the riding of Newmarket-Aurora.
Currently,
Mr. Klees is the Caucus Chair for the Official Opposition and is the Critic
for the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure
Renewal ( PIR). PIR is responsible for several major government agencies
including the Ontario Realty Corporation, the Liquor Control Board of
Ontario, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, Infrastructure Ontario
and Waterfront Toronto.
Frank
Klees and his family immigrated to Canada from Germany when he was 5 years
of age and they settled in the south western Ontario community of Leamington
.
Although
Frank's educational background included studies in theology, he spent
the 1970s, '80s and early '90s in business, starting in the financial
services business in marketing and management with the Canada Life Assurance
Co. in Windsor and Toronto . He went on to establish a financial services
consulting practice which included contract negotiations for professional
athletes in the CFL and NFL. In 1990 Frank and two partners co-founded
Municipal Gas Corporation. He served as the company's Executive Vice President
until he sold his interest in 1997.
Frank's
commitment to the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party is lifelong.
He
stood as a candidate in the south western Ontario riding of Essex South
in 1975 and again in 1977. As the Party's Third Vice President and Policy
Chair from 1992 -1994, Frank created the formal process of Policy Advisory
Councils, which empowered grassroots members and supporters by giving
them direct input in developing the party's policies. He remains one of
the Party's strongest advocates of that process which he had enshrined
in the Party Constitution. In 1995, Frank successfully contested
the riding of York Mackenzie, beginning his first term as a Member of
the Ontario Legislature by defeating former Liberal cabinet minister and
leadership candidate, Charles Beer.
Throughout
the first mandate of the PC government as the MPP representing Newmarket
, Aurora and King Township , Frank served as a Parliamentary Assistant
in the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Community and
Social Serves. He played a key role in several initiatives including the
development of several bills relating to the work of Conservation Authorities,
the management of Ontario 's aggregate industry, and the Great Lakes commercial
fishery. Frank had the responsibility to oversee the implementation of
the Ontario Works program which successfully helped more than a million
people make the transition from welfare to a job.
In
1999, as the result of electoral riding redistribution Frank sought and
won re-election in the new riding of Oak Ridges. He was appointed to Cabinet
and served as Chief Government Whip and Deputy House Leader with additional
responsibilities as a member of the Management Board of Cabinet and the
Board of Internal Economy. His consensus-building ability within caucus
facilitated the passage of a number of controversial pieces of legislation.
As the member for Oak Ridges, he took a lead role in advocating for, and
the ultimate passage of the "Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act".
Frank
was appointed Minister of Tourism and Recreation in 2002. From the outset
in that portfolio, Frank championed the development of a long-range tourism
strategy for the province and completed province-wide stakeholder consultations
to accomplish that goal. He secured the support needed to rea liz e the
legitimate aspirations of Northern Ontario to create a separate tourism
marketing model, headquartered in Sault Ste. Marie to support and develop
Northern Ontario 's distinct tourism industry.
In
2003, Frank was appointed Minister of Transportation and assumed responsibility
for the implementation of a multi-year, $10 Billion highway infrastructure
program. On his watch, MTO made major strides in regional transit expansion
and funded York Region's innovative new Viva bus rapid transit system.
He honoured Ontario 's veterans by initiating and commissioning the "Veterans
Licence Plate", now available to all Ontario qualifying veterans.
He took pride in being known by MTO stakeholders and staff as "the
customer service Minister."
While a member
of the Official Opposition, Frank has served as Critic for Education and
Critic for Citizenship and Immigration. On the education file, he has
been a strong advocate for children with autism, special needs programs
and the need for stable, longterm funding of the education system. In
citizenship and immigration, Frank has repeatedly called on the government
to improve supports for new immigrants and foreign trained professionals
and trades people to help them integrate into our communities. He has
been a harsh critic of Canada 's "points system" for immigration which
he insists sets false expectations for immigrants and must be changed
to reflect the realities of Ontario 's job market and capacity to support
settlement programs and social services.
Frank sponsored
a number of Private Member's Bills while in Opposition. Two of those bills
received broad public support and were passed unanimously for Second Reading
by the legislature. The Street Racing Bill was incorporated into government
legislation and was passed into law, while his Organ Donation Bill still
awaits final Reading.
Frank
believes that our society is strengthened through the province's diverse
ethnic, cultural and religious communities. He has represented one of
the largest, fastest growing and culturally diverse ridings in Ontario
and takes pride in the strong support he has consistently received from
his constituents.
A
strong proponent of what he calls "MPP activism" Frank regularly
sponsors public information sessions, including seniors' wellness and
security forums, blood donor clinics, income tax clinics for low-income
seniors and multi-faith consultations through regular "Clergy Breakfasts"
. He has been a tireless advocate for community groups and local charities.
He believes that the most important work he does as MPP is helping constituents
with what are often very personal issues. This is where he has earned
the reputation as a person who "gets things done".
Frank believes
that faith and culture are important cornerstones of society and that
both must be respected and honoured.
Frank
is married to Jaine and has two adult children, Alissa and Robert. He
claims an 18 handicap on the golf course, and enjoys downhill skiing when
time allows.
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