Corp Comm Connects

York Region, Simcoe communities mourn former MPP Julia Munro

Visitation for Ontario's longest-serving female provincial parliamentarian, 'Lady Munro', set for June 16, 17

Yorkregion.com
June 14, 2019
Kim Zarzour, Amanda Persico

Residents, former students and politicians are expressing shock and sadness at the death of Julia Munro, the longest-serving female MPP in Ontario history.

Munro, who would have celebrated her 77th birthday June 20, died June 12.

She is remembered for her passion and professionalism, and as a politician who was respected across party lines.

A Hamilton native, Munro lived with her husband, John, and their daughter in Georgina since the early 1970s. She taught high school throughout York Region for close to three decades.

Jennifer Anderson, executive director of Georgina Chamber of Commerce, recalled, as a student in Munro's history class at Dr. J.M. Denison Secondary School, "pulling a few all-nighters" trying to get essays completed for "Mrs. Munro".

"I was sitting in her Grade 12 history class the day she announced she was taking a leave from teaching to pursue politics," Anderson recalled. "Who knew this would launch such a long-standing career? She was an inspiration and role model for many women."

When Munro first ran for the provincial PC Party in 1995, she remarked that she was tired of sitting around the kitchen table complaining about politics and decided to get involved.

She served as a parliamentary assistant to Mike Harris before becoming party whip, chair of the cabinet management board and parliamentary assistant to the minister of culture.

Former colleagues at Queen's Park were quick to praise her dedication to the public servant role.

David Tsubouchi, who served two terms alongside Munro as a Markham MPP, said she was known for her sincerity and for always keeping the "public good" foremost in her mind.

"We have lost someone who was a really good representative of the people, but more than that, we have lost a really good person," he said.

Thornhill MPP Gila Martow was one of many whose lives were impacted by Munro.

"Julia was more than a colleague," she said. "She really took me under her wing when I showed up at Queen's Park with zero background in politics. She was passionate about history, the constitution and proper governance. We called her Lady Munro -- always classy."

Lois Brown, former Conservative MP for Newmarket-Aurora, also said Munro positively impacted her life and career path.

Even though she was in fragile health, Munro attended a fundraising event in March for cancer research and expressed encouragement and gratitude to those working for the cause, Brown said.

"Julia was a kind, compassionate, giving person who cared deeply about the people she served. She represented her constituents at Queen's Park with dignity and distinction and always remained connected with the people of her community."

Munro retired from politics in 2018 and Caroline Mulroney followed in her heels to represent York-Simcoe.

"She was a great mentor," Mulroney said. "I am honoured to continue to carry on Lady Munro’s legacy at Queen’s Park. She loved Ontario and served York-Simcoe with pride … She left a legacy and example for all of us to live up to now and in the future."

Georgina Mayor Margaret Quirk said Munro was always available to her constituents to discuss concerns or issues, big or small.

Newmarket-Aurora MPP Christine Elliott said she became friends with Munro in 1995, when both Elliott's husband, Jim Flaherty, and Munro first ran for office.

"She had great courage and compassion, and she had always had a good sense of the impact of her work on the person," Elliott said, referring health problems Munro overcame, staying committed to her work and strong convictions. "We all feel very sad. She was a wonderful person."

Munro was also a good friend to the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, consistently attending events and advocating for support from watershed communities and the province, conservation authority CEO Mike Walters said.

Joan Ransberry remembered Munro going above and beyond the call of duty one day, when Ransberry accidentally cut her hand on a door window on her way to covering a public meeting as reporter for the Stouffville Tribune.

"I quickly wrapped my hand in gauze and off I went, not realizing it was such a deep cut," Ransberry said. "I had trouble taking my photos. Julia noticed my fumbling with the camera. Without fuss or fanfare … she came over and quickly took photos for me, complete with IDs.

"Julia looked at the cut; told me to go immediately to the hospital. I did. Within an hour, a surgeon reattached the detached tendon.  The next morning, Julia called, inquired about my injured hand. She was bright, hard-working and always a lady. Most of all, Julia Munro was kind."

Bradford resident Cathy Nesbitt is a longtime admirer of Julia Munro. "Julia and I had many heart felt conversations about local and global issues. I was impressed with her gentle intellect. Julia was respectful, genuine and compassionate. She was the epitome of how to act as a politician: approachable and willing to engage and that is her legacy.”

After holding a moment of silence, the Region of York released the following remarks:

"She was an outstanding politician ... an even better person. Julia represented her constituents of York-Simcoe with both pride and passion … She always put the residents and businesses of York-Simcoe first, above anything else."

VISITATION DETAILS:

 

SERVICE: