Executives

Minister Michael Gravelle

Michael was re-elected into the riding of Thunder Bay – Superior North (previously named Port Arthur) in 2011 for a fifth consecutive term. He was appointed Minister of Northern Development and Mines in February 2013. Michael held this same portfolio from 2007 to 2009.

Michael has also served as Minister of Natural Resources. He was successful in getting the government to fund insulin pumps for people with diabetes through his private member’s bill, which passed in 2006.

Before entering politics, Michael acted as an assistant to Liberal politicians at both the federal and provincial levels, was a publicist for the CBC, and founded the North of Superior Film Association.

Message from the Minister:

February 12, 2013

It is with a tremendous sense of excitement that I return to the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines where I was privileged to serve as Minister for four years.

As a northerner, as an MPP since 1995 and as a Cabinet Minister since 2007 -- most recently as Minister of Natural Resources – I have a deep appreciation of both the tremendous economic potential of the North’s vast resources and the unique regional circumstances that challenge us every day and give rise to innovation and opportunity.

I look forward once again to working with the broad spectrum of municipalities and First Nation communities, stakeholders, partners, organizations and individuals, to deliver on our government’s vision for a prosperous Northern Ontario and a strong provincial minerals sector.

The ministry will continue to support your work in the implementation of strategies that align with our Growth Plan for Northern Ontario. We will work with First Nations and industry toward socially and environmentally sound mineral development in the Ring of Fire area. We are moving forward with First Nations and industry as we phase in changes that are modernizing Ontario’s Mining Act. And we will continue to invest in the North through the programs of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.

I invite you to visit the ministry’s website regularly to stay up-to-date on news and events of the ministry, and to contact our economic and mineral development staff in regional offices throughout the province with your questions and comments.

Michael Gravelle
Minister

Deputy Minister George Ross

George Ross was appointed Deputy Minister of Northern Development and Mines on December 5, 2011. Previously, he held the posts of Deputy Minister of Research and Innovation and Deputy Minister of Consumer Services.

Prior to joining the Ministry of Research and Innovation, Mr. Ross worked for several years with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources serving in a variety of capacities including Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) of Field Services, ADM/CAO of Corporate Services, and Regional Director.

As Deputy Minister of Research and Innovation, Mr. Ross led the development of Ontario’s world-renowned $3.2-billion Innovation Agenda.

He oversaw key initiatives to advance Ontario’s position as a leading innovation jurisdiction; including establishing the Ontario Network of Excellence innovation system and overseeing the Ontario Research Fund — Ontario’s flagship research funding program. In addition, he has led major investments to improve Ontario’s Venture Capital environment including the establishment of the Ontario Venture Capital Fund, the Emerging Technologies co-investment Fund, and the seed stage Investment Accelerator Fund.

Mr. Ross was instrumental in the establishment of the Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-Economy (CRIBE) in Thunder Bay to explore new, innovative high-value uses for Ontario’s boreal forest fibre and the Innovation Demonstration Fund aimed at building strength in Ontario’s clean technology sector.

Mr. Ross has led successful missions to a number of jurisdictions in North America and Asia to assist innovative Ontario companies grow new markets and to help establish research collaborations with countries such as India, China, Singapore and Israel.

As Deputy Minister of Consumer Services, Mr. Ross and his team led a number of diverse initiatives to increase consumer protection and public safety, including modernizing Ontario’s athletics control framework to allow mixed martial arts in the province. They also led the transformation of Ontario’s not-for-profit corporations’ legislation to increase member rights and make it easier for Ontario’s 46,000 not-for-profits to operate and do business in today’s marketplace.

Mr. Ross is the President of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) and is past Chair of the research committee responsible for promoting and developing scholarly work in public administration. He is past Chair and Vice Chair of the Ontario Capital Growth Corporation. He has co-chaired the Conference Board of Canada’s Centre for the Advancement of Health Innovations, as well as the Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation with the People’s Republic of China.

Mr. Ross holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo and certificates in Business Administration and Human Resources Management from Ryerson and Queen’s University. He is also a graduate of the advanced program in Human Resources Management at the Rotman School of Management and a graduate of the Directors Education Program at Rotman. He recently earned his ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.

A long time resident of Peterborough, Mr. Ross now lives in Markham with his wife and three children and is a tortured life-long Leafs supporter.

Parliamentary Assistant Mike Colle

Mike Colle was re-elected for his fifth term to represent the riding of Eglinton-Lawrence in 2011. He has served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Ministers of Children and Youth Services, Community Safety and Correctional Services, and Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, where he brought forward Bill 124, The Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act.

This is his second appointment as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Finance. In his previous appointment, he directed Automobile Insurance reform and the consultation for a new Mortgage Brokers Act.

As MPP, Colle spearheaded legislation to protect the Oak Ridges Moraine and establish the Greenbelt. He fought successfully for Protection of Caregivers and Nannies through Bill 160, The Caregiver and Foreign Worker Recruitment Act. He also organized the first-ever Bed Bug Summit and secured provincial funding to help combat bed bug infestation.

Colle has been a life-long crusader for animal protection and fought to close down “puppy mills” and pass the 2008 Animal Welfare Act for stronger animal protection.

Prior to being elected as an MPP, Colle served as Chair of the Toronto Transit Commission and served as City Councillor in Toronto.

He was a high school teacher at St. Michael’s College School where he taught history and coached football for 18 years before entering public life. He and his wife, Sharon, are long-time residents of Toronto, where they have raised four children and are proud grandparents of five grandchildren.

Colle is a life-long runner with several marathons to his credit with a PBT of 3:29.

He is a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Fairbank Branch 75 and was recently named one of the Treasures of Baycrest in recognition of his ongoing work with Baycrest.