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John
Lane Island's premiere politician passes at age 85
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by Michael Erskine
GORE BAY---A man may often be measured by
the impact of his legacy upon those around him. If that is so,
then the Island has witnessed the passing of a giant last week
with the death of John Gordon Lane, farmer, insurance agent
and for the past 50 years the dominant political figure on Manitoulin
Island. He was 85 years old.. Mr. Gordon was born on Barrie
Island on August 5, 1916, the son of the late George and Martha
(Vancise) Lane. He finished his formal schooling there at age
14, after which he worked on a number of local farms and bush
lots until he bought his own farm in 1939 and in 1946, Mr. Lane
married Louise Smith of St. Catherines and began raising his
family. Mr. Lane began his political career as a council member
on Barrie Island in 1941, serving in that capacity until 1960,
at which time he moved to Gore Bay, where he served as a councillor
for four years and then as mayor for five years. He began working
for the Co-Operator's Insurance in 1955, attaining the position
as district manager in 1969. In 1971, Mr. Lane was elected as
the Member of Provincial Parliament for Manitoulin and served
in that position until he retired in 1986. In his political
career Mr. Lane won an impressive 34 elections and served 45
years as a dedicated poitician at all levels. "I was very sad
to learn of John Lane's passing," said the Honorable William
Davis, who was Ontario Premier and a Progressive Conservative
colleague through most of Mr. Lane's career. "Mr. Lane was a
contributing member of caucus, to government, and was always
a very active member in representing the interests of his constituents
and an excellent member of the Legislature." Mr. Lane was a
founding member of the Manitoulin Livestock Co-Operative and
served on the first board of directors for the organization.
His determination was credited with preserving the Co-op through
some of its darkest days. He also acted as chairman organizing
the Farm Forums of the 1950s. The roads of Manitoulin Island,
often commented on as being remarkable for a rural area, were
one of Mr. Lane's longstanding projects. "John did so much for
his constituency, " said Grant Oakes, a long time collaborator
of Mr. Lane. "Roads were always John's priority and he was a
very, very, hard worker. I have nothing but praise for him and
I am shocked and saddened by his passing." The successful upgrading
of the ferry service to Manitoulin from Tobermorry, with the
purchase and inauguration of the Chi-Cheemaun was another project
that owed much of its success to the hard work of Mr. Lane,
according to Billings Reeve and contemporary Aus Hunt. "He was
a dedicated member and his whole thoughts were on his constituents,"
said Mr. Hunt. "He was honoured at the 25th anniversary of the
Chi-Cheemaun in 1999 with a plaque bearing our names. He was
a very civic-minded person." Federal contemporary, Dr. Maurice
Foster, who served as MP for Algoma Manitoulin through much
of Mr. Lane's career, remembered working with him on a wide
range of projects. Although he was from a different political
party, their joint concern in furthering the best interests
of their constituents often made them allies. "It was really
a pleasure to work with him over the 16 or 17 years that we
were both in office," said Dr. Foster. "He was one of the most
knowledgeable men I have ever met, and he was certainly a very
dedicated member of Parliament." "I especially remember the
success we had in weathering the 1982 recession. A lot of people
were out of work in the area, and we were able to secure a lot
of funding through Canada Works for projects in the area. It
was reported in the Expositor that Canada Works was the largest
employer in the area," laughed Dr. Foster. "I am very saddened
to learn of his passing, he was an exceptional man." Mike Brown,
current MPP for Algoma Manitoulin spoke of Mr. Lane in glowing
terms as well. "I have known John for nearly 30 years; he always
put his constituents first. If you gave John a call, he was
always willing to help out, and he was much admired for that,"
he said. "He was a moderate and pragmatist, always trying to
find solutions to problems, which I think is the highest tribute
you can give a politician." Mr. Brown added the work Mr. Lane
did in helping to build the Gore Bay Curling Rink, Golf Course
and the modernization of area's sewer and water system to the
vast list of his accomplishments. Northeastern Manitoulin and
the Islands Mayor Ken Ferguson expressed shock at Mr. Lane's
passing, saying "John was an inspiration to me, a source of
great encouragement. He was a great statesman for our area.
He always spoke his mind and did what he said he was going to
do. He facilitated, helping us in many ways, whether agriculture
or health and my sympathies go to his family." "He was a good
man and a good friend," said Leo Foucault, a long-time mayor
of Espanola. Mr. Foucault confirmed that Mr. Lane was in large
part the founder of the modern day Ministry of Northern Development
and Mines. Mr. Lane put in countless hours of diplomacy and
carried on negotiations across the North to promote the creation
of a separate ministry to promote northern development. Never
one to take no for an answer on a matter he considered of great
importance to the North, Mr. Lane persisted in his efforts after
initially being rebuffed, until he was finally rewarded with
success. His political life was just one aspect of Mr. Lane's
contribution to his community. He served as a Rotary Club member
for 35 years and was a life-long member of the Lyons Memorial
United Church, serving on a number of committees through the
years. Along with Renie Noble, he was instrumental in founding
the Flower of Hope School, which he himself identified as his
most rewarding effort. An avid sportsman, he enjoyed fishing
and hunting and was known as "The Commander" by his hunting
camp companions. Mr. Lane's first wife passed away in 1969 after
a battle with cancer, and Mr. Lane was later remarried to Leila
McDougall, who survives him. Mr. Lane is also survived by his
daughter Sharon, his son Ron Lane, wife Greta of Gore Bay, stepchildren
Linda and her husband Max Trick, Craig McDougall, wife Lillian
and Bob McDougall. Mr. Lane was the proud grandfather of Drew,
Nicholas, and Lindsey Lane and Neil, Laura and Sheri McDougall
and Aaron and Brent Trick. He was the dear brother of Lloyd
and Evelyn Lane of Barrie Island, and Larry and Margaret Lane
of Gore Bay. He was predeceased by grandchildren Amanda and
D'Arcy and sisters Mary Wilson, Agnes Morgan and brother Harold.
Mr. Lane's funeral service was held at 2 pm, at Lyons Memorial
Church on Sunday, August 12, with Geraldine Bould officiating.
He is interned in Gordon Cemetery. Donations may be made to
the Lyons Memorial United Church or to the Rotary Club.
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Two
area forest fires under control
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by Neil Zacharjewicz
McGREGOR BAY - Two forest fires which have
been raging in the McGregor Bay area are presently under control.
According to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Forest
Fire Management Centre in Garson, the two fires started on Saturday.
The first, located at McGregor Bay Point, was initially 2.5
hectares in size, but has since been reduced to less than a
hectare. The second, which was reported at 3.54 hectares in
size, grew to 5 hectares, but is presently under control. It
is in the Bay of Finn area. Neither of the fires is considered
a risk to cottagers, despite reports of smoke blowing through
the area. Both fires are very visible. "At one point, we thought
we had nine or 10 fires in that area," reported one MNR official.
However, he said mixed reports from a number of calls the MNR
received reporting the fires were to blame, and it was later
determined there were just the two fires. On Saturday, water
bombers were called in to help control the blaze, and helicopter
support has also been utilized to support the fire fighters.
The MNR reported there are presently eight firefighters battling
the blaze in the Bay of Finn, and nine firefighters on the line
at the McGregor Bay Point site. The MNR presently has no idea
what started the blaze, but does suspect lightning or the rays
of the sun magnified through a discarded glass bottle may have
been the cause. Due to the dry conditions, the MNR has received
support from firefighters in the Yukon, British Columbia and
Alberta to battle blazes in the Northeast region. To report
a forest fire, call 1-888-863-FIRE (3473).
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Clients
protest freeze on CCAC funding
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by Neil Zacharjewicz
SUDBURY - Approximately a dozen
clients and supporters picketed outside the provincial tower
at Tom Davies Square last week in protest over the province's
freeze of funding to the Community Care Access Centres. Madeleine
Bouillon, the organizer of the protest, has been confined to
a wheelchair since the age of 18. She used to receive eight
hours of home care a week, which allowed her to live on her
own, but that has since been cut back to five hours. "We need
to make our voices heard. What they are doing to us is not acceptable,"
Ms. Bouillon said. She indicated she was pleased with the protest,
which drew approximately a dozen participants and garnered media
attention. Also on hand to support the protesters were Sudbury
Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Rick Bartolucci and Nickel
Belt MPP Shelly Martel. Ms. Bouillon indicated she will be keeping
in touch with Mr. Bartolucci. "If things do not change, we may
have to protest again, or we may have to go down to Toronto,"
Ms. Bouillon said. She added next time a protest is organized,
she would like to get the support of people from all of the
different communities. "Next time we do this, I will know a
bit more of what to expect. I want somebody to stand by me.
We all need help out there. Even if you do not receive home
care, but know of someone who does, we would appreciate your
support," she said. Ms. Bouillon added she has already received
some offers of support to organize the next protest, and will
spread the word in the various communities when the time comes.
Anyone wishing to support Ms. Bouillon is asked to contact her
at (705) 673-5009.
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