Russell Rowe

Who was Russell Rowe?

Russell Daniel Rowe was a Canadian politician and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

He was married to Marjorie Emma and they had six children.

Rowe served as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. After leaving the military he worked as a teacher and businessman before being elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in the 1963 provincial election as the Progressive Conservative Member of Provincial Parliament for Northumberland riding.

He was appointed Deputy Speaker in 1971 by Bill Davis and also chaired the select committee on economic and cultural nationalism in Canada. In 1974, he was appointed Speaker. It was during Rowe's term that the Speaker was given the added responsibility of administering the staff and operations of the legislative buildings and grounds.

The 1975 provincial election produced Ontario's first minority government in thirty years presenting Rowe with a challenging and rowdy session. He was a popular speaker, however, considered "sweet-tempered" by MPPs on both sides of the House.

Rowe was appointed to a third term as Speaker following the 1977 election but resigned shortly into the session to resume his seat on the backbench.