Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley, 80, died Friday afternoon following a brief illness.
Bradley leaves behind a legacy of public service that has helped shape the course of Niagara and Ontario.
Before he died, Bradley shared his thoughts with Niagara residents.
鈥淭o the people of St. Catharines and Niagara: thank you for the trust and confidence you have placed in me to represent you over the years at city council, at regional council, and at the provincial legislature,” Bradley said in a statement.
“Our system of democracy is a true treasure, and I have always regarded it as a great honour to be able to advocate for the needs and desires of our city, our region, and our province.
鈥淢y wish is that the important work of council will continue in the same spirit of co-operation and mutual respect that we have worked so hard to achieve.
鈥淭o all of you who have reached out to me in friendship, camaraderie and kindness, not only during my illness, but throughout my career in politics: please know that you have been a great source of comfort and encouragement in so many ways, and I have deeply treasured our time together.鈥
TVO is reporting that Bradley was suffering from liver cancer and decided to seek medical assistance in dying Friday.
Niagara emergency medical services paramedics took Bradley to hospital on Aug. 26 following a Niagara Transit Commission meeting at regional headquarters in Thorold.
Bradley鈥檚 chief of staff, Andrew Korchok, said the symptoms resolved themselves quickly and Bradley returned home later that evening. However, three days later, on Aug. 29, Bradley experienced new symptoms, and he returned to hospital.
St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe finished runner-up for the Progressive Conservatives in the 2014 provincial election against Bradley, a Liberal stalwart.
鈥淚 was on the microphone at the Grape and Wine Festival, and I joked that Jennie Stevens and I are two members of an illustrious club who were beaten by Jim Bradley,鈥 Siscoe said.
鈥淗e would run hard against you, but you could still be friends when it was over. That鈥檚 the type of person Jim was.
“I was very proud to call him my colleague over the last couple of years, and I messaged the premier earlier today to let him know.鈥
Flags at Niagara Region headquarters will be lowered in his memory. Funeral details will be announced in the coming days.
The interim regional chair鈥檚 position will be held by councillors in alphabetical order on a rotating monthly basis for the time being, Korchok said.
Port Colborne Coun. Vance Badawey chaired the regional council meeting Thursday. Welland Coun. Pat Chiocchio is next on the list after Welland Mayor Frank Campion declined.
Bradley was elected to regional council in 2018. He led reforms that improved accountability and transparency following the administration of former chair Alan Caslin and CAO Carmen D鈥橝ngelo, which led to a report from the provincial Ombudsman titled 鈥淚nside Job鈥 after investigative reporting by the St. Catharines Standard.
Siscoe said the community always came first for Bradley.
鈥淛im came in and helped steady the ship in Niagara when we needed him most, and he did a great job,鈥 Siscoe said.
The Region chief administrative officer, Ron Tripp, said Bradley dedicated his life to public service, with a lasting legacy that far exceeds his time as regional chair.
“We will all fondly remember his unwavering commitment to staff, his valued friendship, and his passionate advocacy and support for the work of Niagara Region,” Tripp said. “We extend our deepest condolences to his extended family and friends on this tremendous loss for our community.鈥
Bradley was reappointed as regional chair by the provincial government in 2022 after running successfully for a second term on council.
Born in the Sudbury area in 1945, Bradley鈥檚 55-year career in public life began when he was elected to St. Catharines city council at the age of 25 in 1970.
He went on to represent the community as MPP from 1977 to 2018. Over his 41 years at Queen鈥檚 Park 鈥 the second-longest tenure in Ontario history 鈥 he held several senior cabinet roles and earned the affectionate title, 鈥淒ean of the Legislature.鈥
As Ontario鈥檚 Minister of the Environment from 1985 to 1990, Bradley introduced the landmark Spills Bill, holding polluters accountable and protecting waterways, and oversaw the launch of the world鈥檚 first Blue Box recycling program, which became a model around the globe.
Throughout his time as an MPP, Bradley played a pivotal role in securing investments for the development of the St. Catharines hospital and the Walker Family Cancer Centre, as well as creation of the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, projects that strengthened both health care and cultural life in the city, the Region said.
Bradley also championed major infrastructure and educational initiatives that helped modernize St. Catharines and improve the quality of life for its residents.
Beyond his many official roles, Bradley was known for his humility, civility and deep respect for people at every level of politics, Korchok said.
Bradley鈥檚 love of sports was also well documented. He held Buffalo Sabres season tickets and would often attend 海角社区官网Maple Leafs and Blue Jays games, as well as major sporting events across North America. He was also a fixture at local and youth sporting events.聽
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