John Chataway

John E. Chataway
MLA for Chester-St. Margaret's
In office
July 27, 1999 – December 31, 2004
Preceded byHinrich Bitter-Suermann
Succeeded byJudy Streatch
Personal details
BornMarch 3, 1947
DiedDecember 31, 2004(2004-12-31) (aged 57)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Political partyProgressive Conservative

John Edward Chataway (March 3, 1947 – December 31, 2004) was a Canadian politician and Progressive Conservative Member of the Nova Scotia Legislative Assembly for Chester-St. Margaret's from July 1999 until his death, and a cabinet minister.

Early life and education

Chataway was a graduate of Waterloo Lutheran University (now Wilfrid Laurier University). He taught school in Nova Scotia and was a long-time municipal councillor.

Political career

After his election as MLA in 1999, Chataway was named Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, and Minister of Human Resources.[1] Some of his constituents in Chester alleged he was a slum landlord,[2] a charge he denied. Chataway sold his interests in the properties to take away any appearance or hint of a conflict of interest,[3] but resigned the Housing and Municipal Affairs portfolio on September 23, after meeting with Premier John Hamm, where both agreed that his ability to carry out his duties, specifically in that portfolio, has been eroded.[4] He retained the Human Resources portfolio and added the Environment portfolio in a December 1999 cabinet shuffle.[5]

Death

His health had been in decline since a brain aneurysm in February 2000.[6] He resigned from cabinet for health reasons in January 2001, but stayed on as MLA.[7] He suffered a stroke while visiting his sister, Joan, in Toronto in December 2004, and died a few days later.[8][9]

Personal life

He was a descendant of the Chataway who surveyed the Manitoba–Ontario border, distant cousin of Christopher Chataway, and a great admirer of Winston Churchill. He attended high school in Lindsay, Ontario, and was treasurer of the student council. His twin brother, Rick, was vice-president. Inspired by his cousin, Chris, he was a very good distance runner. Chataway was very active in historical preservation efforts in the Chester area. He was an excellent amateur auctioneer, much in demand for charity fundraisers.

References

  1. ^ "John Hamm Names New Cabinet". Government of Nova Scotia. 13 August 1999. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  2. ^ "Nova Scotia minister accused of being slum landlord". CBC News. 2 September 1999. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  3. ^ "Chataway sells stake in Chester properties". CBC News. 9 September 1999. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  4. ^ "Chataway leaves housing minister's post". South Shore Now. 29 September 1999. Archived from the original on 7 July 2014.
  5. ^ "Nova Scotia cabinet shuffled". CBC News. 30 December 1999. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  6. ^ "Chataway in stable condition after aneurysm". CBC News. 15 February 2000. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  7. ^ "John Chataway resigns from Cabinet". CBC News. 4 January 2001. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Chester-St. Margarets MLA John Chataway dies of stroke". South Shore Now. 5 January 2005. Archived from the original on 7 July 2014.
  9. ^ "Chataway 'a man for all seasons'". The Chronicle Herald. 2 January 2005. Archived from the original on 5 January 2005. Retrieved 10 June 2015.