Doug Rollins Explained

Doug Rollins
Office:Ontario MPP
Term Start:1995
Term End:1999
Predecessor:Hugh O'Neil
Successor:Riding abolished
Constituency:Quinte
Party:Progressive Conservative
Birth Date:7 November 1938
Death Place:Belleville, Ontario, Canada
Profession:Business owner
Spouse:Cheryl Rollins
Children:2
Relations:Clarke Rollins (cousin)

E.J. Douglas Rollins (November 7, 1938 – November 19, 2012) was a politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario who represented the riding of Quinte from 1995 to 1999.

Background

Rollins was active in many community organizations and served as President of the Belleville Agricultural Society and the Quinte Exhibition and Raceway. For many years he owned and operated a gas station in the east end of Belleville. His cousin, Clarke Rollins, was the MPP for neighbouring riding Hastings—Peterborough from 1955 to 1981.[1]

Politics

In the 1995 provincial election, he was elected as a Progressive Conservative in riding of Quinte, defeating Liberal George Zegouras by 2,103 votes.[2] Rollins served as a backbench supporter of the Mike Harris government for the next four years.

The Harris government reduced the number of provincial constituencies from 130 to 103 in 1996, and many sitting MPPs were forced to run against each other. Rollins ran for the Progressive Conservative nomination in the new riding of Prince Edward—Hastings, but lost to Gary Fox.[3] Fox was defeated in the June 3, 1999 election.[4]

Later life

In 2003, Rollins was appointed to the Ontario Parole Board which was seen as a patronage appointment.[5] He died from leukemia on November 19, 2012.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tribute to Clarke T. Rollins . Legislative Assembly of Ontario . Doug Rollins . November 27, 1996 . 2015-05-05 . 2017-01-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170103014444/http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/house-proceedings/house_detail.do?Date=1996-11-27&Parl=36&Sess=1&locale=en#P60_14552 . dead .
  2. Web site: Summary of Valid Ballots by Candidate . https://web.archive.org/web/20210323231914/https://results.elections.on.ca/results/1995_results/valid_votes.jsp?e_code=36&rec=0&district=quinte&flag=E&layout=G . dead . March 23, 2021 . Elections Ontario . June 8, 1995 . 2014-03-02 .
  3. News: 3 Tory MPPs lose chance to run again; Downsizing of electoral map pits incumbents against each other . Ruimy . Joel . Toronto Star . April 13, 1999 . 1.
  4. Web site: Summary of Valid Ballots by Candidate . Elections Ontario . June 3, 1999 . 2014-03-02 .
  5. News: Former MPP who gave up seat for Eves rewarded: David Tilson named OMB vice-chairman . Robert . Benzie . April . Lindgren . National Post . April 9, 2003 . A15.
  6. News: Friends, family remember Doug Rollins . Jerome . Lessard . The Intelligencer . Belleville, Ont . November 26, 2012.