Evelyn Gigantes, a former Ontario NDP MPP who served two Ottawa-area ridings from the 1970s until the 1990s and held key roles in Bob Rae’s cabinet, has passed away.
Described as a “force of nature,” she championed tenants’ rights and fought to ensure abortion services remained accessible, Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles shared on social media Saturday following her death.
“Her courage and her refusal to stay quiet made a real difference in this province that we still feel today,” Stiles wrote.
Gigantes first entered the Ontario legislature in 1975, winning a byelection in what was then Carleton East.
She won re-election two years later. After losing in 1981, she returned to politics by winning a byelection in Ottawa Centre in 1984 and again took her seat in the provincial election of 1985.
Following another defeat, Gigantes reclaimed her riding in 1990 when the Ontario NDP achieved power for the first time ever.
She subsequently served as both housing and health minister under Rae’s cabinet. This marked her last term in provincial politics as both she and the Ontario NDP were defeated in 1995.
The party announced that Gigantes died on January 16. She was 83 years old.
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