The late Bernard Newman was a family
man who dedicated his life to the improvement of his community. Being a
high energy person he would totally commit himself to his parliamentary
and constituency obligations yet still have time for his family. Since
he believed in doing rather than watching and his interests were wide ranging,
he would expose his family to as many different activities and experiences
possible.
The following biography was written by Mr. Newman's granddaughter, Candace, as a project for her grade 10 Social Science class in 1991.
This document includes many photos. Be sure see to see additional photos, news clippings etc. at the end of this text.
Hct 2Al, F.J. Brennan High School
Bernard Newman M. P. P
The topic for my seminar is Mr. Bernard Newman.
As a politician he has devoted his life for the improvement of the community.
Because of his devotion and his achievements I felt he would be a worthy
topic for research. The following is a result of that research.
Personal
Early Life
Bernard Newman was born on August 4, 1914, in Windsor Ontario. He was the son of William and Anna Newman. He had three brothers and one sister. Al Newman, the oldest brother, a former teacher of Patterson High School is his only surviving sibling. Bernard Newman had a great interest in sports especially gymnastics. He became a star athlete and excellent student.
Education
Bernard Newman attended De Santis Elementary School, Patterson and Kennedy High Schools. He graduated from Grade 13 at the age of 15 and continued on to graduate from Assumption College at the age of 18 as Canada's youngest University graduate.
He received his specialist in Physical and Health Education and became the first classroom instructor in Driver Education for Windsor's Youth. He was an instructor in English for New Canadians for over 6 years. Mr. Newman was also a lieutenant in the Canadian Armed Services and is fluent in numerous languages.
Political Life
His political experience is far ranging beginning with first being elected to Windsor City Council in 1954. He was then re-elected in 1956 while in Australia as the Coach of Canada's Olympic Gymnastics Team. He was re-elected to the City Council for a 3rd term in 1958.
After a successful career teaching high school and bringing international fame to Canada as a gymnastics coach, Newman embarked on a political career when he was first elected to the legislature in 1959 as a fledgling Liberal M.P.P. Following that he was elected to the Parliament of Ontario in 1963 - 1967 - 1971 - 1975 and 1977 consecutively.
He was a member of innumerable parliamentary committees and appointed by the Premier in 1963 to "The Select Committee on Youth." Bernard Newman was appointed by the Premier in 1967 to "The Select Committee on Election Laws." and appointed by the Premier in 1971 to "The Select Committee on the Use of Educational Facilities."
He was the first Opposition member to be appointed
Chairman of the Procedural Affairs Committee in 1976 and became a demanding
but impressive Deputy Whip.
The Campaign
All throughout his life, Newman believed that a Positive Representative is what his constituents expected and he fulfilled this to the end of his political career. Bernard Newman was the first to agree that what Windsor-Walkerville must have is Positive Representation and he attempted to provide that with an intelligent, open-minded and progressive attitude. This is the kind of representation he gave his riding all through his political career.
He defined Positive Representation as listening
and aiming grievances and complaints at the right targets. "It is standing
up on the floor of the Legislature and hammering at problems others would
Like to ignore. It is overcoming indifferences and getting action! It is
the proper combination of the enterprise and energy of youth, together
with the weapons of experience." A statement he lived by in political life. 
Newman continued to speak on: demanding more aid for senior citizens, fighting for same treatment for Windsor as for Toronto, fighting for more housing, pleading for action on High Cost of Living, pushing car safety, criticising government's lack of action, fighting for Mental Hospitals, fighting for Physical Fitness, asking for more student aid, pushing rent cuts, property tax relief. There were many more subjects which he talked on. He spoke on over 2,000 subjects in just one year. Bernard Newman is on record in Hansard as speaking more that 3,800 times during his first eight and a half years. Only six other M.P.P's of the 108 members at the time in the Ontario Parliament spoke more often that he did.
His electoral record is impressive: in 1959 his plurality was 1,024 votes and in 1981 it was 5,565. At age 70, Bernie Newman had become one of Windsor's political legends.
With numbers as comforting as those. Newman still continued to strike a surprisingly demure pose when asked the secret of his success: "I don't have a secret - it's a four-letter word, W-O-R-K."l
Newman's work consisted of driving back and forth between Windsor and Toronto, answering phone and mail messages from constituents with problems, visiting their homes on occasion, and being Deputy Whip for the Liberals .
But the thing he is most famous for is his system
of sending out cards to his constituents. There aren't many Windsor-Walkerville
residents who haven't at one point received a birthday, anniversary, graduation,
sympathy, congratulatory or other type of greeting from his office. This
attention to constituency work has obviously endeared him to the voters,
who return him to Toronto like clockwork on each election day. While Newman's
low-key, non-controversial style may frustrate political opponents and
reporters digging for a good interview, it's a method that obviously works
for him. He never gives the impression of arrogance or disdain, conveying
instead the message that he's a hard-working, nice guy.
Community Contributions
Some of Bernard Newman's achievements are most note worthy. He was the former Treasurer on the Cerebral Palsy Association and is now an honorary life member.
He was honoured by the late Governor General Vincent Massey for volunteer work with the St. John Ambulance Association and became the recipient of the Confederation of Canada Centennial Medal for valuable service to Canada.
He taught over 5,000 certificated First Aiders
and assisted in over 60,000 Windsor cases with Municipal, Provincial, and
Federal problems. He also assisted over 1,000 17 year old boys and girls
with the Forest Ranger program .
Athletic Contributions
Bernard
Newman was honoured by the Province of Ontario for distinguished contribution
in the field of fitness and amateur sport.
He was honoured by the Windsor Coaches' Association for outstanding contribution to Windsor's High School Athletes. He was the only Canadian Coach to have developed the Most Outstanding Amateur Woman Athlete of Canada and the Most Outstanding Junior Male Athlete of Canada in 1 Year, 1954.
Mr. Newman then became founder of the Windsor
Gymnastics Club which boasts 4 Gold Medals at the Pan American Games and
11 United States National Championships. He was the coach of Canada's Most
Outstanding Amateur of 1953-1954-1955 (Mrs. Ernestine Russell Weaver who
became Coach of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team).
He coached Ed Gagnier who became the "Top Gymnastics
Coach" in the U.S. in 1970, 1971, 1973. Mr. Newman was responsible for
the silver medal success of Canada's Pan American Gymnastics team as well
as Canada's entry to the World Championships in Moscow during 1958. Mr.
Newman assisted many Windsor High School students to obtain University
Scholarships.
Recognition for Years of Service
Longevity in politics is rare so Mr. Newman was recognised with accolades on three different occasions, his 20th, 25th and 27th anniversary as a politician.
Stuart Smith, Ontario Liberal leader, is among the more than 300 expected to attend the Caboto Club banquet.
Ernestine Russell Weaver, a former Olympic gymnast trained by Newman, will be one of the guest speakers. She now teaches gymnastics at Pennsylvania State College.
Cocktails will be at 6:30 pm. and dinner at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available from Don Clarke, president of the provincial Liberal riding association, until Wednesday night. Clarke said the banquet will be, "non-political".
Stuart Smith then presented Newman a scroll listing his many achievements during his career in provincial politics.
The Twenty-fifth Anniversary
Tuesday, June 12, 1984.
Bernie Newman celebrated his 25th anniversary
of his first election to the Ontario 
legislature
with speeches of praise from all three parties.
Liberal leader at the time who was David Peterson told the legislature there was no other member in the 125-seat house "with a sense of commitment and duty" like Newman's. "I fully anticipate he will be here for another 25 years as well,"4 said Peterson.
The Twenty-Seventh Anniversary
Wednesday, June 12, 1986
Bernie Newman celebrated his 27th anniversary by getting a standing ovation in the legislature and accolades from all three political parties once again.
In a short speech to the legislature, Newman. 71, said he got into politics only to help his fellow man and that is the sole reason he remains in the legislature.
He said he could do a lot of political things and tell his colleagues about political gimmicks and tricks, but that didn't interest him. Instead, he was interested in the constituents who came to his office in droves for his help.
Newman, first e! elected in 1959, was the second-longest
sitting member in the legislature at the time, preceded only by M.P.P Ron
McNeil, who was first elected in 1958.
His Retirement
After eight successful election victories and 28 years in Queen's Park, Windsor-Walkerville M.P.P Bernie Newman ended an era with little fan-fare.
Facing the prospect of an inparty nomination struggle, the Liberal party's longest sitting member quietly announced his retirement to 25 riding executive members at the Ukrainian Provita Hall on Seminole. It brought to a close weeks of public speculation about whether 72 year old Newman would bid for a ninth term in the Legislature.
Speaking from his South Walkerville home Newman denied rumours that he'd been asked to move aside by Liberal party hierarchy or by influencing city Liberals.
Newman had hinted earlier that year that he would withdraw from politics if a spring election call wasn't made.
With his 10-month old grandson Ryan on his knee, and surrounded by pictures of his late wife, Lee, five children and their spouses and eight grandchildren, Newman said he decided to quit long before anyone had declared their candidacy.
Newman was eager to talk about city councilor Mike Ray as a possible candidate. Ray indicated to Newman last month that he'd consider running should the 28-year veteran step down.
Newman stated he'd like to spend more time with his family, especially with Ryan and his parents.
Newman, who refers to himself as an "average individual" who is "no better or different that anyone else," makes no excuses for being constituency-oriented. He also commented that he doesn't have any plans on how he'll spend his time in the future. "Maybe I'll just relax."
Important Dates in Newman's Life
Additional
photos can be seen at the end of this document.
End notes
1. Bernard Newman. A Legend stands on his record. (Windsor Star, Doug Williamson, April 20, 1985), pg A5.
2. Bernard Newman. Cascade of good wishes marks Newman's 20 years of service. Windsor Star, Joe Fox, April 28, 1979), pg 5.
3. Stuart Smith. Cascade of good wishes marks Newman's 20 years of service. Windsor Star, Joe Fox, April 28, 1979), pg 5.
4. David Peterson. Newman celebrates 25 years
in office. (Windsor Star, June 12, 1984)
Bibliography
Newspapers
1. Windsor Star. Bernard Newman - 'the people's MPP'. Fox, Joe. April 27, 1979. Page 1.
2. Windsor Star. Cascade of good wishes marks Newman's 20 years in service. Fox, Joe. April 28, 1979. Page 5.
3. Toronto Bureau. Newman celebrates 25 years in office. June 12, 1984.
4. Globe and Mail. Fancy footwork helps. Winsor, Hugh. April 20, 1985. Page A5.
5. Windsor Star. A legend stands on his record. Williamson, Doug. April 20, 1985. Page A5.
6. Windsor Star. Grits. NDP ready: Tories still seek candidates. Beneteau, Marty. October 8, 1986. Page A3.
7. Windsor Star. Newman's decision could be crucial for the Liberals. Coleman, John. Oct. 8, 1986. Page A7.
8. Windsor Star. Newman celebrates 27th year. Fox, Brian. October 8, 1986.
9. Windsor Star. Newman anoints Mike Ray as successor. Beneteau, Marty. July 9, 1987. Page A3.
10. Windsor Star. Newman calling it quits after serving for 28 years. Cairns, Alan. 1987. Page A1.
11. Windsor Star Riding Without Bernie leaves many saddened. Doelen, Chris Vander. July 8, 1987. Page 7.
12. Windsor Star. Ducharme ready for nomination. Ferguson, Rob. July 7, 1987. Page A4.
13. Windsor Star. Bernie Newman, Who will fill the gap? Thomsom, James S. July 9, 1987.
Pamphlets
1. Good Representation Deserves Your Continued Support. Re-Elect Bernard Newman, Liberal for Windsor-Walkerville.
2. Re-Elect Newman. Alderman, Athletic Coach, Father of 5. Born and Educated in Ward 3.
3. Ontario Legislative Assembly Queen's Park Report. Bernard Newman M.P.P. Windsor-Walkerville. March, 1985.
4. Re-Elect Bernard Newman Liberal Windsor-Walkerville.
5. Ontario Legislative Assembly Queen's Park Report.
Bernard Newman M.P.P. Windsor-Walkerville. Winter 86/87.
Celebrating
a victory
The NEWMAN family surround the MPP after
his election victory in 1959.
On June 26, 2003 the author, Candace Newman, was the keynote speaker at her former high school F.J. Brennan for the school's 50th graduation ceremonies. This picture, taken at those ceremonies, shows Mr. Plante, to whom this assignment was submitted, and Candace.
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