Gord Mills

Gordon Lewis Mills (March 30, 1928 – June 4, 2004) was a politician in Ontario, Canada. He served as a New Democratic member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1990 to 1995 who represented the eastern Ontario riding of Durham East.

Background Mills was born in Brighton, England. He worked on a farm and cared for his aging parents. After they died in 1957 he relocated to Canada with his wife Cecilia and their two children. Upon arrival in Canada, he joined the army and served for 21 years and was posted to bases in Canada and Europe. During his time in the military he worked as an intelligence officer and military policeman. He received a General Service Medal from NATO (1964–67), a Canadian Forces Decoration (1970), and a United Nations medal (1971).

After he left the army he worked as a tax auditor for the Ontario government. He had just retired from that job when he accepted the nomination as the New Democratic Party candidate in Durham East.

The NDP won a majority government in this election and he was appointed as the parliamentary assistant to the Solicitor-General.

In 1994, he came out against the proposed Bill 167, a bill that would have extended spousal benefits to same-sex couples. He said, "Every time you walk down the street people would say 'there goes that guy that supports the queer people.'" He apologized for the remark and while there were calls for him to be removed from caucus he remained unrepentant. He said, "My life doesn't depend on being at Queen's Park, nor do I need the wages or anything. I don't have to be here... all it will mean is I pay less income tax." Premier Bob Rae allowed a free vote on the bill. He was one of 12 NDP members who voted against the legislation. The bill failed on a vote of 59 to 68.

The NDP were defeated in the 1995 provincial election. Mills was defeated in Durham East, finishing second against Progressive Conservative John O'Toole.

Later life Mills died at the Lakeridge Health Hospital in Bowmanville, Ontario, on June 4, 2004, at the age of 77. Jim Bradley, John O'Toole and Peter Kormos paid tribute to him in the legislature.