Robert Elgie

Robert Goldwin Elgie (January 22, 1929 – April 3, 2013) was a Canadian lawyer, surgeon and politician. Elgie was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 1977 and sat as the member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for York East until 1985. A member of the Progressive Conservative (PC) Party, Elgie served in the provincial cabinet from 1978 to 1985, notably as Minister of Labour. He was a member of the Ontario Press Council from 2001, serving as chair from 2006 until his death.

Early life and career Robert Elgie was born in Toronto, Ontario. His father, Goldwin Elgie, was also a MPP in the 1930s and 1940s. After graduating from the University of Toronto Schools, he received his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from the University of Western Ontario in 1950, his law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School and his medical degree from the University of Ottawa. He trained as both a lawyer and neurosurgeon, and worked in the medical field.

Despite serving and supporting the Tories for much of his life, Elgie's left leaning ideologies led him away from the conservative party later in his life. During the Mike Harris government of the 1990s, Elgie complained that the Ontario Progressive Conservatives had become too right-wing.

Elgie was named to the Order of Canada in 2003.

Family Bob Elgie married his wife Nancy in 1956, and she became an integral part of his life and career. Nancy, a psychologist by trade, served as a school trustee (and vice chair 2011-13 and 2015) in the York Region District School Board. Together they raised 5 children, and despite his many careers, Bob always did his best to make time for his family. Elgie helped create a loving home and taught his children that those who are born into fortunate circumstances are expected to give back to society. His eldest daughter, Allyson, is a psychologist who runs a provincial assessment and research centre, The Regional Assessment and Resource Centre, which provides supports to post-secondary students with disabilities. His eldest son, Stewart, is an environmental lawyer and economist, founder of the Sierra Legal Defence Fund, and a professor at the University of Ottawa. In 2007 Stewart founded Sustainable Prosperity, a national environment-economy research and policy think tank. His second son, William ("Bill"), retired as the Director of the Upper Canada College Norval Outdoor School and a leader in the Outdoor Education community. Their youngest son, Peter, is a teacher and has run for the Green Party of Canada and has been deputy leader of the Green Party of Ontario. His youngest daughter, Catherine, is a nurse. Between his 5 children, Robert Elgie was also grandfather to 13 grandchildren.