Monte Kwinter, record-breaking politician who ‘championed’ the Jewish community, dies at 92

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 25, for Monte Kwinter, the long-serving Toronto politician who set the record as the oldest sitting MPP in Ontario’s legislature. Kwinter, who came from a family of Polish immigrant butchers in Kensington Market, was re-elected nine times for the Liberals in the heavily Jewish riding of York Centre—and, before that, Wilson Heights, as it was previously named. Kwinter held five cabinet posts in his 33-year career. A proud Jew, he brought Holocaust remembrance and Jewish observance into Ontario’s parliament, and fought for extending government funding for Jewish private schools, although it was a fight he would ultimately lose. On today’s The CJN Daily, we look at Kwinter’s legacy with journalist Steve Paikin, host of TVO’s The Agenda; lawyer Alf Kwinter, Monte’s cousin; and Peter Shurman, a former Conservative MPP who served with Kwinter for years.

What we talked about

• Learn more about Monte Kwinter in the archives of The CJN from 2013 and 2017, when he became the oldest sitting MPP in Ontario.
• Monte Kwinter was one of the Jewish politicians who shaped Canada, in The CJN.
• Watch Monte Winter’s funeral on Tuesday July 25, 2023 on YouTube at 10 a.m.

Credits

The CJN Daily is written and hosted by Ellin Bessner (@ebessner on Twitter). Zachary Kauffman is the producer. Michael Fraiman is the executive producer. Our intern is Ashok Lamichhane (@jesterschest on Twitter).Our theme music is by Dov Beck-Levine. Our title sponsor is Metropia. We’re a member of The CJN Podcast Network. To subscribe to this podcast, please watch this video. Donate to The CJN and receive a charitable tax receipt by clicking here