James Francis "Frank" Drea was a Canadian journalist, broadcaster, politician and racehorse enthusiast.
21 Facts About Frank Drea
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Frank Drea was a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1971 to 1985 representing the riding of Scarborough Centre.
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Frank Drea served as a cabinet minister in the government of Premier Bill Davis.
4.
Frank Drea was hired by the Toronto Telegram in 1955, and was a long-time reporter and columnist at the paper.
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Frank Drea returned to the Telegram in 1965 as the paper's Action Line columnist, serving as an early consumer advocate.
6.
Frank Drea remained with the newspaper until shortly before its demise in 1971.
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Frank Drea served with Dale Goldhawk as an outspoken, open-line host at CHIC Radio in Brampton, Ontario, and worked for CTV on the public affairs program W5.
8.
Frank Drea was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in the 1971 provincial election as the Progressive Conservative Member of Provincial Parliament for Scarborough Centre.
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Frank Drea defeated incumbent New Democrat Margaret Renwick by 4,873 votes.
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Frank Drea was re-elected with smaller pluralities in the 1975 and 1977 elections, and by a larger percentage in 1981.
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Frank Drea initiated reforms in the province's system of jails, including the closure of the original Don Jail.
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On entering cabinet, Frank Drea publicly revealed his battle with alcoholism, pledging to stop drinking in order to set an example for prisoners.
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Frank Drea briefly gave up his cabinet position from September 29,1983, to November 21,1983.
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Frank Drea served in cabinet until Bill Davis retired as Premier of Ontario in 1985.
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Frank Drea supported Roy McMurtry's bid to succeed Davis as party leader, and voted for Larry Grossman on the second ballot following McMurtry's elimination.
16.
Frank Drea supported Frank Miller over Grossman on the third and final ballot.
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Frank Drea explained that he had planned to support Miller after McMurtry's elimination, and only went to Grossman for one ballot on McMurtry's recommendation.
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Frank Drea was not re-appointed to Miller's cabinet and instead served as parliamentary assistant to the premier.
19.
Frank Drea was disappointed at being dropped from cabinet and decided not to run in the 1985 election.
20.
Frank Drea was appointed to the Ontario Municipal Board by Miller in May 1985.
21.
Frank Drea remained chairman until 1994 when Bob Rae's NDP government decided not to reappoint him.