Peter Kormos, the former provincial politician and
Niagara Regional Council member, died this past weekend at the age of 60. Mr.
Kormos was not widely known beyond his region of the province, outside of NDP
circles, or those who follow politics. He was a household name in Niagara and a
friend and ally to NDP stalwarts. To me, he was my political hero.
Unlike many of the tributes to Peter Kormos I did not
know the man personally, and I see little value in presenting his biography.
Instead, I would like to share what I view as my history with the former MPP
for Welland.
When I was fourteen or fifteen years old I took my first
serious interest in politics. If I recall correctly, I always found it
fascinating, but I dedicated to learning all I could about our political system
and how it operated. My interest in Canadian and Ontarian politics actually
grew out of an obsession with American politics. The Iraq War and the
controversial presidency of George W. Bush had been a real catalyst to my
political awakening. I was slower to warm to Canadian politics, and less so the
provincial scene; truly ironic where most of my focus is given today.
One of the early ways I educated myself was by watching
the Ontario Legislative Assembly on cable television. Clearly, if I did not yet
seem to be a strange teenager that should seal it. While I had my opinions I
had yet to find a political party and so I wanted in part to learn and to
understand how a parliament works.
This was the early McGuinty years. The media portrayal
and opposition criticism of his government is what built by anti-Liberal bias
and a respect for the Tories and New Democrats. The ONDP was in a pretty sorry
state at that time. They were not even an official political party having lost
too many seats in the previous election.
There was one politician in particular that caught my
attention. Peter Kormos was a superb parliamentarian. He would rise in the
Legislature and truly eviscerate the government. His critique was sharp and
fought for justice and fairness. One particular issue stuck in my head. The
ONDP were pushing for support of special education programs for children with
autism. McGuinty had promised to continue the funding, and then ended it. I
didn’t understand what autism was at the time, but Kormos’ championing of the
little guy spoke to me. He was arguably the best orator in the chamber and had
a unique flourish and style that was wonderful to watch.
Without Peter Kormos I might not be a New Democrat today.
He drew me into the party and firmly aligned me to notion that politicians out
of power could do real good. Government is not the purpose of our elected
chambers and MPPs (or MPs) have a duty to do their utmost to represent their
constituents and what is right.
Not long after this awakening I participated in Ontario
Model Parliament as a delegate/MPP for the NDP. During one of our sessions at
Queen’s Park my teacher and a few fellow students and I were in the cafeteria.
I noticed Peter Kormos walking by and I said who he was, but was too shy and
nervous to introduce myself. What would he want with a kid like me? My teacher
chased after Mr. Kormos and introduced him to our group. I stood up and shook
his hands. They seemed gigantic and callused. My teacher told him why we were
there and he asked what I thought about the issues. I explained my position and
he listened intently before jovially bursting out in agreement. He explained
what he and the NDP were trying to do and the obstacles, but more importantly –
he listened.
Years later when I chose a university Brock was second on
my list. One of the major enticements for me there was that I could actually
live in Peter Kormos’ riding and have him be my actual MPP, and if I was lucky,
vote for the man. Sadly I never marked the ballot for Peter Kormos, but I did
join the ONDP because I wanted to help his campaign in 2011. He announced his
retirement that summer, but I still got to help choose his successor, Cindy
Forster, and meet the man again.
Over time the youthful hero-worship wore off, but it was
replaced with glowing respect. The man was a parliamentarian through the core
and exercised his elected position as a sacred duty. I got to shake his hand
again, and spoke with his briefly and he signed one of his old election signs
for me, which now rests in my room.
Perhaps the thing I liked most about Kormos was his lack
of partisanship in certain things. He was a harsh critic of Liberals,
Progressive Conservatives and the New Democrats when he thought they were doing
the wrong thing. He had his principles and he stuck to them. I am well to the
centre/right of Mr. Kormos, but I deeply respected his commitment to his
ideals.
One day we realize our heroes are human, either because
they let us down, or because they pass away. I am proud to say Peter Kormos
never let me down. He has set a standard by which I measure politicians for
greatness and we are unlikely to see the like of him for a long while.
Here are some links to obituaries and memorials dedicated
to Mr. Kormos:
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