as minister without portfolio. In February 1970, he was promoted to Minister of Financial and Commercial Affairs. In March 1971 he was shuffled to Minister of Health. During his time as Minister, he began to promote the idea of no-fault insurance, the first time it was discussed in the province. Lawrence felt that the current system was unfair to consumers as judgments were applied unevenly. While he felt this would benefit consumers he did not push hard on the issue due to his mindfulness of Ontario Insurance companies. He ran in the 1971 leadership convention to succeed Robarts, and came in fifth place. The new premier, Bill Davis, appointed him as Minister of Health. In February 1972, he was assigned to the super-ministry post of Provincial Secretary for Resource Development. In March 1972, he flew to Cuba on a government jet to talk about trade. He defended the trip because he met with Cuban government officials and said that he had opened a number of doors. He was roundly criticized in the media and his influence was diminished as a result. In 1974 he said, "At that time, the government, the media and the public were much more resentful of Cuba's political position than they are today, and they were less appreciative of the trade opportunities than they are today." Lawrence was dropped from cabinet altogether in February 1974. He decided to retire from the legislature later on in September. He returned to his law practice. He attempted a move to federal politics by running as the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada candidate for Ottawa—Carleton in the 1980 federal election but was defeated by Liberal Jean-Luc Pépin. Cabinet positions References External links 1923 births 2007 deaths Canadian Army personnel of World War II Canadian Army officers Members of the Executive Council of Ontario Politicians from Calgary Canadian military personnel from Alberta Royal Military College of Canada alumni Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario MPPs Canadian recipients of the Military Cross Progressive Conservative Party of Canada candidates for the Canadian House of Commons Candidates in the 1980 Canadian federal election 14th Canadian Hussars 14th Canadian Hussars officers