and Rural Affairs didn't go unnoticed. The ministry became one of the top ministries under his reign as Minister. In 1996, the Harris government reduced the number of provincial ridings from 130 to 103. This change meant that a number of sitting Members of Provincial Parliament had to compete against one another for re-election. Villeneuve faced incumbent Liberal John Cleary in the new riding of Stormont—Dundas—Charlottenburgh, and lost by only 562 votes in a closely watched contest. Cabinet positions After politics In 2000, Villeneuve was appointed a Justice of the Peace. However he suffered a non-fatal but severe stroke in 2002. He resided at home with his wife Elaine as his caregiver for approximately 16yrs, then moved to the Maxville Manor where he resided for 2yrs prior to his death on Feb. 28, 2018. References Notes Citations External links 1938 births 2018 deaths Farmers from Ontario Franco-Ontarian people Members of the Executive Council of Ontario People from Cornwall, Ontario Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario MPPs