that urban-based "Red Tories" would be more likely to support labour issues than the Liberal Party (which was then dominated by rural members). Mackenzie served as his party's Labour Critic from 1985 to 1990. In government The NDP won a majority government in the 1990 provincial election, and Mackenzie was appointed as the province's Minister of Labour on October 1 of that year. In 1992, he helped navigate the passage of Bill 40, which introduced anti-scab provisions during strikes and other positions supported by the labour movement. The bill became law on January 1, 1993, and is generally regarded as one of the most labour-friendly bills in recent Ontario history. Mackenzie also introduced legislation dealing with pay equity for nurses and child-care attendants, and extended unionization rights to farm workers. In 1993, he accepted the Rae government's Social Contract legislation as necessary for the province. In office, Mackenzie was known as a passionate supporter of labour interests within cabinet. Journalist Thomas Walkom recounted the following story in his book, Rae Days: "At one early cabinet meeting, for instance, Mackenzie had just finished delivering a passionate plea for aid to jobless Steelworkers in the hard-hit uranium-mining town of Elliot Lake. Suddenly Energy minister Jenny Carter spoke up. "Why bother?" said the Peterborough anti-nuclear activist. "They'll all be dead of cancer soon anyway." Mackenzie, according to one participant at the meeting, was so furious he literally lunged across the cabinet table at the hapless Carter. Luckily, it was a wide table." There was some controversy in early 1994 when Mackenzie's son David was hired as a special advisor to the Premier's office. Mackenzie resigned as Labour Minister on October 20, 1994, and did not seek re-election in 1995. Cabinet positions Later life In 2004, Mackenzie supported Andrea Horwath's successful campaign to replace Agostino in a by-election. Mackenzie died on January 17, 2011, at the age of 82. References External links 1928 births 2011 deaths Canadian socialists Members of the Executive Council of Ontario New Democratic Party candidates for the Canadian House of Commons Ontario New Democratic Party MPPs People from Orillia Politicians from Hamilton, Ontario