Niagara Region mourns passing of Chair Jim Bradley at 80

The Niagara Region is mourning the loss of Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley.

Bradley passed away yesterday at the age of 80 after a brief illness.

Today he’s remembered as a passionate, and dedicated public servant of the community.

Bradley was one of Ontario’s longest serving provincial legislators, serving 41 years at Queen’s Park from 1977 to 2018 when he returned to local politics.

“The man had 55 years of public service. We called him the king of St. Catharines. And he was just one of the most well liked politicians around Queen’s Park,” said Political Analyst Keith Leslie.

Bradley was a liberal but never let partisan politics get in the way of his goals.

“Well, I think his biggest impact and his longest lasting legacy will be as environment minister in 1985 to 1990 under David Peterson. I mean, he made some real substantial changes that are still in effect today. He went after acid rain by threatening the industrial polluters that if they didn’t cut their sulfur dioxide emissions, he’d fine them heavily or put them out of business,” said Leslie.

As environment minister, he also brought the blue box to the province – the first program of its kind in North America.

Bradley was first elected to St. Catharines city council in 1970 when he was only 25, and elected to Niagara Regional Council 48 years later, serving as the regional chair.

“I don’t even think you can calculate how big of a loss it is. Jim was politics in St. Catharines and Niagara. I’ve said this a few times over the last 24 hours, we were in a really difficult place in 2018 and Jim Bradley was the only person who could come in and right the ship, and he did. He has been a friend and mentor to so many of us. It’s still sinking in and I’m going to miss him a lot,” said St. Catharines mayor Mat Siscoe.

Bradley remarkably spent the majority of his life – 55 years – serving the community.

“I think it is indeed – he truly was committed to public service – not just 50 years – 55 years representing the St. Catharines area. He never married, he never had a family. He always said it was all about the work and all about serving the public – and he genuinely meant it,” said Leslie.

“With Jim you always knew that his decision making was geared around what was in the best interest of the community – and that’s something all of us have to take that lesson to heart and recognize how important a path it was that he forged,” said Siscoe.

In a message Bradley left before his death, shared by the Niagara Region, he thanks his constituents for putting their confidence in him.

“Our system of democracy is a true treasure, and I have always regarded it as a great honour to be able to advocate for the needs and desires of our city, our region, and our province,” he wrote.

The City of St. Catharines is renaming Grantham Avenue Park after Bradley – calling it Grantham Jim Bradley Park.

WATCH MORE: Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley passes away at 80