Since
1981, Tony Ruprecht, M.P.P., has represented Toronto’s west-end riding
of Parkdale as a Liberal Member of the Ontario Legislature. Born, Konstantinow,
Poland, 1942, Tony came to Canada, 1949, after attending school in Germany.
Graduating, Laurentian University, B.A. (Hons), 1969, and Wichita State
University, 1971, Tony entered the political arena in the 1970s, serving
first on the Toronto City Council before his election to the Ontario Legislature,
1981. In 1985, Tony was appointed Ontario’s first Minister Responsible
for Disabled Persons. He has also served as Minister Without Portfolio
for Citizenship and Culture, and was Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister
of Community and Social Services. Tony has also taught International Politics,
Brandon University, and Public Administration, York University. In 1990,
Tony made a unique contribution to Ontario’s historic heritage and cultural
life by publishing Toronto’s Many Faces, a 400-page guidebook to more than
65 diverse cultural communities in Toronto. The same book was updated and
republished, 1998. Tony is the recipient of numerous international honours,
including Knight of Malta, Sovereign Military Order Saint John of Jerusalem;
Estonian Gold Medal of Honour; Medal of Valour & Merit, Government
of Portugal; Polish Gold Cross of Merit; and Medal of Honour, Government
of the Philippines. In this view, centre, Tony Ruprecht, M.P.P., meets
Pope John Paul II at the Vatican to present His Holiness with a large Copernicus
painting on behalf of the Canadian-Polish Congress. [Photo, courtesy Tony
Ruprecht, M.P.P.]