Former premier Rae calls Bob Huget ‘hardworking’ and ‘a lovely man’

Former NDP premier Bob Rae has fond memories of Bob Huget, calling him a lovely man" and one of the most respected members of the legislature."

He said Huget - who died June 1 at age 75 at St. Peter's Hospital - was with him in the summer of 1990 when they received a forecast of where their lives were to go on Sept. 6, 1990, when the New Democrats won the Ontario election and formed its first government.

It happened in Sarnia, where Huget served as president of Local 800 of the Energy and Chemical Workers and was the NDP candidate. It involved then Sarnia MPP, Progressive Conservative Andy Brandt, who had served as interim leader before Mike Harris was elected in May 1990.

As a member of the Class of 90,' I vividly remember campaigning with him that summer," Rae, now Canada's ambassador to the United Nations in New York, said in an email to The Spectator.

I was the guest of honour at a large tattoo - a gathering of bagpipers - when Andy Brandt said to me, standing next to me, Say hello to your next MPP.' As I smiled, he said to Bob, Say hello to your premier.'"

This was like some kind of premonition for both of us. Bob came out of labour to serve as Sarnia MPP and could not have been a more decent and hardworking representative."

Huget moved to Hamilton after losing re-election in 1995 and served as Ontario vice-president of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers. He was involved with headline stories such as the closure of the Oakville Petro-Canada plant in 2003, closure of the Cornwall Domtar paper mill in 2005, closure of the Oakville GE Lamp Plant in 2009, reducing capacity at the AbitibiBowater paper company in 2009, and the sale of CHCH-TV to new owners in 2009. CEP merged with the CAW to form Unifor in 2013.

Huget remained active with the NDP in Hamilton. He was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) after years of smoking, and began having health problems in 2007. He served on the Lung Health Support Group and St. Joseph's COPD Working Group. He had surgery in 2010 and, since 2011, was a patient adviser at St. Joseph's Healthcare. In the latter role, he helped promote greater engagement between patients and medical staff

St. Joseph's lowered its flag to half-mast on June 8 in honour of Huget.

Bob dedicated many years of service not only for the patients at St. Joe's, but for all our community," it said in a statement. Bob showed us that the best way to change patient care is by listening to their stories. Bob was a great leader and a role model."

Huget, who lived on the south Mountain, served as chair of the Butler-Eleanor Residents Opposed to Sonoma Towers Group. It formed in 2018 over a developer's plan to build four towers with more than 300 units.

Rae said Huget had a deep commitment to equality and social justice, and a quiet, self-deprecating sense of humour.

I work very hard at trying to move the yardstick ahead, whether that's for fair wages, health and safety issues or working conditions," Huget told the Sarnia Observer in 2005. I take a great deal of pleasure in making sure we have some social justice in the province."

Huget was born in Regina on May 28, 1947. He worked in Alberta and British Columbia before he came to Sarnia to work for Shell Oil. After his election, he served as parliamentary assistant to the minister of energy (1991 to 1993) and parliamentary assistant to the minister of environment and energy (1993 to 1994). He became minister without portfolio responsible for international trade in August 1994. He replaced Hamilton West MPP Richard Allen.

Huget is survived by his wife Lori Mackenzie, daughter Susannah Huget and his sister Linda Nagel.

Daniel Nolan can be reached at dannolanwrites@gmail.com