Broadcaster and former Ontario lieutenant governor David Onley, who died this weekend at the age of 72, is being remembered as a courageous advocate for disability issues whose warm personality endeared him to many.
Onley became the 28th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario in 2007 after a long career in television.
Toronto television pioneer Moses Znaimer, who hired Onley to work as a reporter and anchor at City TV in the 1980s, remembered him as someone whose insights made the organization richer.
“Almost everyone remembered for their greatness has had to overcome obstacles along the way. If they suffered a weakness in one area, it required compensation in another. As extraordinary as David Onley was, he would be the first to tell you that there are many others like him. Every community is only as strong as it is diverse,” Znaimer wrote.
“The perspective and tenacity that people with disabilities need to succeed often lead to original insights, and society would be well served to foster this resource.” RIP ol’ friend.”
Onley will also continue to anchor CP24 when the station launches.
In an interview with CP24 Sunday, Newstalk 1010 host John Moore remembered Onley as someone who served as a mentor to new journalists and who had a way of making everyone he spoke to feel special.
“I mean, aside from his groundbreaking work as a journalist and as lieutenant governor, he was just the model of a guy who was always more curious about you than any question you could ever ask him,” Moore said.
Moore said that while it was important for Onley to highlight disability issues, he “never let any of that stop him” and went on to have an amazing career.
“I think it’s also worth emphasizing … how many young reporters he mentored, because I don’t think it can be overemphasized, first of all, that he was a great journalist, but he was also one of the kindest people I’ve ever met,” Moore said. “I mean, he’s the kind of guy who’s so sweet and enthusiastic in character that you start to feel ashamed yourself for ever having a moment of negativity.”
Although he was known for his kindness and warmth, he still had an “edge” when it came to fighting for the rights of people with disabilities, former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said.
“He was anxious for us as a society to do the right thing,” Wynn told CP24 in an interview Sunday.
She recalled first meeting Onley in the 1990s, when he was a reporter and she was an advocate for parents in the school system.
“He was a journalist and was often very excited that he couldn’t get to the top floor of a school or a building to be part of the press. And I think that anger fueled his activism.
When he was appointed to lead a provincial affordability review commission, he “didn’t sugar coat” his reports, Winn recalled. But she added that he is bipartisan and willing to work with anyone to make things better for people with disabilities.
She said his reports are clear and help others see what should be obvious.
“I remember thinking we should have had them here all along,” Wynn said, recalling the moment the government added ramps to the grand staircase at Queen’s Park on Onley’s recommendation. “You know, it was obvious that no one who uses a scooter or who has mobility issues is going to be able to get up those stairs.”
It also helped serve as a role model for others who would continue to fight for greater accessibility.
Speaking to CP24, Accessibility Act Alliance for Ontarians with Disabilities Chair David Lepofsky said Onley helped him get into public advocacy.
He said he first met Onley 28 years ago after Mike Harris, then running for premier, made comments about the disabled community.
“Onley picked up the story, interviewed me about it—I was completely new to this kind of public advocacy,” Lepofsky recalls. “But then he tracked down Mike Harris and waited outside a radio station until he showed up and set him up for an interview to get him to answer. So he didn’t just symbolize what we can do, he put it into action.
He said the message Onley helped send with his work still resonates now.
“David Onley’s message to Ontarians and indeed all Canadians is one that still resonates today, and it is the message that we must break down the barriers that unfairly prevent people with all disabilities from fully participating in what our great country can to offer,” Lepofsky said.
In a statement released early Sunday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he was saddened to learn of Onley’s death.
“Mr. Onley served the province with honor and distinction from 2007 to 2014. As lieutenant governor and throughout his life, he worked tirelessly to raise public awareness of accessibility issues, encouraging people to ‘see the abilities, not the disability,” Ford said. “He was also a great advocate for expanding reconciliation efforts with Ontario’s Indigenous peoples in his role as representative of the Crown, work that continues to this day.”
Toronto Mayor John Tory also released a statement on Twitter, calling Onley “gracious and dedicated” and a “champion” of disability issues who has contributed to the community in many ways.
“Beginning with his time as a respected broadcaster, he remained sane and as such retained the respect and affection of people everywhere,” Torrey wrote. “He will be missed.”
Tory said flags will be flown at half-staff at Toronto City Hall and at Toronto community centers until a state funeral is held for Onley at a date yet to be announced.
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