Statement on the Passing of Michael Morris Cassidy, Third Leader of the Ontario NDP

The Ontario NDP mourns the loss of former Leader Michael Cassidy, who passed away peacefully on Sunday November 9, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Michael Cassidy was born into a family deeply committed to social justice. His father, Harry Cassidy, was a founding member of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and a pioneer in Canadian social policy. That commitment to fairness and improving people’s lives shaped Michael Cassidy’s own path, and he carried those values into public life, always standing up for working people and fighting for a fairer, more caring Ontario.

First elected as an Ottawa alderman in 1970, Michael moved to Queen's Park the following year, winning Ottawa Centre in 1971. Throughout the 1970s, he was a principled voice on issues that mattered — and on issues that took real courage. He was an early and consistent champion for LGBTQ rights, pushing for protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation when few others would.

During this decade, the Ontario NDP helped win major social reforms, including Ontario’s first rent control law, the establishment of Community Health Centres, and stronger worker protections through the Occupational Health and Safety Act. In this time, the Ontario NDP also advanced tenant rights under the Landlord and Tenant Act and championed environmental protections that led to the creation of the Ministry of the Environment.

After becoming leader of the Ontario NDP in 1978, Michael Cassidy led the party through difficult times without compromising his social democratic principles. Under his leadership, the NDP continued to champion affordable housing, rent control, labour rights, and expanded human rights protections, including early advocacy for the inclusion of sexual orientation in Ontario’s Human Rights Code. Though the 1981 election was challenging, Michael Cassidy never backed down from his values or his belief in building a fairer, more inclusive province.

Michael Cassidy stepped down as Ontario NDP Leader in 1982 and continued as MPP for Ottawa Centre until 1984, then served as federal MP for the same riding from 1984 to 1988. After leaving Parliament, Michael was appointed to the Board of Ontario Hydro by the Ontario NDP Government. When Mike Harris's government began pursuing privatization of the public utility, Michael refused to go along. He was fired for it in 1996, fought back, won reinstatement, and kept serving until 1997. Even after leaving elected office, Michael stayed active — elected to Lanark Highlands Township council in 2003, working on environmental protection including efforts to safeguard the Tay River watershed, and running Ginger Group Consultants to support labour organizations and progressive causes.

Michael Cassidy understood what this work is really about: improving the lives of Ontario’s working people. From all of us at the Ontario NDP, we send our condolences to his family, friends, and all who are mourning his loss.

Michael Cassidy's service will be at the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa (30 Cleary Avenue, Ottawa ON K2A 4A1), on Saturday, February 28th at 10:30 AM, followed by a reception.