Jeff Yurek

Jeff Yurek
Ontario Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
In office
June 20, 2019 – June 18, 2021
Premier Doug Ford
Preceded by Rod Phillips
Succeeded by David Piccini
Minister of Transportation
In office
November 5, 2018 – June 20, 2019
Premier Doug Ford
Preceded by John Yakabuski
Succeeded by Caroline Mulroney
Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry
In office
June 29, 2018 – November 5, 2018
Premier Doug Ford
Preceded by Nathalie Des Rosiers
Succeeded by John Yakabuski
Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament
for Elgin—Middlesex—London
In office
October 6, 2011 – February 28, 2022
Preceded by Steve Peters
Succeeded by Rob Flack
Personal details
Born September 27, 1971
St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada
Political party Progressive Conservative
Spouse Jenn Yurek
Children 1
Residence(s) St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada
Occupation Pharmacist

Jeffrey Thomas Yurek (born 1971) is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario who represented the riding of Elgin—Middlesex—London. He was an MPP between 2011-2022.

Background

Yurek was born and raised in St. Thomas, Ontario. He worked as a pharmacist in a family business with his brother. He lives with his wife Jenn and their daughter.

Politics

Yurek ran in the 2011 provincial election as the Progressive Conservative candidate in the riding of Elgin—Middlesex—London. He defeated Liberal candidate Laurie Baldwin-Sands by 8,696 votes. He was re-elected in the 2014 provincial election defeating NDP candidate Kathy Cornish by 8,820 votes.

He was previously the party's health critic and later served in cabinet.

He put forward a private member's bill, that was passed unanimously, allowing students to carry lifesaving medicines on their person. The bill was named 'Ryan's Law', after a student died from having his medical inhaler locked in the principal's office

On June 20, 2019, he was named Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

On January 7, 2022, Yuruk announced that he wouldn't be seeking a 4th term and he would resign his seat at the end of February. He was succeeded by Rob Flack in the 2022 Ontario general election.

Election results

2018 Ontario general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Jeff Yurek 29,264 55.46 +8.32
New Democratic Amanda Stratton 16,923 32.07 +5.84
Liberal Carlie Forsythe 3,857 7.31 -12.66
Green Bronagh Morgan 2,029 3.85 -1.08
Libertarian Richard Styve 300 0.57
Freedom Dave Plumb 278 0.53 -1.20
Objective Truth Henri Barrette 116 0.22
Total valid votes 52,767 99.02
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 524 0.98
Turnout 53,291 59.45
Eligible voters 89,636
Progressive Conservative hold Swing +1.24
Source: Elections Ontario
2014 Ontario general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Jeff Yurek 20,946 46.36 -1.50
New Democratic Kathy Cornish 12,034 26.63 +4.36
Liberal Serge Lavoie 9,183 20.32 -6.49
Green John Fisher 2,236 4.95 +2.58
Freedom Clare Maloney 784 1.74 +1.05
Total valid votes 45,183 100.0  
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 682 1.51
Turnout 45,865 54.00
Eligible voters 84,970
Progressive Conservative hold Swing -2.93
Source: Elections Ontario
2011 Ontario general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Jeff Yurek 19,771 47.86 +17.40
Liberal Lori Baldwin-Sands 11,075 26.81 -22.26
New Democratic Kathy Cornish 9,201 22.27 +10.89
Green Eric Loewen 981 2.37 -5.85
Freedom Paul McKeever 283 0.69 -0.17
Total valid votes 41,311 100.00
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 154 0.37
Turnout 41,465 51.28
Eligible voters 80,858
Progressive Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +19.83
Source: Elections Ontario

Cabinet positions