His Honour the Honourable David C. Onley

Upon his appointment as Lieutenant Governor, David Onley indicated that the overarching theme of his mandate would be accessibility. However, Mr. Onley—who experienced polio as a child and continues to live with post-polio syndrome—does not limit his focus to those with just visible disabilities. Rather, as he pointed out in his installation address: “Accessibility is that which enables people to achieve their full potential”.

Left: In 1959, a young David Onley (dressed in a blue blazer) greets Her Majesty as she visits the Ontario Society for Crippled Children in Toronto.

When David C. Onley was appointed the Queen’s representative in Ontario, his concern for people with disabilities became front page news. And when he took office on September 5, 2007, Ontario’s 28th Lieutenant Governor became the nation’s most highly placed advocate for accessibility.

The Honourable David C. Onley has championed disability issues on many fronts and for many years. Having lived with polio and post-polio syndrome since the age of three, he has broken through social barriers and become a role model.

In his 22-year career with Citytv, he was Canada’s first senior newscaster with a visible disability. A popular news anchor, host/ producer, science and technology specialist, and weatherman, he showed that ability outshines disability.

His Honour has worked tirelessly to improve accessibility for all. He has chaired the Government of Ontario’s Accessibility Standards Advisory Council, and served on the SkyDome Accessibility Council and the Air Canada Centre Accessibility Committee. He has assisted the Muki Baum Association for Multiple Disabilities, the Ontario March of Dimes, Variety Village, the Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons, and the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto.

For his public service, His Honour has been awarded the King Clancy Award for Disabled Persons, the Courage to Come Back Award, and the Positive Impact Award. He was inducted into the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame and the Scarborough Walk of Fame, and has received nine honorary degrees.

His best-selling novel Shuttle was nominated as Book of the Year in 1982 by the Periodical Distributor’s Association, and he has contributed to television, radio and publications, often with a focus on science, technology, and faith. He co-founded and was president of the Aerospace Heritage Foundation.

Born on 12 June 1950 in Midland, Ontario, His Honour attended local schools then graduated from the University of Toronto in 1975 with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He worked as an intern at Queen’s Park and attended the University of Windsor Law School.

Achievements and honours

Career highlights

Citytv: Science and weather specialist, 1984–1989
Citytv: Anchor, Breakfast Television, 1989–1995
Citytv: Education specialist, 1994–1999
CP24: Anchor, 1999–2007
CP24: Host and producer, Home Page, 1999–2007
Accessibility Standards Advisory Council (Ontario): Chair, 2005–2007

Honours

Knight of Justice of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
Member of the Order of Ontario (postnominal letters: OOnt)
125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
Viceregal Badge