Mr. David Fleet

This oral history interview with David Fleet explores his tenure as Chairman of the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills in the Ontario Legislature from 1987-1990 under Attorney General Ian Scott. Fleet, a Liberal MPP for High Park-Swansea, initiated significant reforms to the regulatory oversight process, which had been largely moribund since the 1940s. His committee produced groundbreaking reports in 1988 that recommended substantial changes including notice and comment procedures, disallowance powers, sunset clauses, and a Citizen’s Code of Regulatory Fairness.

Fleet describes his background as a reform Liberal with extensive political involvement dating to age 16, his legal practice focusing on general civil matters, and his community engagement through various organizations. The interview reveals the challenges of parliamentary reform, including resistance from both civil servants and political leadership who prioritized other issues like constitutional reform. Fleet discusses his independence on major issues, including his near-opposition to the Meech Lake Accord despite pressure from Scott and constitutional advisor Patrick Monahan.

The interview provides valuable insights into the functioning of Ontario’s regulatory system, the limitations of traditional parliamentary oversight, and the difficulties of implementing procedural reforms within established governmental structures. Fleet’s efforts to democratize the regulatory process through enhanced committee powers and public participation represent a significant attempt at legislative modernization that ultimately had limited impact due to political priorities and institutional inertia.

This description was written by AI and may contain some inaccuracies.