View source for Jeff Leal

{{Short description|Canadian politician}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=September 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name             = Jeff Leal
| image            = 
| caption          = 
| office           = 63rd [[List of mayors of Peterborough, Ontario|Mayor of Peterborough]]
| term_start       = November 15, 2022
| term_end         = 
| predecessor      = [[Diane Therrien]]
| successor        = 
| parliament1      = Ontario Provincial
| riding1          = [[Peterborough (provincial electoral district)|Peterborough]]
| term_start1      = October 2, 2003
| term_end1        = June 7, 2018
| predecessor1     = [[Gary Stewart (politician)|Gary Stewart]]
| successor1       = [[Dave Smith (Peterborough, Ontario politician)|Dave Smith]]
| office2          = Member of the<br />[[Peterborough City Council (Ontario)|Peterborough City Council]]<br />for Otonabee Ward
| alongside2       = Glenn Pagett (1985–1997)<br/>Nancy Branscombe (1997–2000)
| term_start2      = 1985
| term_end2        = 2003
| predecessor2     = 
| successor2       = {{plainlist|
* Paul Rexe
* Garry Herring
}}
| birth_name       = John Jeffrey Leal
| birth_date       = {{birth date and age|1954|12|13|mf=y}}
| birth_place      = [[Peterborough, Ontario]], Canada
| party            = [[Independent politician|Independent]]
| otherparty       = [[Ontario Liberal Party|Ontario Liberal]]
| spouse           = Karan
| children         = 2 (Braden and Shanae)
| residence        = [[Peterborough, Ontario|Peterborough]]
| alma_mater       = {{plainlist|
* [[Kenner Collegiate Vocational Institute|Kenner Collegiate]]
* [[Trent University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA (Hons)]], 1978)
* [[University of Windsor]]
}}
| occupation       = Politician
| portfolio        = Chief Government Whip (2011-2013)
}}

'''John Jeffrey Leal''' (born December 13, 1954) is a Canadian politician who serves as the 63rd and current [[List of mayors of Peterborough, Ontario|mayor of Peterborough]]. Previously, he was a member of the [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario]] from 2003 to 2018 who represented the riding of [[Peterborough (provincial electoral district)|Peterborough]]. He served in the cabinet of [[Kathleen Wynne]]. On [[2022 Ontario municipal elections#Peterborough|October 24, 2022]] he was elected mayor of Peterborough.

==Background==
John Jeffrey Leal was born and raised in [[Peterborough, Ontario|Peterborough]]. He attended [[Kenner Collegiate Vocational Institute|Kenner Collegiate]] and has a [[Bachelor of Arts]] (Honours) degree in Economics and [[Political Science]] from [[Trent University]] (1978) and a degree in Business Administration from the [[University of Windsor]] (1981). Leal worked as executive assistant to [[Member of Provincial Parliament (Ontario)|members of Provincial Parliament]] (MPPs) [[John Eakins]] and [[Larry South]] in the 1980s.<ref>{{cite news |first=Bill |last=Hodgins |title='Lefty' after city seat for Grits |newspaper=Peterborough Examiner |date=September 27, 2003 |page=A1 |postscript=The article title is a reference to Leal's golf swing, not to his political leanings.}}</ref> He was a health and safety representative for Coyle Corrugated Containers.<ref>{{cite news |first=Mike |last=Lacey |title=Jeff Leal's been down this road before...and loves it |newspaper=Peterborough This Week |date=September 17, 2003 |page=1}}</ref> He is married to Karan, a teacher and school principal, with two children, Braden and Shanae.

==Controversies==
On April 10th, 2025 the [[Peterborough Examiner]] obtained an audio recording of Leal using a racial slur (the [[N-word]]) against Black people during his appearance as a guest lecturer at a [[Trent University]] business administration class.<ref name="Audio Surfaced">{{cite web|url=https://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/news/audio-surfaces-of-mayor-jeff-leal-using-racial-slur-during-guest-lecture-at-trent-university/article_7bb9e13f-fa1e-5ea1-9dcc-e13d0cffdaf4.html |title=Audio surfaces of Mayor Jeff Leal using racial slur during guest lecture at Trent University |date=April 10, 2025 }}</ref> He has since issued an apology but has refused to confirm the nature of the word's usage.<ref name="Refused Comment">{{cite web|url=https://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/news/peterborough-mayor-jeff-leal-refuses-to-confirm-nature-of-racial-slur-he-used-during-guest/article_64885243-eb7e-515f-9da0-3a5a8ca73cbb.html |title=Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal refuses to confirm nature of ‘racial slur’ he used during guest lecture at Trent University |date=April 10, 2025 }}</ref>

In May 2025, the city's integrity commissioner also published a report alleging that Leal had intimidated and bullied two councilors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Head |first=Bruce |date=2025-05-29 |title=Integrity commissioner finds Peterborough mayor contravened city council’s code of conduct |url=https://kawarthanow.com/2025/05/29/integrity-commissioner-finds-peterborough-mayor-contravened-city-councils-code-of-conduct/ |access-date=2025-07-14 |website=kawarthaNOW |language=en-US}}</ref> Media reports allege that Leal threatened a city councilor during a public meeting by saying that he would "carve him like a Thanksgiving turkey."<ref>{{Cite web |title=‘Carve him like a Thanksgiving turkey’: Ontario mayor apologizes for remark to councillor - Peterborough {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10411849/peterborough-mayor-apologizes-carve-him-like-a-thanksgiving-turkey/ |access-date=2025-07-15 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref> In June council voted against penalizing Leal for his comments. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Head |first=Bruce |date=2025-06-02 |title=Peterborough city council votes against penalizing Mayor Jeff Leal for contravening code of conduct |url=https://kawarthanow.com/2025/06/02/peterborough-city-council-votes-against-penalizing-mayor-jeff-leal-for-contravening-code-of-conduct/ |access-date=2025-07-14 |website=kawarthaNOW |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Politics==

===Municipal===
He served on the [[Peterborough City Council (Ontario)|Peterborough City Council]] from 1985 to 2003, representing the Otonabee Ward. At City Hall he was appointed as Deputy Mayor (1993-2003) and chaired the social services committee after the 2000 municipal election. In July 2022, Leal announced his candidacy for mayor of Peterborough, which he would later win.
{{2000 Peterborough municipal election/Council, Otonabee Ward (two members elected)}}

===Provincial===
Leal ran for provincial office in the [[1999 Ontario general election|1999 provincial election]] as the [[Ontario Liberal Party|Liberal]] candidate. He was narrowly defeated by [[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario|Progressive Conservative]] incumbent [[Gary Stewart (politician)|Gary Stewart]].<ref name="1999 results">{{cite web|url=http://results.elections.on.ca/results/1999_results/valid_votes.jsp?e_code=37&rec=0&district=peterborough&flag=E&layout=G |title=Summary of Valid Ballots by Candidate |publisher=Elections Ontario |date=June 3, 1999 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504223842/http://results.elections.on.ca/results/1999_results/valid_votes.jsp?e_code=37&rec=0&district=Peterborough&flag=E&layout=G |archive-date=May 4, 2014 }}</ref> He defeated Stewart by over six thousand votes in a [[2003 Ontario general election|2003]] rematch, amid a provincial shift to the Liberal Party.<ref name="2003 results">{{cite web|url=http://results.elections.on.ca/results/2003_results/valid_votes.jsp?e_code=38&rec=0&district=peterborough&flag=E&layout=G |title=Summary of Valid Ballots by Candidate |publisher=Elections Ontario |date=October 2, 2003 |access-date=2014-03-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504230432/http://results.elections.on.ca/results/2003_results/valid_votes.jsp?e_code=38&rec=0&district=peterborough&flag=E&layout=G |archive-date=May 4, 2014 }}</ref> Leal was re-elected in [[2007 Ontario general election|2007]], [[2011 Ontario general election|2011]] and [[2014 Ontario general election|2014]].<ref name="2007 results">{{cite web|url=http://elections.on.ca/NR/rdonlyres/AB409CCD-84F3-46FA-B3BD-39AB659EFC2D/0/SummaryofValidBallotsCastforEachCandidate.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007160233/http://www.elections.on.ca/NR/rdonlyres/AB409CCD-84F3-46FA-B3BD-39AB659EFC2D/0/SummaryofValidBallotsCastforEachCandidate.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 7, 2009 |format=PDF |title=Summary of Valid Ballots Cast for Each Candidate |publisher=Elections Ontario |date=October 10, 2007 |access-date=2014-03-02 |page=12 (xxi) }}</ref><ref name="2011 results">{{cite web|url=http://elections.on.ca/NR/rdonlyres/7849B894-4C4F-490E-9E8C-271BCF0C0D4D/5712/SummaryofvalidvotescastforeacndGE2011.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330163815/http://elections.on.ca/NR/rdonlyres/7849B894-4C4F-490E-9E8C-271BCF0C0D4D/5712/SummaryofvalidvotescastforeacndGE2011.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 30, 2013 |format=PDF |title=Summary of Valid Ballots Cast for Each Candidate |publisher=Elections Ontario |date=October 6, 2011 |access-date=2014-03-02 |page=14 }}</ref><ref name="2014 results">{{cite web |title=General Election by District: Peterborough |publisher=Elections Ontario |date=June 12, 2014 |url=http://wemakevotingeasy.ca/en/general-election-district-results.aspx?d=071 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140614002845/http://wemakevotingeasy.ca/en/general-election-district-results.aspx?d=071 |archive-date=June 14, 2014 }}</ref>

During his time in government, he has served as [[Parliamentary Assistant]] to several ministers including [[Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (Ontario)|Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities]] (2004), [[Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment (Ontario)|Ministry of Economic Development and Trade]] (2005), [[Ministry of Energy (Ontario)|Ministry of Energy]] (2005), [[Ministry of the Environment (Ontario)|Ministry of the Environment]] (2006), and the [[Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs (Ontario)|Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs]] (2007–09). In February 2010, he was named the [[Chief Government Whip (Ontario)|Chief Government Whip]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Jeff Leal replaces Mike Colle as Ontario chief government whip on Tuesday |publisher=Canadian Press |date=February 13, 2010}}</ref>

In February 2013, Premier [[Kathleen Wynne]] named Leal to [[Executive Council of Ontario|Ontario's Cabinet]], serving in the role as [[Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (Ontario)|Minister of Rural Affairs]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal sworn in as rural affairs minister |newspaper=Peterborough Examiner |date=February 11, 2013}}</ref>

Leal has helped secure over $400 million in funding for [[Peterborough (provincial electoral district)|Peterborough]], creating and preserving over 3,700 jobs with investments in infrastructure, transportation, businesses and health care. This included the creation of a new hospital, [[Peterborough Regional Health Centre]], and funding following a damaging flood in 2004.<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert |last=Benzie |title=$5 million in aid for Peterborough; 'Just a down payment,' says McGuinty |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=July 22, 2004 |page=A2}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=City gets more flood aid; Province to give extra $3.5 million 3,200 relief requests in Peterborough |publisher=Canadian Press |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=September 7, 2004 |page=A2}}</ref>

Leal has championed a number of issues through private member's bills, including retirement and income security measures. He introduced a private member's bill in 2008 to provide creditor protection for [[Registered Retirement Savings Plan]]s (RRSPs).<ref>{{cite news |title=Now's time to shield RRSPs from creditors |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=May 23, 2009 |page=B1}}</ref> Two years later, he introduced a separate bill that would require companies with twenty or more employees to offer a savings or pension plan that all employees would automatically join (with the ability to opt out). The stated purpose of this bill, which was supported by the [[Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association]], was to reduce the costs of such insurance plans compared with retail mutual funds.<ref>{{cite news |first=James |last=Daw |title=Bill would make retirement savings plans mandatory |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=May 6, 2010 |page=B2}}</ref>

In June 2014, Leal was appointed as the [[Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (Ontario)|Minister of Agriculture and Food and Rural Affairs]].<ref name="2014WynneCab">{{cite news |title=Kathleen Wynne warns financial cupboard is bare |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2014/06/24/ontario_premier_kathleen_wynnes_new_cabinet_unveiled.html |author1=Richard Brennan |author2=Robert Benzie |author3=Rob Ferguson |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=June 24, 2014}}</ref>

===Cabinet positions===
{{s-start}}
{{Canadian cabinet member navigational box header |ministry=Kathleen_Wynne}}
{{ministry box cabinet posts
| post1preceded = [[Ted McMeekin]]
| post1         = [[Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (Ontario)|Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs]]
| post1years    = 2013–2018
| post1note     = Was Minister of Rural Affairs in 2013–2014
| post1followed = [[Ernie Hardeman]]
}}
{{s-end}}

===Electoral record===
{{2018 Ontario general election/Peterborough—Kawartha}}
{{2014 Ontario general election/Peterborough}}
{{Canadian election result/top|ON|2011|percent=yes|change=yes}}
{{CANelec|ON|Liberal| '''Jeff Leal''' | 19,319 | 39.79| -8.01}}
{{CANelec|ON|PC| Alan Wilson | 15,309 | 31.53| +5.93}}
{{CANelec|ON|NDP| Dave Nickle | 12,458 | 25.66| +9.06}}
{{CANelec|ON|Green| Gary Beamish | 1,235 | 2.54| -6.16}}
{{CANelec|ON|Freedom|Alex Long | 127 | 0.26| }}
{{CANelec|ON|Socialist|Ken Ranney| 104 | 0.21| }}
{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes| |100.0 | | }}
{{end}}

{{2007 Ontario general election/Peterborough}}

{{2003 Ontario general election/Peterborough}}

{{1999 Ontario general election/Peterborough}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Ontario MPP biography|id=jeff-leal}}

{{Wynne Ministry}}
{{Mayors in Ontario}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Leal, Jeff}}
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:21st-century mayors of places in Ontario]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Members of the Executive Council of Ontario]]
[[Category:Ontario Liberal Party MPPs]]
[[Category:Mayors of Peterborough, Ontario]]
[[Category:Trent University alumni]]
[[Category:University of Windsor alumni]]
[[Category:21st-century members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario]]