Don Cousens
| Don Cousens | |
|---|---|
| 6th Mayor of Markham, Ontario | |
|
In office 1994–2006 |
|
| Preceded by | Frank Scarpitti |
| Succeeded by | Frank Scarpitti |
| Ontario MPP | |
|
In office 1987–1994 |
|
| Preceded by | New riding |
| Succeeded by | David Tsubouchi |
| Constituency | Markham |
|
In office 1981–1987 |
|
| Preceded by | Alfred Stong |
| Succeeded by | Greg Sorbara |
| Constituency | York Centre |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
July 20, 1938 Vankleek Hill, Ontario |
| Died | February 23, 2017 (aged 78) Markham, Ontario |
| Political party | Progressive Conservative |
| Spouse(s) | Aline A. Cousens (d. 2016) |
| Occupation | Minister |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
W. Donald Cousens (20 July 1938 – 23 February 2017) was a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1981 to 1994, and briefly served as a cabinet minister in the government of Frank Miller. From 1994 to 2006, Cousens was the Mayor of Markham, Ontario.
Cousens was educated at Queen's University and Knox College at the University of Toronto. An ordained Presbyterian Minister (he served 1966 to 1968 in Penetanguishene, Ontario), an officer in the Canadian Forces (Commandant in the Fort Henry Guard), he then served as an executive with Honeywell Ltd. before entering political life, and later became a chair of the York Technology Association. He was a member of the then York Region Board of Education from 1972 to 1979, eventually serving as chair in 1979.
Cousens was elected to the Ontario legislature in the 1981 provincial election, defeating Liberal Alf Stong in the riding of York Centre. He served as a backbench supporter of Bill Davis's government for four years. Cousens initially supported Dennis Timbrell to succeed Davis in the Progressive Conservative Party's 1985 leadership convention, but crossed over to Frank Miller on the last ballot. He was named parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Citizenship and Culture on February 25, 1985, shortly after Miller was sworn in as Premier of Ontario.
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