Home About Joe The Riding Photo Album Links Celebrating 25 years of political life!! News Prior to entering federal politics, The Honourable Joe Fontana was a Issues Councillor for the City of London and a member of the City of London Board Contact Us of Control. Mr. Fontana has been a dynamic presence in the Liberal Caucus since first being elected in 1988. As an Opposition Member of Parliament, he served as Critic for Urban Affairs and Housing, as well as Ontario Caucus Chair. He also headed Task Forces on VIA Rail, and the Economy and Recession. From 1993 to 1996, Joe served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport – playing a key role in, among other things, the introduction of the National Airports Policy. He also served on three House of Commons Standing Committees: Transport, Industry, and Finance. In recognition of the esteem with which he is held by his Caucus colleagues, he was elected to three consecutive terms as Chair of the National Caucus from 1996 to 1999. In October 1999, Mr. Fontana began his four year service as Chair of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. He has also been elected as Chair of the Southwestern Ontario Liberal Caucus. In December 2003, Mr. Fontana was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister with special emphasis on Science and Small Business. On July 20, 2004, Mr. Fontana was honoured with an appointment to the federal cabinet, as Minister of Labour and Housing. In private life, he was an insurance executive and a small business owner. Born in Italy in 1950, Joe and his wife, Vicky, have three children. http://www.joefontana.parl.gc.ca/about_joe.htm.