Politics
Abel ran as the New Democrat candidate in the riding of Wentworth North against incumbent government house leader, Chris Ward. In what was seen as a symptom of anti-Liberal backlash, Abel beat Ward by 88 votes.
Abel served as both deputy whip and whip during his tenure. He also served as chair of the NDP's caucus personnel committee and as a member of the standing committees on general government, regulations and private bills, finance and economic affairs, estimates and the standing committee on the ombudsman.
In 1994, Abel was one of twelve NDP MPPs to vote against Bill 167, a government bill which proposed to extend spousal benefits to same-sex couples. Voting on the bill was a free vote.
In 1995, Abel introduced a private member's bill providing rights for hearing dogs, similar to seeing-eye dogs. It failed to pass through the legislature before the government was defeated in the 1995 election.
Read more about this topic: Donald Abel
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—M.F.K. Fisher (1908–1992)