Jim Breithaupt - Political Career

Political Career

Breithaupt was first elected to the Ontario legislature in the 1967 provincial election, defeating New Democratic Party candidate Morley Rosenberg by sixty-one votes. He was re-elected with increased majorities in the elections of 1971, 1975, 1977 and 1981. Breithaupt served as financial and justice critic in the Liberal shadow cabinet for a number of years, and was Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee from 1968 to 1975, when he became the House Leader for the Liberal Opposition.

Liberal leader Stuart Smith resigned following the 1981 election, and Breithaupt entered the campaign to succeed him at the 1982 Ontario Liberal leadership convention. He was initially seen as one of the front-runners in a field of five candidates, but was kept off the campaign trail by a car accident. His wife, Jane Adamson Breithaupt, represented him at campaign meetings and rallies. Breithaupt placed fourth on the first ballot, and withdrew from the race. The winner was David Peterson.

Breithaupt resigned from the legislature on November 1, 1984, and was appointed chairman of the Ontario Law Reform Commission. From 1989 to 1993, he was chairman of the Commercial Registration Appeal Tribunal.