Editing David Christopherson (section)

===Cabinet minister===

Christopherson was respected by all parties for his legislative work ethic and contributions to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, and was widely considered as one of the most skilled backbenchers in the government caucus.<ref>Emilia Cassella, "Christopherson touted for NDP cabinet shuffle", ''Hamilton Spectator'', 14 August 1992, A1.</ref>  There was little surprise when he was appointed to cabinet as [[Ministry of Correctional Services|Minister of Correctional Services]] on September 23, 1992, notwithstanding that Hamilton already had three representatives in cabinet.

Christopherson's portfolio was extremely challenging, and was described by one journalist as "one of the worst jobs in government".  The Correctional Services ministry had previously been damaged by reports of sexual abuse and intimidation involving staff at Ontario jails and training centres, and Christopherson was required to enact substantial internal reforms.<ref>Richard Mackie, "Critics brand cabinet shuffle 'damage control'", ''Globe and Mail'', 24 September 1992, A7 and "Hiring, Property and Internal Investigations", ''Hamilton Spectator'', 22 July 1993, B4.</ref>  He supported former NDP leader [[Stephen Lewis]]'s recommendations on race relations in the criminal justice system, and made efforts to address racism in Ontario prisons.<ref>"Ontario unveils policy for police race relations", ''Globe and Mail'', 6 April 1993, A12; Sean Fine, "Prison racism rampant, panel finds", ''Globe and Mail'', 2 February 1994, A5.</ref>

On February 3, 1993, Christopherson was given additional cabinet responsibilities as [[Solicitor General of Ontario]].<ref>"Rae shuffles deck", ''Hamilton Spectator'', 3 February 1993, A1.</ref>  This was also a difficult portfolio, and Christopherson has since acknowledged that relations between the Rae government and Ontario police services were extremely tense when he entered the ministry. He has been credited with improving this situation, winning the respect of many in the police community. [[Julian Fantino]], then an executive member of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, commented that there was "marked improvement" in relations following Christopherson's appointment.<ref name="Richard Brennan 1994">Richard Brennan, "Street smarts", ''Hamilton Spectator'', 28 December 1994, B3.</ref>

Christopherson allowed semi-automatic weapons to be issued to officers in late 1993.<ref>"New guns for police estimated at $17M", ''Financial Post'', 22 October 1993, p. 51.  See also "Solicitor General announces new handgun and training for police", ''Canada NewsWire'', 27 January 1994.</ref>  This was supported by many in the police service, but was criticized by some in the legal community on the grounds that the new weapons were not safer than the .38 models they replaced.<ref>Robert Sheppard, "Ready, aim and hope for the best", ''Globe and Mail'', 31 January 1994, A11.</ref>  Christopherson also introduced new guidelines for targeting [[hate crime]]s, and mandated stricter standards for police investigations of spousal assault.<ref>"Guidelines on hate crimes issued", ''Globe and Mail'', 23 July 1993, A4; "Hate crime, wife assault crackdown launched", ''Financial Post'', 20 January 1994, p. 55.</ref>  Early in 1995, he announced that police would soon be given the right to warn the general public about sex offenders released into residential neighbourhoods.<ref>"Sex offender warnings", ''Globe and Mail'', 10 February 1995, A2.</ref>

In May 1994, Christopherson introduced a pilot project to reduce illegal gun ownership in Ontario. For a three-month period, Ontarians were permitted to turn over illegal or unwanted firearms to the police without risking prosecution for illegal possession. The policy was endorsed by the police community.<ref>Amber Nasrulla, "Firearms amnesty launched", ''Globe and Mail'', 17 May 1994, A4 and Ross Longbottom, "Amnesty for guns way to safer streets", ''Hamilton Spectator'', 17 May 1994, B3.</ref>  After three months, the ministry announced that 1,000 pistols and revolvers, 2,000 rifles and shotguns and over 150,000 rounds of ammunition had been turned over to the police.<ref>"Success of province-wide firearms program", ''Canada NewsWire'', 1 September 1994.</ref>

In addition to his official cabinet portfolios, Christopherson was also responsible for articulating the Rae government's strategy for the proposed [[Red Hill Creek Expressway]] in Hamilton. Although he had previously opposed the project for environmental and other reasons, Christopherson argued in 1994 that a scaled-back four-lane highway would be the "best possible compromise" under the circumstances.<ref>Emilia Cassella, "Too little, too late say PCs, Grits", ''Hamilton Spectator'', 3 March 1994, B2; Sharon Oosthoek, "Friends of valley road embrace", ''Hamilton Spectator'', 22 March 1994, B1.</ref>  The Rae government approved the plan, although it was later rejected by the succeeding ministry.

Christopherson was widely respected for his abilities in cabinet, and often won praise from members of the opposition. [[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario|Progressive Conservative]] [[Bob Runciman]] credited him for his competence and managerial skills, while Liberal [[Tim Murphy (Canadian politician)|Tim Murphy]] described him as "the best of a bad bunch".<ref name="Richard Brennan 1994" />  He served until the defeat of the Rae government in 1995.