The Honourable William (“Bill”) Grenville Davis, PC, CC, OOnt, QC, passed away Sunday morning on August 8, 2021, at his home in Brampton, surrounded by members of his family at the age of 92.
Mr. Davis will be remembered by many as the 18thPremier of Ontario who served for 13 years, from 1971 to 1985. Prior to this, Mr. Davis served as a Member of Provincial Parliament for the Riding of Peel, from 1959 to 1967, and the Riding of Peel North, from 1967 to 1975.
Under his leadership, Mr. Davis established Ontario’s College System, the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and four new universities in our province: York, Laurentian, Brock and Trent. He also created the TVOntario Network and was steadfast in a commitment to save the French School Board System, and extend public funding for the Catholic School Board System to the end of high school.
In November 2019, Mr. Davis was presented Brampton’s Key to the City, a symbolic honour that a municipality bestows upon a highly-valued member of the community, who has made an impact on the lives of our residents. And on July 30, 2019 the City of Brampton was proud to proclaim Bill Davis Day to honour his legacy and celebrate his milestone 90th birthday.
Mr. Davis, affectionately known as Brampton Bill, was our most beloved resident in Brampton, Ontario’s most successful Premier and the definition of decency. His legacy is one of profound accomplishment and he will be missed greatly.
Key to the City of Brampton
In 2019, the Honourable William Davis was awarded the Key to the City of Brampton. View the congratulatory messages here.
The “Key to the City” is a symbolic honour that a municipality bestows upon a highly valued member of the community or a celebrated or dignified guest of the City of Brampton who has made an impact on the lives of the residents of the city. It is the City of Brampton’s most prestigious award and is presented at the discretion of the Mayor.
The City of Brampton proclaims July 30 as Bill Davis Day
In celebration of the Honourable William “Bill" Grenville Davis, former Premier of Ontario and Brampton champion, the City of Brampton proclaims July 30 as Bill Davis Day. This annual observance offers an opportunity for the community to remember and celebrate the significant contributions of Bill Davis to Brampton, Peel Region and the province of Ontario.
On July 30, the City Hall Clock Tower will be lit blue to commemorate the day.
The City of Brampton has commissioned a memorial artwork dedicated to his legacy. The monument will be situated at the Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives (PAMA), near Brampton City Hall, and is expected to be completed in the spring of 2025. Learn more about the monument here.
Read the full media release here.
Learn more about the legacy of Bill Davis with TVO's A Tribute to Bill Davis.
