Joseph Robert Comuzzi, (April 5, 1933 – December 31, 2021) was a Canadian lawyer and politician who served as a cabinet minister under Prime Minister Paul Martin. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1988 to 2008, representing Thunder Bay—Nipigon which was renamed Thunder Bay—Superior North in 2000.
Early life
Comuzzi was born in Fort William, Ontario, on April 5, 1933. He studied at the University of Windsor, graduating in 1954 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Twelve years later, he received the University of Windsor Alumni Award of Merit, the Alumni Association's most prestigious award. After working in the Thunder Bay business community for 24 years, he went back to his alma mater and obtained a law degree in 1980. His views on gun registry spending and official bilingualism were at odds with the Liberals. His call to review the latter policy on its 25th anniversary in 1998 drew the ire of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. He served as co-chair of the Canada–United States Inter-Parliamentary Group from December 2003 until the following July, and again from February 2005 to June 2006.
An opponent of same-sex marriage in Canada, Comuzzi resigned from cabinet on June 28, 2005, so that he could be free of a two-line party whip and oppose Bill C-38. He was eventually expelled from the Liberal caucus for pledging to support the Conservative budget on March 21, 2007. He subsequently joined the Conservative Party on June 26 that year.
Personal life
Comuzzi was married to Janet M. Casgrain until her death in 2014. Together, they had four children.