Norm Sterling has lived his entire life, and raised his family, in Eastern Ontario. He was first elected to the Ontario Legislature in 1977 and currently represents the riding of Carleton-Mississippi Mills.

Norm has been a strong advocate for increasing the role of the duly elected representatives at Queen’s Park. He has a record of delivering reforms that have increased the influence of both individual MPPs and the public in the Ontario Legislature. That’s why, on November 6, 2003, he was named as the opposition critic for democratic renewal.

Previously, Norm served as Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Native Affairs, from February to October 2003. During this time, Norm delivered a multi-million dollar investment to hire more judges and Crown attorneys to improve the province’s justice system. He also implemented significant reforms to public accounting in Ontario.

Prior to this appointment, Norm served as Minister of Transportation, where he announced a series of major investments in Ontario’s highway and transit systems, which were designed to save lives and greatly improve the movement of people and goods across the province. As Transportation Minister, he also officially launched the province’s ignition interlock program targeting impaired drivers.

Norm was elected as a Member of Provincial Parliament for the eighth time on October 2, 2003. He has had many other responsibilities during his 30 years as an MPP, including serving as Minister of Consumer and Business Services, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Government House Leader, and Minister of the Environment and Energy. Under the Bill Davis government, he served as Minister of Resources Development and Minister of Justice.

In his various ministerial portfolios, Norm has been responsible for initiating the province’s Drive Clean program and for bringing forward Ontario’s freedom of information and privacy rules. He took steps to protect the health of everyone on the job in Ontario with legislation controlling smoking in the workplace and he spearheaded new legislation on living wills and enduring powers of attorney.

Norm earned a Bachelor of Engineering (civil) from Carleton University in 1964. He received a law degree from the University of Ottawa in 1969 and was called to the Bar in 1971. He was named Queen's Counsel in 1981.

Prior to entering politics, Norm had worked at Du Pont of Canada as an engineer, and owned and operated a small manufacturing firm. He then practised law at Sterling Clark Young preceding his election.