title: Ross Romano
text: # Ross Romano
  
  Rosario "Ross" Romano MPP (born 1979) is a Canadian politician who serves as Chief Government Whip in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. A member of the Progressive Conservative (PC) Party, Romano has held a number of portfolios since the PCs formed government in 2018, including as minister of government and consumer services, and minister of colleges and universities. He represents the riding of Sault Ste. Marie. During his tenure as minister of colleges and universities, the 2021 Laurentian University financial crisis unfolded, which raised questions and criticism about Romano's knowledge of the financial state of the University and his involvement
  
  ## Political career
  
  He was first elected in a by-election on June 1, 2017 and became the first Conservative to represent the district in 32 years. A lawyer by profession, Romano began his political career upon being elected to the Sault Ste. Marie City Council in 2014. Romano was re-elected on June 7, 2018 with a 1.29% advantage over Michele McCleave-Kennedy.
  
  ## Electoral record
  
  2018 Ontario general election: Sault Ste. Marie :
  
  | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Progressive Conservative | Ross Romano | 13,498 | 42.03 | +1.66 |
  | | New Democratic | Michele McCleave-Kennedy | 13,084 | 40.74 | +7.92 |
  | | Liberal | Jaclynne Hamel | 3,199 | 9.96 | –13.05 |
  | | Green | Kara Flannigan | 1,044 | 3.25 | +1.26 |
  | | Northern Ontario | Sandy Holmberg | 993 | 3.09 | |
  | | Libertarian | Lance Brizard | 299 | 0.93 | +0.65 |
  | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 32,117 | 100.0 |
  | Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots | Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots | Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots | |
  | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 54.79 |
  | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 58,616 |
  | | Progressive Conservative hold | Progressive Conservative hold | Swing | Swing | –3.13 |
  | Source: Elections Ontario |||||||
  
  Ontario provincial by-election, June 1, 2017 Resignation of David Orazietti :
  
  | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Progressive Conservative | Ross Romano | 10,411 | 40.37 | +27.98 |
  | | New Democratic | Joe Krmpotich | 8,465 | 32.82 | +7.63 |
  | | Liberal | Debbie Amaroso | 5,935 | 23.01 | –35.57 |
  | | Green | Kara Flannigan | 512 | 1.98 | –1.25 |
  | | None of the Above | Above Znoneofthe | 313 | 1.21 | |
  | | Libertarian | Gene Balfour | 71 | 0.28 | –0.10 |
  | | Pauper | John Turmel | 47 | 0.18 | |
  | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 25,785 | 100.0 |
  | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 43.93 |
  | Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 58,690 |
  | | Progressive Conservative gain from Liberal | Progressive Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | Swing | +10.14 |
  | Source: Elections Ontario |||||||
  