Khalil Ramal (born c. 1960) is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 2003 to 2011. Ramal ran unsuccessfully in the 2015 federal elections, but finished second to Irene Mathyssen of the rival New Democratic Party. He ran unsuccessfully for Mayor of London in 2022, finishing second to Josh Morgan.

Khalil Ramal
Ontario MPP
In office
2003–2011
Preceded byFrank Mazzilli
Succeeded byTeresa Armstrong
ConstituencyLondon—Fanshawe
Personal details
Born1960 (age 63–64)
Lebanon
Political partyOntario Liberal Party
Liberal Party of Canada
Residence(s)London, Ontario, Canada
OccupationTeacher, journalist

Background

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Ramal has a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and a Master of Arts degree in social politics from Lebanese University, and has received further diplomas in accounting and teaching. At the time of the 2003 election, he was pursuing a Ph.D. in social politics.

He arrived in Canada in 1989, after leaving war-ravaged Lebanon, and has worked as a teacher, journalist, and as a counsellor with physical and mentally disabled patients at the Oxford Regional Centre in Woodstock, Ontario. He also runs a small business, and has served as Vice President of the Orchard Farm Distribution Company.

Politics

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Ramal was elected for London—Fanshawe in the 2003 provincial election, defeating New Democrat Irene Mathyssen and incumbent Progressive Conservative Frank Mazzilli in a close three-way race.[1]

On September 27, 2004, Ramal was named parliamentary assistant to Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

He was defeated in the 2011 provincial election.[2]

Ramal won the federal Liberal nomination for London—Fanshawe in 2015 but came in second to Irene Mathyssen of the rival New Democratic Party by a difference of around 3600 votes.[3]

In 2022, Ramal announced that he would run for mayor of London, Ontario during the 2022 London, Ontario municipal election.[4] Ramal was ultimately unsuccessful, losing to Josh Morgan who finished with 65.72% of the vote compared to 22.59% for Ramal.[5]

Electoral record

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2022 London, Ontario mayoral election

Mayoral Candidate Vote %
Josh Morgan 46,283 65.72
Khalil Ramal 15,912 22.59
Sandie Thomas 2,297 3.26
Sean O'Connell 1,432 2.03
Johanne Nichols 1,339 1.90
Daniel Jeffery 810 1.15
Brandon Ellis 747 1.06
Dan Lenart 743 1.05
Norman Robert Miles 536 0.76
Carlos Murray 329 0.47
2015 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Irene Mathyssen 20,684 37.78 −12.06 $90,397.33
Liberal Khalil Ramal 17,214 31.44 +19.41 $47,724.86
Conservative Suzanna Dieleman 14,891 27.20 −6.72 $57,368.78
Green Matthew Peloza 1,604 2.93 −0.05 $1,194.57
Independent Ali Hamadi 352 0.64 $200.00
Total valid votes/Expense limit 54,745 99.49   $224,287.69
Total rejected ballots 283 0.51
Turnout 55,028 63.03
Eligible voters 87,298
New Democratic hold Swing −15.74
Source: Elections Canada[6][7]
2011 Ontario general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
New Democratic Teresa Armstrong 13,953 40.77 +14.53
Liberal Khalil Ramal 9,678 28.28 -10.48
Progressive Conservative Cheryl Miller 9,075 26.52 -0.95
Green Bassam Lazar 852 2.49 -4.69
Libertarian Tim Harnick 320 0.93
Independent Ali Hamadi 192 0.56
Freedom Dave Durnin 155 0.45
Total valid votes 34,225 100.0
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 218 0.63
Turnout 34,443 45.82
Eligible voters 75,165
New Democratic gain from Liberal Swing +12.51
Source: Elections Ontario[8]
2007 Ontario general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Khalil Ramal 13,814 38.8% +2.9%
Progressive Conservative Jim Chapman 9,790 27.5% -2.9%
New Democratic Stephen Maynard 9,351 26.2% -4.9%
Green Daniel O'Neail 2,559 7.2% +5.7%
Independent Ma'in Sinan 129 0.4%
2003 Ontario general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Khalil Ramal 13,920 35.9% 0.8%
New Democratic Irene Mathyssen 12,051 31.1% +6.4%
Progressive Conservative Frank Mazzilli 11,777 30.4% -8.9%
Green Bryan Smith 568 1.5% +0.9%
Freedom Mike Davidson 493 1.3% +0.5%

References

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  1. ^ "Summary of Valid Ballots by Candidate". Elections Ontario. October 2, 2003. Archived from the original on August 3, 2014. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
  2. ^ "Summary of Valid Ballots Cast for Each Candidate" (PDF). Elections Ontario. October 6, 2011. p. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 30, 2013. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
  3. ^ "London ridings: Canada Election 2015 results | CBC News".
  4. ^ "Former Liberal MPP Khalil Ramal enters London, Ont. Mayoral race - London | Globalnews.ca".
  5. ^ "Josh Morgan elected 65th mayor of London, Ont. with 65 per cent of vote - London | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Archived from the original on 2022-11-16.
  6. ^ Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for London—Fanshawe, 30 September 2015
  7. ^ Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates Archived 2015-08-15 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ Elections Ontario (2011). "Official return from the records / Rapports des registres officiels - London—Fanshawe" (PDF). Retrieved 2 June 2014.[permanent dead link]
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