Northumberland-Quinte West

Lou Rinaldi,
P.A. to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

Lou Rinaldi is a dedicated, passionate and tireless advocate for our communities with a strong record of working for its betterment. Lou was elected to represent the people of Northumberland and Quinte West in 2003 and re-elected in 2007. Lou was appointed in 2003 to serve as Parliamentary Assistant to the Honourable David Caplan, Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal. In March 2006, Lou was appointed Parliamentary Assistant to the Honourable Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and in September 2009 Lou was appointed Parliamentary Assistant to the Honourable Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Lou is presently a member of the Standing Committee on Justice Policy, the Poverty Action Reduction Committee and the Health, Education and Social Policy Committee. Lou has previously served as a Member of the Standing Committee on Estimates, the Standing Committee on General Government, the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills, the Economic Affairs Policy Committee and of the Energy Conservation Action Committee.

Lou has been involved in politics in the Brighton area since 1992, when he was appointed to council in the former Brighton Township. He was subsequently elected to council, elected as deputy reeve and in 1998 he was appointed reeve. In 2000, Lou was elected mayor of the newly amalgamated Municipality of Brighton.

Lou is also active in a variety of community organizations. As one of the Founders of the Brighton & District Chamber of Commerce, Lou was one of its first Presidents. He is the former chair of the Brighton/Trenton Hospital Advisory Committee and a past chair of the Quinte Economic Development Commission. A tireless volunteer, Lou has been involved with minor hockey and as a fundraiser for Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Almost Home, United Way, Keystone Community Group and Northumberland Hospice, particularly the Northumberland Hospice Challenge hosted by the Brighton Speedway which has raised thousands for local hospice care.

Lou is well known for his approachable, straightforward and direct manner with his constituents. For Lou it is not about the road to Queen’s Park it is about the road home to Northumberland-Quinte West.

Born in Patrica, Italy in 1947, Lou immigrated to Canada with his family in 1960. After graduating from high school, Lou attended George Brown College where he obtained his Automotive Technology Diploma. Lou and his family have lived in Brighton since 1980. For over 29 years Lou has been a rural business person owning the Brighton Speedway, a key attraction for racing enthusiasts in Eastern Ontario. Through dedication, hard work, and with the help of his family, Lou built this business into a major family entertainment venue.

Most of all, Lou has been a devoted husband to Diane for 39 years. Together they are the proud parents of four children and grandparents of nine. Lou and his family are members of Holy Angels Church in Brighton.