Samuel Factor
Toronto Daily Star, September 25 1935
Samuel Factor (1892-1962) became the Liberal Member of Parliament for Toronto West Centre in 1930, becoming the first Jewish Member of Parliament from Ontario. He was the only Liberal elected in Toronto that year. Factor went on to win in the newly-created Spadina riding in 1935 and was re-elected in 1940. In the latter election, he once again became the only Toronto Liberal.
He was appointed to the bench in 1945, serving as a York County court judge until 1960. He was best known for advocating that drug addicts be given treatment instead of prison, with harsh treatment to be reserved for dealers only.
Created November 10, 2025.