Frank Miclash

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Frank Randver Miclash (born May 16, 1953 in Kenora, Ontario) is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He served as a Liberal member of the Ontario legislature from 1987 to 1999.

Miclash was educated at the University of Manitoba, receiving a certificate in education. He later worked as a teacher. He was elected to the Lake of the Woods District Hospital in 1985, and served as a Commanding Officer of the Navy League Cadet Corps.

He was first elected to the Ontario legislature in the 1987 provincial election, defeating New Democrat Doug Miranda by just over 1,000 votes in the Kenora constituency. The Liberal Party won a landslide majority in this election; Miclash was not appointed to cabinet, but served as a parliamentary assistant in 1988-89.

The Liberals unexpectedly lost the 1990 election to the New Democratic Party, although Miclash defeated Miranda a second time by 331. Many believe he would have been defeated had it not been for an independent aboriginal candidate taking support from the NDP. Miclash served as Chief Opposition Whip in 1991-92, and was easily re-elected in the 1995 election. He supported Dwight Duncan for the Liberal Party leadership in 1996.

The province's boundaries were radically altered in 1996, such that Miclash's Kenora riding was merged with the Rainy River of NDP leader Howard Hampton as Kenora—Rainy River. As such, the two MPPs were forced to face each other in the 1999 provincial election. Despite retaining strong support in the Kenora area, Miclash was unable to match Hampton's name recognition; Hampton won the election by just over 3,000 votes.

Somewhat improbably, Miclash worked for three months as a manual labourer on the Grace Anne luxury yacht following his defeat. He was subsequently appointed to the province's social benefits tribunal by the Progressive Conservative government of Mike Harris. He now owns a fishing camp and a bed-and-breakfast inn.