The Canadian Polish Congress and members of Toronto's Polish community are mourning the passing of Jesse Philip Flis, a former Member of Parliament for Parkdale-High Park who died on January 12, 2026, in Toronto at the age of 92.
Born on November 15, 1933, in Fosston, Saskatchewan, Flis represented Parkdale-High Park in the House of Commons as a Liberal from 1979 to 1984 and again from 1988 to 1997. Before entering politics, he worked as an educator and school principal, and served as a member of the Toronto Board of Education from 1956 to 1979. He was also a founding director of Operation Go Home's Toronto branch, a program supporting runaway and homeless youth.
Flis was a dedicated leader within the Polish-Canadian community throughout his life and career. He was awarded the Canadian Polish Congress's Gold Award of Merit, and was honoured by Poland with the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit. He also received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his public service.
"Today we mourn the passing of former Polish-Canadian MP Jesse Flis, who represented Parkdale-High Park from 1979-84 and again from 1988-97," the Canadian Polish Congress said in a statement. "A recipient of our Gold Award of Merit, he was a dedicated leader in the Polish community and will be deeply missed."
Toronto-area MP Arif Virani, who described Flis as a personal mentor, wrote that Flis "was not only a trusted and much loved leader in our community, but a personal mentor to me. Thank you for your contributions to our community and to Canada, Jesse. You will be missed."
Flis is survived by his wife, Sophie, his son, Cas, and daughter-in-law, Vicki.
