Callahan ran for the Ontario legislature in the
1977 provincial election, but finished third against
Progressive Conservative Bill Davis, the sitting
Premier, the riding of
Brampton. He challenged Davis again in the
1981 election, and finished a distant second.
33rd Parliament, MPP for Brampton (1985-1987) Bill Davis retired from the legislature in early 1985, and Callahan was able to win the Brampton seat on his third effort. In the
provincial election of 1985, the Progressive Conservatives under
Frank Miller were reduced to a
minority government as Liberal support increased in much of the province. Callahan defeated PC candidate Jeff Rice in Brampton by over 4,000 votes, and became a backbench supporter of
David Peterson's Liberal government after Miller's ministry was defeated in the legislature.
Roles During this term, Callahan served in a variety of roles: • Chair, Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills, May 27, 1987 — July 31, 1987 • Member, Standing Committee on Social Development, May 4, 1987 — July 31, 1987 • Member, Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills, May 4, 1987 — July 31, 1987 • Member, Standing Committee on Public Accounts, May 4, 1987 — July 31, 1987 • Member, Select Committee on Health, May 4, 1987 — July 31, 1987 • Member, Standing Committee on Social Development, February 12, 1987 — April 28, 1987 • Member, Standing Committee on Public Accounts, October 29, 1986 — April 28, 1987 • Member, Select Committee on Health, July 10, 1986 — April 28, 1987 • Chair, Select Committee on Health, July 10, 1986 — April 28, 1987 • Chair, Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills, May 14, 1986 — April 28, 1987 • Member, Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills, April 28, 1986 — April 28, 1987 • Member, Standing Committee on Administration of Justice, October 15, 1986 — October 29, 1986 • Member, Standing Committee on Administration of Justice, April 28, 1986 — July 10, 1986 • Member, Standing Committee on Resources Development, February 12, 1986 — April 22, 1986 • Chair, Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills, July 10, 1985 — April 22, 1986 • Member, Standing Committee on Administration of Justice, July 10, 1985 — April 22, 1986 • Member, Select Committee on Health, July 10, 1985 — February 12, 1986 • Chair, Select Committee on Health, July 10, 1985 — February 12, 1986
34th Parliament, MPP for Brampton South (1987-1990) The Liberals won a landslide re-election victory in the
1987 provincial election, and Callahan defeated his nearest opponent by over 11,000 votes in the redistributed riding of
Brampton South. He was not appointed to
cabinet, and remained in the backbenches. He chaired the Public Accounts Committee of the Legislative Assembly, which studied alcohol and drug addiction, and treatment.
The Ottawa Citizen noted that he was suited to the role, given his exposure to the issue; he believed that 75% of those jailed had substance issues. He advocated for the funding of treatment, telling the
Citizen "It's kind of like the mechanic said. You can 'pay me now' by treating them 'or pay me later' by putting them in jail or putting up with crime and family breakdown." In 1992, he was appointed as his party's critic for Correctional Services. In 1993, Callahan was a vocal opponent of the NDP government's plans to prohibit the picketing of
abortion clinics within Ontario.
Roles During this term, Callahan served in a variety of roles: Callahan was gracious despite his loss, as he would often visit Clement's constituency office to suggest ideas and give updates on projects. In return Clement helped Callahan's son Tim in getting the teaching certificate from the provincial Ministry of Education; Tim had completed all requirements but the credentials had been held up by bureaucracy. ==Return to city council==