David Caplan was first elected to the provincial legislature in a September 1997 by-election and was re-elected in 1999, 2003 and 2007 to serve the residents of Don Valley East.

Caplan was appointed Minister of Health and Long-Term Care in June, 2008. He previously served as the Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal since 2003. Under Caplan’s leadership, the Government of Ontario won three prestigious urban planning awards recognizing the visionary Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Caplan led the introduction of Ontario’s first long-term infrastructure investment plan, ReNew Ontario. In 2005, Caplan assumed oversight of key major public assets, including the Ontario Realty Corporation, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, as well as responsibility for Waterfront Toronto. He also served as Deputy Government House Leader.

In Opposition, Caplan served as the critic for both housing and municipal affairs and acted as Deputy Whip for the Liberal caucus.

Before entering provincial politics, Caplan was elected to two terms on the North York Board of Education beginning in 1991, and served on the Metro Toronto School Board following his election in 1994. As a school board trustee, he served as finance committee chair and budget chief where he introduced the first zero per cent tax increase budget in more than 20 years. As a strong advocate of community programs, he has helped the North York Centre for Employment, Counselling and Training gain better access to job training facilities. Before his work in education, Caplan was vice-president of an international nonferrous metal recycling firm from 1989 to 1992. After attending the University of Western Ontario, he sold commercial real estate from 1985 to 1989.

Caplan and his wife, Leigh, have two sons, Benjamin and Jacob.