He was a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1963 to 1975 who represented the riding of York Mills.

In Bales' case he was accused of having purchased land in Markham, Ontario in 1969 while the Cabinet was considering development plans in the area.

[1] The incidents resulted in Davis issuing the province's first conflict of interest guidelines for cabinet ministers and later parliamentary assistants to follow.

Bales cited declining health and a minor heart attack in 1973 as the reasons for requesting a reduction in his responsibilities.

[1] Bales died at the age of 59 when he was struck by a car while attempting to cross Bayview Avenue in Toronto.