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Tim Hudak
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office July 1, 2009[1] |
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| Preceded by | Bob Runciman |
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Leader of the Ontario PC Party
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office June 27, 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Bob Runciman (interim) |
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MPP for Niagara South
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| In office 1995 – 1999 |
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| Preceded by | Shirley Coppen |
| Succeeded by | riding dissolved |
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MPP for Erie—Lincoln
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| In office 1999 – 2007 |
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| Preceded by | new district |
| Succeeded by | riding dissolved |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 2007 |
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| Preceded by | new district |
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| Born | November 1, 1967 Fort Erie, Ontario |
| Political party | Progressive Conservative |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Timothy "Tim" Hudak (born November 1, 1967) is a politician in Ontario, Canada, and is currently the Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario. He also serves as member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for the riding of Niagara West—Glanbrook for the Progressive Conservative Party.
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Background
Hudak was born in Fort Erie, Ontario. He received a bachelor of arts degree in economics from the University of Western Ontario in 1990. He then went on to attend the University of Washington in Seattle where he received a master's degree in economics in 1993. Prior to being elected, Hudak worked in economic and tourism development with the Economic Development and Tourism Corporation in Fort Erie. Hudak had been previously employed as a Canada Customs border inspector from 1988 to 1993, and in 1994, was hired as an assistant manager by Wal-Mart to help with the transition of former Woolco stores into Wal-Marts.
Early political career
In the provincial election of 1995, Hudak defeated Liberal Aubrey Foley by 1,081 votes in the riding of Niagara South. The Progressive Conservatives won a majority government under Mike Harris, although Hudak was not appointed to cabinet during his first term in office. He served as parliamentary secretary to Minister of Health, Elizabeth Witmer.
Cabinet
He was re-elected with a 5,878 vote margin in the redistributed riding of Erie—Lincoln in the 1999 provincial election, and was named Minister of Northern Development and Mines on June 17, 1999.
On February 8, 2001, he was named Minister of Culture, Tourism and Recreation.
He supported Jim Flaherty's unsuccessful bid to become party leader in 2002. On April 15, 2002, new Premier Ernie Eves appointed him Minister of Consumer and Business Services.
Opposition
The Tories lost the provincial election of 2003, although Hudak was easily re-elected by a margin of 4,058 votes. He again supported Jim Flaherty in the latter's second unsuccessful bid for party leader in 2004. Hudak served as caucus chair from 2003 to 2004. He served as critic for Municipal Affairs and Infrastructure from 2004-2005, and was named finance critic on August 24, 2005.
On October 1, 2006, Hudak was given the additional responsibilities of critic for Public Infrastructure Renewal and Research and Innovation.
Although the Tories lost the 2007 Ontario election, Hudak won his riding with a 10,022 vote margin, gaining 51% of the popular vote.
In opposition, Hudak introduced a bill to create a new retail system for Ontario Vintners Quality Alliance wines in competition to the provincial distribution system. He has also proposed a bill to restrict residential property assessment increases modelled on similar acts in Florida, Michigan, and Nova Scotia.
Leadership
On June 27, 2009, Hudak won the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario leadership election.
Political views
Hudak is a Blue Tory on the right-wing of the provincial party, and falls more in line with the ideals of former Premier Mike Harris than those of John Tory. In April 2003, he accepted an invitation to take part in a "Canadians for Bush" rally in support of the 2003 Invasion of Iraq, attending to show his support for America and American soldiers.[2] Hudak's leadership platform included abolition of the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal,[3] creating a high school exit exam, allowing unionised workers to opt out of dues checkoffs to political parties and opposing card check based union certification.[4]
Personal life
Hudak is married to Deb Hutton, who was executive assistant to former premier Mike Harris.
References
- ^ "Tory leader chides city unions". Toronto Star, June 29, 2009.
- ^ Andrea Baillie, "Ont. cabinet ministers to attend rally; organizer has called gays 'deviant'", Canadian Press, 11 April 2003; "Numbers down at peace rallies across Canada", Kitchener-Waterloo Record, 14 April 2003, A7; Corey Larocque, "Former battleground to be site of rally: Demonstrators to support Bush", Niagara Falls Review, 4 April 2003, A5.
- ^ "Tim Hudak elected leader of Ontario's Tories". CBC News, June 27, 2009.
- ^ Antonella Artuso, "Extreme Makeover: Tory Edition". Ottawa Sun, May 17, 2009.
External links
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