TORONTO – Who: Timothy Patrick Hudak, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
Age: 43 (Nov. 1, 1967)
Personal: Born in Fort Erie, Ont., to Patrick “Pat” Hudak, a Catholic high school principal, and his wife Anne Marie, a teacher and town councillor. His younger sister, Patricia, is also a teacher. He’s been married since 2002 to Deb Hutton, former senior advisor to Tory premier Mike Harris. Their daughter, Miller Olive Hudak, was born during the 2007 election. The family divides their time between Toronto and Wellandport.
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Education: Hudak has a bachelor of economics from the University of Western Ontario (1990) and a Masters of Arts in Economics from the University of Washington (1993).
Early career: Worked as a border inspector, teaching assistant, assistant manager at Walmart and manager of the Fort Erie Festivals before catching the political bug.
Politics: First elected to the legislature in the Conservative sweep of 1995, representing the now-defunct riding of Niagara South. Served in cabinet as minister of northern development and mines, then culture, tourism and recreation and finally consumer and business services. Currently represents riding of Niagara West-Glanbrook. Elected party leader in June 2009.
Quote: “There will always be entrenched interest groups who will oppose our policies, but if we are afraid to take courageous positions, to make change for the better, PC voters will stay home and we’ll forever be in Opposition.”
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