Tim Hudak celebrates his election as the new leader of Ontario's Progressive Conservatives with supporters in Markham, Ont. on Saturday, June 27, 2009.
Tim Hudak wins Ontario PC leadership
Updated: Sat Jun. 27 2009 5:19:26 PM
CTV.ca News Staff
Tim Hudak is the new leader of Ontario's Progressive Conservatives, beating rivals Frank Klees and Christine Elliott to replace John Tory.
Hudak, 41, took the lead in the first round of voting, and his rivals were never able to catch up.
In the second round of voting, Hudak had 4,128 electoral ballots.
Klees, his closest rival, trailed at 3,299 votes, while Elliott -- the wife of federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty -- was third with 2,903.
In the first round of voting, right-wing candidate Randy Hillier only managed 1,013, so was cut from the second round. His votes were re-distributed to his supporters' second choice.
More than 40,000 party members in Ontario's 107 ridings were eligible to vote.
Hudak replaces John Tory, who resigned his post last March. On Saturday, supporters paid respects to Tory's term as leader, while gently referencing his losing battles in provincial politics.
Former premier Bill Davis called Tory the best premier Ontario never had. Tory lost the 2007 election after promising to extend public funding to religious schools beyond Catholic institutions -- a sensitive subject that most political leaders tried to avoid.
Tory never recovered from the political misstep, and he was soundly defeated by Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty. Tory also failed to win a seat.
But a tribute video focused on Tory's decency and fair-mindedness, and noted that he managed to eliminate the party's $10 million debt after taking control in 2004.
On Saturday, he warned his party that they should unite under the next leader to protect their future.
"I was blessed with the tireless support of many, but I did not have as the party's leader at all times -- as one must -- the benefit of a fully united caucus and party," he said.
"That is history, but the responsibility we have as people who want to see this party win is to make sure we learn from history."
With files from The Canadian Press
5 comments:
Welcome to a 3rd term for McGuinty.
The torys had a shot, they blew it with a right wing lunatic.
WHY DO YOU THINK ONTARIO KEEPS VOTING IN THAT FOOL McGUINTY????
Read that question again. A few more times!!!
Ontario, is not going to vote in another far right lunatic. Period.
His only shot, is if the liberals take a majority federally. Think about it, look at voter history.
Pissing in the wind but I will ask you to give us some documented examples, not your opinions which of course meet the lunacy criteria, of "right wing lunacy"!
Oh Walter.
I think the very fact, that Ontario has voted that fool McGuinty in, TWICE, even after his first term of broken promises, speaks VOLUMES about the attitude Ontarians, have for the right. Even moderate John Tory, couldn't shake that.
Christine Elliot, may have had a chance in the next election. But far right Hudak, will seal their fate.
If you think about this reasonably, and put aside your blind zeal for all things conservative, you'll see that what I'm saying is true.
There must be someone in your family or circle of "friends who have at least a minimal concept of reading and comprehension and you can explain the request in my last post; "Pissing in the wind but I will ask you to give us some documented examples, not your opinions which of course meet the lunacy criteria, of "right wing lunacy"!"
Speaking of... "pissing in the wind"...
This isn't about what YOU think about the conservatives Walter for god's SAKE!
Clearly, Ontario has expressed their opinions... TWICE!!!
Is this, not loud and clear Walter? If not, read the last line, again.
Canada, has federally shown they will NOT swing hard right. What sort of dope are you smoking if you think Ontarians will?
Almost as brainless as those who think Ontario would give the NDP another shot!
NOT...
Hudak, will never see a majority, unless McGuinty makes a huge major blunder. And I mean, huge.
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