View source for Tim Hudak

{{Short description|Canadian politician}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=September 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Tim Hudak
| image               = Tim Hudak 2014.jpg
| caption             = Hudak in February 2014
| office              = [[Leader of the Opposition (Ontario)|Leader of the Opposition in Ontario]]
| term_start          = July 1, 2009
| term_end            = July 2, 2014
| predecessor         = [[Bob Runciman]]
| successor           = [[Jim Wilson (Ontario politician)|Jim Wilson]]
| office2             = Leader of the [[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario]]
| term_start2         = June 27, 2009
| term_end2           = July 2, 2014
| predecessor2        = [[Bob Runciman]] (interim)
| successor2          = [[Jim Wilson (Ontario politician)|Jim Wilson]] (interim)
| parliament3         = Ontario Provincial
| term_start3         = June 8, 1995
| term_end3           = September 16, 2016
| predecessor3        = [[Shirley Coppen]]
| successor3          = [[Sam Oosterhoff]]
| riding3             = [[Niagara West—Glanbrook (provincial electoral district)|Niagara West—Glanbrook]]<br /><small>[[Erie—Lincoln (provincial electoral district)|Erie—Lincoln]] (1999-2007)<br />[[Niagara South]] (1995-1999)</small>
| party               = [[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario|Progressive Conservative]]
| birthname           = Timothy Patrick Hudak
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1967|11|1}}
| birth_place         = [[Fort Erie, Ontario]], Canada
| spouse              = Deb Hutton
| children            = 2
| education           = {{unbulleted list|[[University of Western Ontario]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])|[[University of Washington]] ([[Master of Arts|MA]])}}
| occupation          = {{hlist|Politician|business manager}}
| nickname            = Tim Hudak
}}

'''Timothy Patrick Hudak''' (born November 1, 1967) is a former Canadian politician who led the [[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario|Ontario Progressive Conservative (PC) Party]] from 2009 to 2014. Hudak was a [[Member of Provincial Parliament (Canada)|member of Provincial Parliament]] (MPP) from 1995 to 2016 and was also the [[Leader of the Official Opposition (Ontario)|leader of the Opposition in Ontario]] when he was PC party leader. He served as a [[Executive Council of Ontario|cabinet minister]] in the governments of [[Mike Harris]] and [[Ernie Eves]]. After resigning his seat in the Ontario legislature in September 2016, Hudak became the chief executive officer of the [[Ontario Real Estate Association]] (OREA), which has its headquarters in [[Toronto]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=https://www.orea.com/News-and-Events/News-and-Press-Releases/Press-Releases/August-09-2016 |title=Ontario Real Estate Association Names Tim Hudak as Next CEO |work=Ontario Real Estate Association |access-date=2018-02-27}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web |url=https://www.orea.com/News-and-Events/Newsletters/EDGE-Newsletters/2016/November/OREA-welcomes-Tim-Hudak-as-new-CEO |title=OREA welcomes Tim Hudak as new CEO |work=Ontario Real Estate Association |access-date=2018-02-27}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Hudak was born in [[Fort Erie, Ontario]], to Anne Marie (née Dillon) and Pat Hudak. His father was a high school principal whose parents came to Canada from [[Slovakia]] in advance of [[World War II]].<ref name="ontariopc.com"/> His mother was a teacher, of Irish and French-Canadian descent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ipolitics.ca/2011/09/19/mcguinty-and-hudak-are-cousins-ancestry-ca/|title=McGuinty and Hudak are cousins: Ancestry.ca|date=September 19, 2011}}</ref> 

Hudak attended the [[University of Western Ontario]], receiving a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in economics in 1990. He then studied at the [[University of Washington]] in [[Seattle, Washington|Seattle]] on a full scholarship. He received a [[master's degree]] in economics in 1993.<ref>{{cite news|last=Howlett|first=Karen|title=Ontario Tory Leader Tim Hudak a man of contradictions|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ontario-tory-leader-tim-hudak-a-man-of-contradictions/article2152797|publisher=The Globe and Mail|access-date=September 2, 2011}}</ref> While in university, Hudak worked at the [[Peace Bridge]] on the US-Canada border from 1988–93.<ref name="ontariopc.com">[http://www.ontariopc.com/tim-hudak/ Tim Hudak, Ontario PC Leader], ontariopc.com; accessed March 9, 2015.</ref>

In 1994, he was hired by [[Walmart]] as a travelling manager, instructing employees on the company's policies and operating procedures.<ref>Greg Furminger, "Hudak to mind the mines", ''Welland Tribune'', June 18, 1999, pg. A1.</ref>

==Politics==

===Early political career===
Hudak ran in the [[1995 Ontario general election|provincial election of 1995]] in the [[electoral district (Canada)|riding]] of [[Niagara South]]. He defeated [[Ontario Liberal Party|Liberal]] Aubrey Foley by 1,181 votes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Summary of Valid Ballots by Candidate - General Election of June 8, 1995|url=http://results.elections.on.ca/results/1995_results/valid_votes.jsp?e_code=36&rec=66&district=&district_code=0&rec-page=3&flag=E&layout=G|publisher=Elections Ontario|access-date=January 20, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512215025/http://results.elections.on.ca/results/1995_results/valid_votes.jsp?e_code=36&rec=66&district=&district_code=0&rec-page=3&flag=E&layout=G|archive-date=May 12, 2014}}</ref> Aged 27, Hudak was the second-youngest [[Member of Provincial Parliament (Ontario)|Member of Provincial Parliament]] (MPP) elected in 1995, the youngest being [[John Baird (Canadian politician)|John Baird]].<ref name="contender">{{cite news|last=McMahon|first=Tamsin|title=The Contender: profile of Tim Hudak|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/09/24/the-contender-a-profile-of-tim-hudak|access-date=January 20, 2013|newspaper=National Post|date=September 24, 2011}}</ref>

The Progressive Conservatives won a majority government under [[Mike Harris]], and Hudak was appointed [[Parliamentary Assistant]] to Minister of Health [[Jim Wilson (Ontario politician)|Jim Wilson]]. He later served as Parliamentary Assistant to Wilson's successor, [[Elizabeth Witmer]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Parliamentary Career Details|url=http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/members/members_detail.do?locale=en&detailPage=members_detail_career&ID=48|publisher=Legislative Assembly of Ontario|access-date=January 20, 2013}}</ref>

===1999 election===
Hudak was re-elected with a 5,878 vote margin in the redistributed riding of Erie—Lincoln in the [[1999 Ontario general election|1999 provincial election]], and was named [[Ontario Minister of Northern Development and Mines|Minister of Northern Development and Mines]] on June 17, 1999.  As part of the party's Provincial Mandate and environmental program, Mr. Hudak voted to enact the Drive Clean Program.

On February 8, 2001, he was named [[Ministry of Tourism and Culture (Ontario)|Minister of Culture, Tourism and Recreation]]. As Tourism Minister, Hudak visited 101 festivals and events across Ontario in the summer of 2001 on his More to Discover Tour. Immediately following the [[September 11 attacks]] in 2001, Hudak called together leaders in the tourism industry and executed a plan that provided $14 million for marketing to help the industry recover. During his time in the Ministry, he awarded nearly $300 million to rebuild aging infrastructure in communities across the province through SuperBuild's Sports, Culture and Tourism Partnership fund.

He supported [[Jim Flaherty]]'s unsuccessful bid to become party leader in 2002. On April 15, 2002, new Premier [[Ernie Eves]] appointed him [[Ministry of Consumer Services (Ontario)|Minister of Consumer and Business Services]].

{{s-start}}
{{Canadian cabinet member navigational box header |ministry=Ernie_Eves}}
{{ministry box cabinet posts
| post1preceded = [[Norm Sterling]]
| post1         = [[Ministry of Consumer Services (Ontario)|Minister of Consumer and Business Services]]
| post1years    = 2002–2003
| post1note     = 
| post1followed = [[Jim Watson (Canadian politician)|Jim Watson]]
}}
{{Canadian cabinet member navigational box header |ministry=Mike_Harris}}
{{ministry box cabinet posts
| post2preceded = [[Cam Jackson]]
| post2         = [[Ministry of Tourism and Culture (Ontario)|Minister of Culture, Tourism and Recreation]]
| post2years    = 2001–2002
| post2note     = 
| post2followed = [[Cam Jackson]]

| post1preceded = [[Chris Hodgson]]
| post1         = [[Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (Ontario)|Minister of Northern Development and Mines]]
| post1years    = 1999–2001
| post1note     = 
| post1followed = [[Dan Newman]]
}}
{{s-end}}

===2003 election===
The Tories lost the [[2003 Ontario general election|provincial election of 2003]], although Hudak was easily re-elected by a margin of 4,058 votes. He was appointed as PC Caucus Chair and critic responsible for Public Infrastructure Renewal, and later elevated to the role of critic for both Municipal Affairs and Housing and Public Infrastructure Renewal.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} In opposition, he introduced a bill to create a new retail system for Ontario [[Vintners Quality Alliance]] wines in competition with the provincial distribution system.<ref>{{cite news |last=Benzie |first=Robert |date=January 22, 2004 |title=Liberals like idea of stores showcasing Ontario wines |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-liberals-like-idea-of-s/141793973/ |work=[[Toronto Star]] |location=Toronto, Ontario |page=A17 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> He also proposed Bill 75, also known as the ''Homestead Act'', which aimed to cap residential property assessment increases at five per cent.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=April 15, 2006 |title=Homestead Act would cap assessment hikes on homes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/niagara-falls-review-homestead-act-would/141795179/ |work=[[Niagara Falls Review]] |location=Fort Erie, Ontario |page=A5 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>

Hudak again supported Jim Flaherty's bid to become party leader in the 2004 [[2004 Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario leadership election|PC leadership election]].<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=January 13, 2004 |title=Flaherty to run for Ontario Tory leadership |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star-flaherty-to-run-for-ontar/141795687/ |work=[[The Sault Star]] |agency=[[The Canadian Press]] |location=Toronto, Ontario |page=B10 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> In August 2005, PC leader [[John Tory]] appointed Hudak to the lead role of Official Opposition Finance Critic.<ref>{{cite news |last=Reid |first=Kalvin |date=August 25, 2005 |title=Hudak promoted to finance critic in shadow cabinet |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-hudak-promoted-to-finance-c/141796193/ |work=[[St. Catharines Standard]] |page=A3 |location=St. Catharines, Ontario |access-date=February 21, 2024 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>

===2007 election===
Although the Tories lost the [[2007 Ontario general election|2007 Ontario election]], Hudak won his riding with a 10,022 vote margin, gaining 51 per cent of the popular vote.<ref>{{cite news |last=Downs |first=Last |date=October 11, 2007 |title=Provincial Tories keep presence in Niagara |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-provincial-tories-keep-pres/141793336/ |work=[[St. Catharines Standard]] |location=St. Catharines, Ontario |page=A4 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>

===Party leadership===
{{See also|2009 Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario leadership election}}
On April 2, 2009, Hudak launched his campaign for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party. Considered by many as the frontrunner in the race, Hudak had secured the support of over half the caucus at the launch of his campaign.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hudak launches PC leadership bid with lots of support|url=http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/hudak-launches-pc-leadership-bid-with-lots-of-support-1.385570|access-date=January 2, 2013|newspaper=CTv News|date=April 2, 2009}}</ref> Hudak was endorsed by federal [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]] cabinet ministers [[John Baird (Canadian politician)|John Baird]] and [[Tony Clement]], who had served alongside him in the cabinets of Harris and Eves.<ref name="elected">{{cite news|title=Tim Hudak elected leader of Ontario's Tories|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/tim-hudak-elected-leader-of-ontario-s-tories-1.785309|access-date=January 2, 2013|newspaper=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=June 27, 2009}}</ref> During the campaign, Hudak was quoted as saying that if the PCs want to regain government, they would have to make inroads in major cities and begin "reaching out to new Canadian communities.... I want to make sure that the next wave of new Canadians – whether from the Czech Republic or India or China – will see the Ontario PC party as home."<ref>[http://www.orilliapacket.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=1614399 Hudak frontrunner to lead Tory party - The Orillia Packet & Times], orilliapacket.com; accessed March 9, 2015.</ref>

The leader was chosen by a preferential ballot on June 27, 2009, in [[Markham, Ontario]]. Hudak placed first out of the four candidates defeating [[Frank Klees]], [[Christine Elliott]], and [[Randy Hillier (politician)|Randy Hillier]].<ref name="elected"/> On July 1, he assumed the position as leader of the opposition.<ref>[https://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/658132 "Tory leader chides city unions"], ''[[Toronto Star]]'', June 29, 2009.</ref>

===Official opposition===
In August 2009, shortly after taking power, Hudak criticized the [[Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation]] (OLG) after a string of controversies. The government had forced the resignation of several board members and, according to Canadian broadcaster CTV, Hudak "suggested the government was trying to pre-empt another eHealth-like scandal, and promised his party would "shine the light" on any Liberal misspending."<ref>{{cite news|title=OLG faces major shake-up after string of controversies|url=https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/olg-faces-major-shake-up-after-string-of-controversies-1.429970|access-date=September 4, 2011|newspaper=CTV|date=30 August 2009}}</ref> Following Hudak's opposition, Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan fired the corporation's CEO, Kelly McDougald, "for cause".<ref name="clean house">{{cite news|title=Ontario cleans house at OLG|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-cleans-house-at-olg-1.777550|access-date=May 17, 2018|newspaper=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=August 31, 2009}}</ref> The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) also reported that a freedom-of-information request by Hudak's Tories was behind the shakeup. According to Hudak, the Liberals "knew it would be coming up in the opening session of the legislature, [so they] put it out today to head off the scandal.... But you're not going to stop the scandalous spending until [Premier Dalton] McGuinty sets the tone by firing one of his ministers."<ref name="clean house"/>

On September 10, 2009, Hudak delivered his first major speech as Party leader to the [[Economic Club of Canada]]. In his speech, Hudak attacked the Liberals for unnecessary spending at eHealth and OLG,<ref name="McGriddle">{{cite news|title=McGriddle warms for McGuinty|url=http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/christina_blizzard/2009/09/11/10832641-sun.html|access-date=September 4, 2011|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=September 11, 2011}}</ref> as well as giving a $263-million grant to a video game developer.<ref name="McGriddle"/>

On October 19, 2009, Hudak launched a petition to support the new West Lincoln Memorial Hospital (WLMH) in West Niagara.<ref name="hospital">{{cite news|title=Fight for the new hospital: Hudak|url=http://www.flamboroughreview.com/news/article/283750|access-date=4 September 2011|newspaper=Flamborough Review|date=23 October 2009}}</ref> The petition called on the McGuinty government as well as the Minister of Health to stop the Hamilton-Niagara-Haldimand-Brant Local Health Integration Network from delaying the construction of the new hospital.<ref name="hospital"/>
[[File:Tim Hudak and PC candidates at Queens Park.jpg|thumb|Hudak speaking outside Queen's Park with PC candidates|250px]]
During the fall 2009 legislative session, Hudak launched one of his first major platform pieces, the PC Caucus Small Business Jobs Plan, which he stated was essential to Ontario's economic recovery.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tim Hudak and PC Caucus Unveil Small Business Growth Plan|url=http://www.ontariopc.com/news-releases/tim-hudak-and-pc-caucus-unveil-small-business-growth-plan/|access-date=4 September 2011|newspaper=Ontario Progressive Conservative Party|date=31 October 2009}}</ref>  Also during the fall of 2009, Hudak and his party ramped up their opposition to the [[Harmonized Sales Tax]] (HST).<ref>{{cite news|last=Cassin|first=Joyce|title=Hudak comes out swinging against HST|url=http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/2009/10/03/11271206-sun.html|access-date=September 4, 2011|newspaper=CNews|date=October 3, 2009|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713151543/http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/2009/10/03/11271206-sun.html|archive-date=July 13, 2012}}</ref> The HST, came into effect July 1, 2010, blended the previous eight per cent provincial sales tax with the five per cent [[Goods and Services Tax (Canada)|Goods and Services Tax]] (GST).

By the end of 2009, polls indicated that under Hudak's leadership, the Ontario PC Party jumped from a distant second to a double-digit lead.<ref>{{cite news|title=Coyle: Hudak is one lucky, um, boy|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/737486--coyle-hudak-is-one-lucky-um-boy|access-date=September 4, 2011|newspaper=The Toronto Star|date=December 11, 2009}}</ref>
The Party’s first year under Hudak’s leadership wrapped up with the Conservative’s Northern Ontario jobs plan, a plan to restore jobs and economic growth to Ontario’s vast north. "The big picture here is that [when] developing economies like China and India grow, and the American economy rebounds, there will be a massive appetite for Ontario’s wood products and minerals and other resources", Hudak said.<ref>{{cite news|title=Infrastructure investment key to job creation in north: PCs|url=http://fftimes.com/node/230100|access-date=4 September 2011|newspaper=Fort Frances Times Online|date=30 December 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816041641/http://fftimes.com/node/230100|archive-date=16 August 2011}}</ref>

Hudak also criticized the McGuinty government’s approach to Ontario's nuclear industry.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nuclear industry left hanging, Tim Hudak says|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/763088--nuclear-industry-left-hanging-hudak-says|access-date=September 4, 2011|newspaper=The Toronto Star|date=February 10, 2010|first=Rob|last=Ferguson}}</ref> In line with his plan for the North, Hudak commented that “Reducing Northern Ontario's high energy costs is key to making industries there more profitable and preventing future mill closures.”<ref>{{cite news|last=Grech|first=Ron|title=Hudak sees need to cut North's energy costs POLITICS|url=http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2225223&archive=true|access-date=September 4, 2011|newspaper=The Expositor}}</ref>

In March 2010 by-elections, the Tories retained retired MPP Bob Runciman's riding of [[Leeds—Grenville (provincial electoral district)|Leeds-Grenville]], boosting their support by 19 points to 67 per cent of the vote. The party lost a second race in [[Ottawa West—Nepean (provincial electoral district)|Ottawa West-Nepean]] to former Ottawa mayor and former MPP [[Bob Chiarelli]], although they improved their showing over the results of the 2007 election. In a third by-election held in [[Toronto Centre (provincial electoral district)|Toronto Centre]] on the same day, the Progressive Conservative candidate came in third with fifteen percent of the vote.<ref>{{cite news|title=By-elections show Tories on the rise, Tim Hudak declares|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/775874--by-elections-show-tories-on-the-rise-tim-hudak-declares|access-date=September 4, 2011|newspaper=The Toronto Star|date=March 6, 2010|first1=Rob|last1=Ferguson|first2=Robert|last2=Benzie}}</ref>

Later in April, Hudak and the Ontario PC party focused Question Period on the Local Health Integrated Network (LHIN), a system of regional health authorities established by the McGuinty government. Offering examples of sole-sourced contracting, Hudak hammered the government for broken promises and removing money from front-line care. He said the amount of money paid out in six-figure salaries to LHIN executives and managers had nearly doubled since 2006 and promised to dissolve the LHINs if he were to win the Ontario general election in 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=MPP raps Hudak over LHINs|url=http://www.wellandtribune.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2527622|date=April 9, 2010|newspaper=Welland Tribune|access-date=March 9, 2015}}</ref>

On Canada Day, 2010, the controversial harmonized sales tax (HST) came into effect across the province of Ontario. Tim Hudak responded by saying, “Dalton McGuinty will do what he does best, raising taxes on hard-working families. People will feel it at first at the pumps overnight. Next they will get hit with it on their utility bills."<ref>{{cite news|title=MPP: HST a boost for the future|url=http://www.flamboroughreview.com/news/article/article/294687|access-date=September 4, 2011|newspaper=Flamborough Review|date=July 8, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Out-of-Gas Dalton McGuinty's HST Tax Grab Set to Hit Ontario Families Tomorrow|url=http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2010/30/c9567.html|access-date=September 4, 2011|newspaper=CNW Group|date=June 30, 2010}}</ref>

Hudak also vowed to eliminate the eco-tax, a fee on certain environmentally harmful products brought in by McGuinty, if he were elected Premier.<ref>[http://www.sachem.ca/news/article/216304 Hudak vows to eliminate eco-tax], sachem.ca; accessed March 9, 2015.</ref>

In August 2010, Ontario Ombudsman André Marin exposed a bylaw that enables local health bureaucrats to hold closed-door meetings on hospital closures. Controversial decisions on hospital restructuring in the Niagara-area health unit could now be open to judicial review due to the use of the bylaw by the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network. In response to Marin's report, Hudak committed to abolish the LHINs and redirect $200 million in savings back to the health system.<ref>[http://www.healthzone.ca/health/news/canada/article/845914--marin-report-blasts-illegal-talks-on-closing-niagara-ers Marin report blasts 'illegal' talks on closing Niagara ERs], Healthzone.ca; accessed March 9, 2015</ref>

On May 26, 2011, Hudak proposed a highly controversial plan to implement mandatory street-cleaning "work gangs" made up of provincial inmates, replacing current voluntary programs. This program was described as modern-day "[[chain gang]]s" by Hudak's critics, who pointed out that such a program would be costly to implement and could pose significant security risks to the public, along with eliminating these entry-level jobs from the paid workforce.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/997331|location=Toronto|work=The Star|first1=Richard J.|last1=Brennan|first2=Rob|last2=Ferguson|title=Hudak proposes modern-day chain gangs|date=May 27, 2011}}</ref>

A Nanos Research poll released on August 16, 2011, found that fewer than one in four voters describe Hudak as the most trustworthy leader. Among women, the number was one in five.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ontario-female-voters-shy-away-from-tim-hudak/article2130561|location=Toronto|work=The Globe and Mail|first=Karen|last=Howlett|title=Ontario female voters shy away from Tim Hudak|date=August 16, 2011}}</ref>

Hudak faced criticism from party members after the Progressive Conservatives won only one out of five seats being contested in a series of by-elections on August 1, 2013. 10 party members petitioned the party to allow a [[leadership review]] at the party's policy convention in the fall and two MPPs, [[Frank Klees]] and [[Randy Hillier (politician)|Randy Hillier]], have called on Hudak to allow the review to proceed.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ontario PCs allege threats after calls for Hudak review|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ontario-pcs-allege-threats-after-calls-for-tim-hudak-review-1.1328863|access-date=May 17, 2018|newspaper=CBC News|date=August 10, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=PCs feuding over proposed leadership review for Hudak|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/touch/news/ottawa/feuding+over+proposed+leadership+review+Hudak/8770302/story.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130812011506/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/touch/news/ottawa/feuding+over+proposed+leadership+review+Hudak/8770302/story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 12, 2013|access-date=August 11, 2013|newspaper=Ottawa Citizen|date=August 9, 2013}}</ref>

In April 2014, Hudak and fellow MPP [[Lisa MacLeod]] were being sued for libel by Ontario Premier [[Kathleen Wynne]] for saying she “oversaw and possibly ordered the criminal destruction of [gas plant] documents.”<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2014/04/04/mpps_must_wait_to_hear_from_computer_expert_peter_faist.html|work=Toronto Star|title=Kathleen Wynne sues Tim Hudak, MPP Lisa MacLeod and PC party|date=April 4, 2014}}</ref> Wynne denies she had any knowledge or involvement of the allegations made. Hudak and the PC face a subsequent lawsuit over statements made on its website brought forward by the Working Families Coalition.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2014/04/27/working-families-group-sues-tories|newspaper=Toronto Sun|title=Working Families group sues Tories|date=April 27, 2014}}</ref> The group has funded attack ads (with union financial backing), and been accused by the PC party of supporting the Liberal Party.<ref name="Working Families">{{cite news|title=Tories demand probe into TV attack ads|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/tories-demand-probe-into-tv-attack-ads-1.657608|access-date=January 18, 2014|newspaper=CBC News|date=August 24, 2007}}</ref>

===2011 election===
{{see also|2011 Ontario general election}}
Hudak's Progressive Conservatives consistently led in public opinion polls for months leading up to the October 6, 2011, provincial election.<ref>{{cite news|title=National Post editorial board: Tim Hudak can't have it both ways|url=http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/05/30/national-post-editorial-board-tim-hudak-cant-have-it-both-ways/|access-date=July 4, 2013|newspaper=National Post|date=May 30, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130704115559/http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/05/30/national-post-editorial-board-tim-hudak-cant-have-it-both-ways/|archive-date=July 4, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Grenier|first=Eric|title=Tim Hudak Still The Man To Beat In Upcoming Ontario Vote|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2011/08/02/tim-hudak-ontario-vote_n_916313.html|access-date=July 4, 2013|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=August 3, 2011}}</ref> However, by the time the writ was dropped for the election the party's lead had begun to shrink.<ref>{{cite news|last=Grenier|first=Eric|title=Ontario Election: Tim Hudak's Hope For Majority Seen Slipping In New Polls|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2011/09/02/ontario-election-tim-hudak-dalton-mcguinty-poll-majority_n_944845.html|access-date=July 4, 2013|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=September 2, 2011}}</ref> The Liberal Party made gains in polling during the election campaign and on election night won a minority government, one seat shy of a majority government. The Liberals took 53 seats, the Tories won 37 and the NDP took 17 seats.<ref>{{cite news|title=McGuinty's Liberals win minority government|url=http://www.thespec.com/news-story/2210553-mcguinty-s-liberals-win-minority-government|access-date=July 4, 2013|newspaper=The Spec|date=October 7, 2011}}</ref>

===2014 election and resignation===
{{see also|2014 Ontario general election}}
Following his party's defeat in the 2011 election, Hudak invited Tom Long, Leslie Noble and other architects of the party's 1995 victory to design his campaign for the following election. Hudak's Conservatives ran on a platform promising to create a million jobs and to reduce the public service by 100,000 jobs through attrition - resulting in his math being challenged by the other parties and various analysts.<ref name="tim_hudak_defends_pcs_million_jobs_plan">{{cite news | title = Tim Hudak defends math used in PCs' million jobs plan | website=cbc.ca | publisher = [[CBC News|CBC]] | year = 2014  |access-date = 2014-05-19 | url = http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-votes-2014/tim-hudak-defends-math-used-in-pcs-million-jobs-plan-1.2657108 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610201703/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-votes-2014/tim-hudak-defends-math-used-in-pcs-million-jobs-plan-1.2657108 |archive-date=2014-06-10 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Hudak won his Niagara West-Glanbrook seat while his party lost 10 seats. After the election, several Conservative MPPs said they had not known about Hudak's "Million Job Plan" ahead of time and criticized Hudak for not consulting his caucus about the election platform he was running on. Hudak announced he would resign as leader of the Progressive Conservative Party after losing to [[Kathleen Wynne]]'s Liberals, which secured a majority government, but said he will continue as an MPP.<ref>{{cite news|title=Last gasp for Ontario's Common Sense Revolution?|url=https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2014/06/11/last_gasp_for_ontarios_common_sense_revolution_hepburn.html|access-date=June 18, 2014|work=Toronto Star}}</ref><ref name=resign2>{{cite news|title=Tim Hudak will step down as Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader July 2|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/tim-hudak-will-step-down-as-ontario-progressive-conservative-leader-july-2/article19231032|publisher=The Globe and Mail|date=June 18, 2014|access-date=June 19, 2014}}</ref><ref name=resign1>{{cite news|title=Tim Hudak to quit July 2 amid Tory revolt|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2014/06/19/tim_hudak_to_quit_july_2_amid_tory_revolt.html|access-date=June 18, 2014|work=Toronto Star|date=June 18, 2014}}</ref>

Hudak did not take a position in the [[Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet of the 41st Legislative Assembly of Ontario|Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet]] named by his interim successor, [[Jim Wilson (Ontario politician)|Jim Wilson]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Hudak has no regrets about 2014 election: No apologies for platform that gave Liberals a majority |last=Nolan |first=Daniel |newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator |date=May 11, 2015 |page=A7}}</ref>

===Backbench MPP===
In October 2015, Hudak tabled a private member's bill that would legalize [[ridesharing companies]] such as [[Uber]], property rental services such as [[Airbnb]], and parking-sharing services such as Rover at the provincial level and with provincial regulatory standards.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/reevely-smart-proposals-on-uber-and-airbnb-from-tim-hudak | title=Smart proposals on Uber and Airbnb from … Tim Hudak? | work=[[Ottawa Citizen]] | last=Reevely | first=David | date=27 October 2015}}</ref>

Hudak announced on August 9, 2016, that he would be resigning his seat in the Ontario legislature, effective September 16, 2016, to become the Chief Executive Officer of the [[Ontario Real Estate Association]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2016/08/09/tim-hudak-quitting-provincial-politics-to-lead-ontario-real-estate-association.html|title=Tim Hudak quitting provincial politics to lead Ontario Real Estate Association {{!}} Toronto Star|website=thestar.com|date=9 August 2016|access-date=2016-10-07}}</ref>

=== Political views ===
Numerous pundits have labelled Hudak as a [[blue Tory]] who is on the right-wing of the PC Party of Ontario, though Hudak has called himself a "purple Tory".<ref>{{cite news|last=Taube|first=Michael|title=Sex ed blunder presents huge opportunity for Tim Hudak|url=https://lfpress.com/comment/2010/05/07/13888511.html|access-date=2 January 2013|newspaper=Ifpress.com|date=May 10, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Radwanski|first=Adam|title=Tim Hudak: A true-blue conservative - some days|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/tim-hudak-a-true-blue-conservative---some-days/article621987|access-date=2 January 2013|newspaper=Globe and Mail|date=January 31, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Hudak's purple prose marks Tory platform|url=http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/2011/05/30/hudaks-purple-prose-marks-tory-platform|access-date=January 2, 2013|newspaper=Stratford Beacon Herald|date=May 30, 2011}}</ref> He has proposed [[income splitting]] for young couples and families, and campaigned to scrap the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, replacing it with a courts-based system of settling complaints.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ferguson|first=Rob|title=How much Harris is there in Tim Hudak?|url=https://www.thestar.com/Article/657822|access-date=January 2, 2013|newspaper=Toronto Star|date=June 28, 2009}}</ref> Hudak's wife, Deb Hutton, was a senior adviser to Mike Harris, and he is seen by some as the new standard-bearer for the Mike Harris Common Sense Revolution.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ontario Election: Is Tory Leader Tim Hudak A Moderate Or Mike Harris Clone?|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2011/09/07/moderate-or-mike-harris-clone-tim-hudak-ontario-election_n_951973.html|access-date=January 2, 2013|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=September 7, 2011}}</ref>

When he was running for the PC leadership in 2009, Hudak told the Association for Reformed Political Action that he is [[anti-abortion]] and had signed petitions calling for the defunding of abortions.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/hudak-won-t-address-abortion-beliefs-1.1109975|work=CBC News|title=Hudak won't address abortion beliefs|date=July 18, 2011|access-date=May 17, 2018}}</ref> However, on July 18, 2011, during the lead-up to the October 6 provincial election, Hudak stated that he "may have" signed petitions calling for an end to abortion funding. He refused to answer follow-up questions from media regarding his views on abortion, but promised that he would not reopen the abortion debate if elected premier.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1026580--hudak-admits-to-once-supporting-anti-abortion-petition|location=Toronto|work=The Star|first1=Tanya|last1=Talaga|title=Hudak admits to once supporting anti-abortion petition|date=July 19, 2011}}</ref>

In December 2012, Hudak announced that if he were to form government he would allow beer, wine and spirits to be sold at corner stores throughout the province. Hudak said he would sell part of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario or some of its stores to the private sector and is open to the idea of a full sell-off of the LCBO.<ref>{{cite news|title=Allow liquor sales at corner stores, Hudak urges|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/allow-liquor-sales-at-corner-stores-hudak-urges-1.1215581|access-date=January 2, 2013|date=December 4, 2012}}</ref> Although the McGuinty government had rejected the idea of selling alcohol in corner stores in the summer of 2012, weeks after Hudak's announcement, they launched a pilot project to allow alcohol to be sold in supermarkets.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ferguson|first=Rob|title=McGuinty says no to beer, wine in Ontario's corner stores|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1231419--beer-wine-should-be-sold-in-ontario-convenience-stores-says-ocsa|access-date=January 2, 2013|newspaper=The Toronto Star|date=July 25, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Ontario pilot project will allow booze sales in supermarkets|url=http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/politics/archives/2012/12/20121231-114803.html|access-date=January 2, 2013|newspaper=Sun News|date=December 31, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102131225/http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/politics/archives/2012/12/20121231-114803.html|archive-date=January 2, 2013}}</ref>

In April 2013, Hudak met with the ''National Post''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s editorial board to discuss education issues in Ontario. Among other things, he was asked about Ontario's [[Separate school|publicly funded Roman Catholic school system]], which operates in parallel with the public system. Hudak simply stated that parents from other religions or denominations have "legitimate concerns".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2013/04/17/selley|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150309225825/http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2013/04/17/selley|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 9, 2015|work=National Post|title=Chris Selley on Catholic schools: The constitutional quirk that won't go away|date=April 17, 2013}}</ref>

== Post-MPP Career ==
[[File:Tim Hudak Dan Carter DRAR 2019 (1).jpg|thumb|Hudak with Oshawa Mayor [[Dan_Carter_(Canadian_politician)|Dan Carter]], in 2019.]]
After the Ontario legislature in 2016, Hudak became the CEO of the [[Ontario Real Estate Association]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> In 2021 it was announced that he would chair a provincial committee to promote tourism following [[COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario|COVID-19]] lockdowns. <ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-10|title=Tim Hudak to head a new provincial tourism task force promoting Ontario destinations|url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2021/03/10/tim-hudak-to-head-a-new-provincial-tourism-task-force-promoting-ontario-destinations.html|access-date=2021-03-11|website=thestar.com|language=en}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Hudak married Deb Hutton on October 5, 2002 and together they have two daughters, Miller and Maitland.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/provincialelection/article/1062935| title=Tim Hudak's daughter Miller the light of his life}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2014/03/24/ontario_pc_leader_tim_hudak_and_his_wife_deb_hutton_welcome_a_second_daughter.html| title=Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak and his wife Deb Hutton welcome a second daughter|access-date=March 9, 2015}}</ref>

He is an avid [[Twitter]], [[Facebook]], and social media enthusiast. In 2010, he became the first Canadian politician to have his own [[iPhone]] application.<ref>[http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2010/03/06/13139246.html Hudak gets his own iPhone app], torontosun.com; accessed March 9, 2015.</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Tim Hudak}}
* {{Official site|http://timhudak.ca/}}
* {{Ontario MPP biography|id=tim-hudak}}

{{Ontario PC Leaders}}
{{Eves Ministry}}
{{Harris Ministry}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hudak, Tim}}
[[Category:1967 births]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Slovak descent]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:Franco-Ontarian people]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario]]
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[[Category:People from Fort Erie, Ontario]]
[[Category:Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario MPPs]]
[[Category:University of Washington alumni]]
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[[Category:21st-century members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario]]