Andrea Horwath elected new Ontario NDP leader
Hamilton - Andrea Horwath, MPP for Hamilton Centre, is the new leader of the Ontario NDP.
"This is a tremendous honour. I am excited about this historic opportunity to rejuvenate our party and lead us to greater success. I look forward to growing our party and to fighting for all Ontarians, especially those who are struggling to cope with a worsening economic crisis," Horwath said to nearly 1,000 New Democrats at the party's Leadership Convention and hundreds more watching online at home.
At a packed Hamilton Convention Centre, Horwath was declared the winner on the third ballot of a race that featured the most broad-based leadership selection process - with mail, internet and telephone voting - in Ontario political history. She defeated fellow MPPs Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay), Michael Prue (Beaches-East York) and Peter Tabuns (Toronto-Danforth).
"To my three colleagues, I want to thank you and your supporters for your outstanding dedication and hard work during an exciting race that has re-energized our party and given Ontarians reason to hope again. I look forward to working with our talented caucus to offer a positive, progressive vision for our province," Horwath said.
Horwath, 46, becomes the first woman leader of the Ontario NDP and just the second woman to lead a major Ontario political party. She will mark her first full day as leader on International Women's Day.
