At the Hamilton Convention Centre, March 7, 2009, Ms. Horwath succeeded Howard Hampton who led the party for thirteen years. She is the sixth leader of the NDP and the second woman to lead an Ontario political party. (Lyn McLeod was leader of the provincial Liberal Party from 1992 to 1996.)
Andrea Horwath Leader of Ontario NDP
Described as the “most broad-based leadership selection process in Ontario political history”, it included mail, internet, and telephone voting by party members. Andrea Horwath’s opponents were MPPs Michael Prue of Beaches-East York, Gilles Bisson of Timmins-James Bay, and Peter Tabuns of Toronto-Danforth.
Andrea Horwath, 46, was born in Stoney Creek, Ontario. She worked at low-wage jobs to be able to attend McMaster University in Hamilton where she earned a B.A. in Labour. Her work within the labour movement included literacy and English as a Second Language (ESL) training for workers.
In Welland, Ontario, Horwath was active in co-op housing. When the position of Community Development Co-ordinator at a Community Legal Clinic was offered to her, she accepted. An effective and talented organizer, she was Co-chair of Hamilton’s very successful 1996 Days of Action Campaign against the provincial government cutbacks. She was named Hamilton’s 1996 Woman of the Year in Public Affairs.
Ontario NDP Leader was Hamilton City Councillor
Horwath served as Hamilton City Councillor for seven years from 1997 to 2004 where her accomplishments were numerous. Among her concerns is finding solutions for environmental problems.
In a 2004 by-election for Hamilton East, Andrea Horwath's resounding victory meant that the NDP regained official party status.
The questions now arise about her potential effectiveness as leader. The provincial Conservatives are in disarray. Many people look upon the NDP as the conscience of the government at this time. With the current economic downturn, people will want the party’s voice to be heard on behalf of low-wage and unemployed workers.
Ontario Legislature
Andrea Horwath’s first day as NDP leader in the Ontario Legislature began with a standing ovation. She was welcomed and congratulated by Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty who walked across the floor to shake her hand. All government ministers and members of all parties followed.
After her first session as Leader of the NDP in the Legislature, Ms. Howarth’s comment to reporters as recorded in The Toronto Star was, “The opposition’s role is to keep the government’s feet to the fire and bring other ideas and solutions to the table. I plan on doing that".
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