Print    Email            Last weekend the Ontario Progressive Conservatives chose Tim Hudak to be the new party leader. Hudak steps into the role vacated by the affable John Tory, who was afforded a number of kicks at the can but was not able to capture the support of the general electorate, nor win a personal riding.

Of Czech parents, Hudak is a 41 year-old former minister in the Mike Harris and Ernie Eves cabinets. His third ballot victory at the party’s Markham convention signifies a step back to the "hard right Blue Tories" as Harris and Federal Minister (half Estonian) Peter Van Loan openly supported Hudak during his leadership campaign. "Hudak is the person to watch as potential leader," said Professor Ruho Paluoja, a Progressive Conservative Party insider, during the last provincial election.

During the entire campaign Hudak (Niagara region) maintained a lead over opponents German-born Frank Klees (Richmond Hill), Federal Finance Minister Christine Elliott (Oshawa) and Randy Hillier (Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox&Addington). His triumph indicates that the "Tories" want to go back to their conservative roots.