MPP: Hon. Patrick Brown - Simcoe North

Dear Lord. Thank you for Patrick Brown. Thank you for his focus and courage. We ask today that you bless him with more responsibility and the backbone to rise to the challenge. Help him to see the reality of the situation through the haze of hearsay and gossip that can choke out the truth. Bless him with deep relationships with his family and closest friends. In his role as Leader of the Official Opposition, help him to help our government, govern well.  Amen

Patrick Brown was elected Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario on May 9, 2015.  He ran on a platform of Party renewal, promising to grow the Party to over 100,000 members from every walk of life and every corner of the province.  A bigger Party, firmly rooted in every neighbourhood of every community in Ontario, is key to reconnecting the PC Party with the people of the province before the next provincial election.

Also critical, is reshaping the Party to give members a stronger voice in setting its priorities; and growing, training and nurturing a powerful, province-wide network of candidates, riding associations, volunteers and activists ready to compete and win in 107 ridings whenever the next election is called.

One of three children in a close family, Patrick often credits his parents with teaching him the values and principles – including his work ethic – that have guided his career.  His interest in politics began while growing up in Toronto.  He served as a Vice President on the executive of the PC Party of Ontario and also served two terms as President of the Progressive Conservative Youth Federation (PCYF).

Patrick was first elected to Barrie City Council in 2000 and was re-elected in 2003 with 72% of the vote.  In 2006, he beat an incumbent Liberal cabinet minister in the federal election and became the Member of Parliament for Barrie.  He was re-elected in 2008 and 2011, each time increasing his share of the vote.

In 2011, Patrick was named Chair of the GTA and Central Ontario Caucus. This role allowed him to grow strong relationships with business and community leaders across Ontario.  He was also Chairman of the Canada-India Parliamentary Association and has made 15 trips to India, building relations with one of the world’s fastest growing economies.

Patrick has worked hard to build partnerships with people, groups, corporations, governments and organizations – both at home and abroad – establishing connections that allow him to better serve his constituents and to rebuild Ontario as Premier.  As a result, Patrick was named an honorary citizen of Gujarat by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, then Chief Minister of Gujarat. Patrick is also one of two honorary firefighters in the Province of Ontario, a testament to his commitment to working with the men and women who keep Ontarians safe.

An alumni of St. Michael's College School in Toronto, Patrick studied political science at the University of Toronto before earning his LL.B from the University of Windsor. Prior to his first election, Patrick ran a law practice in downtown Barrie. Functional in French, Patrick also attended l’Université du Québec à Trois Rivières for extensive French studies.

As a marathon runner and an avid hockey and tennis player, Patrick has combined his passion for sports and public service to make Canada and Ontario a better place to live and work.  Patrick’s dedication to enhancing healthcare access has seen him help raise nearly $2 million dollars for the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie and charities, including JDRF, Autism Ontario, ALS Canada, Busby Street Centre, Talk is Free Theatre, and The Bill Wilkins Scholarship.

http://www.ontariopc.com/Leader