MPP Hon. Brad Duguid, Scarborough Centre

God I want to thank you for Hon. Brad Duguid today. I want to thank you that he has spent so much of his life bettering the lives of other people by serving in various forms of government. I want to thank you that he has been given the opportunity to work on our province’s economic growth strategy by giving oversight to it. May he and his team have the wisdom, courage, and support to lead our province financially in the nation and bring prosperity to our region. May you give him guidance on how to lead with integrity, honour, and innovation. Be with his wife Crystal and two boys. Guard the family so that they may not feel neglected but rather partner in the heart to bring positive change to us all.

Brad Duguid currently serves as Minister of Economic Development and Growth. As Minister, his focus is on creating jobs, promoting Ontario as a smart place to invest, building a culture of entrepreneurship and growing a strong, innovative economy that is inclusive to people of all abilities.

Prior to this post, he served in a number of cabinet roles, including Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, Minister of Economic Development and Innovation, Minster of Energy and Infrastructure, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, and Minister of Labour. These portfolios span the economic and social spectrum, instilling a cross-government approach to public policy and government priorities.

Some of Minister Duguid’s key achievements include ushering in the Attracting Investment and Creating Jobs Act, 2012, which established the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund and made permanent the Eastern Ontario Development Fund; launching Ontario’s very first Long-Term Energy Plan, which built on Ontario’s commitment to clean energy; and launching PLAY, program for aboriginal youth using participation in sports and activities to teach life-skills.

His involvement in politics began more than 25 years ago while working at Queen’s Park and on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. He also served municipally, as a city councillor in Scarborough and Toronto for nine years.  Brad Duguid lives in Scarborough with his wife, Crystal, and two sons, Kennedy and Jordan.