The Canadian Press
TORONTO—Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown has taken the oath of office as the Member of Provincial Parliament for the riding of Simcoe North.
Brown won the Orillia-area riding in a byelection earlier this month and took his seat in the legislature for the first time today as it resumes sitting for the first time since June.
About 30 invited guests Brown described as family and friends packed the small clerk’s office at Queen’s Park to watch the brief swearing-in ceremony.
Brown gets to kick off question period as Official Opposition leader, and says he will focus on teachers’ negotiations, job creation, and blocking the sale of Hydro One.
But Brown also is promising a “different approach” for the Official Opposition, insisting he won’t oppose government initiatives simply because they’re from the Liberals.
CUPE Ontario president Fred Hahn,meanwhile, was outside the legislature today handing out cards stating that Hydro One should be kept in public hands.
NDP leader Andrea Horwath also will target the Liberal plans to sell 60 percent of Hydro One in Question Period today, warning it will drive electricity rates even higher.
