29 Facts About Chris Hodgson

Chris Hodgson was Reeve of Dysart Township in 1993, and warden of Haliburton.

Chris Hodgson was a cabinet minister in the governments of Mike Harris and Ernie Eves, serving variously as Minister of Northern Development and Mines, Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet and Deputy Government House Leader, and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Chris Hodgson graduated from Trent University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts honours degree in history and political science.

Chris Hodgson's son, Cody, is a retired ice hockey player picked 10th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft who last played for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League in 2016.

Chris Hodgson's uncle, Ronald Glen Hodgson, was a Tory MPP for many years, in the same riding later held by Chris Hodgson.

However, Chris Hodgson's campaign prioritized the ongoing recession, and electoral analysis shows that he was elected on the basis of the positive response to his 5-point plan, focusing on cutting red tape and taxes, downsizing government, creating a good job climate, bringing deficits under control, and reforming education.

On October 10,1997, Chris Hodgson was named Minister of Northern Development and Mines, Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet and Deputy Government House Leader.

Chris Hodgson served as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing from 2001 to 2003.

Chris Hodgson retained his position as Chair of the Management Board in the new parliament, and was named Commissioner of the Board of Internal Economy on July 27,1999.

When Harris resigned as Premier in 2002, many expected Chris Hodgson to enter the race to replace him.

Chris Hodgson retained the Municipal Affairs and Housing portfolio in the Eves cabinet, but unexpectedly stepped down on January 13,2003, announcing his decision to retire from politics.

Chris Hodgson cooperated with hunters and animal rights activists to introduce the first amended Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act in 50 years, replacing the Game and Fish Act, in an effort to toughen enforcement provisions in the industry, increase protection of a wider range of species and better manage resources.

Chris Hodgson created the Special Purpose Account and the Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Fund and Advisory Boards to earmark funding to fish and wildlife parks, and set up an account dedicated to fishing and hunting license revenues for the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.

Chris Hodgson introduced Bill 52 to make Aggregate Industry more accountable for meeting strict provincial standards and removing barriers to job creation in the sector.

Chris Hodgson led the strategy to tackle the Land Caution in the Temagami area, resolving the long-standing dispute on land use and resource management, and was singled out for bringing together all sides of the Kawartha Highlands Signature Site and brokering an agreement by writing new legislation to turn the 36,000-hectare Kawartha Highlands into a provincial park.

Chris Hodgson was recognized as the key figure in this process by the president of the World Wildlife Fund Canada.

Chris Hodgson helped draft the first partnership between the province and a First Nations band to manage a provincial park.

Chris Hodgson was praised for targeting illegal gambling and rejuvenated the horse-racing industry by banning video lottery terminals from bars and restaurants, and proposing slot machines at racetracks, rejecting a proposal for private gambling houses in a bid to consolidate the administration of legal gaming under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Lottery Corporation.

Chris Hodgson's efforts were recognized by the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association and the Responsible Gaming Council.

Chris Hodgson oversaw the mandate of Bill 124, 'An act to improve public safety and to increase efficiency in building code enforcement' under BRRAG, which received royal assent in June 2002, and introduced legislation to help revitalize contaminated industrial sites.

In 2002, Chris Hodgson was responsible for Ontario's role in hosting World Youth Day, then the largest international conference held in Canada, which generated an estimated $233 million in economic spinoffs.

Shortly after assuming office, Chris Hodgson was involved in a cabinet discussion with Harris and members of the Ontario Provincial Police concerning a standoff with native protesters at Ipperwash Provincial Park.

Harris and Chris Hodgson both denied the allegations when they took the stand, and Deputy Minister Ron Vrancart testified against Todres' claims that Chris Hodgson was angry or agitated at the meeting.

Chris Hodgson stated that the only thing Hodgson spoke about at the meeting was that the matter had nothing to do with his ministry, and as such, he should not be the spokesperson for it.

Chris Hodgson later stated that although he was glad that the Inquiry was providing an opportunity for healing among the First Nations community, the inquiry had become a 'show trial' of the former Conservative government.

Chris Hodgson is quoted having said that he not only did not say those words, but stayed quiet during the meeting because he felt the issue had nothing to do with his ministry, as it was an enforcement issue.

Chris Hodgson became the first MPP to have been awarded the AMO award.

Chris Hodgson became the first politician to win the OFAH's Ontario Hunting Heritage Award.

Chris Hodgson is currently president of the Ontario Mining Association, the provincial mining industry's trade organization.