19 Facts About Ted Arnott

Theodore Calvin Arnott was born on April 8,1963 and is a Canadian politician who was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on September 6,1990, representing the Riding of Wellington.

In 2022, Ted Arnott became the longest-serving member of the Ontario Legislature following the retirement of Jim Wilson and the defeat of Gilles Bisson.

Ted Arnott is only member of the legislature who has continuously served since the 1990 Ontario general election and the premiership of Bob Rae.

Ted Arnott grew up in Arthur, Ontario, where his family was in the engineering construction business.

At the time of his election, Ted Arnott was the youngest MPP in the Ontario Progressive Conservative Caucus.

Ted Arnott was the only member of the PC caucus not to sign the pledge.

When Ernie Eves was elected Premier in 2002, Arnott asked not to be considered for a Cabinet position, saying the absences from home required of a Cabinet Minister would not allow him to spend sufficient time with his young family.

Ted Arnott was again appointed First Deputy Chair of the Committee of the Whole House, serving in this role until 2009.

Ted Arnott was again appointed as First Deputy Chair of the Committee of the Whole House.

Ted Arnott was named PC Critic to the Minister of Economic Development, Employment, and Infrastructure, and served as PC Critic to the Minister of Labour.

Ted Arnott's resolution highlighting the Healthy Babies, Healthy Children program led to a 500 percent increase in its budget, allowing "at risk" children to be identified and receive the needed supports to reach their full potential.

Ted Arnott's resolution calling attention to the diminishing contribution by the Government of Canada to Ontario's health care costs was passed by the House, leading to a new health funding agreement.

Ted Arnott's resolution proposing a massive expansion of volunteer tree-planting efforts in Ontario for the province's 150th anniversary in Confederation was passed by the House, leading to the announcement of "Ontario's Green Leaf Challenge" program.

In November 2016, Ted Arnott announced his intention to run in the 2018 provincial election.

On July 11,2018, Arnott was elected as Speaker of the Ontario Legislature on the first ballot.

Ted Arnott continued to encourage MPPs to do better, and over time the debates in the House became more respectful and issue-focused, and somewhat less divisive.

On September 26,2020, Arnott was nominated as the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party's candidate in Wellington-Halton Hills for the 2022 provincial election.

Ted Arnott was re-elected to the Assembly for a ninth term.

Ted Arnott is an Honorary Member of the Firefighters' Association of Ontario and the Ontario Association of Road Supervisors, in recognition of his work with those organizations.