Kennedy, Gerard
[Français]
An experienced consensus builder, Gerard Kennedy breaks down barriers and brings people together.
Whether it’s partisanship in the legislature, challenges facing business and labour or teachers and school boards, Gerard believes that Ontario can’t afford to have artificial barriers.
He knows government needs to work collaboratively to solve our biggest challenges and he is prepared to build the bridges required to get Ontario working again for everyone.
Gerard Kennedy has the skills and experience to be the next Premier and leader of the Ontario Liberal Party. In fact, Gerard has spent his life in public service.
He first made headlines as the Executive Director of the Daily Bread Food Bank at the age of 26. He continued his devotion to fighting poverty and hunger for 13 years before entering political life. Educated at Trent University and the University of Alberta, Gerard was born and raised in the northern community of The Pas, Manitoba.
He first ran for office in in 1995, winning three terms as an MPP and one term as an MP. Eight of Gerard’s thirteen years in public life were spent, challenging the Harris agenda in Opposition as Health Care critic and, then, education critic, a role that prepared him to become one of the most respected education ministers of our time. In addition to Health and Education, Gerard’s diverse legislative roles have included consumer protection, housing, industry, cities, infrastructure and the environment.
As Minister of Education from 2003 to 2006 he renewed a system devastated by cuts and labour strife under Mike Harris, turning it into to a model education system copied by countries around the world. His vision resulted in higher standardized test scores, lower drop-out rates and more high school students enrolling in post-secondary education.
As the Distinguished Visiting Professor (2007-2008) at Ryerson University’s Ted Rogers School of Business, Gerard developed ideas to integrate business, not-for-profit and government to provide innovative societal solutions.
Innovative approaches to improving public services is Gerard’s focus in his current role running Enterprising for the Public Good, where he works with private companies, charitable organizations and the US Congress.
An avid hockey player and artist, he lives with his wife and their two children, aged 9 and 13, in Old Town of Weston.
Campaign Office of Gerard Kennedy
595 Bloor St. West
Toronto
(ON)
M6G 1K5
Email : GK@GerardKennedy.ca
Web : www.GerardKennedy.ca
Categories : Canadian Federal Politic
Last Update : 2013-01-14
