Jun 15, 2017
Patrick Brown

Patrick Brown was elected Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario on May 9, 2015.  He ran on a platform of Party renewal, promising to grow the Party to over 100,000 members from every walk of life and every corner of the province.  A bigger Party, firmly rooted in every neighbourhood of every community in Ontario, is key to reconnecting the PC Party with the people of the province before the next provincial election.

Patrick Brown’s family has had deep roots in Simcoe County for the past 75 years since his grandparents moved to Angus in 1945. Growing up, many of Patrick’s best memories came from playing hockey in Guthrie, cross-country skiing with his dad in Oro-Medonte, or spending time at the family farm in Midland. One of three children in a close family, Patrick often credits his parents with teaching him the values and principles – including his work ethic – that have guided his career.

Patrick’s interest in politics began at a young age, serving two terms as President of the Progressive Conservative Youth Federation (PCYF). He was then first elected to Barrie City Council in 2000 and was re-elected in 2003 with 72% of the vote. In 2006, he defeated an incumbent Liberal cabinet minister in the federal election and became the Member of Parliament for Barrie. He was re-elected in 2008 and 2011, each time increasing his share of the vote.

In 2011, Patrick was named Chair of the GTA and Central Ontario Caucus. This role allowed him to grow strong relationships with business and community leaders across Ontario. He was also Chairman of the Canada-India Parliamentary Association and has made 15 trips to India, building relations with one of the world’s fastest growing economies.

Patrick has worked hard to build partnerships with people, groups, corporations, governments and organizations – both at home and abroad – establishing connections that allow him to better serve his constituents and to rebuild Ontario as Premier.
Patrick is also one of only two honorary firefighters in the Province of Ontario, a testament to his commitment to working with the men and women who keep Ontarians safe.

An alumni of St. Michael's College School in Toronto, Patrick studied political science at the University of Toronto before earning his LL.B from the University of Windsor. Prior to his first election, Patrick ran a law practice in downtown Barrie. Functional in French, Patrick also attended l’Université du Québec à Trois Rivières for extensive French studies.

As a marathon runner and an avid hockey and tennis player, Patrick has combined his passion for sports and public service to make Canada and Ontario a better place to live and work. As a Member of Parliament for the last nine years Patrick has worked tirelessly on issues important to residents of Simcoe County, including access to health care, mental health, and cleaning up Lake Simcoe.

 Patrick’s dedication to enhancing healthcare access has seen him help raise nearly $2 million dollars for the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie and various other charities across the region, including Autism Ontario, ALS Canada, Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County, Hospice Simcoe, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, as well as the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre.

Sponsors