Todd Hardy (May 17, 1957 – July 28, 2010) was a Canadian carpenter, trade union activist, and politician who served as Leader of the Yukon New Democratic Party. He has also served as Leader of the Opposition in the Yukon Legislative Assembly from 2002 to 2006.
Todd Hardy | |
|---|---|
| MLA for Whitehorse Centre | |
| In office September 30, 1996 – April 17, 2000 | |
| Preceded by | Margaret Commodore |
| Succeeded by | Mike McLarnon |
| In office November 4, 2002 – July 28, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Mike McLarnon |
| Succeeded by | Liz Hanson |
| Leader of Official Opposition of Yukon | |
| In office 2002 – May 1, 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Eric Fairclough |
| Succeeded by | Arthur Mitchell |
| Leader of the Yukon New Democratic Party | |
| In office 2002 – September 26, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Eric Fairclough |
| Succeeded by | Liz Hanson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 17, 1957 Murrayville, British Columbia |
| Died | July 28, 2010 (aged 53) Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada |
| Political party | New Democrat |
| Spouse | Louise Hardy |
| Residence | Whitehorse, Yukon |
| Occupation | Carpenter, Trade Unionist |
A carpenter by trade, Hardy was business agent of local 2499 of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America before being elected to the Yukon Legislative Assembly. He taught karate and also volunteered as a minor hockey coach, coaching one of the Yukon's teams to the Arctic Winter Games and the Canada Winter Games.[1] He was married to Louise Hardy, the Yukon's former federal Member of Parliament.
Political career
editHe was first elected to the Yukon Legislative Assembly for the riding of Whitehorse Centre in the 1996 Yukon general election and was narrowly defeated in the 2000 election. Hardy was one of the founders of Habitat for Humanity in the Yukon.[2] He became leader of the Yukon NDP in 2002 and won his Whitehorse Centre seat in the general election held that year.
In August 2006, Hardy was sent to Vancouver for leukemia treatment.[3] Hardy fought the 2006, general election from his hospital bed through near daily telephone conferences with local reporters and the NDP candidates. He returned to Whitehorse just a week before the vote and still managed to win his seat. His party, however, though leading in the polls for months going into the election was reduced to three seats and third party status.
Hardy maintained his seat in the legislature and title of leader despite frequent trips out of the territory for continued monitoring and treatment during the spring sitting in 2007. He continued in his duties until the 2010 spring sitting, when his surprised his colleagues by sitting in the legislature despite his illness.
Citing his ongoing health issues, he announced on February 5, 2009, his intent to resign as party leader.[4] This took effect on September 26, 2009, when Elizabeth Hanson was acclaimed as the new leader.[5]
Death
editTodd Hardy died at home after a long battle with leukemia at age 53 surrounded by close family.[6]
Electoral record
editYukon general election, 2006
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDP | Todd Hardy | 357 | 46.6% | +13.4% | |
| Liberal | Bernie Phillips | 211 | 27.5% | +3.4% | |
| Yukon Party | Jerry Johnson | 188 | 24.8% | +5.9% | |
| Total | 766 | 100.0% | – | ||
Yukon general election, 2002
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDP | Todd Hardy | 300 | 33.2% | -0.7% | |
| Liberal | Bernie Phillips | 218 | 24.1% | -22.1% | |
| Independent | Mike McLarnon | 207 | 2.9% | – | |
| Yukon Party | Vicki Durrant | 171 | 18.9% | +0.3% | |
| Total | 904 | 100.0% | – | ||
Yukon general election, 2000
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | Mike McLarnon | 312 | 46.2% | +23.0% | |
| NDP | Todd Hardy | 229 | 33.9% | -11.9% | |
| Yukon Party | Vicki Durrant | 130 | 19.2% | -11.0% | |
| Total | 676 | 100.0% | – | ||
Yukon general election, 1996
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDP | Todd Hardy | 328 | 45.8% | +8.3% | |
| Yukon Party | Linda Dixon | 216 | 30.2% | -7.0% | |
| Liberal | Jon Breen | 166 | 23.2% | -1.7% | |
| Total | 716 | 100.0% | – | ||
References
edit- ^ "Late MLA had rich life outside politics", Whitehorse Star, July 28, 2010.
- ^ "Current, ex-NDP leaders reflect on MLA’s legacy", Whitehorse Star, July 30, 2010.
- ^ "Yukon NDP leader in hospital for cancer treatment", cbc.ca, August 10, 2006.
- ^ "Battling leukemia, Hardy resigns as Yukon NDP leader", cbc.ca, February 5, 2009.
- ^ "Hanson named Yukon NDP leader". cbc.ca, September 28, 2009.
- ^ "Todd Hardy succumbs to cancer". Yukon News. 28 July 2010. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
- ^ Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Yukon on the 2006 General Election Elections Yukon, 2006. Retrieved January 21, 2017
- ^ Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Yukon on the 2002 General Election Elections Yukon, 2002. Retrieved January 21, 2017
- ^ Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Yukon on the 2000 General Election Elections Yukon, 2000. Retrieved January 21, 2017
- ^ Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Yukon on the General Election Held on September 30, 1996 Elections Yukon, 1996. Retrieved January 21, 2017