Deb Hutton

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Deb Hutton is a former chief of staff to Premier Mike Harris and a current Metrolinx board member.

Contents

Early life and education

Hutton's father worked in real estate and her mother was a teacher as she grew up in Listowel, Ontario. [1]

Hutton earned her undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Western Ontario in 1988. [1]

Career

In 1995 Hutton was an executive assistant on the team working with Mike Harris. [2] [3] In 1996 Hutton was one of the attendees of a meeting that took place just prior to death of Anthony George, an event later known as the Ipperwash Crisis. [4] Shortly thereafter, during a violent confrontation, the Ontario Provincial Police killed a protester. [5] During the public inquiry the provincial government led by Harris were scrutinized for the 1995 Ipperwash Crisis. [6] At that time, Hutton expressed "a desire to direct the police" to put a quick end to the occupation within two days. [7] [8] Later publications on the event also raise the question of whether Harris was making decisions during the event or Hutton. [9]

From 2000 until 2003 Hutton was a vice president at Hydro One, [10] [11] and then as of 2003 she was a special advisor to Ernie Eves, the premier of Toronto. [12] Around this time she acquired the nickname "Premier Hutton" because of her influence on the politics of Eves' administration. [1]

In 2004 Hutton worked on Belinda Stronach's campaign to lead the Conservative Party. [13] Hutton guided Stronach through the process and Hutton considered Stronach to be easy to work with as Hutton laiddown guidelines to be followed during the campaign. [14] : 137–138  The campaign was not successful, though in 2006 Hutton spoke on the large amount of media coverage received by the campaign. [14] : 140 

Between October 2009 and October 2020 Hutton worked for TransCanada Enterprises, [15] and this work later became of political interest to Canada's Liberal Party. [16]

In 2017 Hutton wrote a column defending the policies of Patrick Brown. [17]

Hutton was interim Chief of Staff to Minister Caroline Mulroney in 2020. [18] Hutton helped Ford prepare for the 2022 Ontario general election, by acting as Andrea Horwath in mock debates. [18] [19] She has been on the board of Metrolinx since 2022. [20] [21]

Hutton worked for Premier Doug Ford in the aftermath of the Greenbelt scandal in a volunteer capacity. She advised Cabinet Ministers and their Chiefs of staff on how to avoid conflicts of interest. [2] [18]

Personal life

Hutton is the wife of former Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario leader Tim Hudak. [22] They were married in 2002. [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Urquhart, Ian (2003-08-09). "They call her 'Premier Hutton'". The Toronto Star. pp.  , . Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  2. 1 2 D'Mello, Colin; Callan, Isaac (October 24, 2023). "Former conservative insider brought in to look for Ford government Greenbelt conflicts". Global News. Corus Entertainment.
  3. ↑ Toughill, Kelly (1995-07-17). "The group of 7 who help Mike make his mark". The Toronto Star. pp.  , . Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  4. ↑ Edwards, Peter; Levy, Harold (1996-05-29). "Secret talks held on Ipperwash". The Toronto Star. pp.  , . Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  5. ↑ "Quick end wanted to standoff at Ipperwash, inquiry hears". Waterloo Region Record. 2005-11-22. p. 31. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  6. ↑ Canadian annual review of politics and public affairs. Internet Archive. Toronto : University of Toronto Press. 2005. pp. 204–205.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  7. ↑ Edwards, Peter (2005-09-20). "Aide wanted 'quick end' to Ipperwash occupation". The Toronto Star. p. 17. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  8. ↑ Blockades or breakthroughs? : First Nations confront the Canadian state. Internet Archive. Montreal & Kingston : McGill-Queen's University Press. 2014. p. 277. ISBN   978-0-7735-9612-2.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  9. ↑ Hedican, Edward J. (2013). Ipperwash : the tragic failure of Canada's Aboriginal policy. Internet Archive. Toronto [Ont.] : University of Toronto Press. pp. 163–164. ISBN   978-1-4426-8543-7.
  10. ↑ "Energy minister lashes out over Hydro One executive expenses". Peterborough Examiner ; Peterborough, Ontario. 19 January 2004. pp. A5 – via Proquest.
  11. ↑ Mackie, Richard (2 March 2004). "Tories bit tongues about job for Hutton". The Globe and Mail ; Toronto, Ontario. pp. A10 – via Proquest.
  12. ↑ Reid, Kalvin (2003-09-22). "Deb Hutton: The woman behind the Tories". Niagara Falls Review. p. 2. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  13. ↑ LAGHI, BRIAN (2004-01-21). "New campaign team gathered together from old Tory stable". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  14. 1 2 Martin, Don (2006). Belinda : the political and private life of Belinda Stronach. Internet Archive. Toronto, Ont. : Key Porter Books. ISBN   978-1-55263-814-9.
  15. ↑ Jenkins, Jonathan (19 October 2012). "Tory leader's wife was working for gas plant". The Toronto Sun; Toronto. p. 14 – via Proquest.
  16. ↑ Leslie, Keith (2013-04-26). "Liberals target PC leader's wife over cancelled Oakville gas plant". Waterloo Region Record. p. 16. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  17. ↑ Hepburn, Bob (2017-04-27). "How the right defends 'policy-lite' Brown". The Toronto Star. p. 17. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  18. 1 2 3 Pinkerton, Charlie (23 October 2023). "Ford government taps veteran PC strategist to help with Greenbelt, Vegas fallout". The Trillium.
  19. ↑ Benzie, Robert (9 June 2022). "The inside story of how Doug Ford beat the NDP — and destroyed the Liberals — in the Ontario election". Toronto Star.
  20. ↑ Oliphant, Andrew (16 September 2024). "What Is Metrolinx, Anyway?". The Grind Magazine.
  21. ↑ "Metrolinx Public Appointments". Government of Ontario. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  22. ↑ Diebel, Linda (1 October 2011). "Tim Hudak's daughter Miller the light of his life". Toronto Star.
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