The Ontario Legislative Assembly is paying tribute to the "social cowboy" and former Welland MPP, the late Peter Kormos today with members of all three parties making statements.
My colleague, MPP Jim Wilson will be speaking on behalf of the Ontario PC Party, but I thought it would be a good time to remember Peter. The following is the statement I made, as leader of the Ontario PC Party, when Peter passed away in March of 2013. I feel the same today as I did three years ago: "We shall not see his like again."
Statement from Tim Hudak on the death of New Democrat Peter Kormos
Queen’s Park, March 30, 2013 - “I was saddened today to learn of the passing of Peter Kormos. Peter was MPP for Welland – a neighbouring constituency of mine – for many years. Yet we shared more than electoral boundaries. We shared Slovak origins.
“Although we were not close friends, we had that bond of heritage, which transcends politics. Through his many kind gestures, I always had the feeling he was aware of this.
“I felt it because Peter was one of those rare Parliamentarians who simply dropped the partisanship at the door on the way out of Queen’s Park at the end of the day. He was friendly, funny, compassionate and thoughtful.
“But Peter was also a tenacious fighter for the things he believed in. Eloquent, informed, by turns fiery and analytical. He was an iconic figure in the New Democratic Party, and beyond. Peter represented true democratic representation at its best.
“It’s rarely said – and in the best sense of the phrase – by politicians these days when speaking of someone so diametrically opposed in beliefs and convictions, but I can say with sad confidence on this day, ‘We shall not see his like again’.
“My sincerest condolences to Peter’s family and friends.”