Percy Hatfield

Percy Harper Hatfield (born ) is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He is a New Democratic member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario who was elected in a 2013 by-election. He represented the riding of Windsor—Tecumseh.

Early life and education Hatfield was born in St. Martins, New Brunswick. As an army brat he frequently moved, living in Fort Churchill, Manitoba, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Oromocto, New Brunswick, St. John's, Newfoundland, Port Alberni, British Columbia, and Pembroke, Ontario. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Windsor.

Career

In Pembroke Hatfield started a broadcast career at CHOV radio and television in 1970. He then worked in radio and television in St. John's, Newfoundland and Leamington, Ontario.

He worked as a weekend reporter with the Windsor Star before joining CBC radio in Windsor as a local reporter. In 1978, he transferred to CBC television in Windsor. The CWSG evolved into the Canadian Media Guild and he was elected Vice-President for Central Canada then elected At-Large as a member of the International Executive Board (the I.E.B.) of the Newspaper Guild, the first Canadian ever elected to an “at large” position with the Guild.

Soon after, TNG merged with and became a Sector within the Communications Workers of America (CWA) based in Washington, D.C.. After three terms as an “At Large” member, the I.E.B. was downsized, dropping the “At Large” positions and Hatfield went on to serve two terms as the Easter Canadian Vice-President of the TNG/CWA.

Hatfield was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in a by-election on August 1, 2013, as the New Democratic candidate in the riding of Windsor—Tecumseh. He defeated Progressive Conservative candidate Robert De Verteuil by 10,544 votes. He was re-elected in the 2014 provincial election defeating Liberal Jason Dupuis by 17,221 votes. Hatfield was re-elected in the 2018 provincial election, defeating Progressive Conservative candidate Mohammad Latif by 13,546 votes.

His previous critic roles include Infrastructure, Environment and Climate Change, and Municipal Affairs and Housing. Currently, Hatfield holds the critic role of OLG and Horse Racing, as well as the position of Second Deputy Speaker of the Committee of the Whole House. In this position, Hatfield was asked by Speaker Ted Arnott to be Ontario's representative on the executive committee of the Council of State Governments (CSG). The CSG is a region-based forum that fosters the exchange of insights and ideas to help state and provincial officials shape public policy. Hatfield's appointment was the first time that the Legislative Assembly of Ontario was offered a seat on the CSG executive committee.

He was also appointed by Speaker Arnott to serve as a member of the Midwest-Canada Relations Committee for the Midwestern Legislative Conference. This committee provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and consideration of mutual concerns, and has explored subjects ranging from border security, energy, and most recently trade-related issues and the future of Canada – US relations.

In December 2017, he introduced the bill Poet Laureate of Ontario Act In Memory of Gord Downie to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario; it passed in December 2019, establishing the Poet Laureate of Ontario.

In July 2021, Hatfield announced that he would be retiring from politics in 2022.

Electoral record

Personal life Hatfield married Gale Simko in 1975, and they have two children and six grandchildren.