Andrea Horwath

{{Short description|Mayor of Hamilton and Canadian politician (born 1962)}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific_prefix = Her Worship

| name = Andrea Horwath

| honorific_suffix =

| image = Andrea Horwath September 2022 portrait (cropped).jpg

| alt =

| caption = Horwath in 2022

| office = 58th Mayor of Hamilton

| term_start = November 15, 2022

| term_end =

| predecessor = Fred Eisenberger

| successor =

| office1 = Leader of the Official Opposition

| term_start1 = June 29, 2018

| term_end1 = June 28, 2022

| predecessor1 = Vic Fedeli

| successor1 = Peter Tabuns

| office2 = Leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party

| term_start2 = March 7, 2009

| term_end2 = June 28, 2022

| deputy2 = {{plainlist|

}}

| predecessor2 = Howard Hampton

| successor2 = Peter Tabuns (interim)

| parliament4 = Ontario Provincial

| term_start4 = May 13, 2004

| term_end4 = August 15, 2022

| predecessor4 = Dominic Agostino

| successor4 = Sarah Jama

| constituency_MP4 = Hamilton Centre
{{small|(Hamilton East; 2004–2007)}}

| office5 = Hamilton City Councillor

| term_start5 = December 1, 1997

| term_end5 = June 16, 2004

| alongside5 = Ron Corsini (1997–2000)

| predecessor5 = Vince Agro
Bill McCulloch

| successor5 = Bob Bratina

| constituency5 = Ward Two

| birth_name = Andrea Lynn Horwath

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1962|10|24}}

| birth_place = Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada

| death_date =

| death_place =

| party = Independent{{efn|Municipal politicians in Ontario are elected on a non-partisan basis.}}

| otherparty = Ontario New Democratic (until 2022)

| spouse =

| partner = Ben Leonetti ({{circa}} 1985–2010)

| children = 1

| parents =

| residence =

| alma_mater = McMaster University (BA)

| occupation = {{hlist|Politician|community development worker}}

| signature = Andrea-signature.png

| signature_alt =

| website =

}}

Andrea Lynn Horwath ({{IPAc-en|audio=Andreahorwath.ogg|ˈ|h|ɔːr|v|æ|θ}}; born October 24, 1962) is a Canadian politician who has served as the 58th mayor of Hamilton since 2022. Horwath served as the leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP) from 2009 to 2022 and as the leader of the Official Opposition from 2018 to 2022.

Horwath was first elected in 1997, when she won a seat on Hamilton City Council. In 2004, she was elected as the member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Hamilton Centre, a seat she would hold until 2022. Horwath was elected as the leader Ontario NDP at the party's 2009 leadership convention, and led the party through four provincial elections, before resigning in 2022. She was the first woman to lead the NDP, and the third woman (after Lyn McLeod and Kathleen Wynne) to serve as leader of a party with official party status in Ontario.

During the 2018 provincial election, Horwath led the Ontario NDP to official opposition status after 23 years without government or official opposition status. The results of the 2022 provincial election, after which the Ontario NDP remained the official opposition, led to Horwath announcing her intention to resign as the leader of the Ontario NDP on the night of June 2, 2022.{{Cite news |date=2022-06-02 |title=Andrea Horwath resigns as Ontario NDP leader |language=en-CA |work=The Toronto Star |url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/ontario-election/2022/06/02/andrea-horwath-resigns-as-ontario-ndp-leader.html |access-date=2022-06-03 |issn=0319-0781}} Her resignation took effect on June 28, 2022.{{Cite web |last=McKenzie-Sutter |first=Holly |date=2022-06-28 |title=Ontario NDP names Toronto caucus member Peter Tabuns as interim leader |url=https://www.cp24.com/news/ontario-ndp-names-toronto-caucus-member-peter-tabuns-as-interim-leader-1.5965918?cache=%2F5-things-to-know-for-frday-october-4-20-19-1.4623786%3FclipId%3D104070 |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=CP24 |language=en}}

On July 26, 2022, Horwath announced her candidacy for mayor of Hamilton,{{Cite news |last=Rosas |first=Aura |date=July 26, 2022 |title=Here's who is running so far in the 2022 municipal election in Hamilton |work=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/mayor-council-hamilton-election-1.6531204 |access-date=July 26, 2022}} and resigned her seat in the provincial legislature on August 15, 2022.{{cite web | url=https://www.ola.org/en/members/all/andrea-horwath | title=Andrea Horwath | Legislative Assembly of Ontario | date=May 13, 2004 }} She was elected mayor on October 24, 2022, and was sworn in on November 15.{{Cite web |title=2022 Candidates' Guide - Ontario municipal council and school board elections |url=http://www.ontario.ca/document/2022-candidates-guide-ontario-municipal-council-and-school-board-elections |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=ontario.ca |language=en}}

Early life, education and early career

Andrea Lynn Horwath{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Meagan |date=2018-06-06 |title=How Andrea Horwath became the imperfect underdog |url=https://macleans.ca/politics/how-andrea-horwath-became-the-imperfect-underdog/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=Macleans.ca |language=en}} was born and raised in Stoney Creek.{{Cite news |last=Craggs |first=Samantha |date=June 7, 2018 |title=Andrea Horwath's NDP to lead opposition in a 'very divided province' after Ontario election |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/andrea-horwath-1.4696602 |access-date=June 17, 2024 |work=CBC News}} She is named after her father Andrew, an ethnic Hungarian who had immigrated to Canada from Slovakia, and worked on the assembly line at the Ford Motor Company plant in Oakville, Ontario. Her mother, Diane, is of French and Irish descent.{{Cite news |last=Mehler Paperny |first=Anna |date=September 23, 2011 |title=For Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, it's all about connecting |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/for-ontario-ndp-leader-andrea-horwath-its-all-about-connecting/article595464/ |access-date=November 11, 2018}}{{cite news |date=April 12, 2013 |title=The game-changer: Horwath in the spotlight as budget battle looms |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/business/game+changer+Horwath+spotlight+budget+battle+looms/8235198/story.html |url-status=dead |access-date=February 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616133838/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/game+changer+Horwath+spotlight+budget+battle+looms/8235198/story.html |archive-date=June 16, 2013}}{{Cite news |last=Talaga |first=Tanya |date=September 8, 2011 |title=Horwath gets support from her mom to kick off her campaign |language=en |work=thestar.com |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2011/09/08/horwath_gets_support_from_her_mom_to_kick_off_her_campaign.html |access-date=November 11, 2018}}

Horwath has a Bachelor of Arts degree from McMaster University. While her initial program was in human resources, she was drawn to labour studies. She worked part-time as a waitress to pay her way through university. After graduating, Horwath worked in literacy training, legal-aid advocacy, and "community organization".

Early political career

In the Canadian federal election of 1997, she was the NDP candidate against incumbent Liberal Stan Keyes in the riding of Hamilton West. Although unsuccessful, her second-place finish was a significant improvement on previous NDP efforts in the riding, and gave her an increased level of prominence in the city.

=City councillor=

Later in 1997, she was elected to Hamilton City Council for Ward Two, outpolling two incumbents who had represented the area for more than 20 years. She emerged as a prominent voice for the political left in the city, and was re-elected to council in 2000 and 2003. During her three terms as city councillor, she chaired the solid-waste-management committee and the municipal non-profit housing corporation.

Provincial politics

Horwath was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in a 2004 by-election in the then-extant provincial riding of Hamilton East, defeating Liberal candidate Ralph Agostino to succeed the deceased Liberal member Dominic Agostino, Ralph's brother. Winning 63.6 per cent of the vote, up from the NDP's 29.4 per cent in that riding six months earlier, her landslide victory boosted the NDP's seat count over the threshold for official party status in the legislature, and helped give the federal New Democratic Party a bounce in Hamilton that would continue into the federal election shortly thereafter.

In the 2007 election, Horwath ran in the new riding of Hamilton Centre, due to redistricting that divided her former Hamilton East riding between Hamilton Centre and the new riding of Hamilton East—Stoney Creek. Horwath's new Hamilton Centre riding included approximately half of her former riding as well as a portion of the former Hamilton West riding where she had run federally in 1997. It also included her entire former city council ward.

In the lead up to the campaign, Horwath was expected to face Hamilton West Liberal incumbent Judy Marsales. However, Marsales opted not to run for another term, and Horwath easily defeated Liberal candidate Steve Ruddick on election day.

=Leader of the Ontario NDP=

==2009 leadership election==

File:Andrea Horwath 2009.jpg

On November 7, 2008, Horwath officially launched her campaign to win the party's leadership. The leadership election was held March 6–8, 2009. Horwath led on the first two ballots, and won on the third ballot with 60.4% of the vote defeating Peter Tabuns, Gilles Bisson and Michael Prue.{{Cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/horwath-wins-ontario-ndp-leadership/article1149744/ |title=Horwath wins Ontario NDP leadership |last=Campbell |first=Murray |date=March 7, 2009 |work=The Globe and Mail |access-date=November 11, 2018}}

==2011 general election==

The 2011 provincial election saw a rise in support for the NDP under Horwath's leadership. The party won more than 20% of the popular vote for the first time since 1995 and almost doubled its seats to elect 17 members of the legislature. The election also resulted in the Liberal government of Dalton McGuinty being reduced to a minority government with the NDP holding the balance of power.

In April 2012, Horwath passed a leadership review at the party's convention with 76% support.

==2014 general election==

File:Rassemblement du Nouveau Parti démocratique de l'Ontario, Sudbury - 26 mai 2014.JPG]]

On May 4, Horwath announced that the NDP would be voting against the Liberals' proposed budget, triggering a spring election. Following this, Premier Kathleen Wynne formally asked Lieutenant Governor David Onley to dissolve the legislature and call an election for June 12, 2014.{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/05/02/ontario-election-to-be-called-as-ndp-leader-andrea-horwath-says-she-can-no-longer-support-liberals/ |title=Ontario election called for June 12 as Kathleen Wynne's Liberals lose support of NDP {{pipe}} National Post |publisher=News.nationalpost.com |date=2014-05-02 |access-date=2014-05-29}} In the 2014 provincial election, the NDP was able to maintain its seat count of 21 at dissolution despite the loss of three seats in Toronto, but lost the balance of power when the Liberals took a majority win in the election. Horwath has faced criticism from some party members and progressives for running a populist campaign which they described as right-wing.{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/ontario_election/2014/05/28/gang_of_34_letter_points_to_real_problems_within_horwaths_ndp_walkom.html|title=Gang of 34 letter points to real problems within Horwath's NDP|date=May 28, 2014|access-date=May 15, 2017|first=Thomas|last=Walkom|work=Toronto Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516003650/https://www.thestar.com/news/ontario_election/2014/05/28/gang_of_34_letter_points_to_real_problems_within_horwaths_ndp_walkom.html|archive-date=May 16, 2017|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} Despite criticism of her leadership from some quarters, Horwath received a slightly increased level of support, 77%, at the party's post-election convention held on November 15.{{cite news|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/11/15/andrea-horwath-wins-77-percent-in-leadership-review-at-ndp-convention-will-stay-on-as-leader/|title=Andrea Horwath wins 77 percent in leadership review at NDP convention, will stay on as leader|first=Keith|last=Leslie|work=National Post|date=November 15, 2014|access-date=May 15, 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141116094556/http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/11/15/andrea-horwath-wins-77-percent-in-leadership-review-at-ndp-convention-will-stay-on-as-leader/|archive-date=November 16, 2014|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

==2018 general election==

Horwath ran in her third election as NDP leader against the Liberal government led by Kathleen Wynne and a Progressive Conservative Party led by Doug Ford. Horwath promised to introduce "Canada's first universal Pharmacare plan", highlighted by a universal dental plan and a prescription drug plan that "will initially cover 125 of the most commonly prescribed drugs".{{Cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2018/03/19/andrea-horwath-unveils-12b-public-dental-plan.html |title=Andrea Horwath unveils $1.2B public dental plan |last1=Benzie |first1=Robert |date=March 19, 2018 |work=Toronto Star |access-date=May 30, 2018 |last2=Rushowy |first2=Kristin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529202952/https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2018/03/19/andrea-horwath-unveils-12b-public-dental-plan.html |archive-date=May 29, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-ndp-universal-health-care-1.4581129 |title=Ontario NDP pledges full dental coverage as part of universal health care plan |last=Benzie |first=Robert |date=March 17, 2018 |work=Toronto Star |access-date=May 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529094850/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-ndp-universal-health-care-1.4581129 |archive-date=May 29, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} She also promised a child care plan in which seventy per cent of Ontario parents "would either have free child care or pay an average of $12 a day in a licensed not-for-profit daycare". Horwath promised to return Hydro One to public ownership by buying back privately held shares.{{Cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2018/05/22/live-at-noon-ontario-ndp-leader-andrea-horwath-answers-your-questions-at-the-toronto-star-editorial-board.html |title=An NDP government would not use back-to-work legislation to end strikes, party leader Andrea Horwath says |last=Ferguson |first=Rob |date=May 22, 2018 |work=Toronto Star |access-date=May 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529230818/https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2018/05/22/live-at-noon-ontario-ndp-leader-andrea-horwath-answers-your-questions-at-the-toronto-star-editorial-board.html |archive-date=May 29, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} She also said that she would close the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station immediately, while the other party leaders have pledged to keep it open until 2024.{{Cite news |url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2018/05/22/ontario-elecion-promises/ |title=Promises from Ontario's 3 main political parties on nuclear and booze |date=May 22, 2018 |access-date=May 30, 2018 |publisher=The Canadian Press |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529130149/http://toronto.citynews.ca/2018/05/22/ontario-elecion-promises/ |archive-date=May 29, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} The NDP promised to increase corporate tax rates from 11.5 to 12.5 per cent,{{Cite news |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/ontario-ndp-would-hike-corporate-taxes-horwath-1.1833305 |title=Ontario NDP would hike corporate taxes: Horwath |last=Leslie |first=Keith |date=May 22, 2014 |access-date=May 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529131619/https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/ontario-ndp-would-hike-corporate-taxes-horwath-1.1833305 |archive-date=May 29, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} as well as introducing an income tax increase for those earning over $220,000 per year.{{Cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-election-ndp-andrea-horwath-1.4672808 |title=As Ontario NDP rises in polls, its platform and candidates get closer scrutiny |last=Crawley |first=Mike |date=May 23, 2018 |work=CBC News |access-date=May 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529184503/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-election-ndp-andrea-horwath-1.4672808 |archive-date=May 29, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Horwath said the province would fund half of the operating cost of municipal transit{{Cite news |url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2018/05/17/ontario-election-campaign-may17/ |title=Ontario NDP, Liberals talk transit promises after Ford pledges gas price cut |date=May 17, 2018 |access-date=May 30, 2018 |publisher=The Canadian Press |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529130036/http://toronto.citynews.ca/2018/05/17/ontario-election-campaign-may17/ |archive-date=May 29, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} and indicated that she would not introduce back-to-work legislation. The party's support in public opinion polls increased in May 2018,{{Cite news |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4228028/ndp-tories-tied-at-37-per-cent-support-new-poll-suggests/ |title=NDP, Tories tied at 37 per cent support, new poll suggests; Liberals trail at 21 |last=Perkel |first=Colin |date=May 24, 2018 |work=Global News |access-date=May 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524142849/https://globalnews.ca/news/4228028/ndp-tories-tied-at-37-per-cent-support-new-poll-suggests/ |archive-date=May 24, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} leading to greater media attention and greater scrutiny. With her party gaining official opposition status, she became the Leader of the Official Opposition during the 42nd Parliament, the second highest number of seats in the party's history.{{Cite news |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/an-opportunity-missed-andrea-horwath-welcomes-loss-as-victory |title=An opportunity missed, Andrea Horwath welcomes loss as victory |last=Brean |first=Joseph |date=June 8, 2018 |work=National Post |access-date=July 3, 2018 |quote=She meant the NDP's 33 per cent of the popular vote and 40 ridings is the best showing in a provincial election since Rae}} The NDP took all of old Toronto (i.e., what was the city of Toronto before the 1998 creation of the "megacity" of Toronto), as well as all but one seat in Hamilton and all but one seat in Niagara.

==2022 general election==

Horwath and the NDP released their 2022 platform in April 2022. The NDP's campaign focused on increased funding for social programs and government services, which would be paid for through higher taxes on businesses and individuals earning over $200,000 per year. Funding would go toward reducing class sizes, raising welfare payments and disability payments, subsidies for black, indigenous and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, hiring more healthcare and education staff and increased wages for public servants. The NDP also proposed to expand COVID-19 vaccine mandates, implement a mixed member proportional electoral system, to close down all privately owned long-term care facilities and to stop the construction of new highway projects.{{cite web|url=https://www.ontariondp.ca/sites/default/files/ondp_platform_booklet_bilingual_final_26apr_compressed.pdf|title=Strong. Ready. Working for You|website=ontariondp.ca|access-date=24 June 2023}} Horwath was re-elected in Hamilton Centre and the NDP won opposition, but it lost 9 seats and placed third in the popular vote.{{Cite web |last=Powers |first=Lucas |date=3 June 2022 |title=Ontario's Progressive Conservatives sail to 2nd majority, NDP and Liberal leaders say they will resign |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-election-2022-results-ford-horwath-del-duca-1.6473595 |website=CBC News}} Horwath resigned as leader election night. The election set a record for the lowest voter turnout in an Ontario provincial election, as only 44.06% of the people who were eligible voted. On August 15, 2022, she resigned as the MPP for Hamilton Centre.

Mayor of Hamilton

File:Andrea Horwath's Mayoral Campaign Launch (52252985665).jpg

Horwath ran as a candidate for the position of Mayor of Hamilton, Ontario in the October 2022 Hamilton, Ontario municipal election.{{Cite web |title=Former Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath running for mayor of Hamilton {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9013965/former-ontario-ndp-leader-andrea-horwath-running-for-mayor-of-hamilton/ |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=Global News}} She was elected on October 24, 2022.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-24 |title=Andrea Horwath elected as mayor of Hamilton |url=https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/andrea-horwath-elected-as-mayor-of-hamilton-1.6123043 |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=ctvnews.ca}} Horwath is the first woman to be elected mayor in Hamilton's history.{{cite tweet|number=1584912573761216514|user=keaninloomis|title=I had a chance to speak with @AndreaHorwath this morning and congratulate her on making history as the first woman mayor of #HamOnt}} Prior to amalgamation, the suburban communities of Stoney Creek and Ancaster had women mayors and former Hamilton Controller, Anne Jones, served as the first regional chair for the Region of Hamilton-Wentworth was also a woman.{{cite news |url=https://thespec.newspapers.com/image/1008972667 |title=Anne: pioneer woman |first=Mitchell |last=Smyth |date=1973-08-01 |work=The Hamilton Spectator}}

=Tenure=

Horwath took office as mayor on November 15, 2022. She is one of the highest paid mayors in Canada, earning over $270,000 in 2023.{{Cite web |last=Coleman |first=Joey |date=2024-03-24 |title=Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath Paid $272,392.27 in 2023, Among the Highest Mayoral Salaries in Canada |url=https://www.thepublicrecord.ca/2024/03/hamilton-mayor-andrea-horwath-paid-272392-27-in-2023-among-the-highest-mayoral-salaries-in-canada/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=TPR Hamilton {{!}} Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site |language=en-CA}}

In September 2024, she moved to make National Day of Truth and Reconciliation a municipal holiday.{{Cite web |last=Coleman |first=Joey |date=2024-09-24 |title=Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath Moves to Make National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Day a Municipal Holiday |url=https://www.thepublicrecord.ca/2024/09/hamilton-mayor-andrea-horwath-moves-to-make-national-day-of-truth-and-reconciliation-day-a-municipal-holiday/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=TPR Hamilton {{!}} Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site |language=en-CA}}

==City finances==

In the 2023 budget, city council approved a 5.8% property tax increase, with the housing budget increasing by 30%.{{Cite web |title=Hamilton city council approves budget and 5.8% tax increase |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/new-budget-passes-1.6794822 |access-date=2025-01-29}} Similarly, the 2024 budget increased property taxes by 5.79%.{{Cite web |title=Hamilton city council approves 5.79% tax increase for 2024 budget - Hamilton {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10297369/hamilton-2024-operating-budget-tax-increase/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}

==Housing==

In April 2023, Hamilton city council declared a state of emergency over opioids, homelessness, and mental health.{{cite web | url=https://www.cp24.com/news/city-of-hamilton-declares-state-of-emergency-over-opioids-homelessness-mental-health-1.6354604?cache=eajnkclnegyuwgho%2F7.644688 | title=City of Hamilton declares state of emergency over opioids, homelessness, mental health | date=April 13, 2023 }}

In April 2024, following city council's rejection of the plan, Horwath used her strong mayor powers to pass a plan to build affordable housing on a Stoney Creek parking lot.{{Cite web |title=Affordable housing on Stoney Creek parking lot is a go after Horwath uses strong mayor powers |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/stoney-creek-affordable-housing-1.7183628 |access-date=2025-01-29}}{{Cite web |title=Hamilton councillors vote to reject affordable housing — to save 27 Stoney Creek parking spots |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/stoney-creek-affordable-housing-1.7122703 |access-date=2025-01-29}} Hamilton’s ethics watchdog later cleared Horwath of wrongdoing in response to a complaint over her role in advancing the plan.{{Cite news |last=Moro |first=Teviah |date=2024-12-12 |title=Hamilton ethics watchdog clears Horwath of wrongdoing in Stoney Creek affordable-housing initiative |url=https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/hamilton-ethics-watchdog-clears-horwath-of-wrongdoing-in-stoney-creek-affordable-housing-initiative/article_72c8765c-af16-5a4c-9544-f54e6dfa6e16.html |access-date=2025-01-29 |work=The Hamilton Spectator |language=en |issn=1189-9417}} The provincial government had previously rewarded Hamilton with $17.5 million for exceeding 2023 housing targets.https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004338/ontario-rewards-hamilton-with-more-than-175-million-for-exceeding-2023-housing-targets

In August 2024, she endorsed a previously proposed plan on sanctioned encampments offering tiny homes to unhoused people.{{Cite web |title=Mayor directs staff to deliver plan on sanctioned encampments offering tiny homes to unhoused Hamiltonians |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/sanctioned-encampments-1.7286467 |access-date=2025-01-29}} The city later banned tents in public parks, and was sued by 14 unhoused residents, citing alleged infringed charter rights. The Ontario Superior Court later ruled in the city's favour in December 2024.{{Cite web |title=City of Hamilton wins encampment case as judge rules it can enforce tent ban in parks |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/encampment-ruling-1.7418184 |access-date=2025-01-29}}{{Cite web |title=City of Hamilton aims to end tent encampments in parks, says mayor following court win |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/encampments-court-ruling-1.7418679 |access-date=2025-01-29}} The city also approved a plan to build an outdoor shelter on Barton Street, constructed in December 2024.{{Cite web |title=Hamilton's 1st outdoor shelter to be set up by December in 'massive' undertaking, councillor says |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/outdoor-shelter-1.7333791 |access-date=2025-01-29}}{{Cite web |title=City's plan for outdoor shelter on Barton Street moves ahead after councillors vote in favour |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/temporary-outdoor-shelter-recommendation-approved-hamilton-1.7328336#content |access-date=2025-01-29}}

Personal life

She lives in Hamilton with her son Julian (born November 1992), who is a rapper.{{Cite web |date=2020-03-26 |title=SOCIAL DISTANCING ft. The LNC Capo Interview {{!}} Episode 165 |url=https://www.welovehiphop.ca/social-distancing-ft-the-lnc-capo-interview-episode-165/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=We Love Hip Hop |language=en-US}} In a March 2011 interview with the Toronto Star, she spoke publicly for the first time about the breakup of her longtime relationship with Julian's father, Hamilton businessman Ben Leonetti.{{Cite news |date=March 11, 2011 |title=Horwath opens up about life as a single mom |language=en |work=thestar.com |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/2011/03/11/horwath_opens_up_about_life_as_a_single_mom.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307154436/http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/2011/03/11/horwath_opens_up_about_life_as_a_single_mom.html |archive-date=March 7, 2016 |df=mdy-all}} Horwath had met Ben Leonetti in her university years, when she was working part-time as a waitress and he was a jazz musician. The two lived together for 25 years without getting married and split up in 2010.{{Cite news |last=Diebel |first=Linda |date=October 3, 2011 |title=The Leaders: Andrea Horwath, Steeltown street fighter |language=en |work=thestar.com |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2011/10/03/the_leaders_andrea_horwath_steeltown_street_fighter.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180531140837/https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2011/10/03/the_leaders_andrea_horwath_steeltown_street_fighter.html |archive-date=May 31, 2018 |df=mdy-all}}

Awards

In March 2012, Horwath received the EVE award which is sponsored by Equal Voice, a non-profit organization focused on promoting women in politics. Past recipients have included women from every level of government.{{Cite web |url=http://www.equalvoice.ca/speaks_article.cfm?id=565 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503165836/http://www.equalvoice.ca/speaks_article.cfm?id=565 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 3, 2012 |title=Equal Voice Toronto announces 2012 EVE Award Recipient Andrea Horwath |access-date=May 21, 2013 |year=2012 }}

Electoral record

=Provincial=

{{CANelec/total|Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots|436|1.18|-0.94}}

{{CANelec/source|Source: Elections Ontario{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.on.ca/content/dam/NGW/sitecontent/2018/results/officialresults-yellowbook/votescastbycandidate/pdf/Valid%20Votes%20Cast%20for%20Each%20Candidate%20-%202018%20Provincial%20General%20Election.pdf|title=Summary of Valid Votes Cast for each Candidate |publisher=Elections Ontario|access-date=16 January 2019}}|}}

{{CANelec/total|Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots|778|2.12|+1.60}}

{{CANelec/source|Source: Elections Ontario{{cite web|url=http://www.wemakevotingeasy.ca/media/EO_Site/official_GE/GE_2014/ED031-F0244.pdf|date=2014|author=Elections Ontario|author-link=Elections Ontario|title=Official result from the records, 031 Hamilton Centre|access-date=27 June 2015}}{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}}}

{{CANelec/total|Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots|177|0.52|-0.56}}

{{CANelec/source|Sources: Elections Ontario{{cite web|url=http://www.wemakevotingeasy.ca/media/EO_Site/official_GE/ED031-F0244.pdf|author=Elections Ontario|date=2011|title=Official return from the records / Rapport des registres officiels - Hamilton Centre|access-date=3 June 2014}}{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The Hamilton Spectator{{cite web |url=http://media.mmgdailies.topscms.com/acrobat/97/6d/0bffb3994dcb84115990d3cbcafd.pdf |title=Declared Candidates |work=The Hamilton Spectator |date=July 23, 2011 |page=A6}} The Hamilton Spectator{{cite news |url=http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/582706 |first=Teri |last=Pecoskie |title=Liberals give lawyer Hamilton Centre nod |work=The Hamilton Spectator |date=August 22, 2011}}}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes| 38,407| 98.92| | }}

{{CANelec/total|Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots|415|1.08}}

{{Election box begin | title=Hamilton East by-election, 2004
(Death of Dominic Agostino)}}

{{CANelec|ON|Progressive Conservatives|Tara Crugnale|1,772|7.4| }}

=Municipal=

!rowspan="2" colspan="2"|Candidate

!colspan="3"|Popular vote

!rowspan="2" colspan="2"|Expenditures

! Votes

! %

! ±%

| style="background-color:#4714a0 |

| style="text-align:left;" | Andrea Horwath

| style="text-align:centre;" | 59,216

| style="text-align:centre;" | 41.68