Eric Hoskins

{{Short description|Canadian physician and politician (born 1960)}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=CAN|OC|MSC|size=100%}}

| image = Eric Hoskins.JPG

| caption = Hoskins in 2012

| office2 = Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

| predecessor2 = Deb Matthews

| premier2 = Kathleen Wynne

| party = Ontario Liberal

| office1 = Member of Provincial Parliament for Toronto—St. Paul's

| predecessor1 = Michael Bryant

| successor1 = Jill Andrew

| termend2 = February 26, 2018

| termstart2 = June 24, 2014

| successor2 = Helena Jaczek

| birth_name = Eric William Hoskins

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1960|11|29}}

| birth_place = Simcoe, Ontario, Canada

| spouse = Samantha Nutt

| children =

| residence =

| alma_mater = {{unbulleted list | McMaster University | Balliol College, Oxford{{cite news |year=2014 |title=Honours, Appointments and Awards |url=https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/media/1091/cars_newsletter_hilarytrinity_2014.pdf |work=Canadian Association of Rhodes Scholars Newsletter |volume=64 |issue=2 |page=16 |publisher=Canadian Association of Rhodes Scholars |issn=0821-039X |access-date=27 February 2018 |via=Rhodes Trust}} | London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine}}

| occupation = Physician, politician, humanitarian

| term_start1 = September 17, 2009

| term_end1 = February 26, 2018

| office3 = More...

}}

Eric William Hoskins {{post-nominals|country=CAN|OC|MSC}} (born November 29, 1960) is a Canadian physician and former politician who served as an Ontario cabinet minister from 2010 to 2018. A member of the Ontario Liberal Party, he represented Toronto—St. Paul's in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 2009 to 2018. Before entering politics, Hoskins was the president of War Child Canada and was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2008 for his humanitarian work.

Hoskins served in the governments of Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne, holding the portfolios of Health and Long-Term Care (2014–2018), Economic Development, Trade, and Employment (2013–2014), Children and Youth Services (2011–2012), and Citizenship and Immigration (2010–2011).{{Cite web|url=https://www.ola.org/en/members/all/eric-hoskins|title=Eric Hoskins {{!}} Legislative Assembly of Ontario|website=www.ola.org|date=September 17, 2009 |language=en|access-date=2018-12-03}} In 2013, he contended for the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party, which was won by Kathleen Wynne. Hoskins resigned from cabinet and the legislature on February 26, 2018, three months before the provincial election.{{cite web| url = https://globalnews.ca/news/4048563/eric-hoskins-resigns/| title = Dr. Eric Hoskins resigns as Ontario's health minister, MPP {{!}} Globalnews.ca}} On June 20, 2018, the federal government announced that Hoskins had been appointed Chair of the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/government-of-canada-launches-advisory-council-on-the-implementation-of-national-pharmacare-686043961.html|title=Government of Canada launches Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare|website=www.newswire.ca|language=en|access-date=2018-12-03}}

Early life and education

Hoskins was born on November 29, 1960, in Simcoe, Ontario. After he attended Simcoe Composite School{{cite web|url=http://www.simcoereformer.ca/2009/06/05/scs-dunking-for-dollars|title=SCS dunking for dollars|work=Simcoe Reformer}} for high school, Hoskins completed a bachelor of science (B.Sc.) in chemistry at McMaster University in 1982 and graduated with a doctor of medicine (M.D.) from McMaster University Medical School in 1985. After an internship in internal medicine, Hoskins was awarded a Rhodes scholarship and subsequently continued his studies at the University of Oxford where he completed a doctor of philosophy (DPhil) in public health and epidemiology.{{cite web|url=https://www.ucalgary.ca/md/PARHAD/lectureships/lecture-lecturers-ehoskins.htm |publisher=University of Calgary |title=The Irma M. Parhad Programme Profile on Eric Hoskins |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001163230/http://www.ucalgary.ca/md/PARHAD/lectureships/lecture-lecturers-ehoskins.htm |archive-date=October 1, 2012 }} Hoskins also holds a master of science (M.Sc.) from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and a postgraduate diploma in health economics from The University of Aberdeen. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and is board-certified in the specialty of community medicine (public health).{{cite web|url=http://www.liberal.ca/candidate_e.aspx?riding=35028|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001012458/http://www.liberal.ca/candidate_e.aspx?riding=35028|title=Liberal.ca :: Meet Your Liberal Candidate|archive-date=October 1, 2008|work=liberal.ca}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/01/06/ontario_liberal_leadership_candidate_eric_hoskins.html|title=Ontario Liberal leadership candidate: Eric Hoskins|date=January 6, 2013|work=thestar.com}}

Career

= Working in conflict areas =

From 1987 to 1990, Hoskins lived and worked in Sudan providing humanitarian relief to Ethiopian refugees in eastern Sudan, and to displaced civilians in southern Sudan.{{cite web |url=http://archive.peacemagazine.org/v18n2p08.htm |publisher=Peace Magazine |title=International Doctoring and Entertaining: Samantha Nutt and Eric Hoskins}} In 1991, Hoskins co-founded the International Study Team, and led a group of international experts to examine the impact of war on the civilian population in Iraq.{{cite web |url=http://reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/OCHA-64CLNY?OpenDocument |publisher=Relief Web |title=Our common responsibility: The impact of a new war on Iraqi children|date=January 30, 2003 }} The study provided a detailed humanitarian assessment of post-Gulf War Iraq.

Having seen the impact of war on Iraqi children, Hoskins lobbied the Canadian government to release over 2 million dollars of frozen Iraqi assets held in Canadian banks, and spent the following two years overseeing the purchase and distribution of food and medicine to tens of thousands of at-risk Iraqi children.{{cite web|url=http://www.unac.org/en/news_events/pearson/1992.asp |publisher=United Nations Association in Canada |title=Pearson Peace Prize Profile on Eric Hoskins |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709031357/http://www.unac.org/en/news_events/pearson/1992.asp |archive-date=July 9, 2011 }}

= Department of Foreign Affairs =

In 1997, Hoskins joined the Department of Foreign Affairs Canada as Lloyd Axworthy's Senior Policy Advisor. While at the Department of Foreign Affairs, he was responsible for contributing to Canadian foreign policy in the areas of human rights, human security, humanitarian affairs, peace building, war-affected children and Africa.{{cite web |url=http://fhs.mcmaster.ca/main/news/news_2007/hoskins_eric.htm |publisher=McMaster University |title=War Child Canada president named to Order of Canada}}

Hoskins later also served as an advisor to the Office of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict at the United Nations, and has been involved in setting United Nations policy on issues concerning the protection of children living with war.

= War Child Canada =

Hoskins is the co-founder and former president of War Child Canada, a charitable organization that works to raise funds for relief and development programs in support of war-affected children around the world.{{cite web |url=http://www.warchild.ca/images/general/WCC_annual_report_2010.pdf |publisher=War Child International |title=2010 Annual Report |date=2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111215224321/http://www.warchild.ca/images/general/WCC_annual_report_2010.pdf |archive-date=December 15, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |url=http://www.warchild.ca/about/ |publisher=War Child Canada |title=About Us}} Working alongside his wife, War Child Executive Director Samantha Nutt, Hoskins helped the organization develop international relief programs and spread awareness of the issues facing war-affected children.{{cite web |url=http://www.brocku.ca/webnews/displaystory.phtml?TEMPLATE=template.html&sid=1353 |publisher=Brock University |title=War Child Canada co-founders to receive honorary degrees at 2005 Brock Fall Convocation}} He worked with the United Nations and non-governmental organizations in some of the world's worst conflict areas including Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Iraq, Burundi, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

As President of War Child Canada, Hoskins was a frequent contributor to Maclean's magazine on war-related issues. He was a regular commentator on CTV, CBC and other major broadcast networks concerning the impact of war on civilians.{{cite web|url=http://www.macleans.ca/article.jsp?content=20030811_63698_63698 |publisher=Maclean's Magazine |title=A Bloody Road to Peace |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807100228/http://www.macleans.ca/article.jsp?content=20030811_63698_63698 |archive-date=August 7, 2011 }} In 2008, Hoskins was made an Officer of the Order of Canada for his humanitarian work.{{Cite web |title=Dr. Eric Hoskins, O.C., M.S.C., M.D. {{!}} The Governor General of Canada |url=https://www.gg.ca/en/honours/recipients/146-5428}}

= First foray into politics =

On April 21, 2007, Hoskins was chosen as the Liberal candidate in the riding of Haldimand—Norfolk for the 2008 Federal election. On October 14, 2008, he was defeated by Conservative incumbent Diane Finley.{{cite web |title=Ontario Results |newspaper=The Toronto Star |date=October 15, 2008 |page=U2}}{{cite web|url=http://www.elections.ca/scripts/OVR2008/default.html|title=OVR / ROS|work=elections.ca}}

= Provincial politics =

On August 12, 2009, Hoskins was nominated as the provincial Liberal candidate in the St. Paul's by-election.{{cite news |title=Doctor gets nod in St. Paul's |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/2009/08/13/doctor_gets_nod_in_st_pauls.html |first=Robert |last=Benzie |date=August 13, 2009}} On September 19, 2009, he defeated Toronto Sun columnist Sue-Ann Levy running for the Progressive Conservatives.{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/liberals-win-easily-in-st-pauls-byelection/article_d69208da-f0ab-55a3-987b-4e55b849c9cf.html |title=Liberals win easily in St. Paul's byelection |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=September 17, 2009 |access-date=October 25, 2023}}

On January 18, 2010, he was named Minister of Citizenship and Immigration in Dalton McGuinty's second government.{{cite news |title=Sweeping changes hit Queen's Park; Liberal Cabinet |last=Kenyon |first=Wallace |newspaper=National Post |date=January 19, 2010 |page=A8}}

In the 2011 Ontario election, Hoskins was easily re-elected defeating PC candidate Christine McGirr by 16,076 votes.{{cite web|url=http://elections.on.ca/NR/rdonlyres/7849B894-4C4F-490E-9E8C-271BCF0C0D4D/5712/SummaryofvalidvotescastforeacndGE2011.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330163815/http://elections.on.ca/NR/rdonlyres/7849B894-4C4F-490E-9E8C-271BCF0C0D4D/5712/SummaryofvalidvotescastforeacndGE2011.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 30, 2013 |title=Summary of Valid Ballots Cast for Each Candidate |publisher=Elections Ontario |date=October 6, 2011 |page=15 }} After the election he was appointed as Minister of Children and Youth Services.{{cite news |title=Ontario's new cabinet |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=October 21, 2011 |page=A18}}

Hoskins resigned on November 9, 2012, to stand as a candidate in the Ontario Liberal Party leadership election.{{cite news |title=Hoskins officially joins Ontario Liberal leadership race |newspaper=The City Centre Mirror |location=Willowdale, Ont |date=November 13, 2012 |page=1}} He was eliminated after the first ballot and he endorsed Kathleen Wynne, the eventual winner.{{cite news |title=Wynne triumphs, makes history: Opponents deliver victory for 'spectacular' candidate |last1=Benzie |first1=Robert |last2=Ferguson |first2=Rob |last3=Brennan |first3=Richard |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=January 27, 2013 |page=A1}} On February 11, 2013, he was appointed Minister of Economic Development, Trade & Employment.{{cite news |title=Ontario's new cabinet |newspaper=Waterloo Region Record |location=Kitchener, Ont |date=February 12, 2013 |page=A3}}

Hoskins was re-elected in June 2014,{{cite web |title=General Election by District: St. Paul's |publisher=Elections Ontario |date=June 12, 2014 |url=http://wemakevotingeasy.ca/en/general-election-district-results.aspx?d=077 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140617110841/http://wemakevotingeasy.ca/en/general-election-district-results.aspx?d=077 |archive-date=June 17, 2014 |df=mdy-all }} and was appointed by Kathleen Wynne as Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.{{cite news |title=Kathleen Wynne warns financial cupboard is bare |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2014/06/24/ontario_premier_kathleen_wynnes_new_cabinet_unveiled.html |author1=Richard Brennan |author2=Robert Benzie |author3=Rob Ferguson |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=June 24, 2014}}

On February 26, 2018, Hoskins announced his resignation as an MPP and as Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.{{cite web| url = http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/eric-hoskins-ontario-health-minister-resignation-1.4552697| title = Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins resigns {{!}} CBC News}}

= Pharmacare leader =

On June 20, 2018, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Hoskins to head a national pharmacare strategy.

Awards and recognition

In April 2008, Hoskins was made an Officer of the Order of Canada by Governor General Michaëlle Jean for his humanitarian work.{{cite web |url=http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=4984 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20080207062736/http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=4984 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 7, 2008 |publisher=Governor General of Canada |title=Media Governor General Announces New Appointments to the Order of Canada |df=mdy-all }} At age 33, Hoskins became the youngest recipient of the United Nations Association in Canada's Lester B. Pearson Peace Medal and was later awarded the Meritorious Service Cross by the Governor General of Canada in the name of the Queen of Canada for his work in war-torn communities around the world.{{cite web |url=http://www.warchild.org/news/News_archive/2004/Hoskins/hoskins.html |publisher=War Child International |title=Eric Hoskins leads assessment in Sudan}}

Hoskins has been awarded the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Citation for Citizenship, was a member of Canada's Top 40 Under 40 Award,{{when|date=May 2020}} and won the Distinguished Alumni Award from McMaster University.{{cite web|url=http://www.brickenden.com/pdf/BioHoskinsDr.Eric.pdf |publisher=Brickenden Speaker's Bureau |title=Profile of Eric Hoskins |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218235548/http://www.brickenden.com/pdf/BioHoskinsDr.Eric.pdf |archive-date=February 18, 2012 }}

Hoskins and his wife, Samantha Nutt, received Honorary Doctorates of Law from McMaster University in May 2005 for their work promoting human rights and their role in delivering humanitarian assistance to some of the world's most vulnerable populations. Hoskins also has honorary degrees from Brock and Niagara Universities.

Cabinet portfolios

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{{ministry box cabinet posts|post2preceded=Deb Matthews|post2=Minister of Health and Long Term Care|post2years=2014–2018|post2note=|post2followed=Helena Jaczek|post1preceded=Brad Duguid|post1=Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Employment|post1years=2013–2014|post1note=|post1followed=Brad Duguid}}

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{{ministry box cabinet posts|post2preceded=Laurel Broten|post2=Minister of Children and Youth Services|post2years=2011–2012|post2note=|post2followed=Teresa Piruzza|post1preceded=Michael Chan|post1=Minister of Citizenship and Immigration|post1years=2010–2012|post1note=|post1followed=Charles Sousa}}

Electoral record

{{CANelec/source|Source: Elections Ontario{{cite web|url=http://wemakevotingeasy.ca/en/general-election-district-results.aspx?d=077|date=2014|publisher=Elections Ontario|title=General Election Results by District, 077 St. Paul's|access-date=17 June 2014|archive-date=June 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140617110841/http://wemakevotingeasy.ca/en/general-election-district-results.aspx?d=077|url-status=dead}}}}

{{Election box begin | title=Haldimand—Norfolk - 2008 Canadian federal election}}

{{CANelec|CA|Conservative|Diane Finley|19,657|40.8%|-7.5%|$67,583}}

{{CANelec|CA|Christian Heritage|Steven Elgersma |501|1.0%|0.0%|–}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes/Expense limit|48,146|100%|$85,391 }}