It’s official: Percy Hatfield is now a member of provincial parliament.
The former city councillor took his oath as MPP at Queen’s Park just before noon Wednesday.
“Today was just our day to get sworn in,” Hatfield said later on the phone from Toronto. “Maybe this afternoon they’ll show us where our offices will be. There’s a bit of shuffling that has to go on. I imagine, being a rookie, I’ll end up in a broom closet somewhere.”
Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Percy Hatfield with his wife Gail (L) and Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath (R) on Aug. 21, 2013. (Handout / The Windsor Star)
Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath and Hatfield’s wife Gail were on hand for the short ceremony.
After providing the necessary signatures, Hatfield went with Horwath to meet the press.
“It was my first scrum with the Queen’s Park press corps,” he said.
Hatfield said he also took some time to explore and familiarize himself with the provincial parliament buildings.
Next, he’ll be looking for a rental residence in Toronto.
“They tell me they want you to be within 15 minutes of the legislature,” he said.
Hatfield said he expects the new session of the legislature to begin Sept. 9.
In the meantime, the Ontario NDP is hiring people to staff Hatfield’s new constituency office.
The online job posting asks for assistants who will help Hatfield with “casework and outreach duties.”
Applicants are required to have knowledge of “the NDP and/or the Canadian labour movement, Canadian government, Ontario government and public affairs.”
Those with excellent computer skills, proficiency with social media and second language skills will be preferred.
NDP members can find out more by contacting Valerie Fogarty at vfogarty@ndp.on.ca.
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