Deb Hutton

Deb Hutton is a former chief of staff to Premier Mike Harris and a current Metrolinx board member.

Early life and education

Hutton's father worked in real estate and her mother was a teacher as she grew up in Listowel, Ontario.[1]

Hutton earned her undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Western Ontario in 1988.[1]

Career

In 1995 Hutton was an executive assistant on the team working with Mike Harris.[2][3] In 1996 Hutton was one of the attendees of a meeting that took place just prior to death of Anthony George, an event later known as the Ipperwash Crisis.[4] Shortly thereafter, during a violent confrontation, the Ontario Provincial Police killed a protester.[5] During the public inquiry the provincial government led by Harris were scrutinized for the 1995 Ipperwash Crisis.[6] At that time, Hutton expressed "a desire to direct the police" to put a quick end to the occupation within two days.[7][8] Later publications on the event also raise the question of whether Harris was making decisions during the event or Hutton.[9]

From 2000 until 2003 Hutton was a vice president at Hydro One,[10][11] and then as of 2003 she was a special advisor to Ernie Eves, the premier of Toronto.[12] Around this time she acquired the nickname "Premier Hutton" because of her influence on the politics of Eves' administration.[1]

In 2004 Hutton worked on Belinda Stronach's campaign to lead the Conservative Party.[13] Hutton guided Stronach through the process and Hutton considered Stronach to be easy to work with as Hutton laiddown guidelines to be followed during the campaign.[14]: 137–138  The campaign was not successful, though in 2006 Hutton spoke on the large amount of media coverage received by the campaign.[14]: 140 

Between October 2009 and October 2020 Hutton worked for TransCanada Enterprises,[15] and this work later became of political interest to Canada's Liberal Party.[16]

In 2017 Hutton wrote a column defending the policies of Patrick Brown.[17]

Hutton was interim Chief of Staff to Minister Caroline Mulroney in 2020.[18] Hutton helped Ford prepare for the 2022 Ontario general election, by acting as Andrea Horwath in mock debates.[18][19] She has been on the board of Metrolinx since 2022.[20][21]

Hutton worked for Premier Doug Ford in the aftermath of the Greenbelt scandal in a volunteer capacity. She advised Cabinet Ministers and their Chiefs of staff on how to avoid conflicts of interest.[2][18]

Personal life

Hutton is the wife of former Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario leader Tim Hudak.[22] They were married in 2002.[1]

References

1. Urquhart, Ian (2003-08-09). "They call her 'Premier Hutton'". The Toronto Star. pp. [1], [2]. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
2. D'Mello, Colin; Callan, Isaac (October 24, 2023). "Former conservative insider brought in to look for Ford government Greenbelt conflicts". Global News. Corus Entertainment.
3. Toughill, Kelly (1995-07-17). "The group of 7 who help Mike make his mark". The Toronto Star. pp. [3], [4]. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
4. Edwards, Peter; Levy, Harold (1996-05-29). "Secret talks held on Ipperwash". The Toronto Star. pp. [5], [6]. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
5. "Quick end wanted to standoff at Ipperwash, inquiry hears". Waterloo Region Record. 2005-11-22. p. 31. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
6. Canadian annual review of politics and public affairs. Internet Archive. Toronto : University of Toronto Press. 2005. pp. 204–205.
7. Edwards, Peter (2005-09-20). "Aide wanted 'quick end' to Ipperwash occupation". The Toronto Star. p. 17. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
8. Blockades or breakthroughs? : First Nations confront the Canadian state. Internet Archive. Montreal & Kingston : McGill-Queen's University Press. 2014. p. 277. ISBN 978-0-7735-9612-2.
9. Hedican, Edward J. (2013). Ipperwash : the tragic failure of Canada's Aboriginal policy. Internet Archive. Toronto [Ont.] : University of Toronto Press. pp. 163–164. ISBN 978-1-4426-8543-7.
10. "Energy minister lashes out over Hydro One executive expenses". Peterborough Examiner ; Peterborough, Ontario. 19 January 2004. pp. A5 – via Proquest.
11. Mackie, Richard (2 March 2004). "Tories bit tongues about job for Hutton". The Globe and Mail ; Toronto, Ontario. pp. A10 – via Proquest.
12. Reid, Kalvin (2003-09-22). "Deb Hutton: The woman behind the Tories". Niagara Falls Review. p. 2. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
13. LAGHI, BRIAN (2004-01-21). "New campaign team gathered together from old Tory stable". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
14. Martin, Don (2006). Belinda : the political and private life of Belinda Stronach. Internet Archive. Toronto, Ont. : Key Porter Books. ISBN 978-1-55263-814-9.
15. Jenkins, Jonathan (19 October 2012). "Tory leader's wife was working for gas plant". The Toronto Sun; Toronto. p. 14 – via Proquest.
16. Leslie, Keith (2013-04-26). "Liberals target PC leader's wife over cancelled Oakville gas plant". Waterloo Region Record. p. 16. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
17. Hepburn, Bob (2017-04-27). "How the right defends 'policy-lite' Brown". The Toronto Star. p. 17. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
18. Pinkerton, Charlie (23 October 2023). "Ford government taps veteran PC strategist to help with Greenbelt, Vegas fallout". The Trillium.
19. Benzie, Robert (9 June 2022). "The inside story of how Doug Ford beat the NDP — and destroyed the Liberals — in the Ontario election". Toronto Star.
20. Oliphant, Andrew (16 September 2024). "What Is Metrolinx, Anyway?". The Grind Magazine.
21. "Metrolinx Public Appointments". Government of Ontario. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
22. Diebel, Linda (1 October 2011). "Tim Hudak's daughter Miller the light of his life". Toronto Star.