Todd Hardy

Todd Hardy (May 17, 1957 – July 28, 2010) was a Canadian carpenter, trade union activist, and politician who served as Leader of the Yukon New Democratic Party. He has also served as Leader of the Opposition in the Yukon Legislative Assembly from 2002 to 2006.

Todd Hardy
MLA for Whitehorse Centre
In office September 30, 1996 – April 17, 2000
Preceded by	Margaret Commodore
Succeeded by	Mike McLarnon
In office November 4, 2002 – July 28, 2010
Preceded by	Mike McLarnon
Succeeded by	Liz Hanson
Leader of Official Opposition of Yukon
In office 2002 – May 1, 2006
Preceded by	Eric Fairclough
Succeeded by	Arthur Mitchell
Leader of the Yukon New Democratic Party
In office 2002 – September 26, 2009
Preceded by	Eric Fairclough
Succeeded by	Liz Hanson
Personal details
Born	May 17, 1957 Murraysville, British Columbia
Died	July 28, 2010(2010-07-28) (aged 53) Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
Political party	New Democrat
Spouse(s)	Louise Hardy
Residence	Whitehorse, Yukon
Occupation	Carpenter, Trade Unionist

A carpenter by trade, Hardy was business agent of local 2499 of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America before being elected to the Yukon Legislative Assembly. He taught karate and also volunteered as a minor hockey coach, coaching one of the Yukon's teams to the Arctic Winter Games and the Canada Winter Games.[1] He was married to Louise Hardy, the Yukon's former federal Member of Parliament.

Political career

He was first elected to the Yukon Legislative Assembly for the riding of Whitehorse Centre in the 1996 Yukon general election and was narrowly defeated in the 2000 election. Hardy was one of the founders of Habitat for Humanity in the Yukon.[2] He became leader of the Yukon NDP in 2002 and won his Whitehorse Centre seat in the general election held that year.

In August 2006, Hardy was sent to Vancouver for leukemia treatment.[3] Hardy fought the 2006 general election from his hospital bed through near daily telephone conferences with local reporters and the NDP candidates. He returned to Whitehorse just a week before the vote and still managed to win his seat. His party, however, though leading in the polls for months going into the election was reduced to three seats and third party status.

Hardy maintained his seat in the legislature and title of leader despite frequent trips out of the territory for continued monitoring and treatment during the spring sitting in 2007. He continued in his duties until the 2010 spring sitting, when his surprised his colleagues by sitting in the legislature despite his illness.

Citing his ongoing health issues, he announced on February 5, 2009 his intent to resign as party leader.[4] This took effect on September 26, 2009, when Elizabeth Hanson was acclaimed as the new leader.[5]

Death

Todd Hardy died at home after a long battle with leukemia at age 53 surrounded by close family.[6]

Electoral record

Yukon general election, 2006

Whitehorse Centre[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	NDP	Todd Hardy	357	46.6%	+13.4%
	Liberal	Bernie Phillips	211	27.5%	+3.4%
	Yukon Party	Jerry Johnson	188	24.8%	+5.9%
Total			766	100.0%	–

Yukon general election, 2002

Whitehorse Centre[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	NDP	Todd Hardy	300	33.2%	-0.7%
	Liberal	Bernie Phillips	218	24.1%	-22.1%
	Independent	Mike McLarnon	207	2.9%	–
	Yukon Party	Vicki Durrant	171	18.9%	+0.3%
Total			904	100.0%	–

Yukon general election, 2000

Whitehorse Centre[9]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	Mike McLarnon	312	46.2%	+23.0%
	NDP	Todd Hardy	229	33.9%	-11.9%
	Yukon Party	Vicki Durrant	130	19.2%	-11.0%
Total			676	100.0%	–

Yukon general election, 1996

Whitehorse Centre[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	NDP	Todd Hardy	328	45.8%	+8.3%
	Yukon Party	Linda Dixon	216	30.2%	-7.0%
	Liberal	Jon Breen	166	23.2%	-1.7%
Total			716	100.0%	–

References

1. "Late MLA had rich life outside politics", Whitehorse Star, July 28, 2010.
2. "Current, ex-NDP leaders reflect on MLA’s legacy", Whitehorse Star, July 30, 2010.
3. "Yukon NDP leader in hospital for cancer treatment", cbc.ca, August 10, 2006.
4. "Battling leukemia, Hardy resigns as Yukon NDP leader", cbc.ca, February 5, 2009.
5. "Hanson named Yukon NDP leader". cbc.ca, September 28, 2009.
6. "Todd Hardy succumbs to cancer". Yukon News. 28 July 2010. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
7. Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Yukon on the 2006 General Election Elections Yukon, 2006. Retrieved January 21, 2017
8. Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Yukon on the 2002 General Election Elections Yukon, 2002. Retrieved January 21, 2017
9. Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Yukon on the 2000 General Election Elections Yukon, 2000. Retrieved January 21, 2017
10. Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Yukon on the General Election Held on September 30, 1996 Elections Yukon, 1996. Retrieved January 21, 2017