Jim Hnatiuk Elected New CHP Leader
Media Release—London, Ontario November 07, 2008
At its convention in London, Ontario this week, the Christian Heritage Party elected Jim Hnatiuk of Nova Scotia to be its new leader. The leadership race was the central event of the convention. Ron Gray, CHP Leader for the past 13 years, is passing the torch to Mr. Hnatiuk, a zealous candidate, party recruiter and former Deputy Leader.
CHP delegates gave their resounding support to Mr. Hnatiuk with a first ballot win in a 3-way race. The other two candidates were Harold Ludwig of Abbotsford and Rod Taylor of Smithers, British Columbia. Mr. Ludwig is the CHP’s BC President and Mr. Taylor has now been appointed Deputy Leader of the party.
Jim Hnatiuk has been a dynamic member of the CHP ever since he first joined in 2002. He became the Interim Nova Scotia President prior to being named the Deputy Leader at the party’s 2005 convention in Winnipeg. The party’s only candidate in Atlantic Canada in the 2004 election (against incumbent Scott Brison) and 2006 election (against incumbent Gerald Keddy), he has worked tirelessly to expand the CHP’s presence in Eastern Canada. As a result, the party ran five candidates in Nova Scotia in the recent election.
“I am absolutely encouraged by the overwhelming support I received,” Jim Hnatiuk said. “It gives me the confidence to move forward with the goals and focus that I brought forward in my campaign.”
Hnatiuk is looking forward to strengthening the party and building membership across Canada. He also wants to develop new policies to deal with concerns of the poor and low-income Canadians.
Hnatiuk was thrilled to see the increased number of delegates at this convention. “Many of the delegates here are young people,” he said, “and they are the ones at the microphones, debating the resolutions.”
Hnatiuk has been married to Ellen for 35 years They have two children and two grandchildren. He operates the largest hunting, fishing and taxidermy business in Nova Scotia. He retired from the Canadian Forces in 1995 after 25 years of service having attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer 1st Class.
