Patrick Brown was elected Leader of the Ontario PC Party in May, 2015 and MPP for Simcoe North a few months later in September, 2015. He began his public service career when he was elected at the age of 22 to Barrie City Council while still a student. Patrick stepped into federal politics in 2004, running for the newly formed Conservative Party of Canada in Barrie. He lost that year, but ran again in 2006 and defeated a cabinet minister to become MP for Barrie. Patrick served as MP for nine years until stepping down after winning the Ontario PC Leadership. Patrick works tirelessly to listen to and build strong partnerships with individuals, groups, first responders, members of the business community, governments and organizations – both at home and abroad – establishing connections that enable him to better serve his constituents and to serve the people of Ontario as Leader of the Official Opposition. An alumni of St. Michael's College School in Toronto, Patrick studied political science at the University of Toronto before earning his LL.B from the University of Windsor. Patrick also attended l’Université du Québec à Trois Rivières for extensive French studies.Patrick is an avid hockey, tennis player and accomplished marathon runner. He has helped to raise nearly $2 million dollars for the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie and other charities, including JDRF, Autism Ontario, ALS Canada, Busby Street Centre, Talk is Free Theatre, and The Bill Wilkins Scholarship.