Eric Hoskins

Who is Eric Hoskins?

Eric William Hoskins, OC, MSC is a Canadian administrator and politician. Hoskins was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in a by-election on September 17, 2009, representing St. Paul's as a member of the Ontario Liberal Party. Hoskins was named the Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration January 18, 2010. He was appointed as Minister of Children and Youth Services in October 2011 following the 2011 Provincial Election. He resigned on November 9, 2012 to stand as a candidate in the Ontario Liberal Party leadership election. He was eliminated after the first ballot and threw his support to Kathleen Wynne, the eventual winner. On February 11, 2013 he was appointed Minister of Economic Development, Trade & Employment.

He is the former president of War Child Canada. He is a physician who has focused his career on assisting civilians, particularly children, in war zones. He has worked with the United Nations and non-governmental organizations in some of the world's worst conflict areas including Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Iraq, Burundi, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Hoskins has also provided commentary to the media both in Canada and internationally on various humanitarian-related issues.