Ric Bresee is your Progressive Conservative candidate for Hastings-Lennox and Addington. A lifelong resident of Lennox and Addington, Ric has dedicated over 25 years to enhancing our local economy, fostering new housing, and improving services for all.

Our region boasts a rich history, from the Indigenous peoples and early European settlers to the United Empire Loyalists and the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, who arrived in 1793. We are the birthplace of mining in Canada, and our farmers have nourished the nation for generations. Our early industries continue to lead in innovation, sharing local skills with the world.

With abundant resources, a robust transportation network, and a resilient populace, we are poised to thrive and extend our excellence beyond our borders.

However, it’s crucial that our rural communities receive the support they deserve from higher levels of government. This commitment motivated Ric to run for provincial office in 2022 and drives his current campaign. With your support, he will continue to represent rural Ontario at Queen’s Park, advocating for attention, investment, and essential funding for Hastings-Lennox and Addington.

Ric graduated from St. Lawrence College as a Business Systems Analyst. He served on the Loyalist Township Municipal Council for 22 years, being elected six times and serving as councillor, deputy mayor, and mayor. During his tenure, he facilitated the development of new residential and commercial areas, including the Loyalist East Business Park, which added 21 new businesses. Loyalist Township has experienced one of the highest residential growth rates in Eastern Ontario.

Married to Heidi Galloway Bourgoin, they have a blended family, having raised five children, and now they enjoy spoiling their two grandchildren.

In the previous term, Ric served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Transportation and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. He was also a member of the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure, and Cultural Policy.

Throughout his career, Ric has focused on strengthening communities through economic development, housing, and job creation. He understands the importance of supporting small and medium-sized businesses, which play a crucial role in job creation and economic recovery. Ric has worked to invest in local infrastructure, support businesses, and provide better access to healthcare and long-term care for seniors.

Ric’s approach to enhancing our region emphasizes building relationships. He collaborates with local community leaders, both on council and within non-governmental organizations, especially volunteer groups that are vital assets in every community. Recognizing that solutions are best determined locally, Ric advocates for funding and navigates bureaucratic challenges to support these initiatives.

His deep connections with municipal leaders across the riding fuel his advocacy for increased provincial support for our small towns, ensuring that the voice of rural Ontario is heard at Queen’s Park. Ric has been successful in attracting new investment for municipal infrastructure, helping communities without adding pressure to local property taxes. There is still much to be done, and with Ric as your representative, these successes will continue.

Ric is honoured and humbled by the trust placed in him to represent Hastings-Lennox and Addington for the past two and a half years and looks forward to earning that trust again. His dedication to our region continues to drive his work in government, ensuring that our unique needs are heard and addressed.