Bill Murdoch | |
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Murdoch in December 2009
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Ontario MPP | |
In office 1999–2011 |
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Preceded by | New riding |
Succeeded by | Bill Walker |
Constituency | Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound |
In office 1995–1999 |
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Preceded by | New riding |
Succeeded by | Riding abolished |
Constituency | Grey—Owen Sound |
In office 1990–1995 |
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Preceded by | Ron Lipsett |
Succeeded by | Riding abolished |
Constituency | Grey |
Personal details | |
Born |
Meaford, Ontario |
January 10, 1945
Political party | Progressive Conservative |
Occupation | Farmer |
Bill Murdoch (born January 10, 1945) is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1990 to 2011, representing the riding of Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound.
Murdoch was educated at the Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational Institute, and worked as a farmer, electrical draftsman, film stripper and salesman. He is also a Freemason and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. He served as chair of the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority for five years.
Murdoch began his political career at the municipal level, serving in for four years as a councillor in Sydenham Township, and as reeve for a further eight. He was elected warden of Grey County in 1987. Murdoch served as vice-president of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario for two years, and was a member of the board of directors for five years.
Murdoch's first bid to enter the Ontario legislature was unsuccessful. He ran as a Progressive Conservative for the riding of Grey in the 1987 Ontario election, in which the Liberals under David Peterson won a landslide majority. Murdoch lost to Liberal Ron Lipsett by about 2000 votes. The Liberals saw their support base decline during the 1990 election, however, and Murdoch was able to win the seat on his second attempt, defeating New Democrat Peggy Hutchinson by about 2500 votes (Lipsett finished third).