Selwyn ‘Buck’ Hicks plans to run for the Ontario Liberal Party in the upcoming provincial election in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound.
Hicks, who is Hanover Deputy Mayor and Grey County Warden has been a municipal politician since 2006. This is his third term as Warden for Grey County having been in the role in 2019, 2021 and 2022.
He also has a law practice in Hanover. “I’m really excited about the opportunity to run,” says Hicks, “I always go back to my childhood and I grew up in abject poverty. I’m a kid from Jane and Finch. I weighed 67 pounds in grade nine, a scrawny, black kid. And who would have ever thought I would be where I am today? So I’m really excited. I’ve been able to, I think, do some great things in the positions that I’ve held. I’m hopeful that if elected, and now at the provincial level, I’ll be able to do even more.”
Hicks also ran in the 2007 provincial election. Progressive Conservative Bill Murdoch was re-elected in that contest.
Hicks is set to be acclaimed at tonight’s virtual Liberal riding association meeting.
While Hicks is not required to step down from his municipal role, he says he will take a leave of absence (not resigning) during the writ period, maybe earlier. Deputy Warden Paul McQueen will chairing meetings and filling the role of Warden during the election campaign period. “If I’m going to make a serious run,” says Hicks, “I really need to direct all of my energy during that campaign period and so that’s what I’ll be doing.”
Hicks says he decided to run after receiving numerous phone calls from people encouraging him to do so when incumbent Progressive Conservative MPP Bill Walker announced he wouldn’t be running in the June election. The Doug Ford Government appointed Rick Byers as the Progressive Conservative candidate for the riding as soon as Walker announced he wouldn’t be running.
He says some focus areas for him are on affordable and attainable housing and mental health and addictions.
He adds, “I grew up in a community where we didn’t have a lot and where nobody cared and I remember that. I’m going to be there for the little guy who’s struggling.”
