"It’s time working families got a fair deal. Dalton McGuinty’s record has been one broken promise after another. But he still found time to give himself a $40,000 pay raise. That’s someone who has lost touch with working families. We deserve better.

"I’m proud to stand with Howard Hampton – a leader who is upfront, honest, and principled. You know you can count on us to stand up for seniors, children, parents, and working people.

"This time, ask yourself ‘Which leader and party can I count on to fight for a fair deal for working families?’

Brad James was born in Saginaw Michigan, but grew up in Lambton County, outside Sarnia. His family ran a dairy and mixed cash crop farm and he is proud of his rural roots.

Brad studied at Queen’s University in Kingston, graduating in 1983 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, and subsequently graduated with a Masters of Industrial Relations degree from the University of Toronto in 1987.

Starting out as a field organizer with the United Steelworkers, Brad has devoted his subsequent career to helping working people in mining, manufacturing, and the service sector to join the union. He served as the Steelworkers District 6 Organizing Coordinator, overseeing the union’s growth in manufacturing and service sector membership throughout Ontario and Atlantic Canada. During 2004 and 2005, he worked for the newly merged UNITE HERE, as Assistant to its Canadian National Directors. Returning to the USW in the fall of 2005 Brad is responsible for bargaining, policy development and organizing new members.

Brad volunteers time coaching kids’ soccer in his neighbourhood and is a past volunteer with the Toronto Children’s Aid Society.

A lifelong workers’ advocate, Brad looks forward to standing up for the working families of Elgin-Middlesex-London at Queen’s Park.