Ted Hsu — Kingston and the Islands

Ted Hsu (pronounced “shoe”), was elected in May 2011 to a seat that was left open by the retirement of the Honourable Peter Milliken. Ted was appointed as the Liberal Party critic for Science and Technology, the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.

He is regularly called upon to represent the Liberal Party at committee meetings in the House of Commons, including the Industry, Justice, Finance, Heritage, Natural Resources, Library of Parliament, and Status of Women committees.

Ted has a diverse background, having worked in three different fields in four different countries. Before entering politics, his career paths involved scientific research, investment banking and alternative energy business development.

As a physicist, Ted published 25 research papers on topics such as superconductivity. He worked at Atomic Energy of Canada's Chalk River Laboratories (AECL).

After his work with AECL, Ted began a 10-year career in finance that took him to the United States, Europe, and Japan. As both a researcher and a trader, he wrote and used computer programs and models to manage market risk. During his years in investment banking, he worked for Banque Nationale de Paris and Morgan Stanley, where he gained experience as a manager.

Beginning in 2009, Ted served a two-year term as executive director of SWITCH, a Kingston not-for-profit association that promotes job creation and investment in sustainable energy. He appreciates the need to nurture the local economy in fields including sustainable energy – where the focus is on the jobs of the future – and to achieve progress by working together with the private sector and municipal and provincial government partners.

Prior to leading SWITCH, Ted spent three years as a stay-at-home father, while his wife earned an advanced degree. He was motivated to enter politics because of his concern for the kind of world that his children and grandchildren will inherit. He feels strongly that government has a moral responsibility to tackle our problems today and not pass on a debt of troubles to future generations.

Ted believes that he brings unique perspectives to Parliament:

• as a Canadian who is grateful to this country and its people for welcoming his Chinese immigrant parents,
• as a physicist whose years in research taught him the value of careful, quantitative thought and attention to detail,
• as a business manager whose global experience has given him a special outlook on his hometown and country,
• and as a father taking care of his children’s everyday needs, worrying about the world they will face as adults.

Ted, 47, grew up in historic Kingston. He attended Queen's University, from which he graduated in 1984 (B.Sc. with Honours in Physics). He obtained his Ph.D. in Physics from Princeton University in 1989. He is fluent in French and Chinese.

Ted served four years as treasurer of the Kingston and the Islands Federal Liberal Association, and was an active member of its Policy Committee. He worked energetically in the 2007 and 2008 provincial and federal Liberal campaigns.

Make a difference in Kingston and the Islands

Ted Hsu in the news