Kind, gracious, committed to her community, and a tenacious competitor in the political arena – that’s how Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Philip Lawrence remembers former MP Kim Rudd.
“It’s terrible news,” said Lawrence, on Thursday, March 14, while offering condolences to Rudd’s family and many loved ones throughout the community after learning of Rudd’s passing.
Rudd passed away surrounded by loved ones at Ed’s House on Tuesday, March 12 after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.
Rudd served the community for more than 40 years and was Northumberland-Peterborough South’s MP from 2015 to 2019.
When Lawrence thinks back to the October 2019 election and running against Rudd, he recalled a tenacious competitor – but more than anything, her commitment to community and the kindness and generosity she showed him during a hard-fought race, he said.
In the 2019 election, Lawrence edged out the Liberal incumbent – but electoral candidates off-stage do develop a certain kind of friendship, explained Lawrence.
“It’s an unusual relationship, right, (with) electoral candidates, because you end up at many of the same events, and so on stage, although you’re debating passionately – and certainly Kim could do that (as she) was a very eloquent speaker – but off-stage, you develop a friendship of a kind.
“And certainly, I appreciated all the kindness and generosity that Kim showed me,” added Lawrence, who gave thanks to Rudd for “showing him the ropes” at times.
“I guess the most important thing that I remember … was her commitment to the community. She was very dedicated to the people of Cobourg, and to the people of Northumberland-Peterborough South.”
Lawrence recalled a hardworking parliamentarian and advocate who made impacts under the economy, poverty reduction, childcare, and more.
Rudd is being remembered for her wins in Northumberland – and nationally – both in politics and through her various community and volunteer roles. Such sentiments have been echoed by Deputy Warden Olena Hankivsky, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and more.
Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland has also described Rudd as a respected entrepreneur and committed volunteer who will be missed.
“An RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award recipient, she was a courageous and resourceful businessperson known locally for growing post-secondary career training in Cobourg with the introduction of Willis College and co-founding Cooks School Daycare in 1985,” said Cleveland, in a statement. “One of the first rural child-care projects in our area, Cooks provided an incredible resource for women and families in our community, providing a safe place for children so parents could go back into the workforce.”
Like so many others, Cleveland highlighted Rudd’s many other roles, including how when Rudd was chair of the local physician recruitment committee, the committee brought in eight new doctors to the area.
In her role as MP, she worked towards initiatives that helped local families and businesses, added Cleveland.
“Her government improved the Child Canada Benefit – which helped thousands of children in her riding – helped bring over $70 million for improved broadband and cellphone service to Eastern Ontario; provided a boost in federal money for new and affordable housing, and she personally worked on five housing projects in Northumberland-Peterborough South.”
Cleveland also highlighted how Rudd was a supporter of Venture13 and local businesses, an advocate for the area, a committed volunteer, and a trusted and valued mentor to many.
“On behalf of all council and staff, we would like to thank her for all that she did for our community and its residents,” said Cleveland.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
