Bud Wildman - Definition

Charles "Bud" Wildman (born 1952) is a Canadian politician. Wildman was first elected to the Ontario legislature as an NDP MPP in the 1975 Ontario election representing the riding of Algoma. In Opposition he was a leading member of the NDP's front bench and, when the party unexepectedly won the 1990 Ontario election under Bob Rae, Wildman joined the cabinet as Minister of Natural Resources and Minister responsible for Native Affairs. In 1993 he was promoted to Minister of Energy and the Environment while keeping the Native Affairs portfolio.

As Environment minister, Wildman initiated the first public audit of Ontario’s forest resources and promoted an ecosystem management approach for sustainability. Ontario's Environmental Bill of Rights was also approved during his tenure.

As Minster responsible for Native Affairs during the entire tenure of the Rae government, Wildman instituted a regime of dealing with First Nations on a government to government basis and conluded a number of land claims settlements. He also estabished the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy which sought to address health problems among native peoples in a culturally sensitive manner.

Wildman retained his seat in the 1995 Ontario election that defeated the Rae government and reduced the NDP to third party status in the legislature. Rae resigned as leader the next year and Wildman served as interim leader in the legislature from February 10 1996 until June 24 1996 when Howard Hampton took over the leadership after his victory in the Ontario NDP leadership convention held that month. Wildman decided not to run in the 1999 Ontario election and retired from provincial politics after almost a quarter century at Queen's Park. He attempted to win a seat in the federal House of Commons in the 2000 Canadian election running in Sault Ste. Marie for the New Democratic Party of Canada but was unsuccessful, coming in a weak second with almost 25% of the vote.

Since leaving politics Wildman has worked as a consultant. His son Jody Wildman was a federal NDP candidate in 1997.