in the tourism industry and executed a plan that provided $14 million for marketing to help the industry recover. During his time in the Ministry, he awarded nearly $300 million to rebuild aging infrastructure in communities across the province through SuperBuild's Sports, Culture and Tourism Partnership fund. He supported Jim Flaherty's unsuccessful bid to become party leader in 2002. On April 15, 2002, new Premier Ernie Eves appointed him Minister of Consumer and Business Services. 2003 election The Tories lost the provincial election of 2003, although Hudak was easily re-elected by a margin of 4,058 votes. He was appointed as PC Caucus Chair and critic responsible for Public Infrastructure Renewal, and later elevated to the role of critic for both Municipal Affairs and Housing and Public Infrastructure Renewal. Hudak again supported Jim Flaherty's bid to become party leader in the 2004 PC leadership election. In August 2005, PC leader John Tory appointed Hudak to the lead role of Official Opposition Finance Critic. 2007 election Although the Tories lost the 2007 Ontario election, Hudak won his riding with a 10,022 vote margin, gaining 51% of the popular vote. In opposition, he introduced a bill to create a new retail system for Ontario Vintners Quality Alliance wines in competition with the provincial distribution system. He also proposed a bill to restrict residential property assessment increases modeled on similar acts in Florida, Michigan, and Nova Scotia. Party leadership On April 2, 2009, Hudak launched his campaign for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party. Considered by many as the frontrunner in the race, Hudak had secured the support of over half the caucus at the launch of his campaign. Hudak was endorsed by federal Conservative cabinet ministers John Baird and Tony Clement, who had served alongside him in the cabinets of Harris and Eves. During the campaign, Hudak was quoted as saying that if the PCs want to regain government, they would have to make inroads in major cities and begin "reaching out to new Canadian communities.... I want to make sure that the next wave of new Canadians – whether from the Czech Republic or India or China – will see the Ontario PC party as home.". The leader was chosen by a preferential ballot on June 27, 2009, in Markham, Ontario. Hudak placed first out of the four candidates defeating Frank Klees, Christine Elliott, and Randy Hillier. On July 1, he