on very poor terms with Flaherty. As a result of this controversy, Ecker became a leading spokesperson for "moderate conservative" positions in her party, against the right-wing views of Flaherty and Harris. When Harris resigned as party leader in 2002, many anticipated that Ecker would join the contest to replace him. Instead, she supported the candidacy of Ernie Eves, who won by defeating Flaherty in the second round of balloting. Ecker was named Minister of Finance on April 15, 2002. Shortly after being named as Finance Minister, Ecker announced that the Eves government would postpone the previously-announced private-school tax credit. Ecker also introduced the Eves government's Keeping the Promise for a Strong Economy Act (Budget Measures), 2002. In 2003, Ecker delivered her provincial budget at an auto parts factory owned by Magna International, rather than in the legislature. The move was widely criticized, even by some members of the Progressive Conservative party. Despite her previous opposition, Ecker re-introduced the private-school tax credit in this budget. The Eves government was defeated in the provincial election of 2003, and Ecker herself was narrowly defeated by Wayne Arthurs of the Liberal Party. Cabinet positions After politics Ecker is an advisor with Tramore Group, a Toronto-based program management professional services firm. She also teaches public administration at Queen's University in Kingston. In 2004, she supported Belinda Stronach's unsuccessful campaign to lead the new Conservative Party of Canada. In 2005 she was named as president of the Toronto Financial Services Alliance. She supported Christine Elliott (spouse of Jim Flaherty) during the 2009 Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario leadership election and served as her campaign chair. In December 2016, Ecker was named a Member of the Order of Canada for being a leader in the financial industry. References External links 1953 births Living people Women government ministers of Canada Finance ministers of Ontario Members of the Order of Canada People from Norfolk County, Ontario Queen's University at Kingston faculty University of Western Ontario alumni Female finance ministers 21st-century Canadian politicians 21st-century Canadian women politicians