Craig Ruttan

Craig Ruttan grew up in Punkeydoodles Corners, Ontario, a scenic hamlet halfway between Kitchener and Stratford. He attended Victoria College in the University of Toronto after earning a BMO National Scholarship, and specialized in Peace and Conflict Studies. An active student at Victoria College, Craig dedicated his time to the college student council, developing a love of constitutions and formal processes. Among other volunteer work, Craig served on the orientation executive and was a member of Stephenson House, a student-run cooperative house for students involved in the community. In his final year, he was elected to serve on the college's highest governing body. He also led negotiations with the Vic President over the future of the Stephenson House community. Craig has spent the last year living in London, England, soaking in the culture and completing his MA in International Peace and Security at King's College London. His dissertation focuses on peacebuilding and stabilization, an interest sparked by volunteer work in Nicaragua and a study abroad course in Kenya.

Craig has also worked on mathematics education research, which has increased his interest in pedagogy and, more generally, how policy is created and implemented. Outside the political realm, Craig has been a competitive figure skater at interuniversity and national STARskate levels, and enjoys ultimate frisbee, graphic design, and a good book. He is excited to be spending a year at Queen's Park, learning more about policy development and the political process at a hands-on level.

Favourite book: Shades of Grey, by Jasper Fforde

Favourite tv show: How I Met Your Mother, Doctor Who, and Amazing Race

Favourite fictional character: George Oscar Bluth Jr.

If you had to live in a movie/painting, which one would it be? Helvetica the documentary

If you were a paint colour, what would your name be? Unicorn tears

Favourite Toronto intersection (could be neighbourhood, I suppose): Any one with a scramble crossing.

If you could only bring three things to a desert island, they would be... 1) sunscreen, because skin cancer is nobody's friend; 2) plenty of books to read; and 3) presumably some method to get off the island eventually.

Favourite fresh Ontario produce (aka fruit or veg): Strawberries