Editing David Christopherson (section)

===Opposition member===

The Rae government was defeated in the [[1995 Ontario general election|1995 election]], falling to only seventeen seats out of 130. Christopherson, still personally popular, was narrowly re-elected for Hamilton Centre. He served in the next legislature as NDP critic for labour issues and the Workers' Compensation Board.<ref>Lee Prokaska, "Critics lambast WCB cuts", ''Hamilton Spectator'', 26 July 1995, B3.</ref>

Rae resigned as party leader in 1996, and there was considerable media speculation that Christopherson would run to succeed him.  ''[[Toronto Star]]'' journalist Thomas Walkom indicated that he would be a powerful candidate on the centrist wing of the party, and would likely win the support of pro-Rae trade unions such as the Steelworkers.<ref>Thomas Walkom, "NDP needs an identity as well as a leader", ''Toronto Star'', 16 January 1996, A15.</ref>  He decided against running and gave his support to [[Howard Hampton]], the eventual winner.<ref>"Hampton to seek NDP leadership", ''Globe and Mail'', 20 February 1996, A11.</ref>

Christopherson was a prominent supporter of Hamilton's amalgamation with neighbouring municipalities in the late 1990s.<ref>"Just one MPP opposes H-W supercity", ''Hamilton Spectator'', 4 December 1996, A11.</ref>  The policy, which was supported by some members of all three major parties, was enacted by the Progressive Conservative government of [[Mike Harris]] in 2000.  Christopherson considered leaving politics to run for the leadership of the [[Ontario Federation of Labour]] in 1997, but ultimately declined.<ref>"Race for top post reveals crack in house of labour", ''Toronto Star'', 1 November 1997, p. 1.</ref>

The Hamilton Centre riding was eliminated by redistribution in 1996, and Christopherson chose to contest the expanded riding of [[Hamilton West (federal electoral district)|Hamilton West]] for the [[1999 Ontario general election|1999 provincial election]] against incumbent Progressive Conservative [[Lillian Ross (politician)|Lillian Ross]]. He was re-elected, and became one of only nine New Democrats returned to the reduced 103-seat legislature.  He served as his party's Finance and Labour Critic, and was appointed as House Leader.<ref>"Hampton announces critic portfolios", ''Canada NewsWire'', 28 June 1999, 15:14 report.</ref>  He considered campaigning for [[Mayor of Hamilton, Ontario|Mayor of Hamilton]] in 2000, but reluctantly declined.<ref>Eric Mcguinness, "Morrow throws his hat into the ring", ''Hamilton Spectator'', 31 May 2000, A01.</ref>

Christopherson resigned as NDP House Leader in 2001, amid rumours of a rift with Hampton.<ref>Richard Brennan, "Signs of rift in NDP as house leader quits", 19 April 2001, A11.</ref>  He continued to serve as his party's critic for Consumer and Business Services and the Management Board of Cabinet, and was a deputy [[Speaker (politics)|speaker]] in the legislature from 2001 to 2003.