Posts Tagged ‘Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario’
By-Election Excellent Opportunity For Voters to Judge ‘Summer of Scandal’
I am going to start by saying that I love the idea of elections. Having been involved in many I appreciate the amount of work that politicos put into ‘framing’ election issues for voters, and all the behind the scenes work that goes into elections as well. While I do believe the actions of many, in particular some incumbent’s inappropriate use of public resources for partisan, negatively impacts the ability of the people’s messages to be heard – my hope is that St. Paul’s will be different.
With the impending HST – a tax that will screw up any economic recovery underway when it adds 8% to the cost of nearly everything; the eHealth scandal; OLG scandal; and the other issues all flapping around with blame squarely laying at the Premier’s feet – I’m not sure the Liberals could win this under any circumstances.
I have gone canvassing in St. Paul’s and the voters are angry. The HST, government waste and arrogance seem to be the key drivers of anger with the Premier. Eric Hoskins’ name recognition is weak and voters seem fairly neutral on the merits of his candidacy.
Liberals will say, ‘But Eric Hoskins is a really good guy’. That isn’t a point I will argue, but politically speaking he is proving to be a coward. No one deserves to be represented by a coward. Who seeks to be a voice for a community hides from a debate? What Liberal panders to a large ethic community by promising to support religious funding for private religious schools – especially after McGuinty’s handling and voters response to that issue in the last election? We all know that isn’t a position that is going to change simply because Hoskins thinks voters are stupid enough to believe his election will change the ridicule the Premier put that idea and its supporters through during the 2007 campaign. It goes deeper – this is the second time Eric Hoskins as sought office this year, and neither time has been in his community. What does Eric Hoskins have against local representation? A community needs a strong, local voice. One that is prepared to stand up and go to bat for the residents. No one cares about the anti-democratic mechanisms and fear tactics party leaders call ‘caucus solidarity’ – they want a voice for them. As Rick Johnson said in the last By-election Ontario saw ‘local matters’.
When a government is failing it’s people, it should be replaced. There is no doubt Premier McGuinty has failed beyond belief in his second term. Voters in St. Paul’s have an early opportunity to tell the Premier enough is enough and this is one former Ontario Liberal hoping they do just that this Thursday. I know members of Save the Toronto Bluffs – an organization close to my heart will be out speaking with voters between now and then about the importance of a local voice, and the Liberal party’s refusal to allow any communities to have one.
While I do not hold a membership in any provincial political party, I frankly hope Sue-Ann Levy cleans the Liberal’s clock in this fight, and will be doing my part to ensure that Toronto has at least one MPP in advance of the next election who has the courage to stand up and defend the interests of real people against the abuses of this government.
9 Comments »Frank Klees Interview
This is Jeff Hume standing in for John Laforet. John was unable to attend this interview last minute due to his commitments with the Canadian Cancer Society and their Relay for Life. I stepped in so as to complete our series of candidate interviews as planned. John will be back to posting soon.
Frank Klees is a man of experience. With fourteen years serving as an MPP, experience in the cabinets of both Mike Harris and Ernie Eves, along with years of work in the business sphere, Mr. Klees brings this experience to his campaign and its policies. Combined with this experience is a practical streak tending towards getting elected. In this interview he spoke about staying away from the lightning rod issue of the Human Rights Commission along with his position on handling the HST issue if elected premier, both positions practical and not overly ideological.
Mr. Klees has stressed the importance of winning the next election in order to provide “direction” for Ontario, and in his responses here he elaborates on many of the ways he would seek to do this.
For more on Frank Klees’ campaign, visit http://www.frankklees.com/
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Interview with PC Leadership Candidate Randy Hillier
The single largest impression I got from my time speaking with Randy Hillier and observing him at the debate, both on and off camera was the passion he brings to the issues he champions and his candidacy in general. I observed him truly in his element after the debate as he worked the halls as people exited. Always smiling, frequently laughing with party members, Hillier demonstrated an ease and comfort at connecting with people on a personal level. His sincerity may be his candidacy’s greatest asset.
Randy Hillier’s platform clearly is based on conversations he’s had around kitchen tables, in coffee shops and diners around Ontario. His messaging comes from the heart. He is a candidate that isn’t afraid of controversy and freely says what he thinks. Agree or not with Randy Hillier on policy, all of those following this race can at least recognize his ability to generate real discussion about what the future of the Ontario PC Party should be.
For more on Randy Hillier visit http://www.hillierforleader.com/
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