Politics in Simcoe-Grey

Simcoe-Grey candidates on health care

2014-05-21T22:45:00.001-04:00

David Matthews/NDP

1. As Simcoe-Grey’s population ages, what’s the most important health care service you think this segment of society will need and what does your party plan to do to ensure that this health care service is always at the ready?

As the population ages in Simcoe-Grey, there will be several important health care services required. Firstly, we must eliminate the long waiting period for home care support. For every $12,000 a day spent keeping seniors in a hospital bed, 15 people can be treated in their homes through attendant care. Secondly, we need readily accessible long-term care units for those seniors with complex medical needs. We must open more government-run, long-care homes for seniors. Thirdly, we require more doctors. We will forgive student debts to doctors who practice in under-serviced communities.

2. How do you feel about the success of the LHINS (Local Health Integration Networks, responsible for the regional administration of health care) and what are your plans – if any – for changes to them?

The LHINS have only been moderately successful in the regional administration of health care. For example, only half of the LHINS are meeting the five-day target for home care. We must study the cost effectiveness of the LHINS and decide whether there is a more effective way to make health care more accountable to local communities.

3. Local hospitals in Alliston and Collingwood are aging and in need of updates and expansion, what is your plan for these types of infrastructure needs?

During the past twenty years we have seen the building of two major hospitals in the region around Simcoe-Grey: One in Orangeville and one in Barrie. With the increase of population in Simcoe-Grey our two hospitals must now get the funding, not only to expand, but also to acquire more updated equipment. I will fight to get the funding for both hospitals to get the upgrades required to better service our population.

Lorne Kenney/Liberal

1) As Simcoe-Grey’s population ages, what’s the most important health care service you think this segment of society will need and what does your party plan to do to ensure that this health care service is always at the ready?

Ontario Liberals know that the most important health care investment we can make for our aging population is home and community care. The 2014 budget, rejected by the opposition, included a $270 million commitment for community care, which would have helped more seniors receive high quality care in or close to their homes. Helping our seniors get the best care really is the goal.

Our LHINs have been very successful in bringing health-care decision-making closer to the local level, ensuring that care is reflective of the communities served. It ensures high quality care is delivered in a sustainable way to communities. For example, it accounts for the fact Collingwood's hospital is a major regional orthopedic site, important to both seniors and our recreation sector.

3. Local hospitals in Alliston and Collingwood are aging and in need of updates and expansion, what is your plan for these types of infrastructure needs?

The Liberal government will be investing over $11.4 billion, precisely targeted for hospital expansions or redevelopment projects over the next 10 years. I am strongly in favour of major capital expenditures for both Collingwood and Alliston hospitals, my number one priority. Both have received planning support for their renewal/refurbishment and are on the right track.

Jesseca Dudun/ Green

Offering seniors the help they need to stay in their own homes is key. It is fundamental to sustainable health care for our aging population that we keep people out of expensive hospital beds and allow them to be discharged faster, without compromising their well-being. The Green Party will invest additional funds, focusing on home care, assisted living, long-term care services and additional tax credits for family members staying home to care for seniors.

Identifying needs and integration of health care services, at the local level, is important to a well-functioning health care system. Improvements are always possible. We support refocusing our system to prioritize and concentrate on the promotion of good health and the prevention of illness and disease – to focus on true health care, not just sick care.

3. Local hospitals in Alliston and Collingwood are aging and in need of updates and expansion, what is your plan for these types of infrastructure needs?

The Green Party will continue to fund the infrastructure needs of community hospitals. Our platform also prioritizes investments in front line community care, nurse practitioner led clinics and family health teams. These clinics and practices team doctors with nurses, dieticians, psychologists, counselors, midwives, physiotherapists and others to ease the burden on our larger institutions by focusing on prevention of illness.

Jim Wilson/Progressive Conservative

Aside from redeveloping our Alliston and Collingwood hospitals, we need to support hospices. I have been relentless in fighting for fair funding for our local hospices, successfully securing funding for Hospice Georgian Triangle in Collingwood. I will continue to fight for Matthews House in Alliston. We also need to focus on patients, like young Madi Vanstone of Beeton who needs access to essential treatment.

2) How do you feel about the success of the LHINS (Local Health Integration Networks, responsible for the regional administration of health care) and what are your plans – if any – for changes to them?

Our plan is focused on making you and your family as healthy as possible. We think nurses, doctors, community care organizations and hospitals know best what care you need, not bureaucrats who never see a patient. We will eliminate the LHIN bureaucracy and change the focus from the needs of administration to the needs of patients.

3) Local hospitals in Alliston and Collingwood are aging and in need of updates and expansion, what is your plan for these types of infrastructure needs?

I am the guy who has been fighting for the redevelopment of our hospitals. I secured new dollars to clear the wait list for dialysis in Collingwood and I brought back the birthing unit and helped get the CT scanner in Alliston. I have the experience to get our hospitals rebuilt and I will get the ball moving.

NDP - David Matthews

2014-05-21T16:50:00.003-04:00

David Matthews is the NDP candidate in Simcoe-Grey for the 2014 provincial election.

“I had to do some thinking about it (running for office) because you know I can be mouthy,” said the semi-retired steamfitter. “For me to be a politician – I can’t lie. And I can’t make promises that I don’t believe I can keep. That’s just bred into me. And when I see a wrong I say it’s wrong.”The 65-year-old Wasaga Beach resident first ran for the New Democrats in the 2011 provincial race.

Matthews said he decided to wade into provincial politics as a candidate for the NDP, a party he’s supported all his life, after seeing several areas that need improving.

“One of my main concerns up here was the price of food,” said the 19-year Wasaga Beach resident. “And the amount of poverty in this area that nobody has been addressing.”

Simcoe-Grey is in dire need of more affordable housing, Matthews said.

“You know somebody has to speak up for the working-man per se and the poor. So that’s what I decided to do,” he said.

Born and raised in Toronto’s Junction neighbourhood, Matthews apprenticed as a steamfitter after high school and has worked in the trade ever since, travelling across the country to work on different job sites. Nowadays he takes the winter off.

Married to his wife Ilona for 27 years, the couple has two grown children, a son and a daughter. Matthews also has a grown child, a son, from a previous marriage.

When he has time to relax, Matthews enjoys reading books on history. One of his favourite authors is Pierre Berton.

He also loves to fish and is a fan of playing golf and following hockey. His favourite NHL team is the Chicago Blackhawks.

Liberal Candidate - Lorne Kenney

2014-05-21T16:48:00.001-04:00

Liberal candidate Lorne Kenney believes the province is heading in the right direction under Kathleen Wynne and wants to be on the train.

Kenney is a Collingwood resident, having lived in the area for most of his life.

Kenney has served as the research and education director for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union and was responsible for negotiating major collective agreements in the food industry.

He was also responsible for projects for the Premier’s Council, which was initially established by former premier Bill Davis. Kenney is a former president of the Rotary Club of Collingwood South Georgian Bay.

He and his wife of nearly 40 years, Susan, own and operate a promotional products and corporate apparel business in Collingwood.

The couple has two grown children and two grandchildren.

Kenney believes Wynne is the person to lead the province.

“I have been attracted by the leadership, dynamism, integrity, idealism and outright ability of Premier Kathleen Wynne,” he said. “Premier Wynne has the energy to lead a new government and is quickly turning the page in the right direction for Ontario.”

Kenney wants to see investment in children.

“Our workforce of 2030 is in their cribs and playpens right now. If we take care of our children now, they will take care of themselves when they mature – and then they can take care of us,” he said.

He also believes in open and accountable government.

“That’s the fundamental premise of Ontario’s politics and it is best demonstrated by the way Premier Kathleen Wynne has gone about the job of premier,” he said.

Kenney questioned the job incumbent Jim Wilson has done representing the riding.

“I have long regretted that our riding has been represented by an opposition member who has chained himself to Tim Hudak’s negative message,” he said. “After nearly 30 years as an MPP, it is a very sparse track record of accomplishments that can be associated with his name.”

The Jim Wilson Campaign

2014-05-21T16:38:00.002-04:00

Going door-to-door in the early days of this election campaign, the cost of living is one of the main issues incumbent Progressive Conservative Jim Wilson is hearing about.

Along with hydro and affordable living, key components of this election for Wilson are jobs and hospitals. He is also advocating for Matthews House Hospice funding in Alliston, and is against the proposed windmills in Clearview near the Collingwood airport.“In fact, I’m encouraging people to bring them into my office and we show them to the ministry,” he said.

Wilson has been Simcoe-Grey’s voice at Queen’s Park since 1990.

Over the years he has served as Minister of Health, Minister of Energy, Science and Technology, Minister of Development and Mines, and Minister of the Environment. He is also the House Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition.

“I think I’m well positioned to continue to serve the people, I think I’ve done a good job the last 23 years and I see no reason to stop now,” he said.

Wilson has lived in each part of the riding. He was raised in Alliston, spent a year in Collingwood, and currently lives in Wasaga Beach.

For Wilson, the constituents are behind his decision to keep going.

“I very much enjoy working with people and if you love people this is a great profession, an honourable profession to be in,” he said.

Having been a familiar name on the ballot, he encourages people to vote June 12.

“Complacency is actually a problem for me, so I’m really asking people…let’s send a strong message to the Liberals that what they’ve done is wrong and that the vast majority of people in Simcoe-Grey feel that way,” he said.

Jim Wilson Says.....

2014-05-19T22:40:00.000-04:00

I received a very interesting article in my in-box this morning which I would like to share with you. It quotes the PC Candidate, Jim Wilson and it talks about being accountable.

Jim says……..

Should someone in the Ontario Liberal Party be held accountable for the debacle of Ehealth, Ornge and OPG issues. Damn right they should. And they were. The Liberals were pushed into minority territory and the leader left his post. That is accountability, isn't it? Or does the Liberal Party have to die for it's mistakes.

But, if we're going to talk accountability, and the demise of the Liberal Party because of two generating stations being moved, what is proposed to happen to a Party that indirectly caused the deaths of seven people and the illness of 1286 others in Walkerton? How can Mr Wilson, who, along with his present leader, was a minister in the government of the day, show his face in any election campaign? Does he value the lives of seven people and the good health of 1286 to be less than the cost of building generating stations in new locations, or less even than the savings from cutting a couple of inspector's jobs?

A search of Wikipedia shows this.

Polluted water kills four in Walkerton

In May 2000, bacteria seeped into Walkerton's town well. The deadly E. coli then slipped quietly through a maze of pipes and into the homes of Walkerton, Ont. Unsuspecting residents thirstily drank the polluted water and bathed in their bacteria-ridden tubs. But soon after, they began experiencing common symptoms of infection; bloody diarrhea and throbbing cramps. Seven people would eventually die and another 1286 would fall ill. The investigation which followed exposed an alarmingly unstable waterworks system made fragile by government cuts. (Wikipedia)

And, does he not remember, his Party's commitment to do the same thing with those plants (The costs would likely be the same.)

and this

Mississauga candidates of all three parties openly expressed opposition to the power plant in pre-election debates.

October 5th 2011, asked if he'd scrap the Mississauga plant if he formed the next government, Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak replies: "That's right. Done. Done, done, done. (Wikipidea)

That was only three years ago. If accountability is to be applied equally, the Ontario Conservative Party should, long ago, have been buried.

Political Bias in Simcoe Grey? Never!!

2014-05-19T00:10:00.000-04:00

Collingwood Connection's partisan reporter, John Edwards posted an article asking the candidates where they stand on accountability. Not a bad article given that the answer were supplied by the candidates.

However when it came time for Liberal candidate, Lorne Kenney to answer the question, here's what John Edwards posted "Lorne Kenney, Liberal

At the moment, I am not able to provide the answers which you would like. The issues are simply too complex"

Here's the response from the Liberal campaign team... Liberal candidate Lorne Kenney gave four pages of answers to your questions and you took one line out of the four pages and out of context for his response to your three questions. Wow...

This is not the first time John Edwards has tried to make an ass out of a candidate. It seems that in nearly every election his true partisan colors come to the forefront. I think that John Edwards and the rest of the editorial staff at the local Metroland newspapers need to come out of the closet and finally admit that they are Conservatives, and support only Conservative candidates at all levels of government.

So next time you read an article about any election from any of the local Metroland newspapers, remember that they are most likely speaking for the Conservative party.

The First Debate

2014-05-15T21:03:00.000-04:00

The first debate in Simcoe-Grey will take place on May 26th, 2014 starting at 7pm. The debate between the candidates will take place at Banting Memorial High School in Alliston.

This debate should be very interesting and yet very predictable. I suspect that PC candidate Jim Wilson will go after Liberal candidate, Lorne Kenney on the scandal's that have followed the Liberals over the years. If I was advising the Kenney camp I would make a strong point that since Wynne became leader, not one scandal has taken place under her watch.

The NDP will attack the Liberals on all the scandals, and all the broken promises. The Greens will most likely offer themselves up as an alternative to the other parties.

So if you like political theatre, then drop on by, bring some popcorn, and enjoy the show.

It's Jim Wilson Day....

2014-05-13T15:43:00.001-04:00

Just to be clear, I'm not picking on Jim Wilson or promoting him in any way. He just seems to be the only candidate who's been in the news the past few days. Another article appeared online this afternoon and the heading is:

Is Jim Wilson beatable?

Here's the link to the article: http://www.simcoe.com/news-story/4515844-is-jim-wilson-beatable-/

Here's my take on the question of the day about beating Jim Wilson. I ran against Mr. Wilson in the 2007 Provincial Election, and of course I lost, but it was a great experience. If you look at the financials from that election and other elections in Simcoe-Grey you will see that Wilson's campaign outspends the other campaigns. The reason for this quite clear, he has a very organized team and a strong core of supporters.
In 2007 my team was made up of myself, my wife at the time, and a couple of friends. I had 1 office in Collingwood, and my campaign cost about $ 8000.00 or so. Wilson had 2 offices, one in Collingwood and the other in Alliston. He had about 60 people helping him, and his campaign cost about $ 50,000 or so.
Some people said I was crazy to run against Jim Wilson, but I did, and got 26% of the vote, or a little over 12,000 people. In the 2011 election the Liberal candidate had a team in place and she got about 4000 less votes then I did, and about 22% of the vote. Political parties tend to put their resources into riding's where they know they will win, or have a good chance of winning. Simcoe-Grey is not one of those riding's.
Is Jim Wilson beatable? Ye she is provided that the candidate is well known in the riding, has the backing of the party, and can raise the money to compete against the campaign machine of Jim Wilson. Will he be beat in this election? I don't think so, but then again stranger things have happen.

Wilson cut 2 billion in health care funding.

2014-05-13T10:36:00.000-04:00

When Jim Wilson was the Minister of Health during the Mike Harris government he cut 2 billion in funding for our health care sector. Now Wilson claims that a Tim Hudak government would increase funding for our health care sector. Interesting given that Tim Hudak wants to cut 100,000 public sector jobs, which does not include nurses or doctors, but support staff for hospitals. So let's cut 100,000 public sector workers so we can have more money for hospitals. But, when you cut support positions who's going to do the work? Maybe Tim Hudak and Jim Wilson could spend their free time going around to hospitals answering the phone.

Anyway here's an interesting article from a local newspaper about this subject which will be a local election issue.

G&M at forefront of provincial campaign, locally

By Morgan Ian Adams, Enterprise-Bulletin Tuesday, May 13, 2014 8:15:22 EDT AM

COLLINGWOOD — The local hospital has been pushed to the front of the provincial campaign, locally, after one candidate used it as the backdrop for a campaign stop, Monday.

Simcoe-Grey’s Progressive Conservative candidate Jim Wilson says he would fight what he claims is the government’s decision to deny the Collingwood General & Marine promised funding to make up an anticipated deficit for this fiscal year.

The long-time incumbent says he’s also advocating for more money for the hospital in Alliston — as well as seeing that the capital expansion plans for both facilities get the OK from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.

“Both communities need a new hospital and it’s high time they receive their fair share,” Wilson said while standing in front of the G&M,Monday morning.

However, the Liberal candidate says Wilson “has no monopoly on support for the... hospital.

“There is nobody in Collingwood who does not support the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital and recognize it as a great centre for health care,” said Lorne Kenney. “Funnily enough, Mr. Wilson and I do not disagree on absolutely everything — more money for health care is on everyone’s agenda.

“We would all like to see more money for the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital.”

Both candidates say they would advocate for new hospital facilities in Collingwood, Wilson pointing out the G&M Hospital has had a capital expansion application into the ministry for nearly a decade, with no response.

Alliston’s hospital was recently given the green light to move on to the planning phase.

Wilson said hospital officials need the OK from the ministry to begin its planning phase, and launch what would likely be a decade-long campaign to raise the $20 million or $30 million needed from the community to cover the local share of what could be $200-million project.

He also said a local developer, John DiPoce, who has offered up 14 acres in the south-east corner of town, “is getting a little impatient.”

Wilson said a Progressive Conservative government would step up and OK the hospital for the next phase of what it would need to do to expand.

“If (hospital officials) could get the green light for planning, that would get them out on the road (to start the project),” he said.

The G&M Hospital, said Wilson, is sitting at 105% occupancy, “100% of the time,” in spite of implementing about 90% of the recommendations from a 2012 efficiency report.

Wilson said he’s been told by hospital administration that core services such as obstetrics could be at risk if the hospital can’t find the $700,000 it needs to make up the funding shortfall.

The hospital had received $1.2 million last year to assist with the transition in the funding model for hospitals that, at the end of the day, could put the G&M in good stead financially down the road. However, that new funding model is being phased in over three years, and Wilson said the G&M was promised gap funding for that time period.

“It’s a pretty drastic situation for a small hospital,” said Wilson, who put the blame for the G&M’s current fiscal woes on a Liberal government that had “billions for scandals (such as the gas plants and eHealth), but they don’t have money for hospitals.”

Kenney, however, argued that it’s a “misunderstanding” between the hospital and the North Simcoe/Muskoka Long Health Integration Network over the gap in funding, and for Wilson to suggest that it’s “a deliberate act of government policy is simply preposterous.”

Kenney pointed out Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak is promising to chop 100,000 public sector employees, and while nurses won’t be affected, other hospital staffers “will all be feeling their neck if Mr. Hudak gets elected.”

Jim Wilson's blowing in the wind.

2014-05-13T09:37:00.001-04:00

Where does Jim Wilson stand on windmills? We really don't know as he's done one thing, and says another. I received this interesting email this morning, and I wanted to share it with you.

MPP Jim Wilson turns with the wind May 13, 2014

Despite publicly supporting wind energy in 2003, MPP Jim Wilson now is opposed to wind farms projects as part of his Simcoe-Grey 2014 election platform. Wilson supports the Ontario Conservative proposal to cancel present and future wind power projects.

The legal costs of cancelling wind contracts will be astronomical, as high as $18 Billion, to be paid by Ontario taxpayers. This future energy cost makes the misleading $1 billion gas plant relocation cost insignificant.

Mr Wilson implies that that renewable energy is expensive and blames wind power for increases in Ontario electricity rates. However, the real problem started when Mr Wilson was Ontario Minister of Energy in the 1997 Harris government which broke up Ontario Hydro and placed $21 billion of stranded debt on taxpayers to cover for exorbitant nuclear reactors. Now, while renewable are reducing future electricity cost, the nuclear producers are asking for a 30% increase.

Jim Wilson is a professional politician who turns with the wind

It sounds to me that it must be an election, as Wilson is again doing what Wilson does best. Talking out of both sides of his mouth to gain votes.

Jim Wilson Kicks Off Campaign

2014-05-13T08:23:00.002-04:00

Standing in front of the Collingwood Hospital, PC Candidate Jim Wilson kicks off his campaign to get re-elected. On Monday morning, Jim Wilson says he would fight what he says is the government’s decision to deny the Collingwood General & Marine promised funding to make up an anticipated deficit.

Really Jim, you will fight to give the hospital money to help fight their deficit. I remember not too long ago
when you were the Minister of Health, and you not only would not help hospitals, you actually closed them down, fired nurses, and allowed doctors to move to the United States.

It seems that in every election, Jim Wilson tries to find a wedge issue, and run with it as part of his platform. I will give Wilson credit he knows that most of the population in both Alliston and Collingwood where the 2 hospitals in Simcoe-Grey are located, have an aging population who tend to vote Conservative.

It would be nice for once to have Wilson actually campaign on the issues set forth by his party, and not his own little agenda.

In 2007 it was the Highway 26 expansion, in 2011 I really can't remember, but I'm sure it was a wedge issue as well.

Bottom line, no matter what Wilson picks to campaign on, he will most likely win.

Let the race begin....

2014-05-12T08:23:00.001-04:00

Here's an article from a local newspaper about the race in Simcoe-Grey.

SIMCOE-GREY — They’re off and running.

And the two main candidates in Simcoe-Grey are anxious to hit the hustings — though for very different reasons.

As Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne was visiting Lieutenant-Governor David Onley to dissolve the Ontario Legislature Friday afternoon for a June 12 election, long-time Simcoe-Grey MPP and Progressive Conservative candidate Jim Wilson says it’s about time.

“It’s high time Ontarians had the opportunity to pass judgment (on the Liberal government,” said Wilson, who was first elected in 1990, and has won six successive campaigns — the last five with more than 50% of the vote. “I can’t wait to get to the polls.”

His main rival, Liberal Lorne Kenney, says he’s also looking forward to his inaugural campaign as a candidate.

Kenney says he anticipates the campaign will be on the budget tabled on Thursday, calling it a “progressive” document that represents “the right things for Ontario and Simcoe-Grey.

“They are the kind of expenditures necessary to provide the infrastructure for the economy to grow… (and) the compassionate expenditures needed (to increase wages) for early childhood educators and personal service workers,” said Kenney.

The two candidates — unsurprisingly — clash over what Thursday’s budget represents to the province and the riding. Kenney claimed the budget will provide the type of job creation necessary to grow long-term sustainable employment, while Wilson countered the Liberals have no plan for jobs at all.

Wilson said the Tories’ plan will cut bureaucratic red tape, and get 200,000 young people into trades by changing the rules for the ratio of apprentices to journeymen.

“I didn’t see a jobs plan in the budget, just a cobbling together of campaign promises,” said Wilson, who also referred to the Liberals’ proposal for an Ontario pension plan as ‘job-killing’.

“We’re going to focus like a laser on jobs,” said Wilson, who has already been canvassing door-to-door, and says local issues include funding for the General & Marine Hospital, and windfarms.

Kenney, however, said the budget continues programs such as the Rural Economic Development, which most recently provided funding to Goodall Rubber in Collingwood to assist in the creation of 22 positions.

“These are the jobs that are needed for the people of Simcoe-Grey,” said Kenney. “Government doesn’t create jobs; it creates the conditions for good jobs.”

He also countered Wilson’s claim on the provincial pension plan scheme, noting the effect on employment would be ‘negligible’.

And while Wilson acknowledged NDP leader Andrea Horwath’s announcement Friday that she wouldn’t support the budget, which appeared to trigger Wynne’s visit to the Lieutenant-Governor — “good for Andrea not propping up this corrupt government,” said Wilson — Kenney said the NDP leader was “turning her back on the progressive measures” in the budget.

“It’s a very progressive, solid, responsible budget for the province,” said Kenney.

Green Party candidate Jesseca Dudun stated in an email to QMI that she was "thrilled to enter into an election and support Andrea Horwath for taking a stand against the unrealistic budget the Liberals delivered.

"It's time for a government who is transparent and accountable for their actions," wrote Dudun. "The Green Party of Ontario delivered realistic budget recommendations that prioritized creating jobs, securing our children's future, and protecting our food, water, and natural resources."

The NDP candidate is expected to be David Matthews, who ran in the 2011 provincial election, capturing 14.5% of the vote in the riding.

Where's Wilson?

2014-05-11T17:31:00.001-04:00

With the 2014 Campaign well under way, has anybody seen MPP Jim Wilson? His people have been out and about knocking on doors, walking little old ladies across the street hammering in lawn signs, and fun stuff like that.

But nobody has seen Jim Wilson? Maybe he's hanging around with Rob Ford? Maybe he's getting a few rounds of golf at the local golf course, or maybe he just does not have to do any campaigning this time around.

That's right folks, Simcoe-Grey is most likely the only riding in Ontario where the PC candidate does not have to do any work, and he will win re-election. Since Confederation this riding has been held by the PC party in 99% of all elections. Could it be the drinking water? Could it be the clean air coming off the bay, or could it just be that this riding is so blue, that nobody else could ever get elected.

I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think I am....

2014 Provincial Election

2014-05-04T23:11:00.000-04:00

Simcoe-Grey groups have candidates lined up for Ontario election

Alliston Herald

SIMCOE-GREY - Ontario voters are heading to the polls June 12.

Leading up to this week’s Ontario budget, it was anticipated that the minority Liberal government under the leadership of Premier Kathleen Wynne would not get the support needed from the Progressive Conservatives and New Democratic Party to pass the document.

Early on, PC leader Tim Hudak indicated he would not support the budget, but it wasn’t until NDP leader Andrea Horwath spoke out against it Friday morning that a spring election was confirmed.

In Simcoe-Grey, riding associations have been readying themselves for a potential election. While the official writ won’t drop until next Wednesday, most of the local parties have their candidates lined up.

Incumbent Jim Wilson is running for the Progressive Conservatives. Wilson was born and raised in Alliston and lives in Wasaga Beach. He was first elected to the Ontario Legislature in 1990 and has held the seat since.

In February, the Liberals selected Collingwood businessman Lorne Kenney to run in the riding. Before the riding association’s meeting where he was acclaimed as the candidate, he said he wanted to run because of the faith he has in Wynne.

For the NDP, Wasaga Beach resident Dave Matthews, who ran for the party in the last provincial election, is once again the party’s candidate.

I'm Back!!!

2012-08-26T22:36:00.000-04:00

As you can see it's been a really long time since I've done a post on what's happening in the world of politics in Simcoe Grey.

With the US election really gaining steam, I've been focusing my attention on that exciting race. You can check out my blog at www.politicalhit2012.blogspot.com for all the latest news on the race to the White House.

Ok, now back to some interesting news in the riding. Last week former Conservative MP, and Cabinet Minister, Helena Guergis had her lawsuit against Prime Minister, Harper and other key Conservatives tossed out by a judge in Ontario. In the judge's ruling it stated that no court has the right to tell any Prime Minister who they can and can not have as a member of his/her cabinet. The judge also stated that the Prime Minister as leader of the party also has the right to kick out of the party any member he/she sees fit, based on the by-laws of the party.

In a press release issued by Guergis she states that she intends to appeal the judge's decision. Really!! I'm no fan of the Conservative party but I just feel she's wasting her money, and the courts time with this lawsuit. Having said that I feel she's continuing her lawsuit so her name stays in the press as she has her "tell-all" book coming out in the near future. If she looses her appeal, she could find herself not only paying her legal costs, but also those of the Prime Minister and other Conservatives who were named in the lawsuit.

Now over to the whole Casino issue. It seems that the OLG has named our area as a place that could use a "mini casino" which won't have gaming tables, but at least 300 slot machines. The towns of Wasaga Beach, Collingwood, and Clearview have all come together and decided that Wasaga Beach would be a good location for one of these slot places. A portion of the revenue received from the slots is given back to the host community, and all 3 towns have agreed to share that revenue with Wasaga Beach getting a higher percentage as the host community.

I feel that if done correctly, this could help our tourist industry, and create some good paying jobs for our local residents.

Well that's about all for now, and I will again start to do some regular posts on this blog in between my coverage of the US general election.

Until next time!

Wilson named House Leader

2011-10-19T15:09:00.000-04:00

PC, MPP Jim Wilson was named House Leader for the PC's at Queens Park by Tim Hudak this afternoon. Wilson who is well known for his outbursts at Queens Park is tasked with keeping the Liberals on a very short leash.

During his time in Government, Wilson held 4 Minister posts and his now considered one of the most senior members at Queens Park. There was talk of Wilson running for the position of Speaker of the House, but with such a tight seat count, Hudak advised his members not to seek the position.

On Thursday, the Premier will name his cabinet and rumours are afoot that maybe one or two members from either the PC's or NDP will cross the floor as Cabinet Ministers to give Dalton his Majority, but sources say that won't happen, and it's all talk.

Until next time!

MPP Jim Wilson a fan of the NDP.

2011-10-14T08:13:00.000-04:00

I was watching Politically Speaking on Rogers Cable the other night and the guest was newly elected MPP, Jim Wilson. It was an interesting show as the host, Norman Sandberg ran against Wilson in 1999 in the newly formed riding of Simcoe Grey. Needless to say, Wilson got one of his highest percentages ever during that election.

What was good about the show was the fact that you found out more about the job of Deputy Speaker, which Wilson was during the last 4 years. In the past when Wilson wanted a meeting with a Minister he would have to wait weeks if not months and then it would be with the Deputy Minister. As Deputy Speaker when he wanted a meeting with a Minister, they actually came to his office and he did not have a to wait. As a Speaker of the House you are not allowed to be partisan when you are in sitting in the big chair. The host asked Wilson if he intends to run for Speaker, and his answer is no. If any member of the NDP or PC's were to run for Speaker then you would have 53 Liberal seats and combined 53 PC and NDP seats. The only time the Speaker gets to vote is when the vote is tied.

During the course of the show, Wilson kept praising the NDP and their leader, Andrea Horwath. He likes the her, he likes the party because as he said they, and the PC's had much the same platform during the election. He feels that the days of the unions supporting the NDP are over as Horwath has a much different approach than Howard Hampton and Bob Rae did.

I have to give Jim credit as it knows how to play the game. He's one smart cookie when it comes to politics. What he, and his party are doing is trying to position themselves with the NDP and take away what has in the past been the NDP/Liberals working together. During the campaign Hudak, and even Wilson were going around saying that the Liberals would do a backroom deal with the NDP to form a coalition and block out the PC's. Well the Liberals have made it clear that they won't enter into any power sharing agreement with either the NDP or PC's. They will deal with each party on each issue as it comes up.

So to me it seems that the PC's are the ones now looking towards the NDP to form some sort of coalition to keep the Liberals on their toes. With Wilson changing his tune towards the NDP this minority government should be very interesting to watch.

Until next time!

Wasaga Beach Politics

2011-10-13T08:49:00.000-04:00

Just watching the most recent council meeting and the issue of the Library popped up again...Now Cal Patterson says that the location at Stonebridge is not good because people told him that during the municipal election, and at the all candidates meetings.

Hmm, I was at the all candidates meetings as I was a candidate and I also spoke to voters and they told me that they really don't care about the location as long as the town gets a new Library. Mark Crowe who owns Stonebridge is willing to donate the land for a new Library provided he gets a tax receipt. The other 3 possible locations according to the presentation made by the Library staff would be too costly, with one of them being beside Canadian Tire on 45th street.

Patterson is against the Stonebridge location because he said voters told him that. Well Cal, with voter turnout at 27% and you receiving 18% of that vote it means to me that 82% of the voters in Wasaga really don't care where the location of the new Library is. While I agree that the Library can't move forward unless both the Provincial and Federal government kick in some money, but why would this Mayor be so against this location, and the donation of land. I suggest that you drop a line to the Mayor at Mayor@wasagabeach.com to express your concern if you have any about the location of the new Library should financing come into place.

Now over to the renaming of Hwy. 26. The name put forth by the Town of Wasaga was rejected by the Town of Collingwood so it's back to the drawing board, or the naming board.

As another note, nobody was in attendance at the council meeting except for local media which shows to me that nobody really cares about what takes place at council.

Until next time!

Let's talk Wasaga Beach Politics

2011-10-11T17:43:00.000-04:00

Now that the Provincial election is over, I can get back to taking a look at what's happening in Wasaga Beach Politics.

Beach area 1 and 2 been on the minds of the community and council. The town has held public meetings on coming up with a vision for the beach area and beyond. It seems that not much has changed from what I've seen. They still want to go ahead with an indoor water park, have an area for outdoor concerts, more trees, more stores, and even low rise condo's. According to our Mayor, Cal Patterson the properties that are still in the hands of the bankruptcy trustee from the Levy days, but Patterson says that the deal to sell the properties will close on November 10th, 2011 failing any sort of last minute snags. It seems the person who's purchasing the property is the same guy who sold the property to the Levy's in the first place. On top of that the word on the street is that they are related by marriage. If true nothing like keeping it in the family as they say. Let's hope that they will do something with the beach area once and for all. As the town does nothing to promote the beach area, except spend $ 50,000 a year which can't do much these days.

Now let's put on the warden hat for Cal Patterson and see what he's been up to lately. Warden Patterson lost his bid to have garbage pick-up across Simcoe County move from weekly to bi-weekly with a one bag limit. Any additional bag would have cost an additional $ 2.00. Patterson kept saying that we need to move to bi-weekly pick-up with a 1 bag limit as our landfills are becoming full. Really Cal, do you think by moving to bi-weekly garbage pick-up with a 1 bag limit was going to help? This stupid plan would have resulted in illegal dumping of garbage, and in the end it would have cost the county more to pick up garbage. Thankfully the rest of county members of council defeated his plan.

Anyway not much else to report from Wasaga Beach Council, so let's hope one of our fine members of council do something really stupid in the next little while. It's just getting boring to keep reporting on Cal Patterson all the time.

Until next time!

It's all over, for now at least!

2011-10-07T20:07:00.000-04:00

Here are the final results from the 2011 Provincial Election in our riding of Simcoe-Grey:

269 Polls Out Of 269

Candidate	Political Party	Number of Votes
Donna Kenwell	Ontario Liberal Party	10386
David Matthews	Ontario NDP/NPD	6738
Mike Schreiner	Green Party of Ontario	4084
Jim Wilson	PC Party of Ontario	25396

Here are the results from the 2007 Provincial Election:

Jim Wilson           PC Party of Ontario                24139
Steven Fishman      Ontario Liberal Party              12428
Peter Ellis              Green Party of Ontario             5416
Katy Austin            Ontario NDP                           4397
Philip Bender          Libertarian                              718
Steven Taylor         Family Coalition                       358
Owen Ferguson                                                    275

So what do these numbers tell us? First the voter turnout for the 2011 was the lowest in Ontario history. When you compare what Jim Wilson received in 2007 compared to 2011 he had a little over 1000 vote increase. His percentage in 2007 was 50.6% and in this election it was about 54%. The Liberals had both a percentage decrease and a vote decrease. The major factor that I see when you compare the two elections is that in 2007 in our riding you had the Hwy. 26 issue in the north and the birthing unit issue at Stevenson Memorial in the south. We can't forget the faith based funding issue which Wilson was first all for it, then as John Tory changed his mind, so did Jim Wilson.

For this election there was no major issues in the riding that neither the Liberals or Conservatives could rally around. The "Orange Wave" from the Federal election in May, along with the death of Federal NDP leader, Jack Layton I feel had an effect on the over 2000 vote increase for the NDP. This vote increase came at the expense of the Liberals who's numbers decreased by nearly the same amount.

As for the Greens they tanked across the Province with a showing of 2.9% way down for the over 8% in 2007. Mike Schreiner, the Leader of the Green Party and the candidate in our riding ran a great campaign, but he failed to connect with the voters on the issues of jobs, education and health care. Most parts of their environment, and green energy platform were taken by the Liberals, and made into their own image.
For the Greens to make a comeback they need to hire some big guns in the political business and reshape their message. The bottom line for the Greens is that people don't care about the environment, when they are worried about how they plan on feeding their families and paying the bills.

As James Carville, who got President Bill Clinton elected in the 1990's said "It's the Economy Stupid", and it was the number one issue in this election. So moving forward we have a minority government, much like we did in Ottawa for the past 5 years. It's going to be very interesting to see how the Liberals manage a minority government. I feel this was the best way to keep the government in check. I also predict that we will have another election within the next year, but I've been wrong before.

Until next time!

My Endorsement for MPP

2011-10-02T10:46:00.001-04:00

One of the advantages of having your own blog is the fact that you don't have to follow the corporate line. Most publications that I read, like the Toronto Star are one sided when it comes to their political reporting. Everyone who follows politics knows that the Star 9 out of 10 times endorses left leaning candidates and political parties.

In the riding of Simcoe Grey we have 4 candidates who come across as very professional in the way they have conducted their campaigns. Most people know that I can be very partisan when it comes to my blog postings, but in my review on who I support as our next MPP, it was a really hard decision between 2 of the 4 candidates.

First I want to talk about who I don't support and why. In the case of NDP candidate David Matthews, I watched the Rogers Cable Debate both in the studio and the one at the Legion Hall in Collingwood, and I also watched the Rogers Cable candidate profile. I found David to be very passionate about the NDP platform, but I also found him to be very boring in the way he presented himself and the way he tried to get the NDP message out to the voters. With the exception of the Rogers Cable Candidate Profile, David was reading from the binder he carried with him at most of the all-candidate meetings. I also don't feel that what the NDP offers really fits into the needs of the people of Simcoe Grey, and therefore I won't be offering my endorsement.

As the former Liberal Candidate in the 2007 election, most people asked me why I did not run again in this election. The answer is quite simple, I could not support a Premier who has broken his promises, and lied to the people of Ontario time and time again. Donna Kenwell who until she became the candidate was the President of the Barrie Liberal Riding association does not strike me as a person who really cares about the riding. Yes she's lived in the riding most of her life, but I never knew who she was when I ran in 2007, and she's devoted her efforts in supporting the Liberals in Barrie over the Liberals in Simcoe Grey. I watch her performance during this campaign and she had no fire in her belly, she was not exciting, and she did not offer any change. To me she was late to the game, and was only running for the sake of the party. Therefore she does not get my endorsement.

Now over to the 2 candidates who I feel could do the job as our next MPP.

PC, Jim Wilson who's been the MPP in the area for the past 20 years is a hard working and dedicated person, who has proven that he can get the job done when it suits him politically. I say this because he seems to focus on issues that can gather him votes when it comes to election time. In 2007 he claims that it was his efforts thast got Hwy. 26 work started again, he claims it was his efforts that got the birthing unit re-opened at Stevenson Memorial in Alliston, and he claims it was his efforts that got the St. Paul's school in Alliston re-built. In 2007 I announced that the funding for St. Paul's new school was approved, and what Wilson did was call me a liar, and never retracted his comments, and today the students have a new school in Alliston. Wilson method of operation is to attack the Liberals, and he is great at towing the party line. In 2007 he was for faith based funding, and then when John Tory changed his mind, so did Wilson. I just find him to be a good little follower, and while the PC platform is not what's good for Ontario as this time, I also feel that Wilson is not good for Simcoe Grey at this time either, therefore I can't endorse Jim Wilson.

Green Party candidate and party leader, Mike Schreiner is my choice for MPP in Simcoe Grey. Mike is a great public speaker who has proven that he really cares about our farming community, and about the small towns that make up our great riding. Mike was the only candidate who really addressed our local issues like the proposed Mega Quarry, protecting our water supply, and wind farms. Mike wants to allow our local councils to make the decisions that have a direct effect on them, and take away that power from Queens Park. He believes in the best way to build a strong Ontario is by allowing the decsions to be made at the local level in areas of Education, Health Care, and local growth. He was the only candidate from what I observed who cares about our farmers. While Jim Wilson did touch on the subject of farming, he again was towing the party line. The big difference between Wilson and Schreiner is that Wilson is controlled by the party, and Schreiner is the party. The buck stops with Schreiner. Mike did not engage in any direct attacks towards the other candidates, and presented himself in a very professional manner during the course of this campaign. His vision for Simcoe Grey is a vision that most people I've spoken with is the type of vision they would want to see in our riding. Therefore I feel that Mike Schreiner is the best candidate to be our next MPP at Queens Park as the Province heads into a very unknown future.

On October 6th regardless of who you support I encourage each and every one of you to go out and vote. Some people feel that their vote does not count, but I can tell you from experience that every vote counts. So please go out and vote on October 6th for the best candidate you feel can get the job done at Queens Park.

Until next time!

Talk about being two-faced!

2011-09-29T17:05:00.000-04:00

I came across this editorial dated September 22nd which appeared in the Alliston Herald and was written by Craig Widdifield, who's their Managing Editor.

Here's the link as I'm sure I would receive a nice lawyers letter if I was to cut and paste his editorial without permission.

http://www.simcoe.com/opinion/editorial/article/1108972--can-t-commit

The topic was health care and he starts off the editorial by saying "There was one very clear and direct question at the Herald’s all-candidates meeting Monday night posed to the four individuals running for MPP in Simcoe-Grey, there weren’t any clear and direct answers to it.

The four candidates were asked directly if they would support a new hospital in Alliston to replace our aging infrastructure at the local health care facility".

So each of the candidates gave their answers which was more along party lines. What got to me was the last couple of lines of the article which states. "But Wilson did a lot for the riding’s two hospitals in his tenure as Minister of Health and there’s no reason to believe that he won’t continue to fight for them now whether or not the PCs form the next government.

So when it comes to health care in this election race, chalk one up in the Wilson column".

Really Craig, when Wilson was the Minister of Health he oversaw the firing of 6000 nurses across the Province. The closing of 18 hospitals also started under his watch. Let's not forget the extensive wait times we experienced under his watch as well. What was the population of this area back in 1995 compared to what it is today? Yes I'll give you the fact that Wilson did get some things done, which he should be doing as the MPP for Simcoe Grey. But also Simcoe Grey as a riding was not the same back when he was elected then it is today.

So Craig let's not forget that Wilson was the Minister of Energy when the Harris government de-regulated our energy sector, and today we are all still paying the price of his actions.

Finally Craig you start off your editorial as "Can't Commit", yet finish it off by saying "Chalk one up in the Wilson column" when it comes to health care in this election race. Really!! You can sit at your computer and type the words "Chalk one up in the Wilson column" when it was Wilson as Minister of Health who destroyed our health care system in the first place.

Craig your true colours are showing and they are bright blue!!

Until next time!

Simcoe.com endorsement is due September 30th.

2011-09-29T14:23:00.000-04:00

The Metroland group of newspapers who own the Wasaga Sun, Stayner Sun, Collingwood Connection, and Alliston Herald will be releasing who they plan on endorsing as our next MPP in Simcoe Grey.

I suspect they will like they did in 2007 endorse PC, Jim Wilson. I also suspect that in their endorsement they will say that Wilson is such a hard working MPP who gets results while his party is not in power at Queens Park. Is it not the job of any MPP to get and deliver results for the riding they were elected to serve?

I've had my battles over the years with Metroland, and most recently it was during the Municipal Election when the Managing Editor, and General Manager who don't even live in Wasaga Beach endorsed the status quo, and guess what the status quo were all re-elected. What also got me was that Wasaga Beach had the lowest voter turnout in all of Simcoe County, and every other town in the area had a change in local government except for Wasaga Beach. Anyway that's the past, and while every "Community Paper" is allowed to endorse any candidate they want, I also feel that they should not be in the endorsement business.

A true "Community Paper" like the Enterprise Bulletin in Collingwood does not endorse any one candidate in any election. They report the news, and let the voters decide who they should vote for. Another news source in the south end of the riding, http://www.madhunt.com/ also don't offer any endorsements. They also report the news, and let the voters decided. Maybe the Metroland Group of Local Rags could learn a thing or two from the EB in the North and madhunt.com in the South.

An endorsement should not be based on who spends the most money with your newspaper, or on-line version, it should be based on the parties platform, the strength of the candidate, and what he/she has done and could do if elected as the next MPP. I would be very shocked if they don't endorse Jim Wilson, but these days I don't get shocked that easy.

Until next time!

Warden Patterson - "The Tax Man" ?

2011-09-20T21:34:00.000-04:00

With the Provincial Election turning out to be a big yawn in our riding I came across an interesting article from our friends over at http://www.madhunt.com/ about Warden Cal Patterson attempting to push through that all households in Simcoe County go from 1 bag a week collection, to 1 bag every 2 weeks starting in 2013.

If Patterson's effort is successful that would mean that any additional bags that need to be picked up would require a tag which will cost $ 2.00 per bag. While we all have to do our best to recycle, I think moving from 1 bag a week to 1 bag every 2 weeks, with a cost of $ 2.00 per additional bag is a tax increase to me. However Patterson could pull a McGuinty and call it a fee!.

Here's a list of the motions....

MOVED BY: Councillor Collins
SECONDED BY: Warden Patterson

THAT staff be directed to implement a bi-weekly garbage collection program at the current volume and weight restrictions, consistently throughout the County as outlined in Option 5a of Item CS 11-140, subject to further refinements necessary in order to proceed with this option.

The staff report to Corporate Services notes on this option
Option 5A - Bi-weekly garbage collection Ð should approval be given to implement this option, Council should also provide direction on:
- Additional resources: this option would require additional full time equivalent staff in various areas including Customer Service and enforcement.
- Communication: this option would require an extensive promotion and education campaign.
- Timing: this option could reasonably be implemented concurrent with the new collection contract.

MOVED BY: Warden Patterson
SECONDED BY: Councillor Marshall

THAT subject to Council approving Option 5a as outlined in Item CS 11-140, the following direction be provided to staff to proceed with this Option:

a) THAT the bi-weekly garbage collection program's garbage limit be one (1) untagged bag or container per bi-weekly collection at the current volume and weight restrictions;

b) THAT under the biweekly garbage collection program, weekly dual stream recycling be implemented and weekly organics collection be maintained;

c) THAT on the first curbside waste collection day following Christmas Day, Victoria Day and Thanksgiving Day, an additional, single, untagged container, at the current volume and weight restrictions, be eligible for collection services at each serviced unit;

d) THAT under the biweekly garbage collection program, weather-related waste collection cancellations be rectified through returning to the affected area either on the following day or on the following weekend and collecting all missed waste;

e) THAT a system for medical exemptions be continued at a maximum of one free tag weekly upon request in writing per qualifying person as supported by a doctor's note (provided every five years), in allotments of 25.

f) THAT the cost of garbage tags used for additional bags over and above the eligible limit for curbside garbage collection services be $2 per tag and the cost per tag be reviewed on an annual basis.

g) THAT staff be directed to report back with respect to the resources which will be required as a result of implementing this biweekly garbage collection program;

h) THAT this biweekly garbage collection program be implemented concurrent with the start of the next waste collection contract anticipated to be in the Spring of 2013.

1. Uniform Collections - Seasonal

MOVED BY: Councillor Lloyd
SECONDED BY: Councillor Lawrence

THAT staff be directed to implement uniform collection services such that service levels in seasonal areas are consistent with residential service levels, where reasonable, throughout the County as outlined in Option 6a of Item CS 11-140 as follows:

a) THAT improved curbside waste collection services be provided to properties located in seasonal areas which have adequate road access such that they can participate fully in curbside diversion programs and their eligible garbage limit is consistent with residential garbage limits throughout the County;

b) THAT properties which are located on islands or on inaccessible roads are provided with an annual permit to dispose of garbage at County waste management facilities for no additional charge, to the same limits and restrictions consistent with the rest of the County, eliminating the use of common drop-off points and bins;

c) THAT the waste collection program changes for uniform collections in seasonal areas be implemented concurrent with the start of the next waste collection contract.

2. Industrial and Commercial

MOVED BY: Warden Patterson
SECONDED BY: Councillor Lloyd

THAT industrial and commercial waste collection services be discontinued under the new curbside waste collection contract.

3. Maximum Limits

MOVED BY: Warden Patterson
SECONDED BY: Councillor Burkett

THAT staff be directed to implement a maximum garbage limit of eight (8) containers per unit at the current volume and weight restrictions concurrent with the next waste collection contract.

4. Blue Box Expansion and Increased Recycling Container Capacity

MOVED BY: Councillor Lloyd
SECONDED BY: Councillor Burkett

THAT staff be requested to report back to the Corporate Services Committee on the implementation and funding considerations regarding the expansion of the blue box recycling program concurrent with the distribution of larger blue boxes.

5. Promotion and Education Campaign

MOVED BY: Warden Patterson
SECONDED BY: Councillor Collins

THAT staff be directed to implement suitable promotion and education campaign(s) to communicate waste collection program changes to affected areas.

Send Patterson an e-mail at mayor@wasagabeach.com to express your concerns.

Until next time!

The Big Sleep - The Rogers Debate!

2011-09-15T00:16:00.000-04:00

I arrived early for the Rogers debate sponsored by the Collingwood Chamber of Commerce at the Legion Hall. The reason I arrived early was because the house was packed for the Federal debate back in May and I wanted to get a good seat. Needless to say the house was only half full and I would suspect that the vast majority of the people in attendance were staff from the 4 campaigns.

The evening started off with the normal introductions of the media panel and the candidates. First to speak was Mike Schreiner the Leader of the Green Party, and the local candidate. Mike is a very well spoken person and it showed this evening. Mike knew the issues not only facing the residents of Simcoe Grey, but the rest of Ontario. His focus was on building from the bottom up, and by this I mean placing a focus on local communities and local governments. Most of his responses to the questions from both the media panel and people in attendance was very well recieved. The one thing about Mike is that he had all the right answers and was not reading off a script or big binder in front of him. After the debate I went out with a few friends and we talked about the debate and the overwhelming response was Mike was amazing, but he's with the wrong party.

Next up to speak was NDP candidate, David Matthews. I felt he did a somewhat good job, but he was reading from a prepared script. He even passed on answering one of the questions which was a first for me to see happen at a debate. Either his talking points did not cover parts of the question, or he was just cut off guard and could not give any sort of answer. He did somewhat attack both the PC's and the Liberals on areas of Health Care, Low Income Housing, and Education.

Next up was PC Jim Wilson. Wilson seemed to me to be a bit bored, along the lines of why do I have to be here tonight. I found Jim to be towing the party line, but not that sincere when he talked about the PC Change Book. He did raise his voice a bit at one time during the evening, but he seemed to kind of hold back a bit from taking a fit which he's well known for doing. Jim was heckled a bit when the question was asked about the PC tough on crime attitude with chain gangs, GPS placed of sex offenders and so on. Our crime rate is at levels we had in the 1960's. I don't understand why the PC's would want to waste all this money on chain gangs, GPS, and more jails when we have over 1 million people living below the poverty line. So I think Jim is just starting to show that he's tired and burnt out just a bit.

Closing off the pack was Liberal candidate, Donna Kenwell. I found her to be well spoken, however she did say several times that things could be done better and for a candidate who's the rep. for the party that's been in government for 8 years she should have been highlighting more of the positives that the Liberals have done over 8 years instead of saying that things could be done better. In her opening remarks she failed to mention anything about her family, which is something they teach you in candidate school that you need to tell a story, your story to engage the audience.

So did Wilson attack the Liberals? yes, but I did expect more as he has 8 years of a record to go after. Did the Liberals attack the PC's? yes she did, but again it was more of what Harris/Eves did in government then the Hudak Change Book. Did the NDP attack both the Liberals and PC's? yes he did and it was expected. So what did Mike Schreiner do? Well he really did not do much attacking as he stayed away from all of the back and forth between the 3 other parties and just focused on changing politics as usual and focus more on our local communities.

Questions from the evening were from the Wind Turbines to the Quarry, to Health Care, to Education, and everything else in between.

So here's my rating of our the candidates did:

1st place goes to Mike Schreiner
2nd place goes to Jim Wilson
3rd place goes to Donna Kenwell
4th place goes to David Matthews

Until next time!