NDP leader Andrea Horwath told local media on Saturday she is staying out of the current war of words between Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne and Doug Ford, leader of the Ontario PC party.
“They are fighting over who is going to be the worst premier — is it going to be Doug Ford that is going to make the worst premier or Kathleen Wynne?” said Horwath.
“I am focusing on who is going to make the best premier — which is a person focused on making life better for Ontarians,” she added.
Horwath was in Guelph Saturday in support of the NDP’s local nomination meeting, in which Aggie Mlynarz was named as the party’s local candidate for the June 7 election.
Despite the NDP placing fourth in Guelph during the 2014 provincial election, Horwath believes the riding is winnable in 2018.
“I think people are done with Kathleen Wynne and the Liberals, I think that is very clear. People do want change — this is a change election,” said Horwath.
Speaking to a crowd of about 100 party members, Horwath said Ontarians aren’t buying campaign promises made by the Liberals.
“Any promises that Kathleen Wynne is making now — she has had 15 years to get those things done,” said Horwath.
Many of the issues important to Guelphites — like the protection of water sources and improved public transit — align with the party’s ideals, said Horwath.
In its platform, the NDP has committed to creating a new Ontario water strategy that will prioritize planning for water needs now and for future generation based on the public interest and sustainable public access to water.
“We are going to keep the existing moratoriums on any new permits in place until our strategy is fully operational and (we can) properly evaluate the cost and impacts of these permits,” Horwath told the crowd of supporters. “Water is a public trust. Simply increasing permit prices is not the answer.”
The NDP is also committed to seeing work on the high-speed rail line from Toronto to Windsor continue, said Horwath.
“It’s not only the line itself which is extremely important, but it’s also how do we tie in some of the surrounding communities in terms of regional transit systems to increase the impact of that investment,” she said.
Horwath clarified that she does not necessarily want to see amalgamation of transit systems, but more integration between them to improve access.
During her speech to the party faithful, Horwath highlighted the party’s key messaging this election — including the ending of what she called ‘hallway medicine’, pharmacare and dental coverage for every Ontarian, eliminating student debt and bringing Hydro One back under public ownership.
“Hydro One belong in public hands. It should never have been sold off,” she told the crowd, to applause.
Horwath told local media that she sees no reason why Green Party leader Mike Schriener — who is a candidate in the Guelph riding — should not be allowed to participate in televised leader debates for the upcoming election.
“Of course, these things are decided by the consortium or the various people that hold the debates, but I was happy to have Mike at the debate that we had with the black community in Toronto,” said Horwath.
The 2018 provincial election is the third for Horwath as leader of the NDP. Asked what she plans to do if the NDP does not form government, Horwath deflected.
“I am focused on winning this election and not even contemplating that outcome,” she said.
