Ontario Election June 7, 2018

Wed, 2017-06-21 11:06

#2

NorthReport

Horwath leads on the Environment

http://poll.forumresearch.com/m/post/2757/ontario-leader-by-policy-june-...

Sun, 2017-07-16 15:37

#3

Geoff

I'm hearing talk of a possible fall election. Anyone else heard such rumours?

Wed, 2017-08-02 15:35

#4

NorthReport

Please spare us!

http://www.nationalobserver.com/2017/08/02/news/caroline-mulroney-enters...

Wed, 2017-08-02 19:45

#5

Paladin1

I hope I get the oppertunity to vote for Kathleen Wynne.

Wed, 2017-08-02 22:57

(Reply to #5) #6

Ken Burch

Paladin1 wrote:

I hope I get the oppertunity to vote for Kathleen Wynne.

That depends on whether you live in her riding or not.

Tue, 2017-09-05 22:52

#7

NorthReport

Three-day caucus retreat began Tuesday in Chatham-Kent

http://www.chathamdailynews.ca/2017/09/05/three-day-caucus-retreat-began...

Tue, 2017-09-05 22:55

#8

NorthReport

Andrea Horwath slams Kathleen Wynne for not calling a Toronto Centre byelection

When Liberal MPP Glen Murray rides off into the sunset on Sept. 1, residents of Toronto Centre will go without a representative at Queen’s Park for more than nine months.

https://www.ourwindsor.ca/news-story/7497542-andrea-horwath-slams-kathle...

Sun, 2017-09-10 23:44

#9

NorthReport

Just what Canada needs NOT
Another Mulroney
Haven't Canadian citizens already had enough pain from this family!

http://m.torontosun.com/2017/09/10/caroline-mulroney-named-ontario-progr...

Tue, 2017-09-12 15:44

#10

NorthReport

Wouldn't that be something!

Are circumstances ripe for another NDP government?

http://tvo.org/blog/current-affairs/are-circumstances-ripe-for-another-n...

Tue, 2017-09-12 16:09

#11

NorthReport

Will the Liberal Ontario government lose money with their approach to selling pot?

B.C. may not follow Ontario’s pot distribution system: Premier Horgan

Speaking on CKNW’s The Jon McComb Show on Monday, Horgan says Ontario’s approach is just one way to go.

“There’s also, I think…the dispensaries have proven to be an effective way to attracting attention. There’s also pharmacies as well for those who are focused explicitly on medicinal marijuana. I think there’s a range of options. We’re going to look at all of them. My sense…at the start of this discussion is that any one of those individually or together is going to be an appropriate response.”

“You’ve heard people say this is a great windfall of tax revenue. It’s not been the case in Washington and Oregon. If you set the price too high, then the black market continues to exist and the regulation won’t matter. It’s a plant after all. People are growing plants in their basement right now or in their backyard.”

http://globalnews.ca/news/3734019/b-c-may-not-follow-ontarios-pot-distri...

Wed, 2017-11-29 14:06

#12

Sean in Ottawa

The Conservatives understand that they a weakness in the coming election. Many people work on minimum wage and believe it should increase. These voters may not trust Brown on this. This is the reason he has vowed not to roll it back. The question is do people believe this given what he has said in the past about how bad it is. Even if people believe him, some will see the Liberals on their side for having increased this wage. If a big chunk of money can convince a significant number of borderline voters to come out and reward the Liberals then this could help them.

I think there is a genuine fear of the Conservatives. But more to the point, many low wage workers have said all the parties are the same and in this that has proven untrue.

The performance of the NDP is a question but it is not necessarily good for the Conservatives. People upset at the Liberals have another choice than to go Conservative. The NDP may not split the vote that allows the Conservatives to win but rather be the choice that prevents enough votes going over to the PCs that would allow them to win. The Liberals on a lot of policies in Ontario have done things the NDP would support. I think it is very clear that there would be enough common ground for either the NDP or Liberals to govern with a minority so the PCs need a majority to win.

I am not saying that there is no chance that the PCs could get a majority in the next election -- that looks like the most likely possibility. But you should not count out either the NDP or Liberals. Either with a good campaign could beat the other and the pair could produce enough for their total to govern.

The Liberals have sent the message that the parties are different and voting matters. If the voting rate goes up among those who oppose the Conservatives, you could see a ballot day surprise even if the Conservatives lead official polls at the end of the election.

Mon, 2017-12-11 21:15

#13

SeekingAPolitic...

I would make the minimum wage a central issue at this point. The Liberals should roll out a campaign soon attack Brown for his stand on the issue. I think this a perfect issue tar Brown, if he says yes to MW then it hurts his business support, if he says no then he can tar by someone that will take away a wage increase. Now is the time to create some mischief for the cons, yes or no it hurts the cons. Whatever you may I think of the Libs they IMHO has best strategists in the business. What is its 3 or 4 governments in their hip pocket, I think they will pull this off again.

I think in Ont 7 to 11 percent (thats a big gap but even you use the 7% its I believe worst in the provinces). I read the study that if the MW goes as is planned then 21% will be earning the MW. I will see if the can find the link.

Thu, 2018-01-25 04:52

#14

NorthReport

So who will be replacing Brown?

and can the ONDP take advantage of this situation?

http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/toronto/patrick-brown-resigns-ontario-pc-1.4503040

Thu, 2018-01-25 08:41

#15

Geoff

A Tory victory in June just got flushed down the toilet. However, if the result is a minority gov't, and the PCs elect a more high profile leader is chosen, they could be a real threat to win the 2022 election. Given that, should the Liberals hang on to power in June, they will have governed for almost 20 years, the PCs could be well-placed to sweep to power down the road. Although the NDP must focus on the upcoming campaign, they must keep in the back of their minds what might follow. (Of course, if the NDP wins the next election, all bets are off.)

Thu, 2018-01-25 11:38

#16

josh

The rumour mill is spinning wildly. Some names being floated, though not confirmed, include Ottawa's Lisa MacLeod. The optics of replacing Brown with a woman could help the party.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/patrick-brown-resigns-how-it-happened-and-what-happens-next-fisher-1.4503225

Thu, 2018-01-25 12:03

#17

alan smithee alan smithee's picture

Oh boy,oh joy. Let's get excited about a Tory government. After Mike Harris,why would anyone who is not a Tory be gleefully anticipating a Conservative government? Oh,I see. Because they are not Liberals. Anybody but the wretched Liberals. Wynne,like it or not,has done some good things for Ontario including raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour.

What do you expect from the Tories? Lots of progressive goodies? There's nothing like a proudly regressive, anti-union,anti-poor political party to celebrate with a magnum of Dom Pérignon. Yummy.

It's not beneath them to repeal the minimum wage and if you're poor and on social assistance,get ready for another 4 years of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Go Tories Go!

Thu, 2018-01-25 12:18

#18

Stockholm

Don't count the PCs out. They could very easily pick a new leader who ends up being much more popular than Brown was and quickly put all this behind them...I wouldnt be surprised if its Vic Fedeli

Thu, 2018-01-25 12:48

#19

josh

Yeah, I don't think this will have a major effect on the ultimate outcome. Any party that's been in power for 15 years is going to face tough sledding.

Thu, 2018-01-25 13:45

#20

progressive17 progressive17's picture

How males in power treat women is finally becoming an issue with consequences right here in Canada. The high-profile business and entertainment cases still boil down to power relations at work.

As most of us spend more than half our weekday lives being at and going to and from work, solving sexual exploitation of workplace power imbalances will take a big bite out of the underlying culture which encourages sexual abuse.

Survivors of emotional abuse tend to be polite as they do not want to offend. It is odd how Canadians are known as being so polite.

Thu, 2018-01-25 13:48

(Reply to #20) #21

Pondering

josh wrote:

Yeah, I don't think this will have a major effect on the ultimate outcome. Any party that's been in power for 15 years is going to face tough sledding.

But why hasn't that helped the NDP?

Thu, 2018-01-25 15:55

#22

asterix

A Tory victory in June just got flushed down the toilet.

Oh, I wouldn't bet the farm on that just yet. It all depends on who they pick to replace him; a bad choice of new leader would certainly flush their chances down the toilet, but a smart choice could solidify it further.

Thu, 2018-01-25 17:31

#23

Misfit

Caroline Mulroney could run for leader.

Thu, 2018-01-25 18:39

(Reply to #23) #24

JKR

Misfit wrote:

Caroline Mulroney could run for leader.

Star Wars is the top box office money maker at the theatres and Trudeau and Mulroney are leading Canadian political parties and an ignorant old fart in his 70's is in the White House. What year is it? 2018 or 1983?

Thu, 2018-01-25 19:33

#25

Mr. Magoo

Well, for the last week, Star Wars has been #8 (#1 is Jumanji), Caroline Mulroney isn't leading any party, but admittedly, the POTUS is >70.

Thu, 2018-01-25 20:07

(Reply to #25) #26

Ken Burch

Pondering wrote:

josh wrote:

Yeah, I don't think this will have a major effect on the ultimate outcome. Any party that's been in power for 15 years is going to face tough sledding.

But why hasn't that helped the NDP?

I keep hearing it's because folks are STILL mad at Bob Rae...who lost power twenty-one years ago...and is no longer even a member of the ONDP. How long will it take before people finally let that one go?

Thu, 2018-01-25 20:07

(Reply to #26) #27

Ken Burch

Pondering wrote:

josh wrote:

Yeah, I don't think this will have a major effect on the ultimate outcome. Any party that's been in power for 15 years is going to face tough sledding.

But why hasn't that helped the NDP?

I keep hearing it's because folks are STILL mad at Bob Rae...who lost power twenty-one years ago...and is no longer even a member of the ONDP. How long will it take before people finally let that one go?

Thu, 2018-01-25 20:07

(Reply to #27) #28

Ken Burch

Pondering wrote:

josh wrote:

Yeah, I don't think this will have a major effect on the ultimate outcome. Any party that's been in power for 15 years is going to face tough sledding.

But why hasn't that helped the NDP?

I keep hearing it's because folks are STILL mad at Bob Rae...who lost power twenty-one years ago...and is no longer even a member of the ONDP. How long will it take before people finally let that one go?

Thu, 2018-01-25 20:14

#29

Mr. Magoo

Which folks are still mad at Rae???

Surely all should be forgiven and all forgotten.

Thu, 2018-01-25 20:25

#30

WWWTT

How long will it take before people finally let that one go?

Ask Andrea Horwath

Thu, 2018-01-25 20:38

(Reply to #30) #31

JKR

Mr. Magoo wrote:

Well, for the last week, Star Wars has been #8 (#1 is Jumanji), Caroline Mulroney isn't leading any party, but admittedly, the POTUS is >70.

Well, the next Star Wars film, Solo, is scheduled to come out in late May and the Ontario election is a week later, so if Caroline becomes premier in early June, it could be 1983 all over again!!! In any case, I fervently hope The Police reunite and put out an album and tour this year. Their last album, Synchronicity, came out in 1983.

Hmmm, I think I'm going to watch an episode of The A-Team and maybe even an episode of The Love Boat....

Thu, 2018-01-25 21:14

#32

mark_alfred

Walkom feels .. <Politically, the big winners from the Patrick Brown scandal are Andrea Horwath’s Ontario New Democrats.>

https://www.thestar.com/opinion/star-columnists/2018/01/25/patrick-brown...

Fri, 2018-01-26 00:44

#33

jerrym

The PCs are divided about what to do.

Deputy Leader Sylvia Jones has had to apologize for calling Brown's sexual abuse and resignation a "hiccup".

The Progressive Conservatives are scrambling to find a new leader in the wake of Patrick Brown’s dramatic resignation following a sexual impropriety scandal just four months before the Ontario election.

MPP Vic Fedeli, a popular former North Bay mayor, is poised to be selected “parliamentary leader” by his caucus colleagues Friday morning at Queen’s Park. Sources told the Star that Fedeli (Nipissing) has lined up the support of more than half of the other 28 Tory MPPs. ...

-- Names being mentioned to replace Brown include Caroline Mulroney, whose father is former PM Brian Mulroney; Rod Phillips, the former head of CivicAction; former foreign affairs minister John Baird; and MPPs Vic Fedeli and Lisa MacLeod.

But Conservatives are still deeply divided over whether an interim leader selected by a few caucus members should lead the party into the June 7 vote. “We need an opportunity to have those conversations internally,” said Progressive Conservative deputy leader Sylvia Jones, less than 12 hours after Brown’s 1:25 a.m. resignation on Thursday. ...

“We are fortunate to have a team of talented, experienced MPPs willing to serve,” added Jones (Dufferin-Caledon), who did not rule herself out as a candidate. ...

In an email to caucus obtained by the Star, PC president Rick Dykstra said the party is moving quickly to find a new leader. “I have requested that the Ontario PC caucus elects an interim leader. They have agreed and have informed me that they will be meeting Friday morning,” wrote Dykstra. ...

“The election of an interim leader is in accordance with article 23.1 of the PC party constitution, who will serve as interim leader until a new leader is elected in a leadership election conducted pursuant to article 25 of the constitution,” he said. “A leadership election will take place at such time as the PC party shall determine in its discretion.”

Jones and MPP Steve Clark, the party’s other deputy leader, said caucus would elect a “parliamentary leader” Friday morning at Queen’s Park, but left open the possibility of a different permanent leader by election time. ...

“Was last night a hiccup? Absolutely,” said Jones, who later retracted that comment, saying she “misspoke” by describing the events in that manner.

The jockeying to replace Brown is already at a fever pitch. In North Bay, Fedeli said he would “let my name stand for leader of our party.” “I look forward to meeting with my caucus. Most of us haven’t gone to bed yet. Many in the caucus say: ‘It’s your time, Vic,’ ” said the MPP, who ran for leader against Brown in 2015, but dropped out before the final ballot.

MPP Lisa MacLeod (Nepean-Carleton), the first Tory caucus member to publicly support the two women who complained about Brown, has also been mentioned. She ran in the May 2015 leadership contest as well. ...

Supporters of star PC candidates Caroline Mulroney, a lawyer who is running in York-Simcoe, and Rod Phillips, the former head of CivicAction and the party’s candidate in Ajax, are already touting them. ...

Phillips said while caucus should choose an interim leader “for the coming weeks and months,” the Tories should be led into the election by someone chosen by all party members — not just MPPs. ...

Other names mentioned as a possible leader include former foreign affairs minister John Baird, who was also a provincial cabinet minister, and federal Tory MPs Lisa Raitt and Erin O’Toole.

https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2018/01/25/tories-looking-for-ne...

Fri, 2018-01-26 14:07

#34

jerrym

The Ontario PCs now have more problems besides the allegations of sexual misconduct against Patrick Brown.

When a reporter at the party's news conference on Patrick Brown's resignation asked how the party did not know this when the allegations were common knowledge amongst the media Deputy Leader Sylvia Jones said that she had no previous knowledge of this. This may or may not be true but now PC MPP Lisa MacLeod says that she told the campaign team about her concerns about Patrick Brown's alleged behaviour several times during the last year. At the very least this shows that the party does not have clear rules or mechanisms for dealing with such behaviour, or else it has engaged in a coverup.

Conservative MPP Lisa MacLeod says she took concerns over MPP Patrick Brown's alleged behaviour to members of the campaign team "two or three times," last year.

PC war room insiders told her that the reports of "issues about women," were unfounded, she said. "There were lots of things that were percolating that a lot of people heard," the Nepean-Carleton MPP told reporters on her way into the PC caucus meeting Friday. People would tell me things so I would float it up the flagpole to the central campaign," said MacLeod. "Certainly when I heard issues about women I would bring those forward." She said she raised the matter with officials "before Christmas." ...

MacLeod followed up on Twitter, saying the concerns she raised "were not made to members of the senior campaign team that resigned. They took a principled stand and did the right thing. I'm grateful to them for taking a stand for women."

Campaign Manager Andrew Boddington, Chief of Staff Alykhan Velshi, and Deputy Campaign Manager Dan Robertson released a joint statement saying: "earlier today, all three of us became aware of allegations about Patrick Brown. After speaking with him, our advice was that he should resign as Ontario PC Party leader. He did not accept that advice." ...

MacLeod said that she was not surprised when the women came forward, instead she said she was "quite relieved," and now wants Brown out of caucus. ...

According to the Ontario PC constitution, if a leader dies, retires, or resigns, the caucus can elect an interim leader pending a leadership election. If the caucus is unable to select an interim leader, a joint meeting of the caucus and the executive will make the selection. It has yet to be determined if a leadership race will be held before Ontarians head to the polls on June 7.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/pc-mpp-macleod-says-she-shared-info-abou...

Fri, 2018-01-26 14:14

#35

jerrym

MPP Vic Fedeli has been chosen as interim leader of the the Ontario PCs. However, it is not yet clear if Fedeli will be the PC leader in the June election. The party's executive committee will meet this afternoon to decide whether there will be a leadership race or not.

Fedeli says Patrick Brown should take a leave of absence while the allegations are being investigated.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-progressive-conservatives-...

Fri, 2018-01-26 18:03

#36

jerrym

The PCs announced that they will have a leadership race to choose a new leader before the election.

Interim leader Vic Fedeli says he will not sign Patrick Brown's nomination papers for the upcoming election and he should take a leave of absence now.

Mon, 2018-01-29 12:24

#37

josh

Doug Ford in.

https://twitter.com/dmrider/status/958024090580848641

Mon, 2018-01-29 13:46

(Reply to #37) #38

Ken Burch

josh wrote:

Doug Ford in.

https://twitter.com/dmrider/status/958024090580848641

Does Doug have Rob's ability to bring in votes a right-wing candidate should never be able to win?

Mon, 2018-01-29 13:54

#39

Debater

Paul Wells says Doug Ford has no chance:

Just so we're clear here: there is no chance Doug Ford will lead the Ontario Conservatives. Suspense now is over whether he realizes this.

https://twitter.com/InklessPW/status/958022850031398912

Tue, 2018-01-30 12:11

#40

josh

Fedeli not running.

Tue, 2018-01-30 18:43

#41

Mr. Magoo

Quote:
Just so we're clear here: there is no chance Doug Ford will lead the Ontario Conservatives.

I wonder what Wells' crystal ball said when Rob announced his run for City Hall. These days, it seems that assuming that this or that candidate clearly cannot win is like an app that instantly summons hubris.

Tue, 2018-01-30 20:38

#42

WWWTT

Lol!

Wed, 2018-01-31 21:36

#43

jerrym

Fedeli says he is not running for permanent leader so he can "root out the rot" that is extensive within the party. If this is how they run a party, imagine what they could do running a province.

What a party!

The newly appointed interim leader of Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives vowed Tuesday to clean up the party, “root out the rot” and ensure a fair leadership contest following the resignation of top leaders amid sexual misconduct allegations. ...

The party has been in turmoil since last week when Brown resigned after vehemently denying sexual misconduct allegations reported by CTV News. The allegations have not been independently verified by The Canadian Press.

In October, Brown boasted of growing the party’s base to 127,000 members from about 10,000 following the Tories’ 2014 election loss. The number has since grown to 200,000.

“Frankly, I think I opened the party up to tens of thousands more who simply want a reasonable, thoughtful…modern, inclusive PC party,” he told The Canadian Press in an interview late last year. ...

Questions have been raised, however, about the party’s membership figures, which Fedeli said will be scrutinized through an analysis of the party’s membership rolls.

The interim leader has also ordered an overhaul of the party’s membership management system, which was hacked in early November.

“Fixing this, and it needs fixing, will be a massive undertaking,” he said. “But it is absolutely essential and absolutely doable if we’re to win the next election.” ...

The party has also been grappling with the departure of former president Rick Dykstra, who resigned Sunday, just hours after Maclean’s magazine published a report in which a woman alleged she was a young Conservative staffer in Ottawa when she was sexually assaulting by Dykstra in 2014, when he was an MP.

http://torontosun.com/news/provincial/vic-fedeli-wont-seek-permanent-lea...

Wed, 2018-01-31 21:41

#44

jerrym

The Progressive Conservative circus continued to unfold with PC northwestern Ontario candidate and regional VP Derek Parks claiming the party executive was trying to seize funds to prevent a leadership race.

"What I know and understand about politics is out the window," said Parks who was a supporter of Brown's and assisted on him tours through northern Ontario.

He said he has heard "rumours and innuendo" that there is an effort to have the executive revoke their decision and "even potentially seize the PC funds so we are unable to have a leadership [race]."

With his voice trembling, Parks added "I feel that is unjust and wrong on so many levels."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/thunder-bay-derek-parks-leader...

Thu, 2018-02-01 12:03

#45

jerrym

In another ring of the Conservative circus, federal MP Alex Nuttall for Barrie today claimed the PC Ontario Toronto elites are trying to terminate tens of thousands of party memberships to help elect one of the elite's favourite candidates.

Conservative MP Alex Nuttall is slamming Ontario provincial PC party leadership — calling them power-hungry Toronto “elites” — for trying to “circumvent” the party’s grassroots by launching a sweeping review of memberships days after trying to put off a leadership race until after the provincial election.

Just before federal caucus Wednesday, Nuttall (MP for the Ontario riding Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte) said the Ontario party leadership’s latest move “seeking to expel tens of thousands of paid memberships” is being done to help “elites” seeking power — not fix problems in the party.

“I have a message for the Toronto elites, and it is this: the conservative movement should never and can never define people by their race, by their faith, by what region of the world they come from, by their first or last name — that the elites in Toronto need to stop making decisions in their own best interests to seek power, and start making decisions in the best interests of the people of Ontario,” he said.

The barb comes after news that interim leader Vic Fedeli announced he has launched an investigation into the legitimacy of tens of thousands of party memberships.

Fedeli said he plans to “root out the rot” in the party amid allegations that some memberships are fraudulent.

The party executive is currently finalizing the rules for a leadership race, but also needs to figure out how many members it actually has right now.

https://ipolitics.ca/2018/01/31/nuttall-slams-pc-party-toronto-elites-me...

Thu, 2018-02-01 11:54

#46

Pondering

It brings me such glee to watch the Conservatives eat themselves. I especially enjoy Conservatives calling other Conservatives "elites". lol

I am enjoying the scrambling of the "elites" claiming they knew nothing of Brown's transgressions. This also confirms the two women who came forward are not the only ones.

Thu, 2018-02-01 18:06

#47

Mr. Magoo

Quote:
I especially enjoy Conservatives calling other Conservatives "elites". lol

+1

That specific term -- "elites" -- is rapidly running out of meaning. Even after everyone dropped the "latte-sipping-" prefix.

Fri, 2018-02-02 00:01

#48

jerrym

The PC leadership race heats up.

Political newcomer Caroline Mulroney will run for leadership of Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Party, a campaign source tells CTV News sister station CP24. The development was followed by confirmation that former MPP Christine Elliott will also join the race.

The move follows wide-spread speculation about who will lead the party into the June 7 provincial election against Premier Kathleen Wynne in the wake of former PC leader Patrick Brown’s resignation over sexual harassment allegations. Mulroney is the Progressive Conservative candidate for the York-Simcoe riding, a lawyer, and the daughter of former Conservative prime minister Brian Mulroney.

According to the source, Mulroney has significant support from both caucus and candidates, and will have to get 100 signatures to become a nominated candidate. Mulroney received some endorsement on social media after her sister-in-law Jessica Mulroney posed the question of if she should run to her Instagram following.

“We need more smart and competent women in politics,” read the poll posted on Tuesday. “I think my sister-in-law Caroline Mulroney would be an amazing Premier. Do you think she should run?”

Former Ontario PC MPP Christine Elliott also announced that she would join the race on Thursday. Elliot tweeted, “I’m in #pcpo #onpoli.” Elliot is currently Ontario’s medical patient ombudsman. She is also the widow of the late Jim Flaherty, who served as finance minister in the Ontario government of Premier Mike Harris and federally under former prime minister Stephen Harper. Elliott represented the ridings of Whitby-Ajax and Whitby Oshawa between 2006 and 2015.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/source-confirms-mulroney-will-run-for-onta...