Despite our stark ideological differences, I’ve always had a kind of grudging respect for the spin doctors behind the Ontario Tories’ Common Sense Revolution.

They proved time and time again that they knew how to take an idea, however controversial that idea might be, and sell it to the electorate — or at least that portion of the electorate that they care about. Of course, their tactics were often despicable, particularly when they targeted marginalized groups for further attacks, but they got results.

Despite the fact that virtually the same group of people is in charge of the Tory campaign now as in 1995 (with Tom Long being the only major exception), my grudging respect has completely evaporated over the past six months.

First, the hydro file was bungled so thoroughly that no amount of spinning could erase the damage. Then, the Harrisites had the brilliant idea of staging an infomercial masquerading as a provincial budget. Governments are often wounded, fatally or otherwise, by a wide range of problems over which they have no control. The decision to show contempt for the legislature, and the people of Ontario, was a self-inflicted wound.

The most recent blunder (if you’re keeping track, that’s strike three) was the launch of the Tory platform document at an indoor go-kart track. A go-kart track? Is this some kind of bizarre segue from holding the budget presentation at an auto parts plant? I have to assume that Magna International isn’t making parts for go-karts.

Peter Woolstencroft of the University of Waterloo, whose roots in the Tory party are well-established, charitably calls the stunt “a peculiar attempt at populism âe¦ I think the simple message is that they are [trying to be] where ordinary people hang out. It doesn’t ring true to me âe¦ If you asked me for a 100 places where they were going to do this, this would be 101.”

As if to explain the unusual venue, Cabinet Minister David Tsubouchi intoned, “And now, something I’ve always wanted to say âe¦ Gentleman, start your engines,” as fellow Minister Tim Hudak, and a Tory candidate, drove go-karts through a large paper sign emblazoned with pre-election promises. They may have a future doing Shell commercials after they are defeated.

Premier Ernie Eves then invoked the name of champion race-car driver Paul Tracy to reinforce the point: “It took hard work; it took a great team and years of experience behind the wheel. These are the same qualities you need to build a stronger Ontario. Just like Paul Tracy âe¦ our party is going to make history by winning back-to-back-to-back PC majority governments.” Has somebody in the Premier’s Office been reading “How to Stretch a Metaphor” ?

So, what about their platform itself? Dubbed “The Road Ahead,” the platform aims to prove that the Tories are just as fiercely rightwing as they were going into the last two elections.

Among other things, the Tories are promising to:

  • Pass legislation to prohibit education strikes, lockouts and work-to-rule job action during the school year

    This is an idea that they borrowed from a private member’s bill introduced by Dalton McGuinty — back when no one knew who he was (unlike now). The Tories have created a situation where school boards are starved for resources and where teachers are under attack. No wonder there is labour strife in our schools. Interestingly, when leadership rival Jim Flaherty proposed this idea, Eves said, “There’s no democracy when people can’t strike.”

  • Allow homeowners to deduct mortgage interest costs from their income.

    This will cost $700 million a year when fully implemented in five years. It is absolutely offensive that this government thinks that the biggest problem faced in today’s housing market is not homelessness, not a shortage of affordable rental housing, but giving people who can afford to buy a home a tax break. Of course, the homeless haven’t been forgotten. There are references in the platform to a law that would allow homeless people to be “swept” off the street (out of sight, out of mind).

  • Prohibit the use of legal aid for immigration and refugee cases.

    This is a huge financial blow to immigrant communities. It will likely lead to more people having their cases heard without legal representation. Given other references in the document to immigrants as “criminals and terrorists,” chances are very good that is exactly what the Tories are hoping for.

NDP Deputy Leader Marilyn Churley noted that go-karts drive around in circles. She pointed out that the Tory platform offers more of the same mean-spirited cynicism. “The ‘Road Ahead’ leads back to Walkerton,” Churley said. “The Conservative platform means private power, hospitals, private schools, private roads, sky-high rents and tuition, vanishing pensions, dirty air and dirty water âe¦ We’re going to see more service cuts and more program cuts.” All that’s really changed is the Tories’ ability to sell that approach to voters.

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Scott Piatkowski

Scott Piatkowski is a former columnist for rabble.ca. He wrote a weekly column for 13 years that appeared in the Waterloo Chronicle, the Woolwich Observer and ECHO Weekly. He has also written for Straight...