With Ontario’s general election fast approaching, the four main party leaders faced off in a crucial debate on Monday.
With less than two weeks before Ontarians head to the polls, the debate gave residents a chance to hear directly from their would-be leaders as they presented their platforms, challenged each other’s policies, and discussed the future direction of the province.
Here’s what they had to say.
LEADERSHIP
The debate opened with moderator David Common asking candidates how they would handle the looming threat of tariffs imposed by the U.S. government.
Progressive Conservative leader Doug Ford stressed that tariffs would devastate Ontario’s economy, but assured that he’ll do whatever it takes to protect jobs in the province.
“We have a strong base; we’re going to expand our economy, diversify our trade, bring companies in from all over the world just like we’ve done for seven years,” he said.
“Over $70 billion of investments have come to Ontario, 850,000 jobs. And I can tell you, I’ll fight like I never fought before to protect the people of Ontario.”
NDP leader Marit Stiles assured that as premier, she’d be on Ontarians’ side, helping to fight rising costs.
“After seven years of Doug Ford and the Conservatives, the cost of everything is through the roof,” Stiles said.
“My promise to you is this; we’re going to fight the rising costs, we’re going to hire doctors and fix the healthcare crisis, we’re going to fulfill the affordable housing that people need and make sure that we protect and defend every job in every industry.”
Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie said when she looks at Ontario, she doesn’t recognize it and is on a mission to change it.
“2.5 million don’t have a family doctor, people can’t pay for groceries and their rent in the same month, a million people are using food banks. That’s Ontario today very sadly, and we need to change it,” Crombie said.
“We need a leader that will not only protect jobs, but a leader who will get you a family doctor. And that’s what Liberals will do.”
Green Party leader Mike Schreiner insisted that being a leader means putting the people before yourself, and assured that he would not abandon his job during a time of need.
“It’s just not fair in Ontario right now that we have a government wasting $2.2 billion dollars on a spa in downtown Toronto, or tens of billions on a tunnel under the 401, or millions ripping up bike lanes,” Schreiner said.
“Mr. Ford is handing out $200 cheques to millionaires and billionaires at a time when we need to be investing in helping people afford homes, fix health care and make life more affordable for people of this province. That’s the kind of leadership I would bring.”
According to a report from the Auditor General of Ontario, Therme Canada, the company in charge of bringing the wellbeing project to Ontario Place, will not be receiving government subsidy. Therme is investing $700 million into the destination; $500 million to build an all-season attraction and $200 million to create nearly 16 acres of public park space.
HEALTH CARE
2.5 million Ontario residents don’t have family doctors, and there’s a visible strain on emergency rooms. The party leaders proposed timelines on when these issues could be solved if elected.
Crombie says under her government, every Ontarian would receive a family doctor within four years.
“Doug Ford doesn’t believe in our public healthcare system,” Crombie said, stressing that Liberals would bring in more doctors, and pay them, as well as nurses and support workers, a fair wage.
Schreiner also said under his platform, four years would be the timeline for Ontarians to be connected to a doctor. He said the Greens have a plan to not only provide more family doctors, but to stop the privatization of health care, invest in rural hospitals, ensure that frontline care teams are paid fairly, and expand mental health services.
Stiles said that not only has the NDP pledged to get Ontarians doctors in four years, but said within the first 100 days, the government will remove paperwork and administrative burdens that prevent doctors from seeing patients quickly.
Ford says his government has invested over 30 per cent more, or $30 billion dollars more, than the previous government into health care. He says that along with building 50 new hospital sites, the PCs are spending $1.8 billion to connect every Ontarian to a family doctor, and that Ontario is currently in the lead of Canadians connected to primary care.
AFFORDABILITY
Ontarians are feeling the effects of the cost of living. Grocery prices, rent and mortgage payments have gone up for many people, yet income has not kept up. The party leaders explain their aims to tackle the affordability crisis in the province.
Schreiner emphasized that times are tough right now, and said that the rich continue to get richer while the rest of Ontarians are struggling to get by.
“Ontario Greens will lower taxes for the low and middle income earners, saving them $1,700 a year, and asking the wealthiest to pay a bit more,” he said.
He also says his party has committed to building two million homes and removing the restrictions to build missing middle housing
Stiles said that rent in Ontario is up by 38 per cent across the province since 2018, and assured the NDP has a plan to introduce rent control, a consumer watchdog to reduce grocery price gouging, and a grocery rebate program.
“What that means is every month, you’re going to get a cheque back that covers some of the cost… you can spend that on food.” she said.
“The NDP is the only party that is actually committed to real rent control and building truly affordable housing.”
Ford insisted that the PC government is the only one in the history of Ontario to never raise taxes, and said that all three party leaders’ interests lie in taxing residents.
“I don’t believe in taxing people, and I will never take money out of your pockets,” Ford said.
“We led the charge across the country in getting rid of the HST for purpose-built rentals. Now we have a record amount of purpose-built rentals.”
Crombie says not only will Liberals cut taxes, but will look into “out-of-control” auto insurance premiums too.
“We’re going to cut income taxes for people earning $75K or less and we’re going to take the HST off home heating and hydro and we’re going to build affordable housing.”
She also said in order to fix the rent crisis, the first step is to fix the Landlord and Tenant Board.
“My pledge is to fix the backlog in the Landlord and Tenant Board within the first three months. There are 53,000 cases outstanding. I’m not sure what has happened over the past seven years but certainly there have not been adjudicators appointed to clear that backlog.”
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
The party leaders were asked a range of lighter questions for Ontarians to get to know them on a personal level.
The first question Common asked was where in the province the candidates would visit for a weekend off of work.
“I never stop working, I return calls,” Ford said. “I have a cottage that I think I saw twice last year to cut the grass and came home. That’s what I’m consumed about, I really am.”
Schreiner said that he loves hiking in Southwestern Ontario alongside his family.
“We have amazing trails in Guelph. I love to hike along the Niagara Escarpment,” Schreiner said.
Crombie said she’d head to Thunder Bay.
“They have great rock climbing in Thunder Bay and pickleball,” she said.
Meanwhile, Stiles said she’d take a dive into one of the many lakes in the province.
“I’m a swimmer, I love swimming in Ontario Lakes. Give me a lake and I will swim there,” she said.
The leaders also shared what they would cook up if the other leaders came over for a dinner party.
Stiles said she’d make a traditional Newfoundland boiled dinner, featuring cabbage, salted meat and potatoes.
Ford said he’d keep it simple with a hearty mac and cheese.
Schreiner said he’d make his favourite; pizzas made with fresh Ontario-born ingredients.
While Crombie said she’d give the leaders a taste of her roots, with Polish delicacies such as pierogies, cabbage rolls, and borscht (beet soup).
The Ontario general election will be held on Feb. 27.
