FIGHTING FOR A BETTER ONTARIO

Ontario’s economy is in bad shape. It should be the engine of the country. Right now, it’s idling. GDP growth, job creation, housing starts are down when they should be up.

More than a quarter of young Ontarians believe they will never own a home. Unemployment in Ontario is the highest in decades – worse than any other province.

Ford’s government is freely spending your tax dollars, but we’re getting less.

My priorities are different. I would invest in core services that drive economic success – strong public education and healthcare and real relief for hardworking Ontarians.

If I were Premier, I would immediately repeal the Conservatives’ OSAP cuts, removing debt from our students and future workforce.

I’m focused on outcomes, not spending. My priority is investing, measuring and openly reporting to Ontarians the results achieved for tax dollars. Public funds belong to the people, not the government.

I will advocate for a fair, transparent skills development program that doesn’t reward insiders but creates meaningful opportunities, and contributes directly to economic growth and resilience.When I was a hospital president, I managed multi-million-dollar budgets. Every day, I asked how each dollar met patients’ needs. I’d do the same for Ontario.

I’m fighting for democracy.

If I were Premier, I would reverse the Ford Conservative’s anti-democratic policies. I would restore local voices in local decision-making, respect the expertise of nurses, physicians, teachers, and other skilled professionals. I would end the concentration of power in the Premier’s Office and cabinet.

I would repeal Bill 97 – ensuring freedom of information laws serve citizens, not shield government decisions from the public.

My approach is completely different. It starts with getting into communities, really listening to people across Ontario, and creating solutions together. Ontario is a large and diverse province – one-size-fits-all policies don’t work. They should reflect the unique needs of the people they serve.

Healthcare is one of the provincial government’s most important jobs. But it’s become an afterthought under the Conservatives.

If I were Premier, I’d get serious about the wait time crisis.

After 8 years, hallway healthcare is worse than ever. And I would start reporting to the public on how long people are waiting in hallways and Emergency Departments, and what is being done about it.

I would invest in public healthcare instead of paying more for for-profit services. I would end the Conservatives’ practice of paying triple for private surgeries that are already provided in public hospitals. I would invest properly in rural healthcare, home care and mental health so that people receive the care they need, close to home.

I introduced a Private Members Bill - the Stop Harmful Gambling Act - to tackle a growing public health crisis – addiction to online gambling.

Ontarians have had enough of the onslaught of predatory ads since the Conservatives privatized online gambling.

The rate of teenage boys and men contacting ConnexOntario mental health helpline for gambling problems skyrocketed by 144% since privatization. The harms are far-reaching – from lost jobs to debt to depression and suicide risk.

Ontario bans advertising for tobacco and cannabis. Online gambling should be treated like these other highly addictive products.

The government’s job is to put public health first, not the profits of foreign-owned companies.

Investing in public education and supporting students to thrive is the provincial government’s other most important job.

What we have now is a government that disrespects educators and has created a toxic environment for kids and post-secondary students.

As Premier, I would restore trust with teachers, and work with schools to make real improvements in student achievement.

Class sizes need to come down. Students who need support should have it. Young people should have mental health support so that they can learn and succeed. Curriculum should prepare young people for the future, including AI.

When full-day kindergarten was introduced by the former Liberal Government, math and reading scores went up. We can do the same again.

The Conservatives’ OSAP cuts need to be reversed. Downloading the costs of post-secondary education on young people is just wrong.