After a complete snooze-fest of a campaign, with important non-issues being argued about for it's entirety, the big day is almost upon us. On Thursday, October 6, Ontarians will go to the polls to decide who will be handed the responsibility of governing us for the next four years (or potentially less, if it's a minority government).
In light of the seriousness of the responsibility, and the economic turbulence already tossing Europe about, and making our fiscal flight increasingly unsteady, it would have been appropriate for the party leaders to demonstrate a solid grasp of what needs to be done to reign in government spending, and otherwise prepare the province for what is increasingly looking like a rough decade ahead.
But no. Instead we got Andrea Horwath, leader of the NDP, demonstrating her complete unreadiness for the job of premier at every turn, by responding to every concern with another goofy promise. Gas prices too high? Cap them – which when done, in practice has locked the prices at that cap, and no lower, in jurisdictions where it's been tried. Similar situations brought forth promises such as canceling contracts with Quebec based industries to supply goods to the Ontario government, and implement a strict “Buy Ontario” policy – ignoring the Ontario business' which would be hurt if Quebec and other jurisdictions returned the favour.
We had “Premier Dad”, Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty, trying to convince us that when he says no more taxes this time, he means it – unlike in 2003 and 2007. But as he's saying this, he's racked up the biggest deficits in Ontario history, government spending has exploded during his tenure at Queen's Park, his government has seen the e-Health boondoggle as well as the worst example of corporate welfare in provincial history – the $7 billion Samsung deal. 50,000 jobs promised, 20,000 supposedly created, but with no evidence to back up this assertion anywhere – your tax dollars at work. His government has been marked by a failure to demonstrate any sense of fiscal sanity, runaway spending, and broken promises. Dalton McGuinty has had two terms to prove he is the right person for the job – and has completely failed. If times get tough over the next few years, we can't afford to have Gilligan in command.
So that leaves Tim Hudak, whom I (ever so reluctantly) endorse as Ontario's next premier. I do so because he has shown fewer flaws than Horwath or McGuinty. While his economic plan is only slightly more solid than McGuinty's, and Hudak's shown a distressing reluctance to actually say what spending cuts he'd make to get the budget balanced, he does seem to get the fact that what has gone on for the last eight years cannot continue. Hudak needs, however, to focus. Deal with the major issues, and do it now – no more of the dog distracted by a squirrel routine. He has to lay out his plan for returning Ontario to fiscal stability – and then do it.
I have a much easier time endorsing Todd Smith for Prince Edward – Hastings MP. He is a solid citizen of the riding, someone who's involved in the community, and through his work in local news and sports, someone who truly sees what's happening in the area. He is someone who is aiming to serve the riding well, and I believe he is the best option for voters in Hastings and Prince Edward counties, and in the city of Belleville.
So give the matter thought. You may agree or disagree with me – we have the freedom to do so in this, the best country in the world. But, regardless of whom you support – make sure you get out and vote on October 6.
And if you can't be bothered to vote – don't complain. The political opinions of those too lazy to vote are not worth others wasting their time listening.
