Ford not fully sold on GO train
Doug Ford has a message for Ontario’s Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne: “Pack up your loot bag, the party’s over with the taxpayer’s money.”
As “Eye of the Tiger” blasted from speakers, the new Ontario Progressive Conservative Party leader was met by a few hundred party faithful for a rally at the Holiday Inn on Ontario Street Wednesday evening in St. Catharines. He vowed to bring “integrity, honesty, accountability and transparency not only back to Queen’s Park, but back to the taxpayers of this great province.”
“We’re hearing about how every time people put their hands in their pocket, you have Kathleen Wynne’s hand in your pocket. And then when you out your hand in your other pocket, you have Justin Trudeau in the other pocket,” he said.
Ford said he would listen to the grassroots people to address issues that are important to them, whether it’s on health care, job creation or bringing the GO train to Niagara.
During an earlier stop at M.T. Bllies restaurant in Welland, Ford said there is no firm plan to honour the commitment from
the ruling Liberals to deliver GO Train service to Niagara by 2021.
“I’d want to review the plan,” said Ford, who was quick to cite his support of public transit during his time as a Toronto city councillor.
While Niagara has long pushed for train service, Ford said further public consultation would be needed for him to commit to the plan.
Back in the Garden City, Ford said the Liberal government has “beat our doctors down, beat our nurses down, beat our frontline health-care workers down.”
“Help is on its way, resources are on the way,” he said.
He said he plans to rely on the expertise of frontline staff including “the greatest doctors in the entire world” to address issues related to hospital wait times, while working with educators to improve schools.
And he said he can improve services while reducing costs.
Ford also vowed to help people who are struggling, burdened with high taxes, and hydro bills that are among the highest in North America.
“I have a massive social conscience — massive. We’re going to make sure that when people need our help, we’re going to be there,” he said.
If his government is elected, Ford said “a new day will dawn in Ontario — a day of prosperity government, a day of opportunity and growth the likes this province has never seen.”
“We will blaze a new trail in this province, making sure everyone succeeds. We will put policies together that are beneficial to every single person in this province. That’s how we’re going to change the province.”
Ford’s campaign stops in Niagara also included a roundtable discussion with local business leaders and Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce in St. Catharines.
— with files from Metroland’s Steve Henschel