PC platform on the way, Doug Ford says
Tory leader has not revealed how promises would be paid for
Doug Ford says a fully costed platform is coming — but no one’s saying exactly when.
The Progressive Conservative leader spoke to reporters during a “roundtable” Monday morning in Newmarket, alongside a number of people he called his “star candidates” — a change in strategy for Ford in the final week and a half of the election campaign.
Highlighting his team is something Ford hasn’t done since his “unity rally” in March after being elected PC leader.
In recent days, Ford has been hammering at the NDP, saying the party is not ready to govern, and lauded his team as “ready, right out of the gates on June 8” — the day after the election.
However, when asked when a platform would be released — the PCs are the only party without one — the message was that one is on the way and that his campaign announcements are all part of it.
However, while Ford has provided the costs for his pledges, he has not said how a PC government would pay for them.
“Doug was pretty clear (a costed platform) will be coming out,” PC candidate Lisa MacLeod, who is running in Nepean, told media in the lobby of the Best Western hotel where Ford held the roundtable.
“We are rolling out announcements, day in and day out, they have a price tag attached to them. They are modest and we have made the commitment that we will go back to balance — so there is a plan there,” she said, referring to running a deficit in the first couple of years.
“So when that costing comes out in the next several days, then we’ll be able to answer more of your questions.”
Ford appearing with the group of candidates is a good sign, and that “the contrast today, however, is a number of people who don’t need on-the-job training,” MacLeod said, referring to what NDP Leader Andrea Horwath has said was a lighthearted comment on providing her team with “training programs” for cabinet.
Campaigning in Etobicoke North, where Ford is running, Horwath said she has an excellent roster of cabinet-calibre candidates.
“I am not going to insult the people of Ontario by pretending that they have already made their decision. I’m going to be respectful and wait for the people of Ontario to decide who is going to form government,” Horwath said.
Sean Speer, of the University of Toronto’s School of Public Policy and Governance, called Ford’s strategy of showcasing strong candidates a good one — especially in the home stretch of the campaign.
“A big test in the final week is demonstrating that the PC party is ready to govern after more than a decade out of office — especially since Mr. Ford doesn’t have provincial experience,” said Speer, who is director of the Ontario 360 project, a website that looks in-depth at provincial election issues.
The NDP released its platform prior to the election period, and the Liberals have largely been campaigning on their spring budget, although on the weekend released their platform.
Christine Elliott, running in Newmarket—Aurora, said “of course” a platform would be released before the end of the election campaign, and Mulroney also said prior to the June 7 election. But neither would provide a specific date.