Choices and biases: What will sway Ontario’s voters?

The social conservatives got angry and Doug Ford promised to scrap sex education. He will cancel the carbon tax, reduce income taxes and bring back dollar beer. He promised access to the Greenbelt for development until word got out. His nonexistent platform is geared to appeal to greed and self interest.

Andrea Horwath promises cheaper hydro by removing the profit motive from this service. Dental care, improved health care, affordable education, all paid for by asking the wealthy to pay a little more. All her promises are geared to make Ontario a better place.

After 15 years, many feel it is time for a change. But, if you look at Kathleen Wynne’s accomplishments — free daycare for preschoolers, a higher minimum wage, rent controls, drug coverage for seniors and children, and free university tuition for lower-income families — they are impressive and all geared to make Ontario a better place.

Horwath and Wynne face challenges Ford does not. We all have unconscious biases. For Horwath it is the bias that NDPers are “radical, communist spendthrifts.” Ford’s use of the word “radical” and apocalyptic terms are aimed at this unconscious bias. Horwath and Wynne are also women and, sadly, misogyny is another unconscious bias.

Wynne also faces homophobia, which explains the vitriol that she receives in social media.

This election will reveal whether Ontario voters are swayed by greed and selfinterest or the wish to make Ontario a better place for all.

William Oldfield

Waterloo