Liberal aide’s experience shows
Candidate John Fraser proud of the fact he was Dalton McGuinty’s former right-hand man, writes MATTHEW PEARSON.
John Fraser never misses an opportunity to tell a voter three things: He’s lived in Ottawa South his whole life, he has three children and he worked for Dalton McGuinty.
The Liberal flag-bearer in the Aug. 1 provincial byelection repeats these biographical details over and over as he chats up voters at a sprawling Heatherington Road townhouse complex on this warm and sunny July evening.
Though he’s never personally sought political office before, Fraser has managed five campaigns, including four for the former premier. The experience shows. He arrives with seven young canvassing volunteers, who methodically fan out to knock on doors and draw out voters. When they get a live body, Fraser rushes over to introduce himself and make his 30-second elevator pitch.
He looks everyone in the eye, asks what their name is, then repeats it to make sure he’s got the pronunciation correct.
Even if a house has an opponent’s sign on the front lawn, Fraser says he’ll knock on the door, just to introduce himself.
The 54-year-old began managing McGuinty’s Ottawa affairs in 1999, but the job took on added responsibility in 2003 after his boss was elected premier.
That often left Fraser to attend community events, meet with various local groups, build partnerships and tackle issues — all activities the former grocery store manager says he loves.
“I’ll be a good legislator, but the most important work is here,” he tells a voter.
Of his priorities, Fraser offers four.
Championing the hospitals in Ottawa South, especially CHEO.
Supporting seniors so they can remain in their homes longer and receive the support they need.
Creating more jobs for young people, including a greater focus on entrepreneurship. And doing a better job supporting “vulnerable people in the community,” such as aging people with intellectual disabilities.
Given the scandals that have dogged his party in recent months — particularly the gas plant cancellations and revelations that senior Liberal aides deleted emails — it’s not surprising some voters might raise the issue with him.
“There’s no question you get it at the doors,” he admits, though on the night in question, the Citizen did not witness any voter raising the issue.
The cancellations are estimated to cost Ontario taxpayers at least $585 million.
“There are things we didn’t get right, but we’ll make them right,” Fraser says.
As for the emails, he’s adamant that his correspondence was focused solely on Ottawa South issues, not power plants in the Toronto area.
With three weeks to go, campaigning appears to be taking a toll on Fraser. He walks with a slight limp and admits that, by sunset, he isn’t as sprightly as earlier in the day.
He hopes to personally canvass a little over half the riding, and will rely on volunteers — including his sisters and three adult children — to cover the rest.
Perhaps more than anyone else in this race, Fraser is well versed on just how tight the Liberal grip on Ottawa South has been for the past quarter century.
But he says he’s not taking anything for granted.
“I can win if I get to more doors than the other two,” Fraser says. “I can’t control the outcome, I can only control what I do every day.”
Note to readers: The Citizen is joining Ottawa South candidates as they hit the hustings during the byelection campaign. Look for a profile of Green Party candidate Taylor Howarth in the coming days.