CORNWALL, Ontario – Ontario Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne made a brief stop at the Stomping Grounds Bistro Cafe in Cornwall on Thursday, March 15, 2018.
The Premier arrived shortly after 12 p.m. and was greeted by a large crowd inside the bistro.
She spent about an hour talking to various guests at the bistro who had come to see her.
If they were hoping to hear a speech from the Premier or if they were waiting for an announcement, they were unfortunately disappointed. The Premier poured a cappuccino, took a few questions from reporters and then was back on the road.
“Let me just say it’s my pleasure to be here in Cornwall again,” Wynne said to the media.
The Premier was asked about how she would address the issue of rural education if re-elected.
“We will continue to work for a funding formula that will help rural, urban and suburban schools,” she said. “It is important for the different boards to work together. We want to make sure that particularly elementary school students have a school close to them.”
Wynne was also questioned on her government’s decision to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour.
“I’m hearing mostly it is making a huge difference for people,” she said.
Several questions focused on the party’s preparedness to compete in a Conservative riding like Stormont, Dundas and South Glengarry (SD&SG). Wynne stated that the local riding association would soon have a candidate to compete against incumbent Jim McDonell.
One person who has declared their candidacy for the Liberal nomination was present to meet the Premier.
Heather Megill is a former school teacher and a former captain in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves with the SD&G Highlanders and she is seeking to represent the provincial Liberals in June.
“I got perturbed when I saw what was happening provincially with the conservatives,” Megill said. “I know Jim pretty well. I respect Jim, I know he’s worked hard. I will be cordial and respectful,” said Megill of SD&SG Conservative MPP Jim McDonell. “I want to grow the Liberal brand in this riding.”
Megill has taught at schools in Cornwall and across SD&G.
