By Adam Brazeau
CORNWALL, Ontario – Standing on the lush, green course at Summerheights Golf Links, Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown took a swing at the Liberal government’s “mismanagement” of major issues impacting Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry.
With SDSG MPP Jim McDonell by his side, the federal Conservative MP from Barrie, Ont., spoke to local media before he delivered a speech to roughly 75 supporters at the annual Noble Villeneuve Golf Classic in Cornwall on Friday (June 19).
“We feel really good about the energy in our party today,” said Brown.
He has until spring 2018 to reinvigorate the Ontario PC Party after its defeat in last year’s provincial election. Brown became leader in May by a decisive margin against Whitby-Oshawa MPP Christine Elliott with 62 per cent of the vote. Many caucus members rallied to her during the campaign, including McDonell.
“Obviously the last election was disappointing. We had to look at ourselves hard in the mirror and have a reset. I think we’re a lot more driven than the party that existed a year ago. We went from 10,000 members to 80,000. We’re excited about getting it right, offering a pragmatical alternative to the Liberals,” said Brown.
He discussed how stalled contract talks with Ontario public high school teachers may lead to widespread strikes in September.
Brown said: “It’s a situation that’s quite surprising, because when the Liberals ran they promised peace in the classroom and said during the days of Mike Harris and Ernie Eves there was too much disruption. Well, the strike that just took place in Durham was the longest in 25 years. We’re about to see potentially a province-wide disaster. The Liberals are trying to play political gains with students’ education. They broadened Bill 122. It’s two-tier negotiations, which is essentially passing the buck.”
He described the decision to sell 60 per cent of Hydro One as another example of the government’s mismanagement in the energy sector, adding that Ontario has the most expensive power in North America and is a haven for red tape.
“Were losing a precious crown asset,” said Brown.
“In the last election, they never talked about a fire sale of Hydro One. We are not only losing oversight, we have no idea about the evaluation. They’re not even allowing the ombudsman to see if Ontario taxpayers are getting fair value. It’s like selling your house and telling the real estate agent you don’t want to know the offer prices.”
He touched on the ongoing plan to create a comprehensive aviation program at the Nav Centre in Cornwall through a partnership with a university.
“I think we should look at what areas in the province are not serviced by a university. And there should be some consideration and sympathy to those taxpayers, whether its Cornwall or central Ontario. But before we look at that we need to have a discussion on linking education to employment. I think we have a problem with Ontario that we’re graduating people for degrees that are not employable. We would be well served to recognize a college diploma and college education presents a great opportunity.”
He noted that his hometown was overlooked for a university by the Liberal government.
Brown also opposes the Liberal cap and trade proposal and pension plan, which he says will kill jobs.
The PC leader applauded Villeneuve, the Cornwall-born former Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Francophone Affairs, for being a tireless supporter of eastern Ontario. The 76-year-old suffered a stroke in 2002, forcing him to retire from politics after nearly 20 years. He was in attendance with family.
