Alison Jones, Canadian Press Posted Monday, May 16, 2022, 8:49 AM EDT Last Updated on Monday, May 16, 2022, 9:24 PM EDT
TORONTO – Progressive Conservative leader Doug Ford has faced a series of attacks from three other major party leaders in Monday’s Ontario election debate, but has largely refused to take the bait, instead citing his own messages on infrastructure and accessibility.
One of the sharpest criticisms came from Green Party leader Mike Schreiner, who praised Ford for what he called the Tory leader’s disrespect for nurses as prime minister, including limiting increases in compensation for public sector workers. .
“Mr. Ford, have you talked to a nurse lately?” Schreiner said.
“Have you talked to a nurse about how … they feel offended that they call them heroes and then essentially reduce their salaries by freezing them?” Mr. Ford, if you want to build capacity in our system, you have to invest in the people who provide our care. ”
Tim Abrey, a professor of political science at Queen’s University, said Ford has played well in defense.
“I think he avoided getting involved in any hammer debates and manipulation of his record,” he said.
“I think he did what he usually does, namely he bypassed many of these issues, rejected broad slogans, broad accusations. But yes, he really didn’t care to go into the details of something tonight.
Studies show that Ford has a big lead in the election so far, and Abrey said the strategy used by the Tory leader during the debate is a typical tactic of the leader.
“When you go to the polls with that kind of significant advantage, the common wisdom is that you’re just trying to maintain it by not drawing attention to yourself,” Abrey said.
Schreiner also criticized Ford for his attitude toward long-term care during the pandemic, and Ford responded by saying he was building hospitals.
“When we took office, our health care system was shattered,” he said earlier in the health section of the debate.
“Each region in this province receives a new hospital … 50 projects in each region.”
Ford also said progressive conservatives would fund tuition fees for nurses if they work in an underserved area, noting that his government had given personal assistance staff a $ 3-an-hour raise and gave nurses a bonus. from $ 5,000 for detention.
The other three leaders argued that repealing legislation that limited the increase in compensation to nurses and other public sector workers would help them pay more than once.
This legislation, Bill 124, also affected teachers and sparked a tense cycle of education contract negotiations with the Ford government.
Teachers and educators who have organized various strikes and wage campaigns over wage cuts have risen to class size, and Ford is pushing for two online high school graduation courses, although the government has eventually softened its stance on recent two. The government is also briefly considering layoffs of all-day kindergartens.
“One of the things Mr. Ford refuses to acknowledge is the cuts and chaos he has brought to our public education system,” said NDP leader Andrea Horvat.
“Your layoffs and your chaos have significantly destabilized our education system. Ask each parent and they will tell you the same thing. You can’t get a better education system, you just can’t. “
Liberal leader Stephen Del Duca also touched on Ford’s education record.
“Your record in public education is a shame and you should be ashamed of yourself,” he said. “You, sir, have ruined this province.”
Ford said he was proud of his government’s achievements in education, saying it was helping students prepare for the jobs of the future.
The leader of the Progressive Conservatives often returned to his message of building, creating jobs and putting money in people’s pockets.
The debate began with disagreements between Ford and Del Duca.
Ford has rejected a list of allegations in Del Duca, including that it wants to reimburse license plate renewal fees and increase tolls.
Del Duca jumped to refute every point, directing Ford to the Ontario Liberals’ website to verify their campaign promises.
“There is an old saying in life: ‘You have the right to your own opinion, not your own facts,’ Mr Ford,” Del Duca said.
Ford’s introductory statement highlighted its plan to build Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass, saying the economy was booming.
Horvath said he hoped the new Democrats could fix what was most important to Ontarians.
She also mocked the 90-minute debate itself.
“I’m sure it’s not the funniest thing you’ll ever do on a Monday night, but as you join us, it shows that you care and this election has a lot to play with,” she said.
This Canadian Press report was first published on May 16, 2022.
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