Election: Liberals on leaders' debate

NEWS RELEASE

LIBERAL PARTY OF ONTARIO

************************* McGuinty makes strong case for re-election

McGuinty talks directly to voters in televised leaders' debate

TORONTO - Dalton McGuinty made a strong case for re-election of his Ontario Liberal Party this evening by speaking directly to families about his positive plan to improve the things they care about most, says Ontario Liberal Campaign Chair Greg Sorbara.

"Leaders take responsibility. They bring people together. And they have a positive plan," Sorbara said.

"And the premier took responsibility for the tough calls he has had to make. He talked about the progress we've made together. And he spelled out, clearly and with passion, where we want to take this province over the next four years. He's clearly the best leader," he said.

"His values, work ethic and determination have driven our government and brought Ontario back from the cuts and division of the Conservative years. And he did a tremendous job tonight of making the case that only Ontario Liberals can keep our province moving forward."

For the first time, the television networks invited the three campaigns to replace the leaders' traditional opening statements with a one-minute video.

The Ontario Liberals' offering featured a candid McGuinty talking about the tough call he made to raise taxes in his government's first budget, saying that he made the decision because the alternative was to cut precious health care in the face of a $5.6 billion deficit the Conservatives had hidden.

"That shows you the kind of leader Dalton McGuinty is," Sorbara said.

"He wanted to use that uninterrupted time to be accountable, open and honest with Ontarians."

While McGuinty stood up for publicly funded education and public health care in strong exchanges with his opponents, he seized opportunities to speak directly to Ontarians.

"It's a rare chance to visit Ontarians in their living rooms, and Dalton took the opportunity to speak with honesty and humility about the things Ontarians care about, including health care, education and the economy, our record of our achievement, and our plan for the future," Sorbara said.

"When the others were trying to score political points, the premier was connecting with Ontario families. In that sense, the debate was just the next step in an election campaign which has seen him standing up for better publicly funded schools and health care, and the others attacking him personally."

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