Election: Pringle, Swain on leaders' debate

NEWS RELEASES

JOSH PRINGLE PC CANDIDATE SAULT STE. MARIE

RON SWAIN PC CANDIDATE ALGOMA-MANITOULIN

************************* Dalton McGuinty loses debate: McGuinty underperformance underwhelms Ontarians

Tonight Dalton McGuinty failed to offer Ontarians any reason for his re-election in tonight’s leaders’ debate.

Dalton McGuinty was clearly unable to escape his record of broken promises.

Ontarians value leaders who keep their word; Dalton McGuinty could not square his record in government with his promises on the campaign trail in the last election.

Ontarians were only left to wonder which promises they could believe from McGuinty in this election.

The worst stumble of Dalton McGuinty’s evening of misadventure was when he said, “Have we lost jobs, you bet we have!”

“Tonight, when not protected by his handlers or the safe confines of his bus, Dalton McGuinty couldn’t hide” said Harry Near, campaign co-Chair. "Ontarians saw a performance that offered no hope, no vision, only excuses.”

Dalton McGuinty was not helped by the fact he got several basic facts wrong in the debate.

For example, Dalton McGuinty said he had no choice but to break his promise not to raise taxes because there was a deficit when he came to office.

In reality, Dalton McGuinty knew there was a deficit when he made the promise.

After he received the report from Auditor General Erik Peters, he repeated his promise to not raise taxes several times, including just three weeks before he brought in the budget that broke the centerpiece promise of his 2003 election campaign.

John Tory secured a clear victory over Dalton McGuinty and Howard Hampton in tonight’s Leaders’ Debate.

John Tory impressed viewers with his grasp of the issues, his vision for a better Ontario and his charismatic performance.

On issues ranging from education to health care, the economy to the environment, Tory commanded respect with his knowledgeable, inspired and compelling presentation of his hopes for the province.

“At this moment in the campaign, we are thrilled to see our leader deliver a decisive victory in the debate,” said Harry Near, campaign co-chair. “We are certain our candidates across the province will be emboldened by this performance and energized on the campaign trail.”

John Tory demonstrated that he is ready to become Ontario’s premier by hammering on the importance of clear, strong and principled leaderships.

John Tory’s decisive victory was characterized by his refusal to allow McGuinty off on his broken promises and his mismanagement of Ontario’s economy.

John Tory said to McGuinty in the debate, “We are playing a diminished role today because you have allowed on your watch for us to slip down in so many ways. You’ve let us down.”

John Tory showed viewers that he is on the same page as Ontarians.

He said people want leaders to be straight with them - and to keep their word.

He spoke of his vision for a truly accountable government - one that speaks truthfully about taxes and operates by clear, transparent rules.

“Tonight’s victory is decisive and puts the PC Party in great shape for the final three weeks of the campaign,” said Near. “John Tory showed Ontarians tonight that he is ready to lead the PC Party into government.”

PC Candidate Josh Pringle noted not only did Dalton McGuinty keep his head down unable to look Ontarians in the eye as acknowledged by the press gallery after the debate; he also gave several misleading statements during the debate on issues such as education, health care, and job losses. Education

Myth: Dalton McGuinty said not a single child lost a school day or extra curricular activity to a work stoppage in the last four years.

Fact: In North Bay, just last year, 8,000 students lost a week of school due to a teachers strike. "It's back to school this morning for about 8,000 public elementary school students who have had a week-long break while supply teachers walked the picket line." ("Schools are back: Board, occasional teachers reach tentative agreement," North Bay Nugget, May 30, 2006)

Health care

Myth: Dalton McGuinty says he's hired 8,000 nurses.

Fact: Dalton McGuinty says on his own website - that he's only hired 5,200 nurses. He talks on his website about 4,000 jobs for nursing grads. What he doesn't tell you is that the positions for nursing grads are temporary jobs only with 7.5 month contracts.

Job losses

Myth: Dalton McGuinty says we have a responsibility to lend a hand to communities suffering due to Ontario's having lost more than 143,000 manufacturing jobs since the start of 2005.

Fact: Dalton McGuinty shrugged off massive job losses as "a little bit of contraction." ("Premier downplays GM cuts; 3,600 job losses are just a 'little bit of contraction' Queen's Park, Ottawa still plan sector support," Toronto Star, November 22, 2005).

************************* Ron Swain statement

Ron Swain, Progressive Conservative candidate, Algoma Manitoulin states:

"The verdict is in: John Tory wins - opinion leaders across province see Tory as the victor in leaders debate, provided Ontarians the clearest and most compelling vision for the province, which includes building more nuclear plants and a right to a family doctors for all citizens.

"John Tory spoke strongly about building nuclear power plants, making a Northern-built nuclear option more credible and vital for our riding."

"The voters of Algoma Manitoulin have a clear choice; vote for Ron Swain and a John Tory government bringing nuclear jobs north, the decision is very clear," said Ron Swain.

Ron Swain states: "John Tory believes as I do, every citizen deserves a family doctor, more full-time nurses, more home care and life time electronic health records; we will spend 8.5 billion on health care in next four years while phasing out the biggest repressive McGuinty health tax in Ontario history."

"Northern nuclear jobs and a right to a family doctor for every citizen came out loud and clear from last night's leader's debate winner and possible future premier John Tory," said Ron Swain

Comments confirming John Tory wins:

"I can tell you that I thought John Tory did extremely well. He was the most comfortable, he got in a few zingers. I thought he was very good." Susan Eng on TVO

"Between (Tory) and McGuinty, he looked more premier-like." Adam Radwanski, Globe and Mail

"The verdict: advantage Tory." Dan Cook, Globe and Mail

"Tory lands a good one complaining about split grades." John Moore, CFRB

"People are going to talk about Mr. Tory's performance as somebody who did well tonight in this debate." John Wright, CP24

On CFRB, he added, "If you hadn't seen John Tory before, you saw someone who was very confident and competent. He looked more premier-like."

"John Tory crushed Dalton McGuinty on crime." Toronto Sun / Canoe.ca

"John Tory performed really well and Dalton didn't perform as well." Bill Carroll, CFRB

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