Conclusion of Bruce Willson's speech

The following is the conclusion of Bruce Willson's first speech as Progressive Conservative candidate for Sault Ste. Marie.

It was delivered April 30, 2003 at the Marconi Club.

***************************************************************** And another thing that has been forgotten is that all of these parts of our community are dependent on each other and that what connects them all is the local economy.

- better the economy, the better the social assistance providers

- better the economy, the better the arts, entertainment and recreational communities

- better the economy, the better the health services

- the NDP party has never understood this - but we do

- right now this great province has one of the hottest economies in North America

- and this is not just an accident of history

Successive Progressive Conservative governments have created an economic environment in this province which has made Ontario the envy of the world.

We have built the greatest jurisdiction in Canada and we can do that in Sault Ste. Marie.

And my job, if elected, will be to apply the overwhelming political power to connect our local economy to that of this province.

And let me say this about our campaign - I will be forever mindful of the fact that we represent the party of A. Wishart, John Rhodes, Russ Ramsay and Jim Kelleher all of whom were people of goodwill and generosity to all of the residents of Sault Ste. Marie.

We will never tarnish that great heritage.

We will fight hard but fairly for victory for this party and this community.

I am also mindful of the fact that in this campaign, I will be called on to defend the record of this Government over the last eight years.

I am aware that my opponents will attempt to distort and twist that record for their own political ends.

But the plain fact remains that under this government Ontario has prospered, with more jobs created than any time in the past, and with lower taxes imposed than any other government in the last 20 years.

But Mr. Martin will argue that somehow this hasn't helped Sault Ste. Marie and he will attempt to blame this Government for our present difficulties.

How far from reality that is!

The hard fact is that steel prices are up, the auto industry is reaping the benefits of this Government's assistance and Algoma Steel is selling steel - primarily in Southern Ontario.

And therefore, I would ask Mr. Martin this question:

Where would the restructured Algoma Steel be, if the economy of this Province as a whole had staggered through the last eight years under an NDP Government?

Where would we be in Sault Ste. Marie, if we would have had a government that had no idea of how to stimulate investment and consumer demand?

So I will have no problem defending this government's record, here in Sault Ste. Marie and in the province at large.

In spite of our present difficulties, we still have a lot to be thankful for in this community.

This is a community built on the backbone of a strong, independent and generous people.

When I wonder about the future of this City I know that our greatest years still lie ahead not behind.

I know this because of the vision of those builders who have gone before us.

Never satisfied with the present or the past, they always went forward, beyond the next hill and the next mountain.

This is a place of power and imagination.

If we, together, get our sights fixed firmly on the task that calls us to action, then there is nothing that we cannot accomplish.

We know that Sault Ste. Marie is the best place to live and work in Northern Ontario.

And its place as the beacon of hope and opportunity in the North can and will be attained.

Thank you for coming out and showing your support.

I want to thank all of you who helped organize this event.

Now let's go forward and win the election.