Why the Tories think David O's a poodiddy

The following are responses SooToday.com has received from the office of Ontario Leader of the Opposition John Tory to our article on Monday titled "Why David O. thinks the Tories are toinks."

******************** Liberals afraid of their own record in the North

Bracebridge - Liberal MPPs are trying to spin the Progressive Conservative message on Bill 214, fearful that their own record on supporting Northern communities will be scrutinized.

Bill 214 only guarantees 11 ridings in the North for the 2007 election.

It does not ensure those ridings will be maintained beyond that election.

It leaves Northern Ontario vulnerable to partisan decisions about electoral districts.

"Our caucus believes that a non-partisan Electoral Boundary Commission should be responsible for setting boundaries," said MPP Norm Miller. "That is why Norm Sterling has introduced a private member's bill, Bill 48, that would create an independent Electoral Boundaries Commission and guarantee 11 ridings in Northern Ontario."

"It's clear that some Liberal MPPs are concerned about returning to their ridings to face constituents who are angry with the McGuinty government's failure to help northern communities. Job losses are climbing in the North. Every week there is another lay off announcement in the forestry sector."

"Dalton McGuinty has failed to secure affordable, reliable energy and is more determined than ever to close coal-fired generating plants. That is going to make things much worse for the forestry and mining sectors," continued Miller. "Northerners won't be bribed by studded tires and flawed legislation. The Liberals need to start making good on their promise to help people in the North."

******************* Neglecting the north

The following letter to the editor, from Ontario Conservative leader John Tory, was published yesterday in the Toronto Sun:

I am writing to clarify comments attributed to me in an article about election legislation.

Our party supports retaining 11 ridings in the north, but has taken issue with the McGuinty Liberals election legislation because it is flawed.

Boundaries for constituencies have always been set by a non-partisan electoral boundary commission and this Bill arbitrarily sets boundaries to the Liberal Party's advantage.

It also does nothing to guarantee 11 ridings in the north beyond the 2007 election.

The McGuinty Liberals have tried to use this legislation to convince people they are doing something for the North.

In actual fact this is yet another area where Dalton McGuinty just hasn't delivered on his promises.

I would urge residents of Northern Ontario to check the record when they see the McGuinty Liberals trying to draw attention away from their own dismal performance for the north.

- John Tory, leader, Ontario PC Party

******************** Tories support 11 ridings in the North but vote against Bill 214 Tories concerned that Bill 214 is unconstitutional, ignores Ontarian’s rights to equal representation

Queen's Park – While supporting the retention of 11 ridings in Northern Ontario, the Ontario P.C. Caucus voted against Bill 214 in the Legislature today.

Norm Sterling, MPP for Lanark-Carleton and opposition critic for Democratic Renewal explained the P.C. caucus could not support the Bill because:

1. Bill 214 only guarantees 11 ridings in the North for the 2007 election but not into the future.

2. Prior to Bill 214, boundaries for constituencies have always been set by a non-partisan Electoral Boundary commission. Bill 214 arbitrarily sets boundaries to the Liberal party’s advantage.

3. Despite the Constitutional right of Canadians to effective and equal representation, under Bill 214 some ridings in Southern Ontario are larger in geographic area than some of those in the North yet they will have as many as 50% more people in them.

4. It is unlikely that Bill 214 would stand up to a challenge under clause 3 of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

As an alternative to Bill 214 Mr. Sterling has introduced a private member’s bill, Bill 48, that would create an independent Electoral Boundaries Commission and guarantee 11 ridings in Northern Ontario.

This Bill would enshrine in legislation the tradition of having electoral boundaries drawn up by an independent commission.

Bill 48 would satisfy the Constitutional requirement that all Ontarians have effective and equal representation.

"I am frustrated that the McGuinty government is charging ahead with Bill 214 and Gerrymandering the riding boundaries for their own benefit," said Sterling. "Bill 214 is a step backwards for democracy in Ontario."

"As well, Bill 214 does not address the main problems facing Northern Ontario. There's much more that needs to be done for the North than just keeping 11 ridings. The forestry industry is hurting, electricity prices are skyrocketing and Dalton McGuinty's flawed scheme to close coal-fired generating plants is going to make things worse," said Sterling. "The McGuinty Liberals promised to help the North and they have not delivered."

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