Liberal leader Kathleen Wynne was on the defensive for much the northern Ontario leaders’ debate on Friday.
She fought back when criticized by saying her government listens and acts on complaints if they are justified.
Wynne brought up that her government passed Bill 148, which includes increases to the minimum wage. “But there was an unintended consequence on the impact of the statutory holiday regulations,” Wynne admitted, “Well, we’re reversing that.”
PC Leader Doug Ford tried to paint his opponents as eager to tax and spend, while the NDP’s Andrea Horwath promised not to look at northern issues through a southern lens.
The idea of encouraging immigrants to settle in northern Ontario has the support of at least two of the provincial party leaders.
Wynne and Horwath agreed to the idea of such a program, but Ford explained he believes in encouraging Ontarians to move here first.
“Once we take care of our own, exhaust every single avenue, and we don’t have anyone that can fulfull the job, then I’d be open to that,” Ford said.
The debate was relatively tame with no one landing a knock-out punch.
However, Wynne did get a bit of taunting from the Horwath when speaking of what she called “unintended consequence” of government legislation.
“How many times have Northerners had to be the ‘unintended consequence’?” Horwath said, speaking over Wynne. “It shouldn’t have to be that way, Kathleen,”
During the same exchange, Ford proclaimed government taxes would drive northern gas prices to $2 per litre. (File Photo)
