With an upcoming election this spring, it is clear that politicians have much to do in their fight to retain a spot in Ontario’s 42nd Parliament.

While Ontario’s next election isn’t slated to be held until June 7, 2018, politicians across Ontario have been working hard to promote themselves and their platform to prepare for election time with weekly canvassing blitzes, event appearances, and public calls for change. The significance of this election should not be underscored. After 14 years of Liberal power it is clear that there is a need to kick Kathleen Wynne’s government and their mistakes to the curb in the hopes of a better Ontario. Mountains of debt, increasing hydro costs and taxes, and consistent misinformation are just some of the many reasons why the Wynne-Liberals are not to be trusted and why change in Ontario is critical.

It is in this context where the Progressive Conservatives, under the leadership of Simcoe-North MPP Patrick Brown, stand a chance. Brown entered politics at the early age of 22, where he was elected to Barrie’s City Council while studying as a law student. Since then, he has racked up years of political experience and polls illustrate an increasing favouritism towards the new leader of a new and improved Progressive Ontario party.

Patrick Brown, Ontario’s PC Leader

Since taking over the party, Brown has emphasized a need for the party to become more “inclusive” and “compassionate.” He has attempted to shift the typically right-wing party towards the centre and has reached out to groups that do not typically support the party, including trade unions (who are infamously known for their aid in previous Liberal Ontario election wins). Yet, it is clear there is still more to be done for Brown in this equation. If he is to win, it is clear that Brown must do more than express to the public that the PC Party of the past is no longer the same. Brown must walk the talk.

Ontario’s political environment leading up to the 2018 election is filled with unique problems that demand solutions. Some of these problems are the sort that Conservatives have typically left alone. However, it appears that if a win is sought, these issues can no longer be left for others to answer to. The PC Party of Ontario needs to spell out exactly how they will deal with these issues, however unpopular among Conservatives, if they are to gain the support of the public (especially those who have not typically voted PC).

One example of the “unpopular” issues referred to here includes the consistent public calls for the implementation of safe-injection facilities (SIFs) in Ontario. Statistics illustrate that Ontario has an opioid crisis. As of January of 2017, it was found that one in every 170 deaths in Ontario is related to opioid use, with that number rising to one in every eight deaths among those aged 25 to 34. While the current government has expressed a will to provide funding for the construction and implementation of SIFs in Ontario and to aid in the solution of this crisis, Conservative commentary on the subject is lacking.

Conservatives have tended to shy away from the issue of implementing safe-injection facilities. Where they have not shied away, comments regarding SIFs have tended to be negative. While Brown has not followed Conservatives in this pattern, his focus has been on consultation in the creation of such sites. More is to be expected if the public is to trust Brown on this topic. Does he support the implementation of SIFs despite typical partisan beliefs on the topic? It appears a “yes” or “no” answer is needed.

Two people smoking marijuana

The legalization of marijuana is another issue which calls for action. Just last week, the Wynne-Liberals have announced that marijuana sales in Ontario will be restricted to the LCBO. Consequently, this means that privately-run marijuana dispensaries will be shut down, giving the government a monopoly over marijuana sales. Many are unhappy about this, including small businesses owners who would like a piece of the marijuana pie. However, like the subject of SIFs, the PC party has kept their comments to a minimum, expressing neither opposition or support for the move.

Aside from claiming that the Liberals are “rushing” in their plans to legislate marijuana, Brown and the PCs have not announced any plans of how they would regulate its use and sale themselves. This demands an answer. The federal government is legalizing marijuana. If the PCs are to win, they must ignore the partisan pattern of wholly opposing drug-related conversations and provide clear answers on their plan for marijuana in the province.

The Progressive Conservatives need to illustrate that they are indeed “different” if they are to be trusted as the “new” party they are presenting themselves to be. Part of this involves speaking up on issues they have historically opposed or remained silent on. This will be key in beating the Liberals in the next election and to prove that the “new” PC party is capable of more than simply abiding partisan practices. It is not enough to illustrate that Ontario has been the victim of the Wynne-Liberal government’s mistakes. We need to illustrate that we have opinions, plans, and solutions to a variety of non-partisan issues and we can do better. 

The Ontario PC Party is scheduled to hold its 2017 Policy Conference on November 25, 2017.

Disclaimer: Story of a Tory is in no way affiliated with the Conservative Party of Canada or any other political party, be it federal or provincial. The views of each author are independent of all other authors.

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