TORONTO—Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath received a resounding endorsement of 77 percent from party delegates, an increase from her 2012 result, as she delivered a plan for strengthening healthcare, improving childcare and protecting the environment during the Ontario’s NDP’s leadership convention held over the weekend in Toronto.
“I’m grateful for today’s vote of confidence and the continuing trust of my party as we move forward together in our determination to build a fairer and more progressive Ontario,” Ms. Horwath said following her re-election.
In her address to the convention, Ms. Horwath championed the New Democrats’ commitment to social democracy and called for a “better Ontario” that cares for the vulnerable and creates good paying jobs across the province.
“Friends, we want a more equal society that values every citizen—whatever their background, gender, sexual identity, religion, abilities, or language that creates real equality for all citizens,” said Ms. Horwath.
“I’ve had, and continue to have, full confidence in Andrea,” said Algoma-Manitoulin NDP MPP Michael Mantha.
He said the weekend convention “reinvigorated the party and the entire membership” and can now get down to the business of talking to Ontarians about what they want from their province, led by Ms. Horwath, readying the party for the next election.
Delegates passed resolutions calling for: affordable childcare; support for keeping the slots-at-racetrack program; keeping schools open as community hubs; a greater percentage of Canadian content in transit purchases; a five-day homecare guarantee; benefits for first responders suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); and the immediate implementation of the Elliot Lake Inquiry recommendations.
Ms. Horwath thanked volunteers and candidates for all of their hard work during the last election campaign and honoured the tireless service of her 20 NDP MPPs, including Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha.
“As the only functioning opposition party at Queen’s Park, New Democrats will fight for a province with a real future that is shared fairly with the people whose labour will make it happen,” said Ms. Horwath.
“We owe the generations to come a strong public health care system, strong public education, clean air, land and water. These are our hopes. These are our goals. That is our agenda for government,” the leader concluded.
