ONTARIO–NDP leader Andrea Horwath announced this morning that her party would not be supporting the 2014 Liberal budget released on May 1. Ms. Horwath ducked reporters immediately following the budget, but made her announcement at 10 am this morning following a meeting with her caucus and senior strategists.
The Liberal budget delivered at Queen’s Park contained many provisions the NDP leader said that the Liberal government has lost their confidence.
Algoma-Manitoulin NDP MPP Mike Mantha said he supported his leader’s decision and was ready to hit the hustings as soon as the writ drops.
“We are ready to go,” he said. “We took a look at the budget and we held discussions. Andrea made her decision today. We have heard from the voters and we have listened. This government has no respect for the voters of this province.”
Asked if the decision to force an election was made over the contents of the budget, Mr. Mantha replied that “it was a combination of both. We had a few items that we had asked for in the last budget and she (Premier Kathleen Wynne) couldn’t get them implemented. She wants to be captain of the ship, but she can’t build a raft.”
Mr. Mantha said there were three promises made to the NDP in the last budget and the Liberal government has not been able to deliver. “Now they are making 70 promises and we do not think they will deliver them any better,” he said.
Liberal candidate for Algoma-Manitoulin Craig Hughson of Elliot Lake said that although he and his campaign team are ready to go, his initial reaction to the NDP decision was one of surprise. “I am surprised but ready for this unnecessary election,” he said. “I do question how the NDP could not support this budget. Voters in Algoma-Manitoulin will want to know why Mike Mantha and the NDP are against jobs for Algoma-Manitoulin.”
Mr. Hughson said he offered Algoma-Manitoulin “a strong option for election day.”
The local Progressive Conservative riding association could not be reached as of this story, updates will be provided as they become available. Local Progressive Conservatives were in conference call as this story was written. Former candidate Joe Chapman has indicated in the past that he might be interested in running for MPP again.
Green Party spokesperson Sarah Hutchinson said that her riding association was not prepared to conduct a candidate search at this time. “Justin Tilson (the former candidate) has been out of the country for the past six months working, so he does not qualify under the Ontario election rules,” she said. “Unless someone steps forward locally, or the party decides to parachute someone in, I don’t think we will be contesting this election.” That does not mean her party will be inactive however. “We will be focusing on our leader Mike Schriener. He is the best candidate for premier and we will be highlighting our party’s position throughout the election.”
