With just over a week until election day, Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie made a few stops in Ottawa Wednesday to boost local candidates and announce more campaign promises, including income and home heating tax cuts.
Crombie started the day at G.A.B.’s Restaurant and Bar in Rockland, where she joined local representatives and the Liberal candidate for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, Trevor Stewart, to announce her plan to give Ontarians a tax break if the Liberals form the next provincial government.
The “More For You” tax cut will cut the income tax rate for middle-class families by 22 per cent on taxable income between $51,446-$75,000, reducing the rate from 9.15 per cent to 7.15 per cent. It will also eliminate the HST on home heating and hydro bills and cut the small business tax rate in half.
“Now look, I know everybody was happy to get their taxpayers’ money…that $200 rebate check, and you were able to top up your groceries or pay your rent with a little more ease,” she said. “But we’re going to put $1,150 back in your pocket every year, and you can count on that. So that is my pledge to you.”
She also took the opportunity to discuss her plans for healthcare, particularly hiring more practitioners, including those who speak French.
“Especially here in small towns in Francophone Ontario, people want to get service in their language — in French — and it is so important that we train more French-speaking doctors and nurses and PSWs,” she said.
Crombie emphasized her love for the region and highlighted Premier Doug Ford’s absence; he has been opting out of media scrums and availabilities in several days. He also hasn’t made an appearance in the city since Feb. 5, when he joined Mayor Mark Sutcliffe for a transit announcement.
“I lived here for a time. My son lives here. My in-laws live in Orléans. I love coming to Ottawa, I am committed to the people of Ottawa, and I’m going to respect you, not neglect you,” Crombie said. “I will be present. And I think you’ve seen that. We’re going to turn more ridings into Liberal ridings, because our message is resonating with people.”
Ottawa’s troubled transit system has been a priority during Crombie’s campaign as she works to hold Ottawa’s attention — and votes. She and the premier have both promised to upload Ottawa’s LRT to the province. Crombie has also pledged to extend light rail to Kanata and Barrhaven, upload Highway 174 to the province and build a dedicated bus lane to Rockland.
When asked by QPBriefing why she would upload a system that has been rife with controversy and barriers, including legal disputes, Crombie said that Ottawa “did not get as good a deal as Toronto did” and accused the premier of favouring Toronto.
She added that as a former mayor, she learned that municipalities “can’t sustain the operating funding” of their public transit systems.
“I understand that firsthand, and how all the cities were crippled with the large deficits coming out of COVID because of the costs of running their public transit systems,” Crombie explained. “I understand well, and we have put a lot more time and attention to the planning of the LRT. I would want it not only uploaded, but also expanded.”
Earlier this week, PCs uncovered a social media post from the Ottawa Centre Liberal candidate, Thomas Simpson. The tweet was made when Simpson was 19 and seemingly made light of consent and rape culture.
Responding to reporters, Crombie said Simpson “understands that that is not appropriate and not tolerated.”
“He has completely apologized and withdrawn his statements, and he’s made those apologies. But you know, they want to sling mud? If Doug Ford has something to say to me, he should have the balls to say it to my face,” she said. “That’s what I’m saying to him right now. You got something to complain about? Come to me. Show your face.”
Simpson is running in Ottawa Centre, which is held by the NDP. The riding has long switched between the Liberals and the NDP, but Crombie did not hold any public events there during this visit.
Jonathan Malloy, a political science professor at Carleton University, told QPBriefing that the Liberals seem to be focusing resources on turning Conservative ridings red rather than targeting the NDP seats.
With the latest poll from Abacus Data placing Crombie and the Liberals in a strong second place behind the PCs, Crombie is encouraging NDP, Green and undecided voters to rally behind the Liberals.
“I have a message for NDP voters. If you want to change the government, because the only way we can change our health care system, change our approach to the economy and bring back some affordability is to change the government, vote Ontario Liberals,” she said. “We’ve got a plan. I’m a leader that has a lot of experience. People have trust and confidence in me. We have the wind in our sails. We have the momentum.”
