By-Elections Can Send Message to McGuinty

Lisa MacLeod Nepean Carleton

Georgina Blanas Toronto Danforth

March 1, 2006

Queen's Park-

Progressive Conservative Party Leader John Tory today welcomed the announcement of three Ontario by-elections saying they will give voters an opportunity to send a message to the McGuinty Liberals.

“These by-elections will give Ontarians an opportunity to punish Dalton McGuinty for his lack of leadership and countless broken promises,” said Tory. “Ontarians are reeling from the biggest tax increase in Ontario history and Dalton McGuinty’s biggest broken promise. His lack of leadership on the major issues facing Ontarians has seen 80,000 manufacturing jobs lost across Ontario over the past year; an alarming increase in violent crime; and an energy sector plunged into chaos.”

The Ontario PC Party will be fielding three strong by-election candidates who will be nominated this weekend:

In Nepean-Carleton, former Conservative aide Lisa MacLeod will be the candidate. In Toronto-Danforth, Greek restauranteur Georgina Blanas will be the candidate. In Whitby-Ajax, there is a contested nomination between Christine Elliott and Ian McNeil. “On March 30 voters in three different ridings across the province will be able to send an message to Dalton McGuinty that we’re tired of his promise-breaking, unaccountable government,” said Tory. “Ontarians deserve strong and competent leadership from elected officials who will do what they say they will do.”