Chris Savard

Chris Savard
Seaway News

January 12, 2007:

With the October 4, 2007 Provincial election just 38 weeks away, the fundamental differences between the provincial Liberal and Conservative parties are becoming more apparent. Voters all across Ontario, including right here in Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry, will soon have to choose between PC Party Leader John Tory’s straightforward and accountable approach and the broken promises and mismanagement of the McGuinty Liberals.

There are a number of fundamental differences between these two provincial parties.

John Tory and the Progressive Conservatives believe that lower taxes and better fiscal management are key to delivering the wealth creation and prosperity that we all seek. That is why, in the first term of a Tory government, the McGuinty health tax will be phased out, while continuing to invest in better, more effective health care. The McGuinty endless tax and spend and borrow mentality must come to an end.

The McGuinty Liberals do not believe that high taxes are having a negative impact on families and businesses…the John Tory Progressive Conservatives do.

The McGuinty Liberals think that year-end spending sprees are an acceptable way to dispose of unexpected revenue..the John Tory Conservatives disagree.

We believe in restoring accountability, real measurement and real results in government.

Tory was recently quoted as saying, “The current Premier acts only by reacting. Whether on government waste, crime, Caledonia or hospital emergency rooms, his management style is to do as little as possible, hope for the best and if things go wrong, try to look like you are showing strong leadership. Then, when the storm blows over revert to doing nothing again.”

Over the last year, our Party has focused on listening and reaching out to all Ontarians to create an important foundation for our Party’s policy development leading up to the next election. Residents from our riding have participated in this process at grass-roots policy sessions, like the one hosted last year in Morrisburg, or by joining with over 1000 people from all across the province at the Niagara Falls Policy Conference last February.

I will continue to work hard to ensure that the riding of Stormont, Dundas and South Glengarry has a place of importance in our party’s provincial plan for progress. Over the coming months, I look forward to sharing more of the vision for this great province that John Tory and the Progressive Conservative Party will offer voters.

Our future in Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry is limited only by our imagination and willingness to work hard. This new future starts with an optimistic view and by delivering on promises made.

In my opinion, the public does not expect perfection from their politicians, from their elected officials, but they do expect a level of accountability. People are prepared to forgive you for your mistakes, but what they are not prepared to forgive is a lack of accountability. Our word and our ability to stand by our convictions should be the basis upon which people place their trust in elected officials.

Ontario voters will not soon forget the history of broken promises of the McGuinty government and their lack of accountability to the very people they were elected to represent.

chris@chrissavard.ca