THUNDER BAY – The Liberals have shifted their campaign over to talking about healthcare, while the Ontario Progressive Conservatives are talking jobs. The New Democrats have unveiled a new television ad telling Ontario voters that they have a choice.

Parties Shift Focus in Ontario Election

Speaking in Toronto, Tim Hudak unveiled his five point jobs plan, while Premier Dalton McGuinty visited the Research and Learning Tower under construction at SickKids today.

“At SickKids, families know they’re in good hands,” said McGuinty. “Our plan is working, and I know the new Research and Learning Tower will lead to important discoveries and innovations that will improve health care for our children and grandchildren.”

The state-of-the-art Research and Learning Tower will bring together more than 2,000 researchers, currently working at six different locations across the GTA to work on new children’s health discoveries under one roof. This will lead to better health care for our children and help SickKids remain one of the top paediatric centres in the world.

“SickKids has given families hope from all across Ontario,” said McGuinty. “Research saves lives and what scientists discover today in the lab, could lead to really positive outcomes for families tomorrow — in Ontario and around the world. Ontario Liberals are proud to support that work.”

The PCs are focused on job creation.

“Let’s work hard. Let’s free the job creators. Let’s unleash that entrepreneurial, can-do attitude on which the foundation of our great province was built. If we do these things, I promise you that Ontario can – that Ontario will – lead again,” stated Tim Hudak, the Ontario PC leader. Hudak made the statement as he unveiled his five-point jobs plan for Ontario. Hudak was joined at United Bakers Restaurant by Ontario PC candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence, Rocco Rossi.

“Under Dalton McGuinty, Ontario has seen a mass exodus of good, well-paying private sector jobs,” stated Hudak. “Since Dalton McGuinty took office, Ontario has lost 300,000 manufacturing jobs. There are currently 550,000 people unemployed in Ontario, and in August alone, Ontario lost 2,800 jobs”.

“These job losses are the result of Dalton McGuinty’s failed policies such as job-killing taxes, expensive energy experiments, and excessive red-tape. Rather than change his ways, Dalton McGuinty remains committed to failed policies such as special subsidies for connected industries and $10,000 affirmative action subsidies,” the PC leader continued.

The PCs state, they will implement a five-point plan to create private sector jobs in Ontario:

• Treat energy policy as economic policy – not as a social program.
• Train 200,000 more skilled workers by expanding the apprenticeship system.
• Reduce taxes on job creators.
• Eliminate job-killing red tape.
• Lowering taxes on families so they have the confidence to spend again.

“Under Dalton McGuinty, Ontario families and employers are struggling with his rising taxes, skyrocketing hydro bills and red tape. Our five-point jobs plan will give families the confidence to spend again and employers the confidence to hire again. An Ontario PC government will create good private sector jobs, the kind that allow you to raise a family or buy a home,” according to Hudak.

The New Democrats have unveiled a new television ad.

“People have a chance to vote for real change in this election and our ad tells that story in a fun way,” stated NDP campaign co-chair Gilles Bisson. “New Democrats will make life more affordable, make it easier to find a job, and make sure healthcare is reliable. That’s positive change that puts people first.”

The ad theme is “The other two parties think it’s their right to govern. They just have to wait long enough for their turn. This election, there’s another choice.”

Picture of Premier McGuinty courtesy Liberal Party of Ontario.