THUNDER BAY – The Ontario Leaders Debate brought all three leaders to their respective podiums to talk with voters on the issues of Campaign 2011. The PCs were fast off the mark, as soon as the debate ended to declare victory. Pundit Gerry Nicholls stated, “Ontario debate verdict: Andrea Horwath was winner, if only because she exceeded expectations. Hudak was OK but a little stilted. McGuinty just bobbed and weaved”.
“Dalton McGuinty, you just panicked and cancelled your power plant in Mississauga. One minute you said you were a champion for six years then eleven days before an election all of a sudden you were against it. This looks like a government that has run out of ideas and is on the run. Let me ask you – how much money exactly are you going to throw into that pit in Mississauga for your last minute flip-flop,” charged Hudak.
The NDP figured that Andrea Horwath was the clear winner. “NDP Leader Andrea Horwath stood out in tonight’s leaders debate as the clear choice for positive change in Ontario,” stated the party in a post-debate statement.
The PCs say, “Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak used tonight’s Ontario Leader’s Debate to deliver a clear and compelling message to Ontario voters. After eight long years, it is clear that Ontario families cannot afford four more years of Dalton McGuinty and only the Ontario PC Party can deliver real change”.
The PCs said, “During the debate, Hudak exposed Dalton McGuinty’s failed record on Green Energy as well as his record of wasting a billion dollars during the Liberal eHealth scandal. McGuinty ducked multiple direct questions about how much his decision to cancel a Mississauga power plant will cost taxpayers, or where this power plant will move next. Tim Hudak also pinned McGuinty down on his record of increasing taxes on Ontario families asking that, given Dalton McGuinty’s record of breaking promises and increasing taxes through the HST, Health Tax and Eco-Tax, why would anybody believe McGuinty now”.
“My goal tonight was to show that there’s a real choice in this election and Mr. Hudak’s and Mr. McGuinty’s tired old ideas aren’t working anymore,” said Horwath. The NDP leader added, “You can choose one of the same old suits or you can choose the kind of change that puts people first.”
“Premier Dalton McGuinty proved in the televised leaders’ debate that only the Ontario Liberals can provide the strong, steady leadership that Ontario needs now”, says Ontario Liberal Campaign Chair Greg Sorbara. “These are perilous economic times. The world is changing fast, and Ontarians know that in these times we need strong, steady leadership. We saw in tonight’s debate that there’s only one person who will provide this.” Sorbara said. “It’s clear that person is Dalton McGuinty.”
Ontario voters get to decide who won the debate and the election on October 6th. To make sure you are eligible to vote visit Elections Ontario.