The Bay of Quinte riding candidate for the Ontario Liberal Party says the current election campaign shouldn’t be happening.
Appearing on CJBQ’s Lorne Brooker Show Friday, Dave O’Neil said the opposition told Premier Ford they would support him through the negotiations with the U.S. caused by President Trump’s tariff threats.
Audio Player“Doug says he needs a mandate to fight that issue but he already has a mandate. He’s got 83 of 124 seats. The reason
he called this election was to get it over so he can have four more years in power, that’s what I feel and before the report on the Greenbelt scandal gets released.”
O’Neil says the main priorities in this election campaign are healthcare, education, and affordable housing.
However, his biggest priority is securing the future of Loyalist College, an institution he says is crucial to providing workers in the healthcare and manufacturing sectors to support the local area.
Loyalist recently announced a $40 million deficit and the elimination of 30 per cent of its programs.
Audio Player“I feel the college’s financial problems are the direct result of underfunding since the Ford goverment was elected.
Ontario’s funding for post-secondary institutions is the lowest of Canada’s provinces.”
O’Neil also says much more has to be done to improve healthcare in general and the care given to senior citizens.
O’Neil also says more money has to be focused on seniors to allow them to enjoy their lives in their own homes.
“It’s better to have them live at home, it’s better for the seniors to live at home. We need to have programs that support seniors at home, we need to fund those programs more. If you’re talking the Ontario Disability Support program, Bonnie’s (Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie) plan is to double that (the benefit) which I think is perfect.”
Meanwhile, Quinte West might hold the key as to whether a party other than the Progressive Conservatives can win the Bay of Quinte riding in the upcoming provincial election.
Incumbent Tyler Allsopp did very well there in the last election while holding his own in other parts of the riding.
O’Neil says his family history in Quinte West along with his volunteer work and his two terms on city council could push votes his way.
He believes this election could be quite different than the last one a few months ago.
“The Ford government sent a lot of people down here to get the people to vote. That’s not going to happen this election so I think I’ve got a good chance of winning.”
The federal election is February 27.
Hear the entire interview below.
Audio Player
