Looking to 2018

Todd Smith chooses Bay of Quinte

The ease with which federal, and now provincial, boundaries change must seem cruel to a County council still resisting, after more than a decade, the public’s desire for balance and fairness in municipal electoral districts.

Earlier this year, Ontario redrew electoral boundaries across the province, creating 15 new seats for the next election set for 2018. The Prince Edward Hastings riding—stretching from Ostrander Point to the edge of Algonquin Park—was discarded with little fanfare or protest. In its place, Quinte West, Belleville (most of it anyway) and Prince Edward County form the Bay of Quinte, mirroring the change made at the federal level for last year’s election.

Last week, MPP Todd Smith announced he will run in the newly formed riding. He says it was a tough decision—he has deep connections in Hastings County, which now joins Lennox and Addington to form another new riding. But it is hard to imagine the decision was that tough.

Smith has proven to be a popular advocate for Prince Edward County—speaking forcefully and consistently against the Wynne government’s energy policies and in support of the local hospital and the exemplary model of health care that has evolved in this community.

He will have to acquaint himself with Quinte West voters over the next two years who have previously formed part of the Northumberland riding . This, however, should not pose much of a hurdle as he and his family live in Quinte West and his two girls attend school there. The former radio newsman also covered municipal council in Quinte West for years.

“I have a feeling for the issues and concerns in that community,” said Smith.

They are not unlike the issues worrying many Ontario residents outside the Greater Toronto Area—electricity costs, access to health care and the threat of closure of schools for kids with special needs.

“When you have rural Ontarians paying three times the rate that Quebec residents do, or twice what Manitoba residents pay on their electricity bills, it is just crazy,” said Smith. “For manufacturers and businesses, it puts us at a terrible disadvantage. Why would they invest here knowing the price of electricity is the highest on the continent?”

Smith says the Wynne government has also shortchanged Ontario residents promising more home care and long-term care beds in exchange for smaller hospitals.

“It has been a disaster,” said Smith. “Our hospitals are being gutted, but the people I talk to tell me their home care hours are being cut, while others languish on a waiting list.”

Perceived wisdom suggests the Liberals didn’t win the last two provincial elections. Rather, the PCs lost them with a wooden leader and notions of mass firings. Can a new leader avoid the pitfalls that have kept them out of office since 2003?

Todd Smith has gotten to know Patrick Brown over the past few months and is struck by the leader’s work ethic.

“He is the hardest working guy I know,” said Smith.

“That is no exaggeration. He goes sixteen, eighteen hours non-stop. He’ll pack 10 or 12 events in a day without breaking a sweat.”

Smith says the PC leader is spending a great deal of time building relationships, and occasionally mending relationships, in the vote-rich communities that surround Toronto.

“He has been doing the things we need to do to win government in 2018,” said Smith.

Smith adds that his leader and party aren’t rushing out with a slate of policy proposals, choosing instead to spend time listening to Ontarians.

The Ontario PCs have created an online tool to gather opinions and feedback at forOntario.ca

“Patrick has made it clear he wants to reach out to stakeholders across the province before putting policy stakes in the ground.”

Smith says the Ontario PCs are committed to do the things necessary to win the next election.

“The damage done by Kathleen Wynne and Dalton McGuinty have put Ontario at a real competitive disadvantage,” said Smith. “We need to get this right—for Ontario’s sake.”