Former premier Kathleen Wynne stood in the Ontario legislature last week for her farewell speech to that house. It was not an inspiring moment but her speech was gracious. And if she is not worried about her legacy, she should be.
Wynne was premier of Canada’s most populous province for five years. She was not only the first woman premier but the first openly gay woman premier. Yet, her rule was timorous. If she felt something was worth doing, she would do it in small increments.
Would you believe that her legacy is beer and wine in the large grocery stores? Watching her government roll out beer in grocery stores was an exercise similar to watching paint dry. On her schedule, it would be 2050 before beer is available in a convenience store.
Compared to Wynne, Doug Ford is on the lunatic fringe of the “let’s do it” types. He let restaurants get into the off-premises sale of beer and wine with little or no fanfare. He is an excellent example of the business chief executive officer who is hired for the ability to make decisions. You expect this person to be wrong at least 50 per cent of the time.
Wynne spoke in measured terms while Ford is brash. Wynne shared credit with others in her government while Ford hogs much of the publicity.
Wynne wanted a $15 minimum wage four years ago. Ford canceled it and reinstated it this year.
Wynne wanted, once again, to try a guaranteed annual income, Ford canceled the trial.
Where Wynne would vacillate, Ford plows straight ahead.
Ford is a blowhard where Wynne is a bit of a prune.
Wynne kept Ontario Lottery and Gaming under constraint while Doug Ford is blowing the lid off their operations.
Wynne had some heart and treated the poor and impoverished with concern. Ford takes money away from the desperate and hopes to find more.
Ford says how hard the nurses have worked through the pandemic and puts the screws on their salaries. Wynne spoke the teachers’ language and got their cooperation.
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Copyright 2022 © Peter Lowry
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