It is a long trudge to the December decision for the Ontario liberals. You can well appreciate the decision of Adil Shamji MPP to step aside from the contest for the leadership. Likability is not the measure Ontario liberals are applying to the current leadership contest. Winning is what is churning their decision. It is obvious the decision has been made.
The debate in Stratford on Sunday was the “We all love farmers event.” It is actually about time that the liberals called the bluff of the conservatives in usurping the support of farmers across Ontario. It is obvious to most people involved in agriculture that the Conservative party and the Ontario Landowners organization have been taking them for granted for a couple generations.
I think, if you wanted to pick a winner in this event, it was Ted Hsu MPP. This candidate is the surprise of the contest. While he lacks the experience needed to become leader of the Ontario liberals, He is by far one of the smartest people, I have ever listened to in Ontario politics. What a novelty that would be to have some brains in the premier’s office!
I always liked Yasir Naqvi. The MP for Ottawa Centre was always a go-getter in my estimation, but he lost a few points attacking Bonnie Crombie. He obviously won a few points when he attacked Doug Ford for his attack on the promise of Ontario, so maybe it balanced out.
But I really don’t think Yasir will do it again. He saw that he had gotten to Bonnie when he thanked former mayor Hazel McCallion for the homes being built in Mississauga.
Thankfully, Bonnie had to wait to answer his dig. When she did, it was a soft approach. Anyone who knew Hazel, would know that she would never leave Mississauga in the wrong hands. Hazel did not make up her mind overnight but when she endorsed Bonnie, it was with the obvious appreciation of Bonnie’s skills.
The disappointment for the day was in Nate Erskine-Smith. Everyone has an off day but Nate needed more enthusiasm for the debate. He knows that Bonnie Crombie is winning.
There are more debates planned. It would help in the upcoming debates to have a professional on the sound so that the audience are not having to change the sound levels they are getting and the candidates can hear the debate moderators.
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Copyright 2023 © Peter Lowry
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