Leaders of Ontario’s leading political parties are sparring tonight during the provincial debate phase, trying to position themselves as the best person to tackle the provincial affordability.
Green Party leader Mike Schreiner puts progressive conservative leader Doug Ford on the spot and talks directly to him and thinks it’s okay for people with disabilities to live in legislative poverty. I asked if it was.
The Greens, NDP and liberals have pledged to double the fee for payments for the Ontario Disability Support Program, starting at $1,368 a month. Schreiner asked how anyone can sleep at night, knowing that people who rely on the benefits are unable to pay their bills.
Ford points out that his government indexed payments to inflation, saying that if the economy fails, the state doesn’t have enough money to pay people with ODSP.
Liberal leader Bonnie Chrome says he will file an income tax cut that Ford promised in 2018 but did not deliver.
NDP leader Marit Styles says her party will regain control over rent, offer monthly checks as part of a grocery rebate program and chase after price goggles.
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The election debate also touches on health care and public safety, with each leader committing to linking more people to primary care and dealing with crime rates.
The aired event followed Northern debate on Friday, when leaders discussed northern issues, including road safety, infrastructure and the addiction crisis that has hit many northern communities hard.
During that debate, Stiles, Chrome and Schleiner were attacked against Ford’s housing records.
Ontario housing launches have fallen 16% in 2024 compared to the previous year, and since Ford promised in the 2022 election, the province has set a tentative target of building 1.5 million homes. Not satisfied.
Ford called for the SNAP election, saying that a stronger mandate was needed to deal with US President Donald Trump’s next four years.
Opposition leaders said Ford was already on a majority task and supported stimulus packages in response to the possibility of US tariffs.
Voting is scheduled for February 27th.
