Party leaders square off at first debate of Ontario election campaign

Ontario’s four main party leaders squared off Tuesday afternoon in the first debate of the election campaign, highlighting their proposals for northern Ontario.

The four main party leaders were in North Bay to debate issues that affect residents in the region, including municipal funding, housing affordability, jobs, short-term rentals, and infrastructure.

Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford argued that the key to improving conditions in the north is stimulating the economy and increasing the region’s population.

“I just believe in creating economic development job creation,” Ford said. “We don’t need more taxes. We need more people paying taxes. We need more people being employed.”

He wouldn’t commit to giving municipalities more tools to bolster their revenue, if re-elected, saying instead that he’d make sure people have jobs.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said she understands that the lower populations in northern communities have led to lower budgets, but raising property taxes can’t be the answer because housing is already too expensive.

Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca said he’d share five per cent of the existing mining tax with municipalities to pad out their pocketbooks.

Green party Leader Mike Schreiner, on the other hand, said he would give all municipalities the same powers as Toronto to earn revenue and control their budgets.

“We need new solutions to old problems,” he said.

Three of the leaders also took aim at short-term rentals, with the Liberal, NDP and Green leaders agreeing that they should be regulated.

“From the standpoint of speculation and in the midst of what is the worst housing affordability crisis that our province has ever seen, we can no longer allow the simple forces of the of the free market,” Del Duca said.

Ford, meanwhile, argued that short-term rentals are beneficial for the tourism industry, and said that while renters should be respectful of the properties they’re staying at, they bring valuable business to communities in the north.

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Ford has been in northern Ontario for a few days already and recommitted his party’s plans on Sunday to restore northern passenger rail service and rebuild Highway 101 through Timmins.

“This vital transportation link will help rebuild northern Ontario’s economy. It will connect industries and workers in the north with the rest of the province,” Ford said during a campaign stop in Timmins.

He said the formerly shuttered rail service would bring economic and personal benefits to the region’s residents.

“Doug Ford wants to spend $10 billion of your money to build a highway 60 kilometres on the edge of Toronto, that’s going to destroy the Greenbelt farmland and wetlands and save only a handful of commuters mere seconds on their daily commute trip,” Del Duca said during Tuesday’s debate.

“Mr. Del Duca, you had your opportunity and you failed. You were the minister of transportation, you didn’t build absolutely nothing,” Ford responded, referring to Del Duca days under the former Kathleen Wynne government.

In her northern platform, which was released on Monday, Horwath promised to add more local health centres in Northern Ontario and “immediately” hire 300 doctors.

The Liberals released their complete northern platform on Tuesday and so far leader Steven Del Duca has promised to cover tuition for any medical or nursing student who works long-term in a rural or remote community. The party revealed their fully costed election platform, called “A Place to Grow,” on Monday.

Election day in Ontario is on June 2.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford makes an announcement about building transit and highways, during an election campaign event in Bowmanville, Ont., Friday, May 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Vincent Elkaim.

Where the leaders of Ontario’s main political parties are on Tuesday, May 10:

Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford

North Bay: Takes part in the northern debate. 1 p.m. The Capitol Centre, 150 Main St E.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath

North Bay: Makes campaign stop. 9 a.m. North Bay Marina, Memorial Dr.

North Bay: Takes part in the northern debate. 1 p.m. The Capitol Centre, 150 Main St E.

Barrie: Makes a campaign stop. 6:45 p.m. Redline Brewhouse Barrie, 431 Bayview Drive, Units 8 & 9.

Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca

North Bay: Announces details of the party’s plan for northern Ontario. 10 a.m. Northern Gateway Arch, 844 Memorial Drive.

North Bay: Takes part in the northern debate. 1 p.m. The Capitol Centre, 150 Main St E.

Green party Leader Mike Schreiner

North Bay: Announces Green party’s platform for the north. 9:30 a.m. 176 Lakeshore Dr. Suite 10A.

North Bay: Takes part in the northern debate. 1 p.m. The Capitol Centre, 150 Main St E.

Sturgeon Falls: Participates in a “sign wave.” 5:30 pm. Corner of Highway 17 and Main St.

Sudbury: Meet-and-greet with residents and supporters. 7:30 p.m. The Nowhere Public House, 130 Elm S

With files from Laura Carney and Richard Southern