This Labour Day weekend marks the unofficial start of the Ontario provincial election. In just over five weeks from today, voters will go to the polls to choose their next government and set the province's course for the next four years. Their vote is important because policies set at Queen's Park have a direct impact on people's daily lives, from health care and education to social services and the environment.
With so much at stake, voters need to know what the major issues facing Ontario are and how each party plans to tackle them. And voters should ask tough questions of party leaders and candidates who knock on their doors or shake hands at bus stops.
As the campaign unfolds in the coming days, voters should weigh each party's platform, and the statements by Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty, Conservative Leader John Tory and New Democrat Leader Howard Hampton, with an eye to how far the province has come since the last election in 2003 and what work still needs to be done.
Here, in the Star's view, are the major issues in this election and key questions for party leaders and candidates.
Poverty: Since taking office, the Liberals have done much to reverse the previous Tory government's destructive Common Sense Revolution, which slashed welfare rates. They are raising the minimum wage to $10.25 an hour by 2010 and have introduced a new Ontario Child Benefit aimed at low-income families with children. But Ontario still lacks adequate affordable housing and will require regular raises in the minimum wage to keep the poor from slipping further behind. Overall, this province needs a poverty reduction strategy aimed at lowering poverty rates by 25 per cent within the next five years.
Key question for leaders and candidates: What specific plans do you have to lower poverty rates in Ontario?
Cities: Municipalities are still staggering under the cost of provincially mandated programs downloaded onto them in the mid-1990s. The Liberals have taken a few positive steps on this file, including increasing the province's share of public health funding. But cities still need Queen's Park to take back more of this burden. This is a critical issue in Toronto, which is cutting services and considering new taxes to help cover a projected $575 million budget shortfall next year.
Key question: What would your party do to ease the financial burden on cities across the province?
Health: Under the Liberals, much has been done to rein in chaos in the health-care system and reduce wait times. But too many Ontarians still lack a family doctor and wait times often remain long in some non-priority areas. In addition, many doctors, along with conservative politicians and opinion makers, are calling for more private health care in Ontario, undercutting our universal medicare system.
Key questions: What would your party do to improve access to family doctors and key medical procedures? And where do you stand on more private involvement in the public health-care system?
Education: The Liberals deserve credit for restoring badly needed money and peace to the public education system. But as schools continue to struggle to pay the bills, it is clear the controversial formula under which the government funds our schools needs to be reviewed. Also, Tory has pledged to extend public funding to all faith-based schools, which will be one of the election's most controversial issues.
Key questions: What would you do to ensure our publicly funded schools can offer quality education to all children in Ontario? Do you favour extending public funding to all faith-based schools?
Environment: Many steps have been taken to ensure water quality in the wake of the Walkerton tainted water scandal. But poor air quality and smog alerts remain common in much of southern Ontario.
Key question: What would your party do to improve air and water quality in the province?
Economy: On Thursday, General Motors announced it will cut 1,200 jobs at its Oshawa truck plant, yet another sign that Ontario's manufacturing sector is being hurt by a rising dollar, changing buying habits and increased foreign competition. Queen's Park lacks a comprehensive strategy to protect our manufacturers and develop companies that make leading-edge products the world will want.
Key question: What would you do to protect manufacturing jobs and encourage development of leading-edge industries?
Other issues sure to spark debate include McGuinty's failure to live up to some promises and Tory's tax cut plans. And voters should not shy away from asking how the parties would pay for their programs.
The choices in this election may not be as stark as in 2003. But key differences still separate the Liberals, Conservatives and the NDP. Voters should weigh those differences before casting their ballots.
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