Liberal policies are positive ones, says Hoggarth

In all the controversy over rival party leaders, Ann Hoggarth says it’s time that something positive was offered the electorate ahead of this summer provincial election.

And the incumbent Liberal MPP says the success this riding and the province as a whole has enjoyed is something worth keeping, something she stands by even if the controversy surrounding former Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown and the sexual misconduct allegations against him had never happened. 

“I am excited to meet voters in Innisfil and present my case why the Ontario Liberal Party and I are the best choices to continue the economic and social success that we have been experiencing. “

She believes a vote for her and Premier Kathleen Wynne’s party is one for continued progress, and a clear choice no matter who is chosen in March to lead the Tories.

“Our economic policies have caused unemployment in Ontario to be all but wiped out. I am proud to say that at 3.6%, Barrie has the lowest unemployment rate in Canada! We also lead the county and the entire G7 in economic growth. This is why we are raising the minimum wage to help those who have not experienced the benefits of this economic success.”

“Ontarians,” she tells BarrieToday, “have no appetite to re-visit the policies of the Harris and Harper governments, and no desire to rehash old ideas that hurt our economies and social services so much in the past.”

Hoggarth won the old Barrie riding since 2014, and will stand for re-election in the redrawn constituency of Barrie-Innisfil, including Barrie south of Tiffin Street and the township of Innisfil.

Hoggarth also says the recent additions to RVH have provided a feather in the Liberals’ cap.

“The new advance cardiac centre will provide residents in Simcoe County and Muskoka with the best care available, right here in Barrie. This will put an end to local residents having to travel to other hospitals in order to receive top of the line cardiac treatment.

“The Child and Youth Mental Health Unit, which we opened just before Christmas, builds upon the Urgent Consult Clinic opened in 2015, and it will help about 300 youth in-patients and an additional 3,000 out-patients dealing with mental health issues every year.”

In transportation: “We have committed the necessary investments to add lanes, build new bridges (to Highway 400), and reduce congestion.

“We have added new (GO) trains to peak times and have seen weekday and weekend trips added to the Union-Barrie line. By 2024, GO Train service will be all day, every day 15 minutes service to the GTA. A new GO station will be built in Innisfil as well.”

Finally, as a former teacher, Hoggarth boasts of improvements in the education system.

“New schools are being built to accommodate the incredible growth that our communities have seen, and this includes construction of a much needed new public high school in south Barrie.

“(What’s more) All-day kindergarten not only gives our children a better start in life, but saves working parents approximately $13,000 in childcare expenses.

What also particularly excites Hoggarth is the Wynne government’s provision of free tuition to low-income students, “easing the burden for mid-income households.”

Hoggarth concludes by promising a platform and budget, “that will demonstrate how we will reach our goals. The Ontario Liberal Party is the only party that has the progressive and fair policies needed to ensure that Ontario remains one of the best places to invest, work and live in the world.”

The Ontario provincial election is set for Thursday, June 7.