Election Day in Ontario is fast approaching, and if you're unsure who to cast your ballot for, here is the list of candidates running in the riding of Essex.
WindsorNewsToday.ca reached out to all seven candidates running for the Member of Provincial Parliament seat in the Riding of Essex. Some candidates were reached directly. Communication was also attempted by sending the questionnaire to the political parties or the candidate's campaign manager.
Candidates were asked six questions. Each response is edited for clarity and brevity.
Anthony Leardi, Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario (incumbent)
Q: Municipalities have been calling on the province to upload services for the homeless while asking other infrastructure, like the E.C. Row Expressway, to be uploaded too. Do you think uploading is the answer?
A: We doubled infrastructure grants for municipalities in the Riding of Essex from $6.6-million in 2021 to over $13-million in 2022. The Ford government has invested over $66-million in community infrastructure in the Riding of Essex since 2019. In addition to that, we are investing over $138-milllion to expand Hwy. 3 from two lanes to four lanes, all the way from Essex through Kingsville.
Q: How would your party address the shortage of healthcare workers, including family doctors?
A: Since 2018, our PC team has registered over 100,000 new nurses and 15,000 new doctors, including a ten per cent increase in family doctors. We've introduced free tuition for nursing students, expanded the scope of practice for pharmacists, and now you can get treatment for 19 common ailments at a pharmacist. Through our Primary Care Action Team, led by Doctor Jane Philpott, the Ontario PCs are connecting every person in Ontario to a primary care provider by 2029 by investing $1.8-billion to expand primary care teams. We expanded the medical school education system, made historical investments in primary care teams, including a new Nurse Practitioner-led Clinic in Kingsville, and broke down barriers for internationally-trained doctors.
Q: Does Ontario need an auto strategy? For decades, there have been calls to bring back the Canadian National Auto Strategy. How can Ontario help boost the local automotive industry?
A: Our Ontario PC team has landed over $45-billion in new automotive investment, including investments by Stellantis in Windsor and Volkswagen in St. Thomas. More multi-million dollar manufacturing announcements have followed. The Ford government has helped to create over 800,000 jobs since taking office in 2018. We're training 600,000 people for better jobs and bigger paycheques in the skilled trades. U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs could devastate the economy in Essex County. We'll do whatever is necessary to protect people's livelihoods, including investing billions to keep people working.
Q: How would your party facilitate building affordable new homes?
A: Our PC team has redoubled our efforts in partnership with municipalities to build even more homes faster by cutting red tape, streamlining approvals, and giving them the tools they need to get shovels in the ground. Since 2019, we have invested over $66-million in infrastructure grants in municipalities in the Riding of Essex for building roads, sewers, and water infrastructure. We have introduced the new Provincial Planning Statement to provide municipalities greater flexibility, removed the HST on purpose, provided municipalities with over $3-billion in funding through the Building Faster Fund and the Housing Enabling Water Systems Fund, and grew the Canada Ontario Housing Benefit.
Q: While the Ford government has invested in education, it hasn't kept up with inflation. How would your party address the education funding shortfall?
A: Our Ontario PC team has increased the education budget by $10.4-billion since 2018, and has increased funding for core education services by $5.7-billion. We've built or expanded 248 schools, adding nearly 100,000 student spaces and 8,000 childcare spaces. We have built new schools in LaSalle, Amherstburg, and Kingsville. We have introduced a new focus on skilled trades training, making it possible for students to start their path to better jobs and bigger paycheques at a younger age.
Q: Do you think Ontario needs to find new markets, aside from the U.S., for the agri-food industry?
A: Ontario's Agrifood industry is worth approximately $50-billion per year. We export approximately $26-billion worth of agrifood products. Tariffs threaten the Ontario economy. We will do everything in our power to protect Ontario. We'll provide funding for impacted businesses to retool so they can attract new customers. We'll invest more in building infrastructure to create jobs and retrain workers to find new opportunities.
Tamara Stomp, Liberal Party of Ontario
Q: Municipalities have been calling on the province to upload services for the homeless while asking other infrastructure, like the E.C. Row Expressway, to be uploaded too. Do you think uploading is the answer?
A: Ontario Liberals know cities and towns can't do this alone. We will double supportive housing with wraparound services and launch the Rental Emergency Support for Tenants (REST) Fund to keep renters from losing their homes. The province needs to take responsibility, not just pass the buck.
Q: How would your party address the shortfall of healthcare workers, including family doctors?
A: Ontario's healthcare system is in freefall. Over 2.5 million people can't find a family doctor. ERs are shutting down, and 2,000 patients are stuck in hospital hallways every day. Ontario Liberals will recruit thousands of new family doctors by covering tuition for those who commit to under-serviced areas. We will double residency spots, expand medical schools, and qualify internationally-trained doctors already here. We will ensure there are available clinics that stay open evenings and weekends.
Q: Does Ontario need an auto strategy? For decades, there have been calls to bring back the Canadian National Auto Strategy. How can Ontario help boost the local automotive industry?
A: Ontario Liberals will invest in EV production, expand charging networks, and bring back consumer rebates to keep Ontario competitive. We will support Ontario-based manufacturing, protect union jobs, and make sure workers are not left behind in the shift to a greener economy.
Q: How would your party facilitate building affordable new homes?
A: Ontario Liberals will require affordable homes to be built, restore real rent control, and scrap the Land Transfer Tax for first-time buyers and seniors downsizing. We will replace developer fees with a Better Communities Fund so municipalities can build without overcharging homeowners. We will invest in non-profit housing so more Ontarians can afford a place to live.
Q: While the Ford government has invested in education, it hasn't kept up with inflation. How would your party address the education funding shortfall?
A: Ontario Liberals will cut class sizes, hire more teachers, and guarantee stable, inflation-adjusted education funding. We will also boost mental health support in schools so students can focus on learning, not struggling through underfunded programs.
Q: Do you think Ontario needs to find new markets, aside from the U.S., for the agri-food industry?
A: Ontario Liberals will step up to help farmers access new markets and strengthen local food supply chains. We will invest in agrifood processing, protect farmland, and expand public sector food procurement so Ontario-grown food ends up in our homes, schools, hospitals, and communities, not just shipped beyond our borders.
Rachael Mills - New Democratic Party of Ontario
Q: Municipalities have been calling on the province to upload services for the homeless while asking other infrastructure, like the E.C. Row Expressway, to be uploaded too. Do you think uploading is the answer?
A: Uploading services, like homelessness support and infrastructure, can help ensure municipalities have the resources they need to meet local demands. The Ontario NDP will upload the financial responsibility for housing programs from municipalities to the provincial government, ensuring adequate funding for both rural and urban areas. Housing is a human right.
Q: How would your party address the shortfall of healthcare workers, including family doctors?
A: The Ontario NDP's plan focuses on recruitment, retention, and system efficiency. The Ontario NDP would connect every Ontarian to a family doctor or nurse practitioner by recruiting more healthcare professionals to community-based teams, reducing pressure on emergency rooms and ensuring consistent, quality care. A centralized referral system will streamline access to specialists while opening underused operating rooms during the evenings and weekends would help reduce surgical backlogs and waiting times. Ensuring wage parity and improving working conditions for healthcare workers will attract and retain professionals, and eliminate the the exploitation of the system by for-profit staffing agencies. Increasing residency seats and expanding licensing opportunities for internationally-trained healthcare professionals will address shortages, ensuring diverse expertise.
Q: Does Ontario need an auto strategy? For decades, there have been calls to bring back the Canadian National Auto Strategy. How can Ontario help boost the local automotive industry?
A: The auto sector needs to adapt to global trends and technological disruption. The auto sector needs to transition to electric vehicles and build a sustainable supply chain. The province must invest in training and workforce development to ensure we can attract and retain jobs.
Q: How would your party facilitate building affordable new homes?
A: The Ontario NDP will double the supply of affordable housing through Homes Ontario, providing funding and public land for non-profit and co-op housing. We'll focus on building homes where people want to live by legalizing fourplexes and increasing density responsibly. We will work with municipalities and homebuilders to reduce costs and eliminate outdated planning rules, making it easier for families to buy homes they can afford in their desired neighbourhoods. Additionally, we'll engage with the federal government to improve funding for affordable housing and help clear Ontario's housing waitlist.
Q: While the Ford government has invested in education, it hasn't kept up with inflation. How would your party address the education funding shortfall?
A: The Ontario NDP is committed to fully funding our education system to ensure every student has access to the resources they need to reach their full potential. The NDP will increase investments in education to ensure schools are properly staffed, with additional funding for mental health professionals, education assistants, and specialized support staff.
Q: Do you think Ontario needs to find new markets, aside from the U.S., for the agri-food industry?
A: Diversifying markets and expanding access to local customers are vital for long-term growth. With provincial support, initiatives like "Cultivating Local" will focus on strengthening the local agrifood sector by providing support and resources to farmers, promoting sustainable practices, and fostering connections between farmers and local communities will improve food supply resilience. It's crucial to collaborate with farmers and the agri-food sector to ensure their expertise and strategies are considered. Empowering farmers with the tools, resources, and opportunities will ensure Ontario's agrifood sector thrives in both local and international markets.
Kevin Linfield - None of the Above Direct Democracy Party
Q: Municipalities have been calling on the province to upload services for the homeless while asking other infrastructure, like the E.C. Row Expressway, to be uploaded too. Do you think uploading is the answer?
A: While uploading services and responsibilities can result in some advantages, such as local cost savings and provincial resource allocation, the loss of local control and its impact on the community can suffer. E.C. Row should definitely be a provincial responsibility. Homeless service is much more complicated as there is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution. Keeping the decision process at the local level should ensure a best-for-town solution, not a generic one averaged out province-wide.
Q: How would your party address the shortfall of healthcare workers, including family doctors?
A: Better incentives, including housing, pay, and travel allowances, would help. A system to make tuition free via tax credits for those who graduate and stay and work in Ontario. By teaming up pharmacists and nurses, all pharmacies could have an on-staff nurse or nurse practitioner, patients could have their prescriptions refilled, receive stitches, or other minor medical assistance.
Q: Does Ontario need an auto strategy? For decades, there have been calls to bring back the Canadian National Auto Strategy. How can Ontario help boost the local automotive industry?
A: Ontario should work with the other provinces and the federal government to fix the auto crisis. Unfortunately, since 93 per cent of the 1.9-million Canadian-made vehicles are for export to the U.S.A., the federal government must step up and deal with the government of the United States of America. Ontario should lobby the government in Ottawa to be more aggressive in selling Canadian-made cars to other countries.
Q: How would your party facilitate building affordable new homes?
A: Encourage more multi-family housing, such as duplexes, triplexes, and walk-up apartments. The government should build more affordable rental housing, where the rent is a function of the minimum wage. Implement a tax on non-resident homeowners and corporations that own more than ten buildings.
Q: While the Ford government has invested in education, it hasn't kept up with inflation. How would your party address the education funding shortfall?
A: Additional options for post-secondary education are needed. We need more funding for universities and colleges from the province, especially in the STEM fields. Replacing student loans with grants and bursaries for graduates who stay in Canada and pay taxes for at least ten years after graduation would help minimize the brain drain. Increase tuition for non-Canadian citizens.
Q: Do you think Ontario needs to find new markets, aside from the U.S., for the agri-food industry?
A: We should try to increase our trade with the European Union. Ontario has the St. Lawrence Seaway to efficiently transport goods to Europe, South America, and West Africa. We should expand to global markets. This is a federal government responsibility, so we should lobby Ottawa to expand trade. Ontario should work with the provinces to reduce inter-provincial trade barriers, making it easier for food and agriculture products to be sold within Canada.
Stephen Higgins - Green Party of Ontario
Q: Municipalities have been calling on the province to upload services for the homeless while asking other infrastructure, like the E.C. Row Expressway, to be uploaded too. Do you think uploading is the answer?
A: The simple answer is yes. The current provincial government has been transferring costs to the municipalities, leading to significant year-over-year increases in municipal taxes. Allocating resources with a comprehensive plan to address the causes of homelessness and mental health crises, along with separate funding sources for infrastructure projects, will help find solutions to both issues.
Q: How would your party address the shortfall of healthcare workers, including family doctors?
A: The Green Party of Ontario plans to address the healthcare worker shortage by recruiting 3,500 more doctors through additional medical school positions and residency opportunities for international graduates. It would harmonize wages across the healthcare system to retain experienced staff and ensure competitive pay for doctors, nurse practitioners, and psychiatric nurses. The plan includes increasing nursing student enrolment by ten per cent annually for five years and adding 2,500 nurse practitioners by 2030. It also aims to meet the demand for 6,800 personal support workers by 2028.
Q: Does Ontario need an auto strategy? For decades, there have been calls to bring back the Canadian National Auto Strategy. How can Ontario help boost the local automotive industry?
A: Ontario needs a robust strategy to secure the future of the automotive industry through investment in innovation and forward-thinking initiatives. This includes expanding incentives for electric vehicle manufacturing and battery plants, offering tax breaks to attract EV parts suppliers, and improving access to funding and resources for small and mid-sized auto parts manufacturers. Additionally, it is imperative to invest in research and development of hydrogen fuel cells and hybrid technologies.
Q: How would your party facilitate building affordable new homes?
A: Our housing platform takes a bold approach to building the homes we need by cutting red tape on day one to eliminate bureaucracy and fees that make building affordable homes almost impossible. Legalizing fourplexes and multi-unit residencies, working with municipalities to permit development with pre-approved building designs, and removing speculation from the market, are just a few of the plans in the Green Party's housing platform.
Q: While the Ford government has invested in education, it hasn't kept up with inflation. How would your party address the education funding shortfall?
A: The Green Party proposes an immediate $1,500 increase per student to address the $3.1-billion shortfall. Public schools should be recognized as community learning centres. Ensuring a healthy environment for students is crucial for learning and social development. Proper education funding is an investment in future problem solvers and helps reduce future healthcare costs.
Q: Do you think Ontario needs to find new markets, aside from the U.S., for the agri-food industry?
A: Yes. As the impacts of climate change intensify and global politics and economics continue to be unpredictable, including the threat of U.S. tariffs, ensuring Ontario can feed itself and continue to be a global leader in the agri-food industry is paramount. The Green Party of Ontario is committed to investing in strengthening the agrifood sector by supporting supply management and defending Ontario food and farmers in trade negotiations. We will also support any potential trade losses by providing tax incentives for local food and beverage manufacturers who purchase from Ontario farmers.
William Szabo Verzoc - Independent
Q: Municipalities have been calling on the province to upload services for the homeless while asking other infrastructure, like the E.C. Row Expressway, to be uploaded too. Do you think uploading is the answer?
A: It is clear that significant expenditures such as roadworks and other broad-based funding initiatives that affect large numbers of citizens over swathes of the province should be shared amongst all Ontarians. The E.C. Row should be uploaded considering the usage of commuters from both the city and county, as well as individuals from Michigan and farther afield. Uploading would introduce consistent funding to ensure safe and efficient transit across the city. In the case of homelessness, we have seen that the Ford government has taken a very hardline approach by treating it not as its own failing to provide adequate healthcare and other social services but instead as the personal failings of the individual. As someone who has trained as a physician, I know that individuals who find themselves turning to substance abuse and intoxication are typically doing so as an attempt to remove themselves from the realities of daily existence. No one decides to become an addict. These are our friends and neighbours who happen to find themselves living on the streets as a result of both the COVID-19 pandemic's aftereffects, as well the inability of this government to provide sufficient employment opportunities for individuals to retrain, reskill, and maintain work and dignity as self-sustaining individuals.
Q: How would your party address the shortfall of healthcare workers, including family doctors?
A: Canada and the province of Ontario have a very draconian position as it relates to International Medical Graduates (IMG). We must eliminate these barriers, particularly for our Canadian citizens who have gone abroad to study medicine and wish to return to Canada. We must immediately open up opportunities for Canadian IMGs to return to Ontario to complete their residencies by expanding placement at provincial medical schools, especially in family medicine. For those doctors who have already specialized, provide financial incentives for them to return to Ontario. I would like Ontario to provide bursaries to students, not only to study in Canadian universities, but for studying abroad, provided they come back and practice medicine in Ontario upon graduation.
Q: Does Ontario need an auto strategy? For decades, there have been calls to bring back the Canadian National Auto Strategy. How can Ontario help boost the local automotive industry?
A: Of course, Ontario needs a strategy. There must be integration between any plans made at the provincial level, along with those developed federally. As a province, we can provide tax abatement to corporations involved in automotive manufacturing to encourage the development of new sites and the expansion of existing ones. Clearly, it is not reasonable to expect automotive manufacturers would separate their supply chains from the U.S. What we can do is continue to provide the kind of provincial incentives in the form of reduced or deferred taxation so that companies remain incentivized to grow and remain here.
Q: How would your party facilitate building affordable new homes?
A: We must balance the importance of maintaining our precious agricultural land with the urgent need for new affordable housing. I do believe the government should provide needs-based tax incentives for individuals building their first homes. The government can also provide tax rebates for building materials used in the construction of these new homes, which would also reduce costs. Incentives can also be provided for the construction of multi-unit dwellings which can be built more quickly and at a reduced cost than single-family homes. If needed, municipal by-laws developed by selfish local mayors should be squashed by provincial override.
Q: While the Ford government has invested in education, it hasn't kept up with inflation. How would your party address the education funding shortfall?
A: As a disability rights advocate, there can be nothing closer to my heart than the assurance that our young pupils with physical and learning disabilities are adequately supported in the educational environment. Funding for education in our elementary and secondary school system must be pegged to the rate of inflation. As for our college and university system, we've recently seen how woefully underfunded they are since the federal government eliminated the number of foreign student attendees. Domestic students should not be forced into picking up the tab for failed policies on the part of university administrators or the Ministry of Education as it relates to tuition rates and budgetary shortfalls. If funding levels need to be temporarily increased to stabilise the situation and maintain adequate program functioning, that is something to be considered on a very limited basis.
Q: Do you think Ontario needs to find new markets, aside from the U.S., for the agri-food industry?
A: I'm always in favour of Ontario seeking out new markets for its goods, particularly in the agri-food industry. We must recognize though that the United States, as a function of geography, will continue to be the most likely market for our products. It does not need to be the sole market. With the signing of CETA (Canada Europe Trade Agreement), exports to the European Union are available. I would be in strong favour of our producers being able to expand their wholesale and retail networks in that region. Similarly, trade with the Asia-Pacific region through the TPP and other agreements is my focus. My late grandfather was a farmer just south of McGregor for over two decades while also running a vineyard. I have good Essex clay under my fingernails.
Travis Jacques - The Ontario Party
This candidate did not return his questionnaire after it was submitted to the Ontario Party.
Brigette Belton - New Blue Party
Attempts have been made to reach this candidate through the New Blue Party. So far, the party has not responded.