Candidates Discuss Key Education Issues in York-Simcoe

A provincial byelection is scheduled for Sept. 3; candidates from the Progressive Conservative, Liberal, and Green parties share their views on what’s most important to residents in the area.

How do the York-Simcoe byelection candidates measure up on key issues as they compete to become the next MPP for the local riding?

Voters in York-Simcoe are preparing to vote for their new MPP on Sept. 3, following the resignation of longtime Progressive Conservative MPP Caroline Mulroney in early June.

Mulroney is set to take on a new role at the Royal Bank of Canada as vice-chair starting Sept. 14.

Here are the top three priorities shared by candidates from three major parties: Susan Lahey (Progressive Conservative), Naomi Davison (Liberal), and Matt Pearce (Green). The order reflects party results from the 2025 election within this riding.

Despite several attempts to reach out, there was no response from Ontario NDP candidate Bobby Nikmard regarding his stance.

You can find more information about candidates, byelections, and details on voting requirements and locations at the Elections Ontario website.

Priority No. 1

LAHEY: As a small business owner and municipal councillor, I get how rising costs impact families and local businesses. That’s why our Ontario PC team has taken steps to make life easier for workers, businesses and families.

This includes a 30 percent cut in small business tax, getting rid of the provincial gas tax, and collaborating with the federal government to eliminate harmonized sales tax (HST) entirely – saving families up to $130,000 when purchasing new homes priced under $1 million.

If elected as your MPP, I’ll work hard every day to lower prices while ensuring that people throughout York-Simcoe can afford housing, raise families, and build fulfilling lives.

DAVISON: If I could change one thing right away, it would be affordability. Ensuring that those who live in York-Simcoe can continue to call it home would be my main focus. Families are feeling squeezed by rising housing and grocery prices; young folks question if they can create futures here; seniors struggle with fixed incomes.

If elected as MPP, I’d advocate for a wider range of housing options: affordable rentals and ownership opportunities, co-ops, supportive housing solutions along with other non-market alternatives backed by necessary infrastructure. I’d also push for strong health care services, education support, child care options and transit improvements. Affordability encompasses more than just home prices; it’s about overall living costs too. We need York-Simcoe to remain a place where people can start anew or stay long-term.

PEARCE: I share my neighbors’ worries about urban sprawl impacts. We need more affordable housing options but should prioritize building them where people actually want to live-close to essential services.

The Greens have a strategy aimed at creating diverse types of homes within current neighborhoods which will help reduce costs while preserving our cherished spaces.

Paving over farmland or green areas isn’t sustainable-Ontario loses around 129 hectares of farmland daily! Once it’s lost; it’s gone forever. York-Simcoe needs leaders who put residents first rather than catering solely to wealthy developers-leaders who will defend farmers’ rights along with Ontario’s agricultural economy worth $52 billion employing over 875K people.

Priority No. 2

LAHEY: York-Simcoe is one of Ontario’s fastest-growing areas so we must ensure our vital infrastructure keeps pace with demand!

This is why our PC team invests heavily across York-Simcoe into roads bridges & necessary infrastructure keeping communities connected! Major projects like Highway 425/Bradford Bypass construction are already underway along with widening efforts on Highways 400 & 404 plus developing Highway 413-all designed saving drivers both time & money while linking workers directly toward new opportunities throughout this region!

I promise as your MPP I’ll serve actively advocating at Queen’s Park pushing these developments forward whilst safeguarding quality-of-life elements making York Simcoe such an attractive place residing!

DAVISON: As an elected representative AND parent witnessing pressures facing public education firsthand through my husband Stu-a dedicated elementary teacher-I truly understand educators’ struggles managing heavy workloads alongside limited resources available consistently!

Sufficient funding must accurately reflect students’ unique circumstances especially those needing special assistance or mental health support among others! My mission involves championing predictable classroom budgets raising numbers educational assistants/specialists providing timely evaluations stronger student resources ensuring every young person achieves fullest potential through literacy/numeracy skills tech knowledge/trade training opportunities!

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Priority No. 3

LAHEY : Across York – Simcoe , families seek reliable access primary care. That ‘s why our PC team initiated $3.4 billion action plan connecting everyone province family doctor provider.

As part this initiative , we made significant investments expanding healthcare accessibility right here including new Southlake acute care hospital redevelopment existing facility committing $9.8 million connecting additional roughly thirty-four thousand individuals primary care across Region.

Your future representative will collaborate closely local healthcare partners ensuring all households receive quality treatment conveniently nearby !

DAVISON : Protecting Lake Simcoe defines long – term issue impacting environmentally economically generationally concerning future generations ! It requires comprehensive strategy funded sufficiently aiming reduce phosphorus salt runoff enhance stormwater management control invasive species safeguard wetlands habitats confront climate change challenges effectively !

Furthermore , oppose Ford government ’ s consolidation conservation authorities ; Lake Simcoe shouldn ’ t lose vital expertise accountability developed locally many years ! As MPP intend fight fiercely retain authority professionals having resources independence performing duties adequately well enough meet demands ahead protecting environment responsibility every citizen shares together now then onward !

PEARCE : Our priority lies ensuring all residents especially rural ones enjoy dependable electricity access since outages pose significant risks during storms flooding events increasing due climate change effects becoming commonplace hereabouts lately! Reducing barriers connect renewables grid crucial achieving goal sustainability viability community lifestyles firmly built upon solid foundations maintaining security basic needs met fully appreciated greatly alike enhancing overall prosperity reached together uniting minds hearts achieving success dreams possible working jointly harmoniously !

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