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Ashley Fox is eager for another shot.
Feb 14, 2025 •
Ashley Fox
Ashley Fox is eager for another shot.
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After finishing a distant third in 2022, with just 16.1 per cent of the vote and 30.7 points behind winner Matthew Rae, Fox is once again representing the Liberal Party in the Perth-Wellington riding.
Fox, a registered practical nurse from Palmerston, shared that she was encouraged to run again by residents across various political affiliations. This call to put her name forward a second time gives her hope that this election will be different.
“I am confident because of the support I have received across party lines. Predominant members in the Conservative, the Greens and the NDP have all acknowledged that they think I would be the best voice for them and to represent them and amplify their voice for what we need to fix in Ontario. There’s no shortage of issues, and there’s no shortage of discussions at the doors and on the phone,” said Fox, who has one daughter with her husband Jeff.
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Although she hasn’t held political office before, she brings a wealth of experience in leadership roles. This includes two terms as vice-president RPN at the Ontario College of Nurses and serving locally as a board member of Community Living North Perth. She also teaches courses at Conestoga College and mentors at the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario. Fox aims to draw on these experiences if elected to Queen’s Park.
“There was a lot of legislative experience. I was quite keen to learn, and it was quite interesting,” she said about her previous roles.
If elected, Fox’s top priority would be “getting the basics right,” including addressing the “significantly high” cost of living.
“We have a plan that would help employers keep building like we’ve not been known to do in Ontario, but also recognizing that we would support them so they are able to build. No surprise, one of my biggest priorities is rebuilding and modernizing health care. It’s been too long, and we were starting to see quite a collapse of what we were (once) proud of, and some things that we are still really proud of need support to grow,” she said.
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While acknowledging that both Liberals and Conservatives share similar health care plans focusing on team-based approaches, Fox feels that Conservatives have arrived too late with their ideas. She pointed out claims by the Ontario College of Family Physicians indicating more than four million residents may lack family doctors by late 2026. Just before official announcements were made regarding elections, the Ministry of Health unveiled a $1.8 billion funding strategy aimed at connecting two million people with family doctors or primary-care teams within four years.
“I feel it’s a great plan; however it does not address our current needs in rural parts like Perth Wellington. We’ve had physicians returning from retirement just to help stabilize our primary care situation which isn’t sustainable… So while I appreciate their efforts towards this issue; I believe they’re arriving far too late at this table,” Fox said.
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If elected , Fox intends on tackling affordability issues affecting many local residents since Grey-Bruce-Perth-Huron-Simcoe region holds one of highest living wages ($23.05 per hour) within province. To address this concern , she mentioned being supportive towards universal basic income concept since last year.
“I recognize our living wage is high ; yet there are numerous challenges associated with it. We must look into transportation , housing costs , grocery prices etc., along with access services which may not always be available locally. Taking broader perspective here requires understanding how these connect back into social determinants impacting healthcare outcomes” If elected , she remains committed ensuring every voice gets heard at decision making tables. “Years spent gaining insight about community challenges related specifically healthcare access equips me well navigating legislation effectively ; notably serving rural communities demands attention as well.” “This election wasn’t called by me ; but it’s an opportunity seize potential improvements.” watwood Share this article within your network.
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If elected , Fox intends on tackling affordability issues affecting many local residents since Grey-Bruce-Perth-Huron-Simcoe region holds one of highest living wages ($23.05 per hour) within province. To address this concern , she mentioned being supportive towards universal basic income concept since last year.
“I recognize our living wage is high ; yet there are numerous challenges associated with it. We must look into transportation , housing costs , grocery prices etc., along with access services which may not always be available locally. Taking broader perspective here requires understanding how these connect back into social determinants impacting healthcare outcomes” If elected , she remains committed ensuring every voice gets heard at decision making tables. “Years spent gaining insight about community challenges related specifically healthcare access equips me well navigating legislation effectively ; notably serving rural communities demands attention as well.” “This election wasn’t called by me ; but it’s an opportunity seize potential improvements.” watwood Share this article within your network.
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