Ontario Liberal candidate Andrea Grebenc is difficult Doug Ford’s report and is asking Burlington voters to mirror on six-and-a-half years of his management
Article authorised by Ontario Liberal candidate Andrea Grebenc
Ontarians are heading to the polls on February twenty seventh for an election no person requested for – besides Doug Ford.
This isn’t about what’s greatest for the individuals; its about what’s greatest for him. As Ford rushes voters into an early election to serve his personal pursuits, I’m urging Burlington residents to take a tough have a look at the previous six and a half years. What has Doug Ford and his MPP Natalie Pierre executed for Burlington?
Ballooning Finances
Doug Ford guarantees to remove Ontario’s deficit, however as an alternative, he’s blown it as much as $9.8 billion with reckless spending. Take the beer-in-corner-stores scheme. The Monetary Accountability Workplace experiences that in 2024 alone, it has value taxpayers $612 million, with the whole invoice climbing to $1.4 billion by 2030. That’s cash that might have gone to hospitals, colleges, and important providers, however as an alternative, it’s funding a gimmick.
And that’s only one instance. Ford’s authorities has thrown billions at pet initiatives whereas slashing healthcare, training, and social providers to make up for the shortfall. In Burlington, colleges have closed, and college repairs are backlogged. Anybody who has visited the emergency division at Joseph Brant Hospital is aware of that they need to be ready to attend for hours for wanted care.
The place are this authorities’s priorities? As an alternative of constructing life higher for on a regular basis Ontarians, Ford is throwing cash at self-importance initiatives whereas slicing the providers individuals truly depend on. Burlington and all of Ontario deserves higher.
Healthcare deteriorating
The healthcare system has deteriorated beneath Doug Ford and the people who find themselves paying the worth are those who want care probably the most, particularly seniors. With virtually 30% of Burlington’s inhabitants over the age of 65, the demand for high quality healthcare and long-term care is greater than ever. But, whereas Ford’s authorities prioritizes for-profit amenities over correctly funded public amenities, the waitlists for a long-term care mattress stretches into the a whole lot. This isn’t simply neglect; it’s a step towards privatization.
Beneath Invoice 124, nurses, private help staff, and different public sector staff had been compelled to just accept a 1% wage cap which was properly under the speed of inflation. This was basically a pay reduce for these doing among the hardest jobs in our neighborhood. These are individuals who cared for us by the pandemic and who work exhausting hours to maintain us secure. As an alternative of respect, Doug Ford handed them a pay reduce. How can we repair healthcare if we’re driving staff away?
Housing Unaffordability
Doug Ford likes to speak a giant sport about fixing Ontario’s housing disaster, however in actuality beneath his management costs have skyrocketed. Simply have a look at Burlington, the place in keeping with the Toronto Regional Actual Property Board, the typical house worth in Burlington value $1.16 million in June 2024. For a lot of households, first-time consumers, and younger professionals, homeownership isn’t simply troublesome, it’s unattainable.
And what has Ford executed? He’s let builders run the present, greenlighting sprawl and the paving over of protected lands whereas failing to construct the reasonably priced properties individuals want. This authorities has deserted on a regular basis Ontarians who simply need a spot to name house.
In the meantime, homelessness has surged beneath the Conservatives’ watch with homeless encampments forming in Burlington and throughout Halton Area, together with intersections and strip mall parking tons. The shelter system is properly past capability. The issue was lately was laid out for Halton Regional Council final fall by the Commissioner of Social and Group Companies.
Finally rely, the variety of homeless in Ontario has surpassed 80,000. Doug Ford’s insurance policies have worsened our economic system, our healthcare, and our training system. Extra importantly, our native consultant, Natalie Pierre has reconsidered her choice to step down and is pursuing one other time period.
A champion for the neighborhood
Burlington wants a champion that’s energetic in the neighborhood, attentive to the town’s wants, and somebody who will likely be a visual and approachable consultant whereas at Queen’s Park. I’ve deep roots in the neighborhood, and I’ve spent years rolling up my sleeves to make a distinction. From serving as trustee on the Halton District College Board to being elected Chair, I’ve been a passionate advocate for high quality public training.
I personal an IT consulting enterprise that focuses on eLearning, internet design, and software program coaching and I’ve shared my expertise at McMaster College’s Centre for Persevering with Training. I additionally work for our neighborhood on the Burlington Built-in Transportation Advisory Committee.
As a mom of three, I’m conscious about the significance of high quality public training, public healthcare, transportation, and reasonably priced housing in constructing a powerful neighborhood and province.
Once more, I ask, what has Doug Ford and our incumbent MPP Natalie Pierre executed for Burlington? Have they made life higher for you and your loved ones? With a lot at stake, I need to urge voters to consider carefully about their alternative as they mark their poll for his or her MPP to signify their metropolis at Queen’s Park.
Contact Andrea Grebenc at (289) 427-5289 or go to their web site.
