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Ashley Fox is ready for another kick at the can.
Feb 14, 2025 •
Ashley Fox
Ashley Fox is ready for another kick at the can.
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After placing third in 2022 with only 16.1 percent of the vote and finishing 30.7 points behind winner Matthew Rae, Fox is back as the Liberal Party candidate for the Perth-Wellington riding.
Fox, who works as a registered practical nurse in Palmerston, shared that she’s been encouraged to run again by people from all sides of the political spectrum. This call to action gives her hope that this time around things could turn out differently.
“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 a political office before, she brings a lot of experience from leadership roles such as two terms as vice-president RPN at the Ontario College of Nurses and serving locally on the board 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 use 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 these previous roles.
If elected, Fox plans to focus on “getting the basics right,” particularly addressing the “significantly high” cost of living.
“We have a plan that would help employers to keep building like we’ve not been known to do in Ontario, but also recognizing that we would support them so that 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 of the things that we are still really proud of needs support to be able to grow,” she said.
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While she acknowledges both Liberals’ and Conservatives’ plans for health care emphasize teamwork, Fox believes Conservatives are coming up with solutions too late. She referenced comments from the Ontario College of Family Physicians indicating over four million residents may lack a family doctor by 2026. The day before election calls were made official, Health Ministry announced an investment plan worth $1.8 billion aimed at connecting two million individuals with primary-care providers within four years.
“I feel it’s a great plan, but it does not address the need that we have currently in rural part Perth Wellington. We’ve had physicians that have returned from retirement to be able to help stabilize our primary care that’s not going sustain us.. So I appreciate that they’re working towards it; however I think they’re far too late to table! This is something was should’ve worked on more urgently when running last time around,” stated Fox.
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To tackle affordability concerns impacting this area where Grey-Bruce-Perth-Huron-Simcoe holds second place in highest living wage province rate ($23 per hour), Fox expressed her long-time support since 2022 advocating universal basic income.
“I do recognize our living wage is high , but there’re many challenges attached. We look transportation , affordability , housing , groceries access services aren’t always nearby. When examining bigger picture plan , must connect healthcare social determinants health,” she noted.
If elected , dedicated ensuring every voice gets heard during decision-making processes ! “I’ve spent years gaining knowledge about unique challenges facing healthcare accessibility.. If we’re genuinely aiming pass legislation benefiting Ontarians then people require proper representation especially rural communities.”
“I didn’t call this election ; nonetheless opportunity get things right stands before us!”
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