Mantha’s Notes from the Park : By-Elections & NDP MPPs Ready to Work
Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha
Last month five by-elections were called in electoral districts of Etobicoke-Lakeshore, London West, Ottawa South, Windsor-Tecumseh and Scarborough-Guildwood. Many were disappointed that Premier Kathleen Wynne set the voting date for August 1st, the day before the long weekend when people are preoccupied with summer vacations. Liberals thought people wouldn’t notice the by-elections; however, we knew that voters were smarter than that. In these by-elections voters had a choice, people were looking for candidates who would deliver results and hold the government accountable – not a politician that would ignore the real challenges they are facing.
Ontarians sent a clear signal that they want leadership that delivers results and they’ve sent two fantastic New Democrat MPPs to Queen’s Park to do exactly that. Voters have sent a clear message that they’re tired of an arrogant government that ignores their challenges.
In London West, voters chose Peggy Sattler, an experienced school board trustee who has gained the respect and trust of her community for years. Sattler, who regularly balances $600 million budgets, has delivered real results for her community year after year. Constituents know she will continue to deliver results as the MPP for London West.
In Windsor-Tecumseh in a landslide win, voters elected Percy Hatfield with 66 per cent of the vote. Hatfield, a respected former CBC journalist, and two-term city councillor, has garnered the confidence and respect of residents for decades.
Both Sattler and Hatfield are proven leaders who know how to bring people together to get the job done. They will deliver results for all Ontarians at Queen’s Park. I, alongside my NDP colleagues, want to congratulate them on their wins and look forward to working with them in the upcoming session and working on behalf of all Ontarians.
The NDP ran five strong campaigns with five amazing candidates. These candidates ran on the issues that mattered to people and they won respect. I want to congratulate all these candidates for their hard work and effort in each of these elections.
What was made clear during these elections was that Ontarians have sent a clear message to the Liberals who lost 60% of ridings they won comfortably just two years ago. They are tired of the mismanagement, the lack of respect of taxpayer’s dollars, and their partisan politics. Ontarians want and deserve accountability and transparency within their government. They know that New Democrats have listened to Ontarians and understand the stresses that working families face and have rolled up their sleeves to deliver results that make a difference.
The summer has seemed to fly by; I look forward to spending the last few weeks with my family touring the riding visiting communities and attending many of your events. I look forward to meeting up with many of you and listening to your concerns and ideas.
As always, please feel free to contact my office about these issues, or any other provincial matters. You can reach my constituency office by email at mmantha-co@ndp.on.ca or by phone at (705) 461-9710 or toll-free at 1-800-831-1899.
MPP/député Michael Mantha
Algoma-Manitoulin
