Making the case for the provincial Liberals

By Jo-Ann Davis

Elections have consequences. On June 7, voters in Ontario will make a choice that will have a profound impact on the welfare of students, seniors, families in our community, the economy, and environment.

Premier Wynne and the Liberal government are offering Ontarians bold new initiatives to grow an Ontario that’s fair, just, and offers new opportunities. One where human dignity is valued, climate change is combatted, a workforce is well educated, skilled, healthy and agile, and a business environment that is growing and innovating, while creating jobs and supporting workers’ rights.

A desire for change that lifts people out of poverty and improves our everyday lives is what brought Ontario a fair minimum wage, full-day kindergarten, expanded daycare, more skilled trades apprenticeships, free tuition for students from low income families, youth and senior pharmacare, expanded home care, a basic income pilot, a cap-and-trade system that reduces pollutants and raised $1.9 billion in 2017 to support green initiatives in our homes, schools, hospitals, and on our streets, and world-leading research and development.

Meanwhile, Doug Ford and his “Progressive” Conservatives (PC) would reverse change — abandoning the environment, taking away a fair minimum wage, axing rent controls, and a modern sex education curriculum, while threatening to cut billions. With no carbon tax, Mr. Ford needs to replace $4 billion — without any tax cuts — to make good on the PC platform. This means cuts to hospitals, schools, mental health, low income seniors, and supports for families trying to make ends meet.

At the same time the New Democratic Party platform is long on promises for additional funding for everything from health care to social housing, and education to public transit with no details on where the additional revenue will be found.

I support electoral reform, and therefore empathize with Green party supporters, and agree that new funding sustainable funding sources are needed for public transit, bike and pedestrian infrastructure.

University-Rosedale needs a strong, progressive representative at Queen’s Park — one that listens to local voices, works effectively with other levels of government, and has a proven track record of success. That why I’m running to be your Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for University-Rosedale.

I’ve spent much of my life studying, volunteering and living in and around University-Rosedale. It’s where I went to high school, and completed my undergraduate studies, as a University of Toronto student. It’s where my son plays soccer for SC Toronto, and my husband coaches.

It’s where Torontonians from all walks of life live, work, study, volunteer and play, with a diversity found in few other places. This is a riding knitted together by distinct neighbourhoods — welcoming to all. Neighbourhoods seeking a local voice in development, main streets with local businesses, diverse housing that’s affordable, daycare that’s accessible, and urban spaces where children and seniors have a place.

In 2010, I chose to run to be the local Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) trustee to advocate for vulnerable students and families, and shape a system built on public accountability, evidence and transparency.

As trustee for the last eight years, I’ve fought for students with special needs at budget time, focused staff resources on working to close the student learning opportunity gap between rich and poor, partnered with the City of Toronto to transform a pavement-covered playground into an urban garden and park at Markham and London streets opening this September, and championed making the TCDSB the first net zero energy school board in Ontario.

Professionally, I lead large-scale change for some of Canada’s biggest corporations. Bringing people with diverse perspectives together to achieve important change is a skill every politician should have — it’s what I’ve been doing for 15 years.

Knocking on thousands of doors, I’ve heard from people that they want an MPP who knows the community, who listens to and understands local issues, and who has the passion and skills to advocate for change at Queen’s Park. A proven community advocate with a track record of innovation is what I would bring as your MPP for University-Rosedale.

Jo-Ann Davis is the Ontario Liberal Candidate for University-Rosedale.

READ MORE BY OTHER CANDIDATES:

FORUM: The Green Party’s platform (Election Special 2018)

FORUM: Reducing downtown’s vehicles by 25 per cent (May 2018)

FORUM: What kind of Ontario do we want? (May 2018)

FORUM: What kind of province do we want? (March 2018)

READ MORE ON THE ELECTION:

EDITORIAL: The market has no moral compass (Election Special 2018)

NEWS: Grilling potential MPPs (Election Special 2018)

GREENINGS: Choosing the lesser evil (Election Special 2018)