KORMOS CALLS ON McGUINTY TO TAKE THE “CAMPAIGN CHALLENGE”

Thu, 17 Aug 2006

QUEEN'S PARK - NDP MPP Peter Kormos is calling on Dalton McGuinty to take a “Campaign Challenge” in the September 14th by-election in Parkdale-High Park.

“In the last five by-elections Dalton McGuinty has kept a low profile - some call it subterranean,” said Kormos. “I’m challenging McGuinty to stop hiding and campaign with his candidate in Parkdale-High Park.”

A by-election has been called for the Toronto riding of Parkdale-High Park for September 14th. Since 2003, there have been five by-elections in Ontario and in every one the Liberal Leader has kept deliberate distance from his candidates - going as far as slipping into the Liberal campaign in Scarborough-Rouge River under what the Toronto Star described as “the cover of darkness” (“McGuinty low-profile in Liberal stronghold”, Toronto Star, November 14, 2005).

“I understand that Dalton McGuinty might not want to discuss his nuclear power scheme or his broken promises on private hospitals with ordinary voters. But that’s what makes it a challenge,” said Kormos.

“There are many ways the Premier can win the Campaign Challenge. He can knock on doors. He can go to coffee shops. He can simply stand on a street corner,” said Kormos. “There’s only one condition: he has to actually go to the riding of Parkdale-High Park when people can see him. Driving through after dark will not qualify.”