Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory's controversial proposal to fund private religious schools has earned another prominent critic — one of his own caucus members.
Longtime Conservative member Bill Murdoch, who represents the riding of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, said he's encountered so much opposition to the idea among his constituents that he can no longer support it.
"I started this campaign defending the policy, but very quickly heard, loud and clear … that the people of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound are predominantly against the extension of funding to faith-based schools," Murdoch said.
"Should this come before the legislature … I will vote against it."
At a campaign stop in Guelph, Tory dismissed Murdoch as a well-known caucus renegade, and said he was confident the rest of his caucus and candidates will support the faith-based schools initiative.
"When you look up maverick in the dictionary you find his picture there — in colour," Tory said of Murdoch.
"I stay in pretty close touch with the caucus members and with the candidates and I'm confident they understand we're doing this as a matter of principle … and that they will be supporting the party's policy."
While Murdoch is the only Conservative incumbent to say he would vote against religious school funding, Liberal insiders were quick to point out Monday that several Tories have expressed concerns about the policy proposal.
Party House Leader Bob Runciman admitted earlier this month that the issue is "not playing well," while other Conservative candidates have said they have been finding voters opposed to funding faith-based schools when they knock on doors looking for support.
Tory began his day talking about property taxes and help for seniors at a home in Oakville, but was dogged by questions about the proposal, which would see public funding for faith-based schools that adopt the Ontario curriculum, follow standardized testing and have accredited teachers.
'I don't like it at all': Conservative supporter
In Guelph, a local Conservative said he too opposes the idea.
"I don't like it at all," said Richard Gingerich, who said he had supported the Conservatives for 20 years and volunteered on past campaigns, but was now undecided about who to vote for on Oct. 10.
The Conservatives are "going after the ethnic vote," said Gingerich.
"It's just going to create a situation where there will be some winners and some losers, and the Christians are going to be the losers."
Tory said he knows the idea of funding religious schools isn't popular with all members of his party.
"This is one of those things you face with controversial issues," he said.
"But there's lots of other people who are working [for the campaign] and … I'm happy that we're doing the right thing, and I don't think you can ever go wrong doing the right thing to bring kids into public education."
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Ontario Votes 2007 »
- McGuinty wins massive majority, Tory loses seat
- Dalton McGuinty won a second majority government for the Liberals in Ontario on Wednesday night, a triumph for a party that earlier expressed fears of a drop to minority status.
- Ontario rejects electoral reform in referendum
- Ontario voters have rejected a proposed electoral reform that would have seen some provincial legislators chosen based on a party's share of the popular vote, results showed Thursday.
- Ontario voter turnout a record low
- The percentage of eligible voters casting ballots in Wednesday's Ontario election hit an all-time low despite changes introduced in an effort to boost turnout.
- Ont. Green party scores 8 per cent of vote
- No Green party candidates made it to the Ontario legislature in Wednesday's election, but that defeat was sweetened by a swell in their share of the popular vote, which more than doubled.
- McGuinty only leader not facing leadership questions
- Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty won re-election in Ottawa South and NDP Leader Howard Hampton again won his northern Ontario riding of Kenora-Rainy River. PC Leader John Tory was defeated.
District Profiles
More Ontario Votes Headlines »
- McGuinty wins massive majority, Tory loses seat
- Dalton McGuinty won a second majority government for the Liberals in Ontario on Wednesday night, a triumph for a party that earlier expressed fears of a drop to minority status.
- Ontario rejects electoral reform in referendum
- Ontario voters have rejected a proposed electoral reform that would have seen some provincial legislators chosen based on a party's share of the popular vote, results showed Thursday.
- Ontario voter turnout a record low
- The percentage of eligible voters casting ballots in Wednesday's Ontario election hit an all-time low despite changes introduced in an effort to boost turnout.
- Ont. Green party scores 8 per cent of vote
- No Green party candidates made it to the Ontario legislature in Wednesday's election, but that defeat was sweetened by a swell in their share of the popular vote, which more than doubled.
- McGuinty only leader not facing leadership questions
- Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty won re-election in Ottawa South and NDP Leader Howard Hampton again won his northern Ontario riding of Kenora-Rainy River. PC Leader John Tory was defeated.
