Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory says he has high hopes in northern Ontario, despite his party holding just one seat in the region at dissolution.
In an interview with CBC Radio in Thunder Bay, Ont., Tory again laid out a series of pledges to draw voters to Conservative candidates on Oct. 10.
Among them, a pledge to spend about $300 million of gas tax to improve northern highways and roads. He said a Conservative government would also establish a $100 million research and development fund for northern universities and colleges to attract businesses and ideas to the north.
Asked how he would help the beleaguered forest industry, Tory said he would seek solutions in a report prepared by experts for the McGuinty government. That report, said Tory, discusses such issues as streamlining regulations and the co-generation of electricity.
Another key issue for many northern Ontario voters is a widening of the Trans Canada Highway. Tory said he wouldn't commit to calls for a divided highway, saying he'd consider "a lot more passing lanes" before four-laning.
Tory said he would also help the northern economy by rolling back the diamond tax, which was almost tripled by the Liberals. He said he would also review the Mining Act to ensure regulations do not dissuade people who want to invest in northern Ontario.
With only five days before the Oct. 10 election, Tory said he won't be making any more campaign stops in northern Ontario.
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.
