Former cabinet minister and current Ontario Liberal leadership hopeful Sandra Pupatello says a quick election isn't on her agenda if she becomes premier.

The former Windsor-West MPP says people in Ontario are more interested in the economy and jobs than going to the polls.

'I can't even imagine how the opposition parties will not want to work with me'—Sandra Pupatello

"I don't think the public wants an election. What my first goal will be is to have a seat in the house," said Pupatello.

Pupatello left politics in 2011 and took a job at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Now she says the opportunity has presented itself to lead Ontario with a focus on improving the province's unemployment rate.

"I actually think that if we change the conversation, to be talking about jobs and the economy, I can't even imagine how the opposition parties will not want to work with me," said Pupatello. "And if they don't want to work with me, and we have to go to the polls in an election, I'm going to make sure the public knows their agenda is not about jobs and the economy."

Since Premier Dalton McGuinty announced his resignation in October seven Liberals are now vying to become the next premier of Ontario:

  • Glen Murray
  • Kathleen Wynne
  • Eric Hoskins
  • Charles Sousa
  • Harinder Takhar
  • Gerard Kennedy
  • Sandra Pupatello

A new Liberal leader is expected to be chosen in late January.