How Tory can win the Ontario election

Change tune on the faith-based schools issue .

Tory has accomplished two significant things with his plan for funding faith-based schools, one obviously being to anger more than a handful of voters.

But just as importantly, he has single-handedly set the agenda for the entire campaign. Last week’s debate, daily news coverage, negative attacks; all have been centred on this (up until Tory raised it, virtually non-existent) topic. Hampton and McGuinty, for all their attacks on the idea, haven’t had much else to talk about. For this reason, he shouldn’t drop it entirely, but he should definitely change tact.

Here’s how I think he can make it work.

Instead of steadfastly sticking to his original proposal – a typical tactic of politicians who think voters see them as perfect policy robots and not human beings – he should commit to coming up with a better solution in his first term as Premier. Now that the issue is out in the open, too many Ontarians have a strong opinion on the topic for it to go away. Tory can still hold claim ownership of the issue, and get voted in as Premier, by committing to do all the necessary research, economic modeling and stakeholder outreach to come up with what will a better plan.

Doing so wouldn’t be backpeddalling, nor would it be “pandering to the polls,” but would instead be a smart person refining (but still sticking to) a smart idea based on new evidence and lessons learned. There’s simply little chance he can get elected with the plan as it is now. Investing a few years will almost certainly result in a much better solution that addresses concerns of both faith and equality supporters. What’s more, if properly crafted and indeed the best solution, the new plan would serve as the defining issue of the next provincial election, one that Tory would be well poised to win.

Will he do it?

I suspect pressure is pretty high on him to stick to his guns (for aforementioned robotic reasons), and I’m not entirely certain that he reads my blog on a regular basis. If he’s going to do it though, time is of the essence. If he changes tact now, it’s a shrewd move that shows he can learn from voter sentiment but still lead on an issue. If he waits, it’s a last minute attempt to win back voters he’s lost.

ontario election

Humour, Good Ideas in Globe & Mail Letters to the Editor

More and more over the last 3-5 years I've found myself deriving enjoyment from newspapers' editorials, op-eds and letters to the editor. My loyal followers will know that the Toronto Sun is a frequent source of joy, brilliance and blog fodder. This time it's the Globe that's caught my attention, starting first with two hilarious letters to the editor from September 5.

First is this letter on the public outcry in response to revelations that Canada has a thriving horse meat economy, written by Fred Bealle of Vanier, Ontario:

When did horses start being pets instead of mostly utilitarian transport that was rewarded by being eaten after long service (Will Canadians Stomach A Horsemeat Industry? - Sept. 4).Cows are nice. I love cows. Cows are very affectionate. You can even ride one if you are not in a hurry. And on the way, the cow thoughtfully provides you with milk and cheese. Find a horse that will do that as efficiently.

I really do not understand why it is horrible to eat horses or cute little canines, and it is okay to enjoy a beefsteak. As for myself, I smugly avoid meats while I tuck into my rice and beans. It's about global warming, you know.

It's about global warming....HA! I'm still chuckling. Next comes George James from Port Hope, who has this to say about the provincial Liberals' election promise to give Ontarians a new holiday in February (the paper titled the letter, All in the family day):

I strongly support the Liberal proposal to add a public holiday known as Family Day in February (February Blahs Mark Ontario's Political Calendar - Sept. 4). It will give my wife time to catch up on the laundry and the housework.

On a more serious note, I think the most insightful, constructive and straightforward letter to the editor I've ever read came from the pen of Parker Quast of Oakville yesterday. Weighing in on the now pivotal provincial election issue of funding faith-based schools tabled by John Tory, Parker says:

I think it is a really bad idea to have kids with different religions split up in schools. This will lead to kids arguing that their religion is right and better than the other, instead of being friends. It will cost so much money just to set up a school to teach one religion. The parents should teach religion at home and, if a school teaches religion, it should be one class that teaches all religions. That way kids will know about them all and won't think there is a ''right or wrong'' religion.

If it's not enough that Parker has a point, consider this....he's ten years old. He's a keeper!