By Pepper Parr
February 26th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
It would be fair to say that most people, the MAGA types excepted, would say how could the Americans be so stupid to elect Donald Trump as President. One American Senator refers to the man as a “maniac”.
I could fill this column with a list of the really dumb things Trump has done to Americans and the damage he has done to the rest of the world.
Tomorrow, the people of Ontario have an opportunity to not make the same mistake and return the same person to the Premiership of the province.
Let me list the really dumb things Doug Ford has done:
Doug Ford’s government signed a 95 year lease for parts of Ontario Place.
Closed the Science Center
Said he made a mistake with the Greenbelt fiasco
Decided to build Hwy 413 when it isn’t needed.
Finds himself the object of an RCMP investigation – says that they haven’t interviewed him – doesn’t realize that they Mounties interview the person they are after last.
Allows the development of a theme park on Ontario Place property. The province signed a 95 – year lease for parts of Ontario Place where a $700 million theme park is to be built.
Permits the sale of beer at gas stations.
Comes up with a $40 BILLION plan to build a tunnel underneath the 401.
Forgets that he is the Premier of Ontario and not the Prime Minister and spends time in the United States telling the American politicians DETAIL
Natalie Pierre, the Progressive Conservative candidate did not show up for the all-candidate meeting.
The election outcome Thursday night will probably not be the end of Doug Ford – however, there is an opportunity to return the Ford crowd as a minority government.
That will mean electing enough New Democrats and Liberals to the Legislature.
In Burlington the sentiment seems to favour Andrea Grebenc; Natalie Pierre didn’t want to run for a second term, got talked into running – apparently the Conservatives couldn’t find a different candidate. Pierre insulted the people she represents by not showing up for the all candidate event.
We have not managed to cover the election in Milton, which includes parts of the northern part of Burlington, nor did we manage to cover the Oakville North Burlington riding.
In Milton the candidates are
| KATHERINE-ANNE CIRLINCIONE | Ontario NDP/NPD |
| SUSAN DOYLE | Green Party of Ontario GPO |
| ZEE HAMID | PC Party of Ontario |
| MOHSIN RIZVI | CPO |
| JOHN SPINA | New Blue Party |
| KRISTINA TESSER DERKSEN | Ontario Liberal Party |
In Oakville North Burlington the candidates are:
| ALI HOSNY | Green Party of Ontario GPO |
| KANIZ MOULI | Ontario Liberal Party |
| CALEB SMOLENAARS | Ontario NDP/NPD |
| EFFIE TRIANTAFILOPOULOS | PC Party of Ontario |
| CHARLES WROBLEWSKI | New Blue Party |
Get out and vote – and think hard about what is best for the province and for your community.
Salt with Pepper is an opinion column reflecting the observations and musings of the publisher of the Gazette, an on-line newspaper that is in its 12th year as a news source in Burlington and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
No Mistake!!!!!
It’s so nice that you support higher taxes with no results. Bring in more taxes with Liberals . Last time the NDP was in power (Ontario) the middle class was taxed . Liberals and Carbon tax is not an effective tools to reduce pollution . Ontario Place sat empty and unused for decades . Who closed Ontario Place “Liberals” . Do you have proof that Ford is a criminal as you suggest in your column . It’s easy to make statements , with no facts.
This opinion piece is based on the author’s Conservative bias
Editor’s note: Eve sweetheart – I have never harboured a Conservative bias in my life. I did like John Robarts.