By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON — Premier Dalton McGuinty highlighted the Ontario Liberal Plan to build a high-skills, high-wage economy during a visit to Burlington today.
“Whether you’re raising a family in Burlington, Hamilton, Oakville or anywhere in between, our plan to move forward into a better future for your family is working,” McGuinty said. “Across Ontario, all families need a stronger economy to support our schools, hospitals and quality of life. Our Ontario Liberal Team is working hard to help build that quality of life.”
The politicians want to create excitement and as much buzz as they can. Thus the big campaign buses and the building up of anticipation. The handlers move the crowds up close to the bus and create a line the candidate walks along shaking hands. All the true believers get to these events. Here Premier Dalton McGuinty steps off the bus to a campaign event for Karmel Sakran.
McGuinty was joined at the event by Burlington candidate Karmel Sakran, along with fellow candidates, Sophia Aggelonitis, Mark Cripps, Ted McMeekin, Donna Tiqui-Shebib, Indira Naidoo-Harris, Kevin Flynn, Katie Trombetta and Greg Crone.
“In a world where 70 per cent of all new jobs will require a postsecondary education, we are committed to investing in our people — in their skills, in their education — to build the world’s best-educated workforce,” said McGuinty. “We’re creating the advantage needed to compete in the new economy.”
It was the same old, same old canned political speech – the kind of thing her will be doing every day of the 29 days left in this campaign. I am waiting for the day that a Premier or the leader of a political party sits down and talks with people and gives up on the idea of saying something that will make the six o’clock news.
Earlier in the day McGuinty apparently tested an all-electric car and them immediately touted his plans for a solar society. I wanted to hear what the car was like to drive and I suspect everyone else in the room wanted the same thing.
The Premier did get a great reception. Karmel Sakran’s campaign office on Guelph Line was packed – it was standing room only with a couple of dozen people who had to stand outside.
Didn’t expect to see Ward 3 councilor John Taylor on hand to see the Premier but there he was along with Ward 1 councilor Rick Craven – each getting their handshake and political blessing
Ward 3 Alderman John Taylor was also in the crowd wearing his best grey pin stripe suit, as was Ward 1 councilor Rick Craven wearing his best red shirt. The crowd, and this was a crowd also included Ward 2 councilor Marianne Meed Ward who was the Liberal candidate in the last provincial election and gave current member Joyce Savoline a good run for her money.
As people streamed out of the room, which wasn’t all that large, there was a look on the faces of the people, – almost a bit of a glow on their faces – and I thought to myself – it looks as if they have been blessed. I’m not making this up. There was a buzz in the small plaza.
Premier McGuinty is not the greatest of campaigners – he gives the speeches but his strength is one on one and why he didn’t engage a half a dozen people individually and then apologize that he couldn’t talk to everyone and explain that there were a couple of stops left before he could tuck in for the night.
Candidate Sakran was of course ecstatic. People in the small but very crowded plaza were saying that they couldn’t remember every seeing premier of the province in Burlington.
McGuinty worked his way through the crowd, boarded the bus and left for the next destination. Burlington had gotten its visit.
Sometime later in the month Tim Hudak will come through town and do his thing and it will be on the six o’clock news. If the crowd isn’t as large or as enthusiastic – get ready for a shift in the political culture of this city.
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