By Pepper Parr
December 21st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
MPP says she has renewed passion and energy
Natalie Pierre changes her mind – found renewed passion and energy.
Natalie Pierre announced earlier today that: “After heartfelt reflection and with renewed passion and energy, I have decided to run in the next provincial election. In October, I shared that I would not be seeking re-election. What followed was unexpected and deeply humbling. Your calls, messages, and personal visits poured in—urging me to reconsider. You shared your hopes, your concerns, and your belief in the work we’ve accomplished together.
“Burlington is my home, and there’s still much work to be done. I am committed to building on what we’ve accomplished and addressing the challenges ahead.
“I continue to be inspired by the leadership of Premier Ford and our government’s vision for Ontario—advancing economic growth, strengthening education, improving health care, and supporting businesses. Together, we can achieve so much more for our city and our province.
“Thank you for your faith, your encouragement, and your passion for our city. I look forward to continuing this journey with you.”
Interpretation: The Burlington Progressive Conservative Association couldn’t find a candidate and a provincial election is closer than many realized.
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We need a change. Pierre is useless. Can’t be bothered acknowledging her membership individuals. Won’t be voting for her.
Natalie Who?
Hopefully Natalie Pierre will be more active and responsive with and for her Burlington constituents moving forward then she has been since first being elected in 2022. She has been completely missing in action in Burlington for most of her time as our MPP in Burlington. Other than the odd photo ops!!
When I read this announcement, my first and very uncharitable thought, was that to have “renewed energy” one, theoretically, needs to have some energy in the first place. I have some personal experience with trying to interface with Pierre and her constituency office over a personal health care issue. What I received was the official party line, no empathy, no personal contact and no help. Whom I did receive a great deal of help from afterwards, quite unexpectedly since we have been on opposite sides of many issues, was Jane McKenna. Thank you Jane. So, there is my disclosure – I do not support Natalie Pierre. I consider her to be less than useful and certainly not the best choice for Burlington for the Ontario Legislature – a placeholder at the very best. But, she may take up residence at the end of Queen’s Park Circle again.
The Ontario Liberals in general and the Burlington Liberal Association in particular have a habit of shooting themselves in the foot while simultaneously eating their young. They draw defeat from the jaws of victory with little effort and even less thought. Moving in to the next provincial election they have chosen Andrea Grebenc as their flagbearer and, in my opinion, she is a good choice, Her competition in the nomination contest, Oliver Parker, was also a very solid candidate and has much to offer in the future. But what will they do with the opportunity? Grebenc will have her challenges; she is bright, personable and works hard but does she work at the right things; the things that will make a difference in the campaign? Will she tie herself to the local Liberal Association and follow its mediocre history of performance? And if she is wise, and aligns herself to the Provincial Liberals most securely, will she be able to differentiate herself from a nebulous Crombie and a toxic Trudeau?
I love American football and while watching the Cincinnati game I was surprised to see a political advert from the Provincial Tory Association. It focused exclusively on Bonnie Crombie – her “friendship” with Justin Trudeau and her history of approving tax increases – “Bonnie Crombie, she’s too expensive”. Wow! The campaign can’t be far off and now we know, as if it wasn’t obvious anyways, what the Tory tag lines will be. We know what Natalie Pierre is (and isn’t). Anyone that can say with a straight face “I continue to be inspired by the leadership of Premier Ford and our government’s vision for Ontario” will never be capable of independent action, will remain a party shill. But do we know what Andrea is? Is she strong and savvy enough to be able to present an option that resonates with jaundiced voters like me; that offers the best choice for the City, divorced from the tired policies and unrestrained egos of those above. We will know soon enough.
Bang on.