Kathleen Wynne defends $100M in byelection goodies for Niagara
Premier Kathleen Wynne insists it's just a coincidence her Liberal government is pumping more than $100 million into Niagara Falls against the backdrop of a byelection.

Toronto Star
January 17, 2014 
By Robert Benzie

Premier Kathleen Wynne insists it's just a coincidence her Liberal government is pumping more than $100 million into Niagara Falls against the backdrop of a byelection.

With voters there and in Thornhill heading to the polls on Feb. 13, Wynne's administration has recently earmarked $75 million over five years to help the wine industry and announced $26.2 million toward a new Niagara hospital.

"That grape and wine strategy has been in the works for months. The industry was very concerned that we get an announcement out. They have been waiting for it, they want the stability. This is very, very important sector for us in Ontario," the premier said Friday in Niagara Falls.

"Regardless of the timing of the byelection we had to get that strategy out. We had to make sure that the grape and wine industry understood that we are going to continue to be supportive, that we see it as one of our strengths.

"The discussions around the hospital have been going on for months and years. It is coincidental, but regardless of the timing of the byelection we were going to be making those announcements."

Campaigning with federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and local candidate Joyce Morocco, Wynne attacked Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak, whose party leads - according to a poll Thursday - in a riding that had been held by former Grit MPP Kim Craitor.

"In fairness to Tim Hudak - if we talk about jobs and the economy - he's published some ideas about where he would take Ontario. But if you read them, it's very clear he would pick up where he left off with Mike Harris," she said, referring to the former Tory premier in power from 1995 until 2002.

"The elimination of jobs, the driving down of wages, the weakening of pensions are part of the plan, all the while cutting billions of dollars from education and from health care, from schools and from hospitals," said Wynne.

Without naming her, the premier also castigated NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, reminding voters that unemployment was high when the New Democrats governed from 1990 to 1995.

Trudeau, who had campaigned on Thursday in Thornhill for Liberal candidate Sandra Yeung Racco, said he was "glad" to be able to help Wynne.

Former Tory MPP Bart Maves is the PC candidate in Niagara Falls and the NDP will officially select Wayne Gates on Saturday.

In Thornhill, Tory Gila Martow is vying to keep a seat held by former Conservative MPP Peter Shurman. The NDP will pick a candidate this weekend.

The Greens will also soon select their standard-bearers in both seats.