Wynne drops H-bomb: as in (Mike) Harris-as-(Tim) Hudak
Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne invokes spectre of controversial Tory premier Mike Harris in criticism of Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak

Thestar.com
June 5, 2014
By Robert Benzie

In her bid to discourage Ontarians from electing Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak on June 12, Wynne is invoking the spectre of controversial former Tory premier Mike Harris.

“The PCs’ dash to slash jobs and services is irresponsible and it’s familiar. It did not work in the past and it will not work again,” the Liberal leader said Thursday, when she was also endorsed by Toronto Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly, who called her “city-friendly.”

“We’ve recovered from the Harris years,” Wynne said, referring Hudak’s political mentor who governed Ontario from 1995 to 2002.

“But we cannot take any of that for granted. It’s a moment that could be lost if we choose the wrong priorities.”

After meeting with 16 municipal leaders - including Kelly, Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, Oakville Mayor Rob Burton and Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan - Wynne noted Harris downloaded $3 billion in social service costs to civic governments.

“These are mayors who have seen this before. We have been uploading those costs to the provincial level and we will continue uploading,” she said, predicting Hudak would be Harris redux.

“He will cut funding to municipalities, meaning there will be even more layoffs in our cities and communities.”

Later, at a Canadian Club luncheon speech given by Wynne at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Kelly formally endorsed the Liberal leader. The deputy mayor said of all the leaders she best grasps the challenges faced by cities.

“The city needs a city-friendly leader and this province needs a city-friendly premier,” Kelly told 370 people at her speech.

“Kathleen, that leader and that premier is you.”

While Hudak has pledged to continue uploading service costs to the province, he has also vowed to reduce the broader public service by 100,000 positions over the next four years.

“Tim Hudak… has signalled that he wants to roll back the clock to a time when government believed its top priority was to pick fights and avoid its responsibility to help people and communities succeed,” said Wynne. “We can’t go back to those days. Not now, not ever.”