#onpoli #politics #ontario #horwath

To assist in online interactions, I'm hoping to do a compilation of useful info and links to rebut misconceptions some people may have. Feel free to add any links in comments so that I can update the post.

Basics:

Election is June 7, 2018

Find out your electoral district (aka riding): https://www.elections.on.ca/en/voting-in-ontario/electoral-districts.html

Make sure you're registered to vote: https://voterinformationservice.elections.on.ca/en/home

1.) Misconception: a vote for the NDP is a wasted vote, only the Liberals can stop Ford.

Polling shows that the NDP is now tied for second with the Liberals (in the mid-twenties) with the Cons in front in the mid-forties. And, polling shows that Wynne is deeply unpopular, whereas Horwath is very popular, giving the NDP the most room to grow.

Polling links:

a.) overall --> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario_general_election,_2018#Opinion_polls
b.) leader popularity --> http://www.570news.com/2018/04/28/ndps-horwath-shaping-top-challenger-ford-ontario-election/

2.) Misconception: I don't like Ford, but the NDP's promises are too expensive. Best to stick with the Liberals.

False. The Liberals, from their budget, pledged $29.4 billion in deficits over five years. The NDP, from their platform, pledged $18.1 billion for the same period. It's because the NDP believe in tax reform and the Libs do not, that the NDP can offer better services to us that are properly financed. Also, the Liberals numbers have been called into question by by Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk, whereas Kevin Page (former federal Parliamentary Budget Officer) reviewed the NDP's numbers and found them sound.

a.) deficit pledge numbers here, showing that the Liberal's #s are higher than the NDP's #s --> http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/reevely-leaving-liberals-for-dead-andrea-horwath-out-lefts-kathleen-wynne-with-a-smile-on-her-face
b.) confirmation that Kevin Page feels the costing is "reasonable": http://ifsd.ca/web/default/files/Presentations/Reports/IFSD-Ontario%20NDP.pdf
c.) confirmation that Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk feels the Liberal's numbers are worse than pledged. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-pre-election-auditor-general-report-finances-1.4634542

3.) Challenge from Ford supporters:
"You say that Ford plans to at least cut $6 billion from services, but he's never said this." The six billion figure comes from Patrick Browne's People's Guarantee. Ford actually plans to cut more than Browne did. The $6 billion figure is from the line "Savings from Value for Money Audit" in the People's Guarantee. The Guarantee is no longer on the web, but it's useful to know this to refute the claim that "Ford has never said this".

4.) Misconception: The Liberals and NDP are offering the same thing. False. The NDP is offering much better.

a.) Here's a Globe and Mail article that emphasizes the NDP is better: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/article-globe-editorial-the-ontario-ndp-goes-all-in-with-its-election/
b.) Here's an article I mentioned earlier that's good: http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/reevely-leaving-liberals-for-dead-andrea-horwath-out-lefts-kathleen-wynne-with-a-smile-on-her-face
c.) If they go on about Ford being like Trump and hint strategic voting for the Liberals, then I suggest using this meme that I created: https://www.diasp.org/posts/98898ab025f6013697c5047d7b62795e