Ford Nation visited Peterborough on Wednesday morning as Doug Ford made his pitch to become the next leader of Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives.
Ford, a former Toronto city councillor and brother of the late Toronto mayor Rob Ford, held a short meet and greet at the Carousel Restaurant.
In front of room full of party supporters, Ford took aim at the Liberal government, criticizing Premier Kathleen Wynne for not keeping the province “open for business” and says his party has plans to “axe” the carbon tax to help Ontario businesses remain competitive with U.S. and worldwide markets.
“We are going to go down to the border and put up a big neon sign saying ‘Ontario is Open for Business,'” he said.
He says the party will “blaze a new trail for prosperity” with tax cuts and incentives for businesses and the middle class.
“Cut it by 22 per cent because they (middle class) are the ones being annihilated right now,” he said.
Ford, 53, said his party will listen to the frontline workers for input on policy for areas such as health care and agriculture — a jab at the premier, who once had the role as Minister of Agriculture, a role currently held by longtime Peterborough Liberal MPP Jeff Leal.
“I love these politicians who think they know more about agriculture than the farmers do,” he said. “It’s the craziest thing I ever heard.”
Ford said during his campaign he has heard similar concerns from residents across the province – many echoed in Peterborough.
“They are sick and tired of high hydro costs; they need jobs,” said Ford. “People are deciding here between heating and eating. Their voice isn’t be heard.”
Progressive Conservatives will vote for a new leader in early March leading up to the provincial election on June 7. Other candidates vying for the leadership include former party leader Patrick Brown, who resigned last month over sexual misconduct allegations; Caroline Mulroney, Christine Elliott and Tanya Granic Allen.
Ford will also hold a meet-and-greet session in Lindsay on Wednesday night.