By Marit Stiles, Leader of the Ontario NDP
Introduction:
At Filipinos in the 6ix, we are committed to amplifying diverse voices that impact our community. As part of that commitment, we provide a platform for political leaders to share their perspectives directly with our readers.
The following op-ed is written by Marit Stiles, Leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP), who shares her vision for the province ahead of the upcoming election. Filipinos in the 6ix remains neutral and encourages readers to engage in thoughtful discussion on issues affecting Ontarians.
Monday, Feb 10, 2025
Like so many people across Ontario, I came to this province for the opportunity it promised. I came here to build a good life, and to ensure my kids could build an even brighter future. Every day, I meet Ontarians with roots in every corner of the globe who share the same vision for this province we love.
We believe Ontario should be a place where you can find a good, affordable home that fits your family in a strong, safe community. And that when your kids start a family of their own, they’ll be able to afford a good home, close by.
We know that everyone should have easy access to world-class health care. And that every student should get the support they need to learn and succeed in class. We believe everyone should be able to find a good, secure job that allows them to cover the basics and leaves room to save up for the special things in life. The Ontario we hope for is a place where people are excited about the future.
Sadly, we know that’s not the province we have right now. After seven long years of Doug Ford, Ontario is harder and more expensive than ever to live in.
Our dollars just don’t stretch how they used to at the grocery store — or anywhere else. Over two million Ontarians can’t get a family doctor. Our nurses are over-worked, underpaid, and disrespected by a government that calls them heroes, and then takes them to court to freeze their wages. Every day we’re stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic trying to get around. And for so many people trying to make our province stronger by practicing the profession they’re trained in, the government is putting up barriers, instead of pulling them down.
You and your family deserve so much better. And in this month’s election, we have the chance to choose a better Ontario by electing an NDP government that is on your side.
We can help put money back in your pocket with my Monthly Grocery Rebate that offsets the rising cost of groceries.
We can tackle the housing crisis by bringing in real rent control, crack down on unfair rent hikes and renovictions, and building more homes people can afford.
We can reduce congestion, save you money, and get you back to your loved ones faster by taking all tolls off the 407.
We can fix health care, starting with hiring more doctors and nurses, and connecting every Ontarian with a family doctor.
We can fix our kids’ schools, hire more caring adults to help them learn, and launch a universal School Food Program to make sure no child has to learn on an empty stomach.
And we can fix barriers for internationally-trained professionals like nurses, so they can get to work faster in their fields of expertise, and help make our province stronger.
These are just some of the ways we can finally turn the page, and start building the better Ontario we all want to see.
When it comes to turning the page, I want to be very clear: I will never put party stripe ahead of getting good things done for people.
Liberal governments of the past did some things I value. Things like all-day kindergarten. These are good things that speak to values we all share.
But sadly, these just aren’t the values of the current leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.
Instead, in Bonnie Crombie, we have a Liberal leader who says previous Liberal governments spent too much on health care and child care, all while taking big donations from the very same insiders bankrolling Ford’s Conservatives. You can’t trust them to fix what they broke in the first place.
And Doug Ford’s Conservatives have had seven years to make your life better, but cost of living and housing is higher, health care harder to access than when they first came to power. They didn’t change a thing for the better in the past seven years, and they won’t now. The Conservatives are not on your side.
I didn’t get into politics for the power, or to make my friends rich.
My promise to you is simple: If you elect me Premier, I will always fight for every single person in Ontario.
It’s time for new leaders and new ideas.
It’s time for a Premier who is on your side.
So, this election I’m asking for your vote, and I will be working hard to earn it.
