By Lucas Mandelbaum

Ontario Election News Articles and Reections Toronto Star: Sept. 24, 2011 Liberals Vow To Scrap Mississauga Power Plant by San Grewal http://speakyourmind.thestar.com/thestar/get-talking/environment/liberals-vow-to-scrapmississauga-power-plant/ Summary: This article overviews the Liberals recent announcement that, if elected, they will stop the construction of a power plant in Mississauga which was to the residents content. This was denitely a last minute, desperate move to win a seat in the upcoming election. Analysis: The article was denitely pro-liberal. It emphasized the residents content and how other parties have not pledged to do the same yet only touched on the potential costs and the legal restrictions of such a signicant project. The writer also didnt mention that the liberals were the ones who began the construction of this plant in the rst place. Personally, I think they shouldve and couldve made a move earlier to relocate the project opposed to waiting 5 years and wasting money in doing so. I think this pledge will denitely benet the Liberals in the upcoming election but not for the right reasons.

Toronto Sun: Sept. 25, 2011 NDP outlines its $3.3-billion plan by Patrick Maloney http://www.torontosun.com/2011/09/25/ndp-outlines-its-33-billion-plan Summary: The NDP announced a controversial plan that will, hopefully, strengthen Ontarios nancial position. The plan is to increase corporate taxes and to eventually cut small business taxes. The plan is projected to bring $3.3 billion dollars by the end of Horwaths term which will of course only happen if she is elected. Analysis: This article doesnt offer a lot of opinion and is fairly to the point. Because of this, it is relatively unbiased. It clearly outlines the NDP plan and gives a fairly balanced amount of both pros and cons. Because it has been generally accepted that the more money a company has, the more people it will hire this plan is a little difcult to wrap your head around but I think its somewhat reasonable. Even with tax cuts, companies havent necessarily been creating more jobs. Although this plan will, in my opinion, denitely not create more jobs I think our province need the money and we shouldnt be wasting it.

By Lucas Mandelbaum

Toronto Star: Sept. 26, 2011 Killing Gas-Fired Power Plants Could Cost $1B by Richard J. Brennan and Tanya Talaga http://speakyourmind.thestar.com/thestar/get-talking/economy/killing-gas-red-power-plantscould-cost-1b/ Summary: This article was in response to the Liberal decision to, if elected, stop construction and relocate the Mississauga Power Plant. Unlike the Star article about the same decision from Sept. 24, this article article emphasizes the cost and relocation aspects of the decision. Analysis: This article was, contradictory to the usual Liberal biased, critical of the Liberals decision. It brought up many good arguments such as McGuintys refusal to answer Hudaks questions of where the plant will be relocated to and how much it will cost to do so. Hudak brings up a good point which is to tell us now before the election, the voters deserve to know. I fully agree with this article and found it very insightful. Toronto Sun: Sept. 27, 2011 McGuinty Takes The Most Hits by Antonella Artuso and Jonathan Jenkins http://www.torontosun.com/2011/09/27/no-clear-winner-in-ont-leaders-debate Summary: This article recaps the debate that was held earlier today between Horwath, McGuinty, and Hudak. This article briey skims over the candidates major jabs at each other in a play-by-play like article. The topics this article reects on are things such as taxes (corporate taxes, carbon tax, etc.), scholarships and benets for skilled immigrants, and the closing of a power plant in Mississauga. Analysis: This article was somewhat critical of McGuinty which is tting due to the way the debate went but provides good insight into both sides of each argument. In my opinion, McGuinty lost the debate all though he held his ground surprisingly well considering it was 2 against 1. Hudak and Horwath both were convincing when justifying their questioned decisions and stood their ground well. This article was a great analysis of an insightful debate.

By Lucas Mandelbaum

Toronto Star: Sept. 28, 2011 Hudak Cant Be Trusted To Stand Up To Harper: McGuinty By Richard J. Brennan http://speakyourmind.thestar.com/thestar/get-talking/health-care/hudak-cant-be-trusted-tostand-up-to-harper-mcguinty-3/ Summary: McGuinty questions the effectiveness of another PC being elected into a government which already has a Conservative Prime Minister and a right-wing Mayor. He says, My concern is if we get one guy here in Ontario whos focused on cuts, weve got another guy in Ottawa who is now talking about looming cuts, thats double the cuts. And I am very concerned about the impact thats going to have on our province. Analysis: After reading this, it seems to my McGuinty is going to make up any token excuse he can do to insult Hudaks potential performance as a premier. McGuinty argument is, in my opinion, completely invalid. There is nothing to show that Hudak wouldt stand up to Harper. This article lacks the other side of the argument where you can also say a largely conservative government would help them get thing done. The Globe & Mail: Sept. 29, 2011 How Samsung Became An Ontario Election Flashpoint by Karen Howlett and Renata DAlieso http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ontario-election/how-samsung-became-anontario-election-ashpoint/article2185651/ Summary: This article goes in depth about a major and controversial deal McGuinty signed while premier. This deal involved contacting Samsung, a South Korean company, to improve Ontarios green energy infrastructure. $327-million was paid to Samsung without the consultation of many of McGuintys co-workers. During the current election, this deal has been used to discredit McGuinty especially by Hudak who promised to scrap the deal. Analysis: I dont agree with McGuintys decision to dump $327-million of taxpayers money into green energy let alone do it without full consultation. It was a stupid decision for the plain reason we cant afford it. Unfortunately, I think its too late to x. Although I disagree with this contract, I dont support Hudaks decision to tear it up because it would be too expensive to do so. I dont think we should give McGuinty the opportunity to take another risky, handicapping move like this. He cant be trusted.

By Lucas Mandelbaum

Toronto Sun: Sept. 30, 2011 McGuinty Says Hudak Would Devastate The Auto Industry by Antonella Artuso http://www.torontosun.com/2011/09/30/mcguinty-says-hudak-would-devastate-the-auto-industry Summary: While touring the Chrysler plant, McGuinty criticizes Hudaks negativity and lack of faith towards the auto industry. McGuinty claims Ontario has a lot of potential in the the auto industry but Hudak refers to this as wasteful and unnecessary spending. This spending is reecting on McGuintys $4.8 billion controversial loan to GM and Chrysler, which Hudak was against. Analysis: Although I think the auto sector is and can be important in Ontarios economy but just as they are struggling, we are too. Reecting back onto the loan McGuinty gave to GM and Chrysler years back, I think it was important for us to make that bold move to stay competitive but I do agree with Hudak that we need to reduce spending. On this topic there are pros and cons on both sides of the argument which, in my opinion, pretty much balance out. I dont think the auto industry will be a signicant factor in the upcoming election. Toronto Star: Oct. 1, 2011 Get Ready For A Minority Provincial Government, Poll Says by Robert Benzie http://speakyourmind.thestar.com/thestar/get-talking/get-ready-for-a-minority-provincialgovernment-poll-says-2/ Summary: A recent poll says that there is most likely going to be a minority government. The article reviews past polls and the rates which each party is gaining or losing voters. Analysis: The numbers from these polls are very interesting. I wonder whether a minority government could be successful and complete its term. Im also curious how accurate these numbers are/will be. Toronto Sun: Oct. 2, 2011 Horwath Makes Her Priorities Known by Antonella Artuso http://www.torontosun.com/2011/10/02/horwath-makes-her-priorities-known Summary: At a campaign stop, Horwath outlines the top 5 on her to-do list if elected. These are, in the

By Lucas Mandelbaum

Toronto Suns words, lower taxes for small businesses and companies that create jobs; the HST off hydro and home heating; frozen tuitions and child care fees; weekly cap on gas prices; elimination of wait lists for home care and long term care; up to $5,000 tax credit for home energy retrots and frozen transit fares. Analysis: I support the majority of the promises above. I agree small business tax should be lowered and corporate taxes should be raised and I agree with frozen transit fares. On the other hand, I feel the HST is necessary in our nancial position and we cant afford elimination of wait lists for home care and long term care. Overall, I support her promises. The Globe & Mail: Oct. 3, 2011 Horwaths promises will hurt Ontario by John Ibbitson http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/john-ibbitson/horwaths-promises-will-hurt-ontario/ article2189883/ Summary: This article, similar to the one in the Toronto Sun yesterday, discusses Horwath promises but in a more detailed, negative description. This article states, there wont be an NDP government. There may, however, be a Liberal or Conservative minority government, with Dalton McGuinty or Tim Hudak struggling to stay in power by keeping Andrea Horwath happy. Analysis: The writer is denitely against the NDP. He, for the most part, describes negative aspects of each promise. Before reading this article I supported the majority of these promises but only because I havent ran into any criticism of them. This article brought up many good arguments but usually only one side of them. Toronto Star: Oct. 4, 2011 Election Results Are In: Debt by a Landslide by Gregory Thomas http://speakyourmind.thestar.com/thestar/get-talking/economy/election-results-are-in-debt-by-alandslide/ Summary: This article describes the scary truth beneath Ontarios nancial position. This article is starts off by saying voters are choosing between a premier who promised never to raise taxes or run a decit and two challengers who promise new spending when the province is running its worst decits in history.., pick you poison. Raising taxes isnt the most popular topic when it comes to

By Lucas Mandelbaum

voting so generally candidates arent advertising it but it has to be done. This article outlines a few things that are responsible for this decit and blames much of it on McGuinty. Analysis: I agree with this article that taxes have to be raised and spending reduced but doing one and not the other isnt effective. For example, McGuinty introduced the HST which youd think hed put toward paying off our enormous debt but he spent it on green energy. This writer is denitely anti-Liberal and provides something different, the truth. The Toronto Sun: Oct. 5, 2011 Horwath down on HST payment letters by Don Peat and Patrick Maloney http://www.torontosun.com/2011/10/05/horwath-down-on-hst-payment-letters Summary: Horwath criticizes McGuintys HST saying, pay cheques are staying the same and their bills are getting higher. The article article then goes on to mention Forbes Magazine ranking Canada the number one country for business, a ranking which the HST is largely accountable for. Analysis: Our province is running a major decit and the HST is necessary to help pull us out of it. Horwath says, the important thing is how people are feeling. Although thats sounds good, the truth is that were recovering from a recession and its not going to feel good. The Globe & Mail: Oct. 6, 2011 Ontario leaders make the most of campaigns nal hours by Karen Howlett, Adrian Morrow, and Steve Ladurantaye http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ontario-election/ontario-leaders-make-the-mostof-campaigns-nal-hours/article2192551/ Summary: This article gives a brief step-by-step of each candidates cram on election day. It writes what riding the leaders tried to snag last minute and what their attitude going into them were. Analysis: This article is a nice, quick glimpse into the candidates day, refreshingly free of issues and opinions.

By Lucas Mandelbaum

Toronto Star: Oct. 7, 2011 Liberal-Dominated Toronto Not Healthy: Hudak by Richard J. Brennan http://speakyourmind.thestar.com/thestar/get-talking/liberal-dominated-toronto-not-healthyhudak/ Summary: Hudak gives his prediction and opinion on a Liberal minority government. The article begins with Hudak sharing his disappointment in the numbers he received from Toronto and he says he will work to earn the trust of more Toronto families. Brennan writes, Hudak insisted that Premier Dalton McGuintys minority government will last only as long as the opposition wants it to. McGuinty will have to be very cautious in his decisions and Hudak says a tax hike with a minority government will be extremely difcult for McGuinty. Hudak also says he doesnt doubt the possibility of McGuinty convincing a seat holder to cross the oor as he accuses him of doing a lot of backroom deals. Analysis: This article was very interesting and gives a good rst hand prediction of what the next while might look like. Hudak emphasized that he had McGuinty on a short leash and was going to prevent tax hikes which isnt reasonable due to our decit.