Ontario Liberal leadership hopefuls talk taxes, affordability and Doug Ford in final debate
Ontario Liberal leadership hopefuls on Wednesday pitched themselves as the antidote to Premier Doug Ford in a final debate before voting begins. There was little disagreement among them, though several took different tacks on taxes. Navdeep Bains, Stephanie Bowman, Lee Fairclough and Dylan Marando all took pains to say they were serious politicians at a […]
In the final Liberal leadership debate ahead of voting, Ontario candidates pledged to tackle Premier Doug Ford's leadership, focusing on taxes, affordability, and party rejuvenation. Candidates Navdeep Bains, Stephanie Bowman, Lee Fairclough, and Dylan Marando emphasized their seriousness in contrast to Ford's manner. The candidates largely agreed on education, health care, and party revitalization but disagreed on tax policies.
Fairclough, a Liberal caucus member, proposed tax reform instead of raising taxes, advocating for a value-for-money audit and better tax bases for struggling municipalities. Marando, a political staffer of former leaders, said he would eliminate personal income taxes for workers earning under $50,000 and reduce small business taxes, potentially raising taxes on big businesses if necessary.
Bowman, a chartered accountant and ex-BoC board member, cautioned against raising taxes due to ongoing struggles, suggesting responsible tax relief measures instead. Bains, a former cabinet minister, echoed the other candidates' concerns over the affordability crisis, emphasizing the need for investment in education and healthcare. Voting for Liberal members opens Nov. 9 and ends Nov. 20, with the next leader expected on Nov. 21.
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- Liberal leadership hopefuls talk taxes, affordability and Doug Ford in final debate winnipegfreepress.com
