“Don’t Let Yesterday Take Up Too Much Of Today,” Will Rogers

NDP has been busier in ensuring that their Member of the Provincial Assembly get the coveted party post for the Federal battle and somewhere down the line their concern for Ontario has taken a back seat. Progressive Conservatives elected Patrick Brown as its leader in May 2015 and he was expected to firm up its plans to take on the ruling Liberals. Six months passed and Liberals coined “a man with no plan” for Conservative leader Patrick Brown.
Last week, Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives launched their election platform with a glossy magazine and a smiling Patrick Brown on the cover. And in a smart move, the same has been named as “Patrick Brown’s People’s Guarantee”. Conservatives were expecting Patrick Brown to come out with his plans and promises little earlier and make an impact. Though “People’s Guarantee” may appear to be a move that has come little late but has all the ingredients to spice up the politics in Ontario and it has already begun to do so. It has come as a relief for the Conservatives, as Liberals can no longer say that Patrick Brown is a man with no plan. The manner in which the document has been prepared, it seems that the People’s Guarantee is Patrick Brown and now Patrick Brown is the People’s Guarantee. By coming out with his plan, he has put the cat among the pigeons. The plan is up for scrutiny, gives critics more time and opportunity to analyze and criticize. Thus Patrick Brown’s People’s Guarantee gets a chance to remain in discussion and criticism by other political parties and hence in media too. A situation few leaders are able to carve for themselves with an ease.
People’s Guarantee promises cut in income tax; however critics say that it would never materialize as the new carbon tax that Patrick Brown intends to bring in will surely eat that all up. Patrick brown could have taken an insight into former federal Liberal leader Stephane Dion who was denounced in the 2008 federal election for introducing a “green shift”. Perhaps it’s done with an intention to have People Guarantee get all the possible attention.
Parties have gone into hyper gear to find imperfections in Patrick Brown’s plans. Liberals have called the claim that the Conservatives will cut income tax by 22.5 percent as highly misleading, as that cut would be in one income bracket not a cut across the board. His plan to reimburse 75% of childcare costs could make Ontarians vote for the Conservatives.
There are certain other higher-profile commitments. Increase in spending for mental-health services, or the bringing in of new accountability measures would also keep Patrick Brown’s plan in focus. His other commitment, that if he wins in June and over the course of his first term, for whatever reason and there could be many, the Conservatives are not able to deliver; Patrick Brown has promised to quit. Each guarantee comes with a promise. A Guarantee with such a string attached would compel the voters to have a look and relook at the promises that the Conservatives make. But will that get converted into votes? Only time will tell. However, the condition of stepping down if the promises are not met is an interesting proposition. Patrick Brown in addition to garnering the benefits of being the first mover also plans to keep the voters, opposition and the critics busy.