Ontario NDP launches 'biggest' campaign in its history

Ontario's New Democrats launched what theparty is calling"the biggest campaign" in its history on Sunday in Hamilton.

The rally atLiunaStation in Hamilton camea little more than a week beforethe official provincial campaign period starts on May 9.

"It's our biggest campaign because we have the resources that we've not had before in terms of our ability to mount the kind of momentum that you're seeing in the room today,"NDPLeader AndreaHorwathtold reporters.

The NDPalso nominatedHorwath, its leader, as the candidate for theriding of Hamilton Centre.

"I'm honoured to accept your nomination as NDPcandidate,"Horwathtold the crowd.

June's vote marks the third election in whichHorwathhas led theNDP.

"We are running to win," said the leader."What Ontario doesn't need is Doug Ford, and what Ontario doesn't want anymore is Kathleen Wynne, that's why we're offering change for the better."

The event featured community leaders, other legislators, and Tom Wilson of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings.

NDP supporter Ogho Ikhalocame from Toronto for the launch.

"I came because I believe it's time for change in this province. It's been 15 years of more of the same, and it's time to change that," saidIkhalo.

Reiteratingplatform

Last week, the NDPreleased itsplatform, which includes increased spending on healthcare and childcare, promising free child care for families earning less than$40,000 and a boost to hospital budgets if elected.

She also reminded prospective voters of her promise to bring Hydro One back into public hands.The party said, if elected, it wouldreduce hydro bills by 30 per cent.

"I will never settlefor a system that's hurting so many families," saidHorwath.

Let's knock on more doors than ever before.-NDPLeader AndreaHorwath

Horwath reiterated those promises atSunday'slaunch, once again presenting the NDP as an alternative to the Liberals and the Progressive Conservatives.

"I think it's pretty clear that people are desperate for a change in Ontario, and they've made itvery obvious that KathleenWynneand the Liberals are not wanted at the helm of government anymore,"Horwathtold reporters.

But the party has projected five consecutive deficits to pay for its plan, with a $3.3 billion shortfall in 2018-2019 falling to $1.9 billion by 2022-2023.

Currently, the NDPhas 18 MPPs at Queen's Park, a number that Horwathhas said sheishoping to increase in the next provincial election.

"Let's knock on more doors than ever before," said Horwath."We will elect a new premier on June 7."

Standing out

Ontario NDPchiefof staff,Michael Balagus, is confident Ontario will have anew premier.

He told reporters Sunday that he thinks it's pretty safe to say, "that this is a change election.There's going to be a new premier elected."

Every Ontarian is going to have a chance to meet AndreaHorwath.-OntarioNDPchiefof staffMichaelBalagus

Balagussaid it's the biggest campaignthe party has ever run in the province because it's about forming a government, not an opposition.

The party plans to do this using a variety of platforms to give voters a chance to get to knowHorwath.

"Every Ontarian is going to have a chance to meet Andrea Horwath before this election is over, and we've never offered that in a campaign before. We've never had the money to do that before,"saidBalagus.

Balagussaid people are responding with donations and volunteering their time, which is aiding thelargecampaign effort.

PeterGraefe, an associate professor of political science at McMasterUniversity, says Horwathisn't widely knownby voters, which could be both a blessing and a curse for the leader.

Graefesays coming out of thelaunch what people might see is an attemptto position the NDP as the only alternative to the Conservatives.

"Given the difficulty that Kathleen Wynne has had so far in getting traction, she has a shot at least of standing out and becoming if you like, one of the two lead candidates in this race."