Though he backed Christine Elliott in the Progressive Conservative leadership race, Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson is ready to throw his support behind newly-elected Doug Ford.
“I’ve seen a number of his interviews, and I like what he’s saying,” said Wilson. “He’s focussing on what he’s been doing for the last 30 years in politics and that’s fighting for the little guy, for the people he says [Premier Kathleen] Wynne has left behind. He promises to reduce the cost of government without firing anybody, which he claims to have done at Toronto city hall with his brother, and I believe him.”
Initially Elliott challenged the results of the leadership election, alleging “irregularities,” but she conceded to Ford and announced Monday she will run as an MPP in the June provincial election, though she has not said in which riding she will run. Her former riding, Whitby, already has an incumbent PC candidate.
“Christine [Elliott] certainly won the popular vote,” said Wilson. “She did very, very well. It’s great that she’s rallied behind Doug [Ford], and that she will run in the next election as an MPP.”
Wilson said both Elliott and Ford “would have done a good job as PC leader,” but that he endorsed Elliott because he knew her better.
“I’m quite happy with Doug [Ford],” said Wilson. “I like what he’s saying, and I think the people of Ontario are going to like it too.”
Wilson called Ford a “man of his word” and said he has seen Ford “sticking up for people.”
“He’s very loyal, he was loyal to his brother at city hall and that’s admirable. He is loyal to the people of Ontario,” said Wilson. “That’s a great trait to have.”
As for the PC platform so far, Wilson supports scrapping the carbon tax for a strict cap system to limit output by large businesses. Wilson is also focused on getting a new hospital built in Collingwood and Alliston.
He said Ontarians no longer trust Kathleen Wynne, but they can trust Doug Ford and his PC party.
“He’s a man of his word,” said Wilson.
Wilson has already been nominated as the local PC candidate for the June 2018 provincial election.
The vote PC leadership vote breakdown in Simcoe-Grey was as follows:
First ballot:
Tanya Granic Allen – 75, Christine Elliott – 233, Doug Ford –191, Caroline Mulroney – 68
Second ballot:
Christine Elliott – 239, Doug Ford – 249 and Caroline Mulroney – 77
Third ballot:
Christine Elliott – 290, Doug Ford 263
