PALMERSTON – Candidates shared strong opinions about public concerns during Perth-Wellington’s first 2025 provincial debate at the Norgan Theatre on Feb. 19.
The debate, attended by four of the seven Perth-Wellington candidates, was hosted by the Minto, Mapleton and Wellington North Chambers of Commerce.
Present were Ian Morton of the Green Party, Ashley Fox of the Liberal Party, Matthew Rae of the Progressive Conservative (PC) Party and James Montgomery of the New Blue Party.
Jason Davis of the NDP, Rob Smink of the Freedom Party and Sarah Zenuh of the Ontario Party were absent.
Questions submitted by audience members touched on issues including education, rural health care, housing affordability and agricultural concerns.
Tariff response
Early on, moderator Murray Calder asked candidates what their response would be to the U.S. government regarding tariffs.
“Immediately what we need to do is create a tariff task force that’s going to work across party and jurisdictional lines,” Morton told the audience.
He noted the Green Party would “aggressively diversify our trade partners” and “finally remove the interprovincial trade barriers.”
Rae, the riding’s incumbent MPP, stated the threat from south of the border is the biggest threat of this generation, and arguably since the country was created.
“Premier Ford and our party have made it very clear we support in getting rid of interprovincial trade barriers once the federal government agrees,” Rae said.
He added the PC Party, if reelected, will invest in a $200-billion plan to invest in infrastructure across Ontario.
Montgomery assured voters he would work towards finding a way to “make things better.”
As for the Liberal Party, Fox said, “We have an eight-point plan which would work in regards to supporting inter-professional trade and focusing on Canada first.”
She added, “We need to get the basics right for Ontarians.”
Agricultural concerns
Candidates were asked what their party would do to protect Perth-Wellington’s agricultural land.
Rae said the PC Party will continue to empower municipalities when it comes to decisions about land use planning.
Fox said the province needs to respect farmers and respect the agricultural community, and referenced the Township of Wilmot and its current fight for farmland.
“What’s happening in Wilmot, can happen anywhere in Perth-Wellington,” she said.
Montgomery echoed ideas from other candidates but added he would like to “grow within the boundaries” and grow in a “smart way.”
“Farmers’ land should not be taken from them by force,” Montgomery added.
Morton explained the Green Party would immediately freeze urban boundaries and not allow anymore sprawl onto farmland.
“Our farmland is going to be incredibly important when the tariffs are enacted; we are going to need to be very careful with our food security,” Morton added.
Candidates were then asked how they would ensure supply management is maintained and remains viable.
“When we look at our agricultural community, it’s cheaper to send product to the states than it is within our own provinces, and that’s something that we need to prioritize,” Fox said.
Montgomery said it is “vital” to allow small family farms to operate and compete against larger manufacturers.
Agricultural technology was mentioned by both Morton and Rae, with the aim of improving yield, efficiency and profitability.
The 401 tunnel
All candidates presented strong opinions about Premier Ford’s tunnel vision.
In September, Ford announced his government would explore the possibility of building a tunnel for drivers beneath Highway 401. It has now become a reelection promise.
“I wish I had $60-billion and 30 years to waste on such a frivolous project,” Morton said.
“It’s ludicrous to take Ontario taxpayer dollars that they have worked really hard to earn … to create a tunnel.”
Morton noted the health care system is crumbling, education funding has been pulled back and farmland is being lost, which are all serious issues that must take priority.
According to Rae, “The premier has been clear, he is proceeding with a feasibility study for the tunnel.”
He circled back to the “ambitious” $200-billion infrastructure plan Ford has in place, which includes the redevelopment of downtown Palmerston.
When Fox heard about Ford’s tunnel plan she “honestly thought it was satire,” she said.
“It’s just flabbergasting to me that we have serious issues across the province and we’re looking at a tunnel.”
Montgomery agreed, noting, “We can’t afford our basic necessities; people are losing houses and becoming homeless; our health care is crumbling.”
Challenges in education
The candidates were questioned about challenges facing the education system.
Morton, a teacher, noted the system is “chronically underfunded.”
“We are dealing with $1,500 less per student in Ontario education right now than we were at the start of this government’s mandate,” Morton explained.
“That’s almost $40,000 in my class alone.”
Rae said, “I think of youth wellness hubs; one is just down the street.”
He noted although the hubs aren’t directly in education, they provide the support students need.
“That’s part of the $3.8-billion mental health initiatives we are rolling out across the province,” he added.
Fox touched on the importance of listening to what educators have to say, and explained violence is on the rise as a result of few mental health supports.
Montgomery agreed with those sentiments.
Rent control
“I’m going to be honest and straightforward and say in all my conversations, I have not heard that … brought up,” said Montgomery regarding plans for relief for renters.
“It’s something I would like to look into.”
Morton explained the biggest issue is rent control and how “there are no controls.”
“The Above Guidelines Increases (in rent) that have been happening are ridiculous,” Morton stated.
“Putting in a moratorium on those is a priority.”
Rae noted the PC Party “led the charge” on removing HST on purpose-built rentals across Ontario and will continue to focus on cutting red tape to allow more rentals.
Fox said the Liberal Party will look to resolve the phased-in rent control, by implementing a rental emergency support for tenants who exhibit unfair and/or vulnerable rent situations.
Rural hospital closures
Near the end of the session, candidates were asked what their party would do to prevent the closure of departments and hospitals.
Montgomery stressed that emergency rooms need to stay open and said his party will support that by “adequately staffing our hospitals.”
Morton focused on the need to increase provincial funding for rural hospitals and cutting the local cost share for new hospitals in half.
Rae emphasized the work already completed in rural areas by the government, such as the expanded scope of nurse practitioners.
Fox stressed the need to focus on primary care and expanding nurse practitioner support.
Voting information
The provincial election takes place on Feb. 27 with polls open from 9am to 9pm.
The Perth-Wellington local election office is the Stratford Hotel at 107 Erie St, for in-person voting until Feb. 26.
Advance voting locations open until Feb. 22 include:
- Arthur and Area Community Centre;
- Mitchell Arena and Community Centre;
- Mount Forest and District Sports Complex;
- Palmerston and District Community Centre;
- Pyramid Recreation Centre;
- St. Joseph’s Church; and
- Stratford Rotary Complex-Hall A and B.
