http://www.thestar.com/OntarioElection/article/262276

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Tory backtracks on vote for school funding Oct 01, 2007 12:59 PM Robert Benzie Queen's Park Bureau Chief Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory today flip-flopped on his controversial $400 million scheme to fund faith-based school. Tory told 150 people at an Economic Club luncheon that he has heard the criticism from Ontarians of his plan. "I have always believed that listening to the people is at the very core of leadership," he said, admitting the policy has "become too much a source of division." Given the widespread opposition to giving Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Christian and other religious schools the same funding as the public and Catholic systems, Tory backtracked on putting the issue to an MPPs’ free vote. "MPPs will be allowed a free vote, so they are at liberty to vote their conscience and represent the wishes of their constituent," he said. "In this significant way, the public can be more involved in the decision making. They have expressed strong concerns and I have heard them." Just last week, when Tory MPPs like Bill Murdoch of Owen Sound and Bob Runciman of Brockville said they were hearing from constituents that they were unhappy with the plan, Tory said there would be no free vote on the question. The gambit comes as Ontarians get set to go to the polls on Oct. 10. Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty has opposed Tory’s scheme as has NDP Leader Howard Hampton. Tory’s decision to water down his plan to fund religious schools doesn’t change anything for voters, McGuinty said. "The choice before Ontarians remains crystal clear. If you’re looking for a party that is absolutely, unequivocal in its support for publicly funded education, if you’re looking for a leader who will never ever take his eye off the two million students in publicly funded schools who are counting on us to give them all the support they need to achive academically and later as caring citizens, I’m that leader, this is our party," he told reporters at a campaign stop at Toronto’s Daily Bread Food Bank. After weeks of getting hammered by critics and disgruntled Conservatives, in the end it was two women from Sarnia who made Tory change his tune. He had given a “pretty good” speech outlining the party’s policies on crime, health and agriculture, but all the women wanted to know about was funding for religious schools, Tory said. Watching the news that night, which focused on the women’s concerns, senior strategists said Tory became convinced he had to do something given how much the hot-button issue was distracting from his other policies. “These things do have to simmer a little bit,” Tory said following his speech to the Economic Club. “I knew that the thing had passed a point where it was going to be possible to debate these other important issues.” In the days following his encounter in Sarnia, a senior campaign strategist said Tory’s message continued to be hijacked by the debate — first in London, where voters in a swing riding criticized him for the policy, and then in Hamilton, where Tory planned to talk about electronic health records but ended up answering questions about religious schools. Frustration was growing among the rank-and-file at how easily the Liberals were “muddying the waters” about the issue and causing misunderstanding among voters, the strategist said. Tory held a conference call with his caucus members on Sunday and then spoke with his candidates this morning to get their thoughts on resolving the situation. Some suggested holding a referendum, while others wanted to back away from the policy altogether. Neither were palatable to Tory, who said he would give candidates some ammunition at the door by promising a free vote with public consultation. By switching gears, the strategist said Tory was emulating his mentor and close friend, former Conservative premier Bill Davis, who was known for his ability to listen. The hope now is that Tory’s declaration will take religious schools off the front page and allow him to focus on issues like health care and Premier Dalton McGuinty’s broken promises.

Way to go Tory....just cave....that is the sign of a good leader....this will be fun seeing him trying to please the majority on all issues.

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Last edited by Moral Hazard on Apr-26-2011 at 07:48

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Originally posted by ChemEnhanced Way to go Tory....just cave....that is the sign of a good leader....this will be fun seeing him trying to please the majority on all issues.

I think he just knew that this was a bad move on his part, and trying for damage control.

Though we don't know for sure. Rarely with politicians you can never tell what their character is.

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Originally posted by chinamon not true. i say "ugh" but i am a tranny.

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Originally posted by kotsy lol colour me retarded

leadership matters. what a joke.
and whats the point of putting it to a free vote, we already know the publics opinion.

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Originally posted by ChemEnhanced Way to go Tory....just cave....that is the sign of a good leader....this will be fun seeing him trying to please the majority on all issues.

Very good sign... I believe he just sealed the deal with my vote.... and you all know how I voted the last time.

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He read the public mood on this issue so poorly that I questioned his ability to lead before, I now know that he clearly has none. Good work Mr. Tory, stress something as an important point of principle... OF PRINCIPLE... then back away from it when it threatens to cost you the election. This is brokerage politics if ever I saw it. Not that the other parties aren't brokerage parties, however, JT's the only leader that has gone on and on about the importance of leadership.... well, brokerage politics - basing your positions on public opinion is not leading, it's following. To borrow a metaphore from Dr. Phill, don't go telling me your a dog while flapping your wings.

Now, all the above aside... I'm reconsidering my vote; however, I should point out I'm less incline to support this man then I was before. So I'm now left to choose: party or candidate (Liz Whitmer is my local PC candidate, the Liberal is a virtual unknown). I think I may decline my ballot.

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Originally posted by RickyM you're just a shit version of Moral Hazard. At least he knows what he's talking about.

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Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN lol, i love it when moral feels the need to lay the smack down

too bad this poll didn't refelect the province wide polls at the moment.

with the liberals 10 points in front
certainly looks like were heading for another Liberal Majority Government.

and im glad.
every politician lies, they all have to break promises at some time or another. thats how it is, how it will always be.
you have to look at the big picture.
ontario as aprovince is not doing bad at all by any means, infact were doing better than we were prior to liberals taking over after ernie eves.

plus im sick and tired of the pcs attack ads. tory is so annoying. reminds me of a ten year old kid pointing his finger half crying saying "liar, liar" like get soemthing new.
anwyays, enuff ranting.

if the pcs only get a good leader i will vote for them. tory is a joke
bring back mike harris. my vote would be set in stone.

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Last edited by coconuticecream on Oct-02-2007 at 15:22

Saw a bit of local candidates debating at my school.

The NDP candidate came off looking the most smart, sounds like she's done her homework and despite her party's cooky programs

The Green party candidate sounded like a demagogue. Feisty old woman who let slip something like 'instead of funding things like missile silo' and I automatically block her out. Another reason why Green party will never get my vote

The Tory candidate was rather lethargic and bland.

The Liberal candidate was in a rather tough position trying to defend McGuinty's screw ups, and I think she did her best to deflect most of the pointy questions.

Funny thing is, none of the candidates mentioned how is their party going to solve the budget deficit to fund all the newfangled programs their parties are proposing. But I may have missed that point as I didn't catch all of the debate

Too bad I live in another riding, or else I'd reconsider my vote (to the Other Party)

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Originally posted by chinamon not true. i say "ugh" but i am a tranny.

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Originally posted by kotsy lol colour me retarded

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Originally posted by EvilTree Saw a bit of local candidates debating at my school. The NDP candidate came off looking the most smart, sounds like she's done her homework and despite her party's cooky programs The Green party candidate sounded like a demagogue. Feisty old woman who let slip something like 'instead of funding things like missile silo' and I automatically block her out. Another reason why Green party will never get my vote The Tory candidate was rather lethargic and bland. The Liberal candidate was in a rather tough position trying to defend McGuinty's screw ups, and I think she did her best to deflect most of the pointy questions. Funny thing is, none of the candidates mentioned how is their party going to solve the budget deficit to fund all the newfangled programs their parties are proposing. But I may have missed that point as I didn't catch all of the debate Too bad I live in another riding, or else I'd reconsider my vote (to the Other Party)

i've been a supporter of green and ndp on the federal level, but not so much on the provincial. I feel bad for the liberal candidates, as in they have to put up with a lot of shit because of mcguinty, but thats the bizz.

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Originally posted by ShadoWolf

+1!

OH yea, hi guys; long time no post in TOTA

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Originally posted by Fir3start3r +1! OH yea, hi guys; long time no post in TOTA

wb Jeff, topic is up your alley, so kinda expected

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