The top story this morning in the Niagara Falls Review and the St. Catharines Standard …
Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak’s job may be safe, but he could face a demoralized party after Thursday’s byelections, says a McMaster University political science professor.
Henry Jacek said Friday that Hudak went into five byelections Aug. 1 with his Progressive Conservatives leading the polls in three ridings. They won one, falling short in Ottawa South and London West — losses he said are just the latest instances of the Hudak-led PCs failing to seal the deal at the polls.
“At this point he’s dug himself, probably, a very deep hole,” Jacek said.
[Read the rest at: Losses could put Hudak in ‘deep hole:’ Prof | Niagara Falls Review]
Let me first say – I have always been a liberal.
So you would think I would like to say nothing good of Hudak.
He’s the first politician I have read about who has the fortitude to take on unions, and to try to change labour law for the better.
He may be doing this in the interests of big business, but the existing apprenticeship model, Union power and the way WSIB works IS a RACKET!
No one else, including judges, have the stamina to undertake what Hudak has been trying to do.
Why?
Politics – they fear what will happen to them is what is about to happen to Hudak.
I don’t know this man, I’m not conservative, and Hudak may be working in the interests of big business.
What I will say is that he is trying to change areas of labour that definitely ARE FLAWED, and now he is going to get dragged down for it.
The conservatives should get behind Hudak.
They’d get my vote at election time.
It’s time those in the know about unions, WSIB and the trade racket come forward and tell the public the truth.
Since globalization we’re competing with countries who are third world. Fattening union bosses and being burdened with wsib insanity along with not being able to hire skilled tradesmen due to existant apprenticeship policy (which inflates tradesmen’s wages – anf for that reason they can’t get past the journeyman stage while giving ontario a shortage)
Hudak has had the strength to stand up for change.
And now the powers that are protecting their racket are going to bring him down.
Anyone who could help is afraid of the witch hunt that will follow helping this man.
A sad day for politics.
Get behind this guy big business.
The next company that gets a union might be your own!
wow Allen, guess you dont think much of unions. Without them the average worker would not have any benefits, minimum wage or paid holidays. For women because of unions we now have maternity benefits. This is what makes Hudak real scary for the average worker. He is for big business and thank goodness his big business buddies only get one vote each. Compared to the thousands of Ontarians that work for them. Hudak is ex Wal mart management and what he wants to do to the average worker in Ontario is what scares the hell out of me and other working people that I know. Why should someone work in a union shop and not have to join but receive the same benefits.. They shouldn’t. its his archaic policies that will keep him out of office. Hopefully when the conservatives pick their next leader he will not make up stupid policies that only benefit his friends… To me he should resign asap! Ontario needs a representative that looks after all persons. Not just a select few.
Hudak is a tea party republican at heart and we all know he got his start working for Walmart, one of the biggest anti-union companies in the world. 85% of the private sector in this country is non-union, yet Hudaks wrong headed pitch is the unions are the blame for everything wrong in this country. This is Canada, one of the richest, most well off countries in the world and anyone that wants to fall for Hudak’s plan to decimate unions and start the race to bottom either doesn’t get it or probably doesn’t benefit from a union contract so is fine with destroying everyone elses. I can only hope we don’t turn this province into the republican pro-big business race to bottom for the rest of us. The by-elections suggest people grasp whats at stake with a lunatic like ole timmy.
“Since globalization we’re competing with countries who are third world.” So are you saying that we all need to take pay cuts so we can compete? And in order to really compete, we should all take pay cuts that will put us in line with pay scales in China, India, and the rest of the child labour countries? And “big business” execs will continue to take massive profits and unthinkable bonuses(even more massive and unthinkable when all their workers are making $2/hr.)? So where does all this get us, Allen? Do you REALLY want to compete with the 3rd World? (as in: comparable wages, hours, benefits, vacation time, working conditions, and environmental policies). Seems to me the world should be encouraging 3rd World countries to have unions.
Hudak plain and simple is a decent guy. he has a detailed “white paper” on his policies and what he would do if he were elected to form Government. Unfortunately, after being in politics all his life and despite still being young he does not resonate with the voters. For reasons unknown the public are not warming up to him. He does come across as cold and perhaps a tad arrogant but deep down he is a knowledgeable, caring and experienced politician. He just does not have it whatever that may be. he is not a jovial kissing babies, shaking hands smiling type of guy. He is who he is and he will not change. he was the choice by the former Mike Harris team including, Clement, Baird and other senior members of the party but given time and his chances he has not got what is needed to win. Having said that, another 4 years in opposition is not going to cut it. If he can’t win now with all the scandals including the gas plant fiasco then it may be time for a change. It would be much easier if he would voluntarily step aside as leader. He would and has made an exceptional cabinet Minister but that is as far as he can go. With 2 women leading the other major parties it is high time the PC’s moved in that direction as well and that would mean the very capable Christine Elliott could take over. She is very personable, smart. articulate, warm and experienced. This should be done on an expedited agenda so the party would be ready should an election come sooner rather than later. I am afraid that this is necessary at this time. Tim should be made Deputy Leader and given whatever portfolio he desires should they win. The time to do this however is yesterday so they must move quickly.