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ELECTION COVERAGE: MPP Wilson committed to a balanced budget within two years

May 21, 2014   ·   0 Comments

Of the provincial election race, Simcoe–Grey MPP Jim Wilson says he is committed to the Conservative plan to balance the budget in two years, reducing taxes on employers by 30 per cent, removing internal trade barriers, and modernizing Ontario’s apprenticeship rules to create new jobs. Ontario Conservative Leader, Tim Hudak released his party’s plan, which includes cutting 100,000 public sector jobs, in early May. The plan has since been dubbed as everything from risky to an unemployment plan. But Jim Wilson says he is “committed to getting on top of our fiscal problems and make job creation a number one priority in our riding and province.”

Currently residing in Wasaga Beach, Wilson’s family has “lived in this riding for more than 200 years. “As a local product, I’ve grown up knowing the people and places in this area,” he says, “What’s important to the community and how we like things done.” Raised in Alliston, he bagged groceries at the IGA and pumped gas at the Loretto store. He developed a keen interest in public service and advocating for public interest. A graduate of Banting Memorial High School, he served two terms as Student Council President, attended Christian Studies and Political Science at the University of Toronto, and then went on to work for former MP Perrin Beatty in Ottawa.

First elected to the Ontario Legislature in September 1990, Mr. Wilson has served as provincial Minister of Health, Minister of Energy, Science and Technology, Minister of Northern Development and Mines, and Minister of the Environment. He currently serves as House Leader for the Ontario PC Caucus, “in charge of the party’s day-to-day business in the Legislature and negotiating with other parties on bills and debates.”

MPP Wilson became well-known across Ontario for his fight to expand dialysis treatment centres resulting in the satellite clinics in Collingwood and Alliston. He championed several local projects including restoring birthing services at Stevenson Memorial Hospital and medical laboratory services in Stayner, Tottenham and Elmvale.

Wilson says he has been an advocate for local food producers, pushing for a business risk management program for agricultural sectors when Simcoe farmers were struggling. However, groups like AWARE Simcoe and the Everett Ratepayers Association, disappointed by the Liberal government’s failure to stand up to developers encroaching on prime agricultural land in Simcoe County, do not believe Wilson’s Conservatives are prepared to address the issue either. Kate Harries, Vice Chair of AWARE Simcoe references a recent meeting of Simcoe County Council when MPP Wilson, in expressing his strong support for the county’s pro-growth policies, was quoted as questioning, “Are we running out of land? Are we running out of water?”

This spring, MPP Wilson has been busy with a campaign to stop hydro rate gouging in response to the Minister of Energy’s recent announcement of a 42 per cent increase in energy rates over the next five years. His constituency offices in Collingwood and Alliston are accepting copies of resident’s hydro bills to be forwarded to the Minister of Energy requesting a response for each resident. “Rising hydro rates have chased jobs and manufacturing out of our province,” says Wilson, “I don’t think that’s right.”

MPP Wilson says his focus on local issues, such as securing funding for Matthew’s House Hospice, the redevelopment of Stevenson Memorial Hospital and restoring Municipal planning powers over renewable energy projects are“what is most important to me.”

For more information on MPP Wilson as a candidate in the June 12th provincial election visit his election offices at 115 Hurontario Street, Collingwood, 705 444-2332; or 45 Victoria Street East, Unit 1, Alliston, 705 434-0443; or visit his website at www.jimwilsonmpp.com

By Marni Walsh

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