PC’s say no notice on job cuts

Some Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP’s say they weren’t given advance notice of the party’s plan to campaign on a vow to cut 100-thousand public sector jobs.

They say the controversial pledge from P.C. Leader Tim Hudak caught veteran Tories and rookie candidates off guard. Conservatives who survived the Liberal sweep held a caucus meeting at Queen’s Park Monday to talk about an election strategy that cost the party nine seats. After the meeting, Tim Hudak spoke with the media along with former Burlington MPP Jane McKenna and MPP Lisa MacLeod — who was re-elected. She was asked whether or not she was mad. Here’s what she had to say: “I think that the term mad isn’t what I’m going to go for. Disappointed, hurt. I’m still reeling from the results. Shock. I think my colleagues feel the same way. There will an opportunity to digest what happened in the future — and it will happen in due course and we’ll have our say. That said, today for me personally was very difficult. We lost some very good MPP’s.”

Jane McKenna, defeated in Burlington:  “Lots of opportunity to write the next chapter. You can’t stay paralyzed where you are. I loved every second of it. The people in Burlington spoke and they decided to switch after 71 years to a Liberal candidate and I wish the best for her. This has been a humbling and wonderful opportunity and she’s blessed to come here to Queen’s Park.”

Tim Hudak, Stepping down as P.C. Leader: “Caucus meetings are always difficult after losing an election campaign. We take pride in the fact that we were honest to taxpayers. We said we need to reduce spending, grow the economy. Unfortunately voters chose another option. We respect what the jury had to say.”

“I’ve made my position clear. I’m looking forward to handing off to a new leader. The party will decide what the process is for the new leader. Having been through it before, I know we have a lot of talent from the caucus ranks and I look forward to that.”

“I plan on staying. I’m blessed to represent Niagara West-Glanbrook as you know Randy from CHCH — CHCH the top station in my riding. It’s an honour to serve. It’s the most beautiful part of the province. People put their faith in me six times running. So I’m going to repay that favour by working as hard as I can for the good folks in the Niagara area.”

Several MPP’s — who spoke on the condition of anonymity — expressed frustration with the way the P.C. campaign was managed; and at least two said they ignored ideas from headquarters and did whatever they could to get re-elected.