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Poll: Liberals could win KW seat

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Video updated Premier Dalton McGuinty made a stop in Kitchener-Waterloo this morning where he must call a byelection within six months, to replace outgoing Conservative Elizabeth Witmer.

But McGuinty says he’s in no rush – even though a new poll shows the provincial Liberals could win.

Witmer resigned last week after McGuinty nominated her as chair of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board – a decision he’s defending today.

McGuinty says she deserves every penny of the $188,000 she’ll get in her new government job – even though that wage is higher than the job’s current occupant. The NDP have accused McGuinty of trying to buy a majority government by offering Witmer the job to force a byelection. But McGuinty says he has no interest in calling a snap byelection in hopes of catching the Tories and NDP unprepared.

“I don’t believe in snap by elections I believe in allowing all the parties who are interested take the time to nominate a candidate which they think is well suited to flying the flag on their behalf. I think it’s important to allow a bit of time for people to adjust to the fact that the seat is now vacant.”

The byelection must be called by late October.

NDP leader Andrea Horwath will make a stop in Kitchener-Waterloo tomorrow; Conservative leader Tim Hudak was there yesterday.

Video: Lisa Hepfner reports: