Kathleen Wynne made history this weekend by becoming the first openly gay, woman premier of the province of Ontario. Ideologically, she is to the right of Mcguinty. The new legislature is set to begin on the 19th and she is in the process of appointing her cabinet.
There are clearly a lot of challenges facing the premier. The Drummond Report called for massive cutbacks in spending not seen since the Harris days in order to keep Ontario competitive. Already the Ontario government has changed some policies to social assistance and reduced some benefits such as the C- SUMB benefit. The LHINs continue to press for integration and a more cost effective health care system.
Added to these challenges, she is governing with a minority which makes decision making much more difficult and requires considerable collaboration skills.
The response from both the Conservatives and NDP has been muted aside from the perfunctory congratulations.
In one of her victory speeches, she called on parliament to be rid of its' rancor and viciousness pleading for more civility and constructive dialogue over differences. Of course every leader elected in a democracy for the last 300 - 400 years of Western styled democracy has pleaded for that. And, "working across the aisle", "coming together on those things that we can agree on" are as familiar as mom and apple pie in elections. Still a good reminder and at least setting a positive tone from the outset.
She was adamant that Ontarians do not want an election and so do not look for an election in the near term (unless the NDP and Conservatives smell blood in the water).
Overall, she appears strong, focused and clear. She may be more effective than Mcguinty in moving a progressive, fiscally responsible agenda forward. Good luck Premier Wynne in the months and years ahead. See CP's story here:
Wynne want to rid Ontario legislature of poison.
There are clearly a lot of challenges facing the premier. The Drummond Report called for massive cutbacks in spending not seen since the Harris days in order to keep Ontario competitive. Already the Ontario government has changed some policies to social assistance and reduced some benefits such as the C- SUMB benefit. The LHINs continue to press for integration and a more cost effective health care system.
Added to these challenges, she is governing with a minority which makes decision making much more difficult and requires considerable collaboration skills.
The response from both the Conservatives and NDP has been muted aside from the perfunctory congratulations.
In one of her victory speeches, she called on parliament to be rid of its' rancor and viciousness pleading for more civility and constructive dialogue over differences. Of course every leader elected in a democracy for the last 300 - 400 years of Western styled democracy has pleaded for that. And, "working across the aisle", "coming together on those things that we can agree on" are as familiar as mom and apple pie in elections. Still a good reminder and at least setting a positive tone from the outset.
She was adamant that Ontarians do not want an election and so do not look for an election in the near term (unless the NDP and Conservatives smell blood in the water).
Overall, she appears strong, focused and clear. She may be more effective than Mcguinty in moving a progressive, fiscally responsible agenda forward. Good luck Premier Wynne in the months and years ahead. See CP's story here:
Wynne want to rid Ontario legislature of poison.
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