Ontario PC Leadership Candidate Analysis - Frank Klees

I haven't decided who to support in the Ontario PC Leadership Contest yet, so I guess that makes me part of the valuable "swing vote" segment. On the surface, I'd be happy with any of the four, as they all have some proposals I like and any one of them would be an improvement over our current Premier.

I have always been a policy based voter, so lets look at the policy positions of each on the candidates. I'll go through one a day in reverse alphabetical order (for no other reason than everyone else does alphabetical) and give my impressions. So, that makes Frank Klees today's topic

Thanks to Hugh at Freedom is my Nationality for the updated policy summaries.

• Supports Senate elections

I'm with you on that one, Frank.

• Opposed to liberalizing liquor laws

Sorry, but I see no reason for the government to be the sole purveyor of booze in the Province.

• Opposed to the HST

Anything to reduce taxes is good in my book. Just reduce spending along with that. I could live with a harmonized tax if the Provincial rate was reduced accordingly, but Dalton missed out there.

• A reduction in business taxes and the creation of tax incentive zones to attract new industries and create jobs

Ontario is in serious need of a reduction in business taxes. I'd like to see some details on "tax incentive zones" before commenting further on those. I like the direction though.

• A tax credit against corporate income taxes for new manufacturing jobs

Why just manufacturing? Is a new programmer any less valuable to Ontario than someone cranking out widgets? I've never been a fan of a sop to segments of the population, even if it is intended to help.

• tax amnesty on severance payments

I see an accounting nightmare come tax time unless the Federal government does the same.

• Propose the implementation of reliable broadband communication networks to assist northern communities

Propose or implement? - they aren't the same thing. I'd rather he was longer on implementation for this one.

• Ministries of Tourism and Natural Resources be designated as priorities in order to improve destination marketing

A positive effort, but not a game changer for anyone.

• No faith-based private school funding

I'd love a tax credit for those attending schools outside the public system, but can live with this at the moment. Any plans to pull funding from the Catholic Boards? Isn't that discriminatory faith-based funding?

• A 4-year Ontario income tax holiday for graduates from universities, colleges and trade schools

Expect people "graduating" from shady trade schools every 4 years if this gets implemented. Not a fan of this one.

• Help children with disabilities and specifically autism

Generally good intentioned.

• Enhance anti-bullying strategies in schools

Give me some specifics here. "Enhance" how?

• Private delivery public payment for health care

Good to see him embracing the private sector here.

• Issuance of receipts outlining a description of the services provided and the cost to provide those services

If the out of pocket cost to the consumer is still zero, I see this as adding cost to the practitioner, with little benefit to anyone.

• Creation of a council that will provide a second opinion on health issues

I see no use for this at all.

• E-health record system

Should have been done years ago. It can't be that hard.

• $200 million for youth mental health services, as recommended by the McMurtry-Curling • Report, “Roots of Youth Violence.”

Not a game changer for most.

• I will propose to review long-term care facilities

"Review" means spending money and doing nothing. Where are the concrete proposals?

• Eliminating local health integration networks

Positive step.

• Creation of a ministry of long term planning

Good to see some commitment to long term planning. Let's hope successor governments follow suit, so the efforts won't be wasted.

• Development of a trans-Ontario high-speed rail link connecting east, west, north and south

At a cost of.........? Run by..........?

• Stable, predictable and reliable funding for transportation infrastructure projects

Good practice.

• Reach out to minority groups

A must for any serious government.

• An energy policy that embraces renewable energy as an important component of Ontario’s overall energy supply

Hydro, sure. Until someone can demonstrate wind, solar or anything else "sustainable" is even remotely cost effective, let's go with nuclear where hydro can't fill the bill.

• pursue affordable and sustainable energy that will allow renewable generators to be a part of a balanced mix of electricity generation through a competitive process

Hydro, sure. Until someone can demonstrate wind, solar or anything else "sustainable" is even remotely cost effective, let's go with nuclear where hydro can't fill the bill.

Overall Impression: Some good, some not so much. There are a lot of things cited in "politician speak" (propose, review enhance - with no specifics) that make me nervous. Frank is a decent speaker and has a business background, which I like. The platform is no "Common Sense Revolution" (which I loved), but decent nonetheless.