Brantford-Brant Liberal candidate Ruby Toor and her supporters watched Thursday night as Doug Ford’s PC party was returned to the Ontario Legislature with a solid majority.
Gathered at Zander’s restaurant on King George Road, the local Liberals sat quietly as the numbers showed the Conservatives take 83 seats in this provincial election, while just eight Liberal MPPs won their ridings.
“At the end of the day it was the people’s choice,” Toor observed. “That’s what they wanted.”
Toor, making her second bid to represent Brantford-Brant at Queen’s Park, said the 2018 election was unique because of Liberal leader Kathleen Wynne.
“People were showing their dissatisfaction for the party during the previous election,” said Toor, recalling criticism as she knocked on doors during the 2018 campaign. “This time it was the opposite. I haven’t heard any bad remarks from anyone. Things were very positive for the Liberals. They liked the platform and I was getting good feedback.”
She described Thursday night’s election as “unique” as well, suspecting dislike of party leaders as a possible reason for the outcome.
“I really hope our current government will take the reactions with more focus on healthcare, schools, and planning for the future for any eventuality like a pandemic. Now people are out of the pandemic and would like to see progress.”
Toor said she feels blessed and proud to have been the Liberal candidate for Brantford-Brant.
“I have a very good team, and campaign manager Vince Bucci,” she said. “People came out to help do the volunteer work, donations, and taking the signs. It gave me a really good boost.”
Bucci said it’s unfortunate the people have forgotten about the Ford government’s record in its first few years in power.
“However this is democracy,” he observed. “I think Brantfordians have missed out on a jewel in terms of capability and competency with Ruby as the definite alternative. If the people really got to know her capabilities and talents compared to the person who is going to be representing us, she is head and shoulders above him.”