FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TORONTO - MONDAY, JANUARY 29TH, 2018
DOUG FORD ENTERS RACE FOR LEADER OF THE ONTARIO PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE PARTY
The McGuinty-Wynne Liberals have destroyed Ontario’s economy. The Liberals are plagued by scandal and mismanagement. Life in this province is unaffordable. It is becoming impossible for families to keep the lights on. The hard working taxpayers of this province deserve better.
I love Ontario and I love the PC Party. It’s the Party my family has been devoted to for decades. The PC Party is the only one that can defeat the Wynne Government and put Ontario back on the right path.
I have been fighting for the people of this province on the frontlines. Supporting the party in byelections, working with nominated candidates and knocking on doors across Ontario.
I’ve been deeply troubled by what I have seen recently unfolding within the PC Party. Lifelong supporters of our Party have been watching in horror as it falls into complete disarray. We have seen backroom politics at its worst. Insiders trying to politically capitalize at the expense of the people. Elites who are disconnected from the grassroots of the party and don’t care about the struggles of average Ontarians. This hostile environment cannot continue. Right now the party needs strong leadership. Someone who is ready to clean up this mess and lead us into the June election.
This is why I am announcing that I'm running for the leadership of our Ontario PC Party and to be the next Premier of this great province! I love Toronto and love serving the residents of this great city. As Premier, I will serve them and every Ontario resident.
I had every intention of running for Mayor of this great city but I can’t watch the party I love fall into the hands of elites. The elites who have shut the door on our grassroots; the foundation of our Party. Our Party can not go without a tested leader at this crucial time. If we lose this election I don’t know how average people in Ontario will recover.
Folks, make no mistake. The elites of this Party, the ones who have shut out the grassroots, do not want me in this race. But I am here to give you a voice. The hard working taxpayers of this province. People who have been ignored for far too long. People across Ontario are suffocating under the weight of high taxes and big government. I respect my colleagues running against me in this leadership race and I intend on running a positive campaign.
Friends, I could have never predicted that I would be standing here right now making this announcement today. This is a truly critical moment for our Party, our people and the future of our province.
We can not have a strong Ontario without a strong Progressive Conservative Party and together we will make sure that we have both.
I will not be taking questions today but in the coming days I will have much more to say about our campaign.
Thank you.
Doug Ford