York-Simcoe Liberals elect energetic executive

July 16, 2013 · 0 Comments

The York-Simcoe Provincial Liberals are back in the game, electing an energetic new executive.
In a meeting at the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Liberal, more than 40 local members came together to chart the way forward for the Liberal movement in York-Simcoe.
The new president, Jonathan Scott of Bradford, praised the team. “We’re a team from across the riding and are excited to get to work. We have a lot of hard work ahead of us – fundraising and finding a candidate – but we’re excited to get started.”
Scott, who was a student trustee with the Simcoe County District School Board and worked as a speechwriter for Premier Kathleen Wynne, highlighted the “grassroots talent” included in the team, noting the various municipal councillors and school board trustees serving on the executive.
Councillor Raj Sandhu of Bradford is the association’s vice-president; Councillor Avia Eek of King Township is the new secretary. East Gwillimbury school trustee Loralea Carruthers and former trustee and Simcoe County District School Board vice-chair Nancy Halbert are association directors.
Other executive members include former Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario) political operations officer Kevin Roche; businessman Lucinio Miguelo; Bradford realtor Tina Sibbald; federal riding association treasurer Vaughan Moult; and former YNOT Bradford West Gwillimbury Youth Council vice-president, Jeff Bunn.
“We are well aware of our challenges; this riding has never elected a Liberal,” Scott conceded. “But, we know that the riding just south of us – Oak Ridges-Markham — is represented by a great Liberal MPP and we know Liberals have won in areas of this riding within the past decade. We’re excited to build the organization needed to finally win.”
To underline that point, joining the group were former York North Liberal MP Karen Kraft Sloan and the Hon. Aileen Carroll, former Liberal MP for Barrie-Simcoe-Bradford and past Barrie MPP. Both former parliamentarians represented local communities in the 1990s and early 2000s. Ontario Liberal MPPs Steven Del Duca of Vaughan and Dr. Helena Jaczek of Oak Ridges-Markham spoke to the group as well.
“Liberals can win in York–Simcoe, with the right combination of hard work and fundraising,” said MPP Del Duca.
“Our 2013 budget is about creating a prosperous Ontario – an economy that’s creating jobs and a government that’s making daily life easier for families, seniors, commuters and students,” said Dr. Jaczek.
Liberals are moving forward with full-day kindergarten to give kids a great start in life and will continue to provide a 30%-off grant for low- or middle-income students to go to college or university.
As well, the Liberal plan is helping 46,000 more seniors receive care quickly and in the comfort of their own home, while providing tax relief for small businesses to help them create more jobs by increasing their Employer Health Tax exemption.
Jaczek praised the Premier’s leadership. “Her first announcement as premier was right here in Bradford, when she visited a farm in the Marsh to commit to serving as Minister of Agriculture and Food. Our government cares about the needs of rural and small-town communities; we know the economic and health benefits of good local food.”
The York–Simcoe Provincial Liberal Association has ambitious plans in terms of community events, fundraising and preparing for a provincial election. Anyone interested in getting involved is encouraged to email jono.dw.scott@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/YorkSimcoeLiberals.