Ontario needs a partner in Ottawa to meet global challenges
Treat Ontario fairly, Premier urges

Over the next few days, there's going to be a lot of talk about the federal election and the outcome. One thing is absolutely certain: No matter which party forms the government, one third of the people elected to the House of Commons will be there to represent Ontario. Which is why, starting now, all the parties will be paying particular attention to what Ontarians want. And it's why, over the next five weeks, you and I as Ontarians need to send the next federal government a clear message: Ontario wants fairness.

Because, right now, the federal government isn't giving us a fair shake.

In the past, Ontarians might have accepted that. We might have looked the other way. But in an age of high gas prices, a high Canadian dollar and a slumping U.S. economy, we can't afford to do that anymore. Pretending we're being treated fairly when we're not isn't good for Ontario, and it doesn't benefit Canada.

We need a true partner in the federal government. A government that will work with us to overcome global economic challenges and grow stronger than ever. So, I'm asking Ontarians to stand together, and ask a simple question of the men and women seeking our vote: "What will you do to ensure Ontario is treated fairly, so we're able to invest in the things that will make us stronger?"

As Premier, that's the question I'll be asking all the federal leaders.

Because while we've been working to move our province forward with our economic plan, the fact remains we could do more - and do it faster - if we could keep more of our own money, and invest right here in Ontario to make ourselves even more competitive.

Right now, laid-off workers in Ontario get $4,600 less in employment insurance than they'd get if they lived in another part of Canada. That's not fair. That's money that would help moms and dads who've lost their job pay the mortgage, buy groceries and get the training they need to get back into the workforce. So we need to ask candidates in this election whether they'll fix that, and ensure unemployed Ontarians get the same deal they'd get if they lived elsewhere in Canada.

Federal health care money is supposed to be divided equally among all Canadians. But right now, Ontario is shortchanged by over $700 million a year. That's not fair. That money that should be spent in Ontario to help meet the health care needs of our families. So we need to ask our candidates whether they'll treat Ontario families fairly, by giving us the same support for our health-care system as they get in other parts of the country.

And we need to ask the candidates whether their party will create a separate economic development program for southern Ontario - a part of the country facing unique challenges, especially in our manufacturing sector. Because right now, the federal government does that for people living in Atlantic Canada, and the north, and Quebec, and even the west. But it's not something they do for the people of southern Ontario.

These are questions I'll be raising with the leaders of the parties.

And I'm asking you as Ontarians to raise these issues with your candidates at the door, in local debates, online or by mail.

To be fair, no single person, and no single political party, is to blame for the situation that exists. This unfairness has developed over many years, under political parties of all stripes. But now is the time to do something about it. Now is the time for fair treatment for Ontarians who are unemployed, in need of health care or worried about their economic future.

As Ontarians, we have a lot of input into which political party forms the next government, and who gets to be Prime Minister. We need a strong commitment from our Ontario candidates. A commitment to stand up for our province. A commitment to stand up for fairness for Ontario.

Dalton McGuinty has been premier of Ontario since 2003.
The Premier's article was published in the Toronto Star on September 8, 2008