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Wednesday, October 12, 2011
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THE TEMISKAMING
SPEAKER MPP-elect Vol. 106 – No. 35
www.northernontario.ca
While election results continued to roll by on the television screen, John Vanthof thanked a crowd of about 60 supporters election night at the New Liskeard Golf Club during a short speech. He handily won the race with 50.1 per cent of the popular vote. (Staff photo by Steven Larocque) Diane Johnston Speaker Reporter TEMISKAMING SHORES – TimiskamingCochrane’s new MPP is not dismayed by the prospect of a minority government. “I truly believe minority governments can work,” said New Democrat John Vanthof in an interview on election night. Drawing on his experience in other organizations, “you first pick the issues that you can agree on and, from that, you build some trust, and you pick the ones that are harder.” The new MPP joins a strengthened 17-member NDP caucus at Queen’s Park, where the Liberals elected 53 members – one shy of the number needed to form a majority. When the government enjoys a big
Vanthof welcomes minority government
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majority, Mr. Vanthof said together.” My personal southern Ontario carries ISSUES more weight and “the view is, for the North, When the legislature North always tends to resumes, he said New a minority would drift to the side.” Democrats will focus be just as good “My personal view is, on Ontario-wide issues or better. for the North, a minority like health care and, as - John Vanthof would be just as good or Northern Ontarians, better.” respect for the region’s It could mean another way of life and the reelection in the immediate future, he sources that support it. said. But in light of economic concerns at But he has found that the public is home and abroad, he acknowledged “election weary.” the coming months won’t be fun for “They want our politicians to work any government.
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“I’m a business person. I know you can’t keep spending more than you’re making.” But as a business person, he continued, “I’m not afraid of long-term debt that actually builds things that make money or that serve people.” He said the NDP has not made rash spending promises. He believes the public will accept news they may not like “if they know that you’re being on the level with them.” He said he’s given little thought to his role in a future NDP caucus because he has been concentrating on winning the election. Asked if he’d like the role of agriculture critic, he said, “I would be happy to serve anywhere where Andrea See “Vanthof welcomes” Page 6a
Record low turnout Stability and familiarity as Vanthof landslides
Gordon Brock Speaker Editor DISTRICT – Stability and familiarity seemed to be the catchwords as Temiskaming residents elected John Vanthof as their new MPP and re-elected – albeit with a reduction in seats – Premier Dalton McGuinty’s Liberal gov Wednesday
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ernment. In Timiskaming-Cochrane New Democratic Party candidate John Vanthof became Temiskaming’s new MPP winning over 50 per cent of the vote. Mr. Vanthof, who narrowly lost in the 2007 provincial election, tallied 12,632 votes or 50.1 per cent of the popular vote.
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The runner-up to Mr. Vanthof was Liberal candidate Denis Bonin with 6,532 votes or 25.9 per cent of the vote. The other candidates with the percentage of their popular vote in brackets were: Progressive Conservative Randy Aulbrook with 5,337 votes (21.2), Northern Ontario Heritage Party can-
didate Gerry Courville with 391 votes (1.5) and Green Party candidate Tina Danese with 312 votes (1.2). Across the province the McGuinty Liberals elected 53 members in the 107 seat legislature with 37 per cent of the vote. The Tim Hudak Progressive ConSee “Stability and familiarity” Page 12a
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