TORONTO - Opposition Leader John Tory will unveil four main themes as part of the Progressive Conservative party's election campaign platform during a convention this weekend, but their real issue will be leadership.
The Canadian Press obtained a portion of the Conservatives' platform, which was outlined in a letter Wednesday to caucus members and party candidates from campaign chair Harry Near and director John Laschinger.
They said the Tory platform "is focused on uniting the province and getting it back on track after four years of broken promises, reckless spending and few results for taxpayers.''
The plan, called "For a Better Ontario: Leadership Matters,'' is described as a "new approach to an election document.''
Issues including the economy, health care, gun crime and air pollution will be dealt with under four key sections, including "investing in stronger communities'' and "fairness for you and your family.''
The other Conservative campaign themes will be "government that works for you'' and "building for Ontario's future.''
"We are only making promises we know we can keep,'' wrote Near and Laschinger.
The Conservatives also plan to remind Ontario voters about what they say are dozens of broken promises by Premier Dalton McGuinty as part of their bid to unseat the Liberals after just one term in power.
Earlier Wednesday, Tory accused McGuinty of adjourning the legislature three weeks early in order to avoid accountability.
"He chose to shut down the legislature just as we are about to receive test results on the (lead) contamination of water in Ontario,'' Tory said.
"While this is disheartening, it is not surprising.''
Tory said the Liberals also wanted to duck questions on the so-called slush fund scandal - in which $32 million was given to ethnic groups, some with ties to the Liberal party - and because of concerns about too many retailers winning big lottery jackpots.
"The McGuinty Liberals are paralyzed by a fear of being held accountable, so they just don't act,'' Tory said.
"How can anyone trust the lottery with these guys in charge?''
Tory said voters should not believe McGuinty's renewed pledge not to raise their taxes after he broke that same promise during the 2003 election by bringing in a new health tax of up to $900 per worker.
"Our plan provides voters with the one thing that Dalton McGuinty has taken away: hope,'' Tory said.
"It is a plan to once again restore real leadership to Ontario, and build a better future for us all.''
The Liberals fired back by saying Tory skipped legislature votes on clean water and endangered species while Conservative members voted against the bills.
