Nipissing's Ontario Young Liberals share a laugh with Premier Dalton McGuinty and Nipissing MPP Monique Smith.
The Ontario Young Liberals "Summer Fling" conference brought in party heavy hitters including both the federal and provincial party leaders. Federal Liberal Leader Stephane Dion hosted a round table discussion Saturday with the party’s youth on issues they feel are important including post secondary tuition and social justice.
“They (the youth) are very important and have tremendous influence … just look at what they did with ballistic missile defence,” Dion tells BayToday during a dockside interview.
Dion also says that his "three pillars" (economic growth, social justice, environmental sustainability) approach resonates well with the youth.
“They know that is the challenge they face in their generation.”
Turning his attention to the Nipissing-Timiskaming riding, Dion said he is happy to see such an optimistic feeling from constituents.
“The people are full of smile and hope,” he said as he spend the day taking in a number of activities including casting a line off the dock.
“Yes people are concerned about the forestry industry and the future for their children, but there is great support here for the Liberals and Mr. Rota.”
“I’m impressed by what I’ve seen,” he adds.
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty also stopped by the riding to get a boost from Liberal Youth and hear what’s on their mind heading into the provincial election, which is just a short 2 months away.
“The Ontario’s Young Liberals energise me. I get recharged from them and they fill me up with more energy and idealism,” states McGuinty.
Taking time to speak with local media representatives, the Premier said under his leadership the Liberals and Nipissing MPP Monique Smith have delivered a great deal for the riding and Ontario.
“We have done more for education in 4 years than the Conservatives did in 8 years,” he states.
“There hasn't been 1 teachers’ strike in the past 4 years.”
He agreed that there are challenges when it comes to OMPF and that is why his government is currently reviewing the whole process.
“That message is driven home by Monique Smith consistently,” he says.
In the meanwhile, McGuinty says his government helped by making changes with the gas tax and land ambulance, and that instead of closing health institutions his government is building hospitals.
“You can’t miss the hospital,” he says of the project in North Bay.
“If I had a magic want to wave and undo the damage of the previous government I would, but I live in this world.”
McGuinty wouldn’t confirm a cabinet posting for Smith, but did comment on the tenacity of the young MPP’s ability to deliver results.
“Monique brings a great deal of talent and gets results for the riding from education, to the economy, to health care and long-term care.”
“She has proven time and time again that she is prepared for great responsibility.”
He also commented that it would serve constituents far better if all levels of government worked together then taking adversarial stances.
The Nipissing University Young Liberals – Jeunes Libéraux is relatively new and President Holly Garnet said hosting the weekend gave area youth the political push they needed.
“This gave a push for youth to get political no matter what party they are with.”
“This was a terrific morale booster,” she says.
Nipissing MPP Monique Smith said she is proud that the infant club submitted the bid to host the conference.
Smith also says she forward to what the youth bring to her campaign.
"I'm really excited about the prospects of what they're going to bring to my campaign this fall, and what they'll be bringing to Anthony's campaign possibly next spring," says Smith.
Garnet says that it was an opportunity for other youth to come together and share ideas and see what North Bay has to offer, but also help with election preparations.
“We stand behind Anthony and Monique every step of the way.”
