Tory to tour the States on taxpayer's dime

Conservative Leader John Tory’s bus rolled into North Bay Friday afternoon to say hello to supporters in the Nipissing riding.

Tory accompanied by his wife (Barbara Hackett), staff and members of the provincial media stopped by Conservative candidate Bill Vrebosch's campaign headquarters to lend support and deliver his vision for Ontario.

Tory joked with the room that he has been to the riding so often that if he wins the election he will be looking for an apartment to rent.

He then took aim at Dalton McGuinty and his government for their failed promises including raising taxes.

If elected Tory promised to cancel the provincial health tax by January 1, 2008, introduce nurse run clinics, and defer medical students’ loan repayments.

“I think we will start with the medical students because we have a very acute problem with respect to a doctor shortage, and young doctors leaving soon after graduating. It’s a very acute crisis for people in many communities including this one and we’ll start there.”

“I’m not making any commitments beyond that,” he said for other college and university programs.

In addressing the province’s doctor shortage, Tory promised that he will personally tour the United States lobbying to bring Canadian doctors home.

“I will be going on the tax payer’s dime to the United States,” when asked who will pay for his tour.

“I think the tax payers will be very grateful for the fact that if I succeed in bringing back quite a few of those 9,000 doctors, they will think that is the best money and the best time that a premier could ever spend compared to some of the boon doggles we’ve seen from Mr. McGuinty in useless ad campaigns and on slush funds.”

Tory ended his brief visit before heading onto Thunder Bay by challenging Vrebosch to increase his lawn signs by another 300 by Tuesday and telling the small crowd that he needs Bill at Queen’s Park.

“This man is a good man, he’ll do a good job, I need him.”