Following a number of calls from angry and confused constituents asking if what they were hearing from another candidate at the door is true, and if the Liberals are planning to eliminate the Catholic system, Monique Smith came out to set the record
Following a number of calls from angry and confused constituents asking if what they were hearing from another candidate at the door is true, and if the Liberals are planning to eliminate the Catholic system, Monique Smith came out to set the record straight.
“I want to set the record straight about the stories and misinformation that Tory candidate, Bill Vrebosch has been making up over the past few days – especially the Liberal position with respect to the funding of Catholic education in Ontario.”
Smith said the allegations are completely false and that it is the intention of the Liberals to maintain the systems that are already in place. She questioned why her fellow candidate felt the need to play fast and loose with the facts.
“I have spoken on many occasions about my record and the Liberal record of the past four years; while also addressing the Liberal platform and commitment that will keep Nipissing and Ontario moving forward.”
“The local Tory candidate on the other hand, seems to have some difficulty dealing with certain issues, questions and concerns arising from his party’s platform. On a variety of occasions he has resorted to making-it-up when trying to counter the strong record and platform of the Liberals.” she states.
“Today I challenge Mr. Vrebosch to stick to the facts for the next 13 days. This is no time to mislead the voters. Tell them where you stand. I have told them where I stand.”
Requests from BayToday.ca for rebuttal on the accusation from Conservative Bill Vrebosch went unanswered.
Full text of Smith's speech is below.
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Thank you for coming this afternoon.
I have asked you to join me at St. Hubert Catholic School because I want to set the record straight about the stories and misinformation that Tory candidate, Bill Vrebosch has been making up over the past few days – especially the Liberal position with respect to the funding of Catholic education in Ontario.
Over the past three weeks, I have been going door-to-door and attending a variety of local community events – including the recent debates in Powassan and North Bay.
At every stop and at every visit with a voter, I have listened to the issues and questions and addressed them in an honest and forthright manner.
I have spoken on many occasions about my record and the Liberal record of the past four years; while also addressing the Liberal platform and commitment that will keep Nipissing and Ontario moving forward.
The local Tory candidate on the other hand, seems to have some difficulty dealing with certain issues, questions and concerns arising from his party’s platform.
On a variety of occasions he has resorted to making-it-up when trying to counter the strong record and platform of the Liberals.
I am here today to cite a few examples of Bill Vrebosch confusing the facts or ‘making-it-up’:
Tuesday at the North Bay Chamber of Commerce debate, in a vain attempt to provide an example of how our policies have failed students and teachers, Mr. Vrebosch told a story about when he was a teacher here in Nipissing and the class across the hall had 32 students, 23 of which were identified.
I understand that that Mr. Vrebosch retired from teaching prior to the October 2003 election – and that his story was in fact an excellent example of the failed education policies of the Harris/Eves’ Conservative government.
At both the Powassan and North Bay debates, Mr. Vrebosch asserted that the Liberals are planning to meter private waterwells in Ontario.
Once again Mr. Vrebosch, no doubt somewhat ashamed of the Tory record on water and the Walkerton legacy, chose to make-it-up in order to attempt to get the attention of the voters.
I can tell you without any hesitation, the Ontario Liberals have no intention of metering the waterwells of private citizens.
As everyone is aware, John Tory and Bill Vrebosch have been experiencing great difficulty in selling their plan to fund faith-based schools.
As I go from door-to-door, faith-based schools is the number one concern that I am hearing.
With the pressure bearing down on him, Mr. Vrebosch has resorted to deliberately spreading misinformation about the Liberal commitment to Catholic education.
We first heard the story at the Powassan debate where he told the audience that the Liberals have a secret plan to eliminate the Catholic school system.
Since then we have heard that he is telling this story to voters at their doors.
Once again, I can tell you without hesitation that this is absolutely false!
Let there be no misunderstanding – the Liberal party has no intention of changing the publicly funded education system as it currently exists in Ontario.
The Premier has confirmed on numerous occasions that the Liberal party will not remove the Catholic schools from our publicly funded education system.
Most recently, Premier McGuinty made a clear statement at St. Augustine’s Catholic High School on September 17 saying: “…I’m not going to take public funding away from Catholic schools…”
… and I agree with the Premier one hundred percent.
Our Liberal education plan will continue to build on the success we have achieved together. Ontario’s schools will continue to receive the funding they deserve with a further investment of $3.1 billion by 2011, and let me once again be perfectly clear - our publicly funded school system will continue to include our Catholic schools.
It is clear that Mr. Vrebosch is having some difficulty with the Conservative platform and with the leadership provided by John Tory.
Today I challenge Mr. Vrebosch to stick to the facts for the next 13 days. This is no time to mislead the voters. Tell them where you stand. I have told them where I stand.
