“There’s huge generational and grass roots renewal that’s required and here I am, I’ve got 7 1/2 years of experience in parliament, of working across the aisle, getting things done, helping to shape the agenda. I also have a track record of doing politics differently and of building a strong political team. So, how can I make the biggest difference? I mean, find me a bigger difference and maybe I do that instead.”
Erskine-Smith says health care and education are always corner stones of any provincial government but housing also remains a core concern.
He adds homelessness issues are provincial issues saying the province needs to deliver more funding to municipalities for wraparound services.
“I don’t know why we are leaving it to municipalities to solve on an individual basis when the same challenges are being faced by Belleville, same challenges are being faced by Windsor, same challenges in London. The province does need to show leadership on this including putting dollars in to build non-market housing and to deliver whether it’s modular housing, rapid housing, deliver the support of housing that is needed.”
He also believes in treating drug use as a health issue rather than a criminal issue but says there must be supports in place to do this.
Erskine-Smith was the first person to declare his candidacy for the provincial Liberal leadership.
He’s running against Bonnie Crombie, Ted Hsu and Yasir Naqvi.
A new Ontario Liberal leader will be elected December 2.
