Brown Victory Shows PCs More Radical, Divided, and Out of Touch than Ever

MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 9, 2015 /CNW/ - Patrick Brown's victory shows the PC Party of Ontario has never been so extreme, divided, or out of touch with Ontarians, said Liberal MPP Steven Del Duca.

"This isn't your father's PC Party.  It's not the Party of Bill Davis.  Patrick Brown is so out-of-touch and so right-wing that he makes Tim Hudak and Rob Ford look progressive," said Liberal MPP Steven Del Duca.  "Brown is so right-wing and so ineffective that Stephen Harper chose not to promote him when he's had the chance.  Even Mike Harris and the Ford Brothers think Patrick Brown was too scary for Ontario," said Del Duca.

"Patrick Brown is an unapologetic tea party radical who is opposed to a woman's right to choose and opposed to same-sex marriage," said Del Duca.  "Brown's opposed to better pensions, he wants to dramatically slash protective regulations, and proudly stood at Hudak's side as they pledged to fire 100,000 people."

"Brown has been completely absent when it comes to fighting for Ontario in Ottawa, standing idly by as the Harper Conservatives short-changed this province – the province he now says he wants to lead – time and time again," said Del Duca.  "Patrick Brown hasn't delivered for Ontario in 9 long years as an MP, so why should anyone expect that he'll be able to deliver as PC Leader?"

"During this entire PC Party race, we heard nothing about education, health care, or helping the middle class – instead all the PCs and all Patrick Brown offered was division, negativity, and extreme social conservative ideologies," said Del Duca.

"Last summer, at the start of their leadership campaign, we heard from a lot of so-called red Tories and moderates who had hoped the PC Party would go in a different direction, away from the radicals," said Del Duca.  "Those same moderates are now saying that there's no room left in that party for them."

"I am proud to be a part of a government with a strong record of investment and to serve alongside a strong Leader who has the vision and passion to keep Building Ontario Up," concluded Del Duca.  "Our government will continue to implement our progressive plan and invest in the services that families rely on."

SOURCE Liberal Caucus Service Bureau

416-577-6350