By Ryan Day
Attacking Conservative cuts to social programs, the Liberal party officially entered the fray in the race to represent Ottawa Centre at Queen’s Park, formally announcing its candidate earlier this week.
MPP Richard Patten was acclaimed in his bid to represent the Liberals in the next provincial election, which may be called this spring.
Patten, who was a cabinet minister under former premier David Peterson from 1987 to 1990, cited unfinished business as his reason for entering yet another election.
“I know the opportunities you have to really do some good things,” Patten said, adding he’s learned from spending the last four years in opposition. “When you’re in opposition, you can watch how a government makes some pretty big mistakes and frankly, I think we can do a lot better.”
After serving with the last Liberal government, Patten lost his seat in the 1990. He won it back in 1995, and is currently the Liberal opposition critic for Housing, Privatization and Human Rights.
In attendance at the nomination meeting was Ontario Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty, who spoke highly of Patten’s qualifications.
“When the people of Ottawa Centre weigh their options,” he said, “I have every confidence that they will choose Richard Patten.”
Both McGuinty and Patten say they are strongly opposed to the cuts the Harris government has made to social programs. Patten is stressing his goals of improving healthcare, housing and education.
His healthcare aims focus on improved treatment for the mentally ill. Patten has twice attempted to pass a private member’s bill which, he says, would have made up for holes in the Mental Health Act.
He accuses Harris of putting the welfare of the province below fiscal concerns.
“He’s treated health, education, social services and the environment as if they were trading cards in the game of politics and economics.”
At the meeting, Patten drew attention to the multicultural nature of the Ottawa Centre riding, calling it “a United Nations among us.” He thanked his supporters in Italian, Cantonese, Greek and several other languages.
Riding association president Raj Rasalingam said that Patten and Ottawa Centre are well matched.
“I believe Ottawa Centre is a unique riding and it embodies the spirit of Canadian multiculturalism and Richard embodies that in everything he does.”
Somerset Coun. Elisabeth Arnold won the NDP nomination in January. The Progressive Conservatives have yet to unveil their candidate for a riding that has historically belonged to the Liberals and the NDP.
“It’s always a challenge with the NDP,” said Patten. “The NDP and the Liberals kind of duke it out.” He suggests the expansion of the riding, which now includes an additional 23,000 voters, may dilute some support for the NDP.
McGuinty brought attention to the historical Liberal-NDP rivalry in Ottawa Centre, suggesting that the Mike Harris government would be best served by an NDP victory in the riding.
“He is counting on a vote split, so he can come up the middle once again,” McGuinty said, claiming that a vote for the NDP is a vote for Mike Harris.
While supporters were calling the race in Ottawa Centre a battle and a war, Patten said he was still optimistic.
“If I didn’t think I could win, I would not run,” he said.