CLARINGTON -- The 2007 provincial election allowed an opportunity to find out what’s on the minds of Durham riding residents, says the local MPP.
“Always an election is sort of like a report card and so when your performance (and) behaviour is being scrutinized by the people, it’s probably the most stressful time and interesting time,” said John O’Toole.
Mr. O’Toole won the October election handily over his closest competitor, but his Conservative party did not fare as well and remains in opposition for a second straight four-year term after an eight-year run in government.
“Certainly, being in opposition is somewhat disappointing because (the government) drives the agenda and our job is to make sure that the voice for our constituents, regardless of all the politics, is there and heard and relevant to what they’re saying at the regional level as well as the municipal level,” said the MPP, first elected in 1995.
There are a number of issues he’ll be watching and acting on in the year ahead, said Mr. O’Toole.
“The agricultural issues, the infrastructure issues, are not as glamourous, but they’re certainly very, very important for families,” he said.
And while he acknowledges the manufacturing sector, which is extremely important to Durham, is struggling at the moment, he said there’s good reason for optimism locally.
“There are great plans, great optimism, for Durham specifically because we are one of the last GTA areas so we will experience some of the growth,” he said.
“I see the opportunities are there, but there are challenges in the year too.”