The Progressive Conservative candidate for MPP of Oakville riding failed to show up at a debate on education issues Tuesday night at White Oaks Secondary School.
Larry Scott was the only no-show at the event, organized by Don Vrooman, one of the Halton District School Board trustees representing voters in the riding.
Incumbent MPP and Liberal candidate Kevin Flynn suggested that Scott may not have wanted to come face to face with some of the 100,000 Ontarians who stand to lose their jobs if PC Leader Tim Hudak ends up forming a government. “Hudak confirmed that teaching jobs were on the chopping block,” Flynn said.
Hudak has vowed he would increase classroom sizes; increase the ratio for full-day kindergarten to one teacher for every 20 students from the current ratio of two teachers per 26 students; and cut 9,700 non-teaching positions in schools.
Meanwhile, Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne promises to improve math scores, require 60 minutes of physical activity as part of each school day, invest $10 million for a nine-month paid community work and service program to help graduating high school students, increase apprenticeship training and university spaces, and continue the 30% off tuition grant for eligible post-secondary students.
Scott’s failure to show mimics his leader’s failure to show up Monday in Thunder Bay at the first leaders’ debate on northern issues.
Commented Flynn: “Failing to show up just shows the Tories can’t defend their platform.