Tory faith-based schools a policy boat anchor
Conservatives question Tory’s judgment

Now it's at least eleven Tories questioning John Tory's judgment. Conservative candidates and Tory MPPs are joining the legions of Ontarians questioning John Tory’s plan to take hundreds of millions of dollars out of public education, and hand it over to private religious schools.

Tory has added a layer of bad process on a reckless, irresponsible policy. The only way to end Tory scheming on our schools is to vote Liberal.

1. Ted Arnott (Wellington Halton Hills) expressed concerns to the Fergus-Elora Express Sep. 13, 2007) saying there would be conditions on his support. Arnott has also said: "If we start funding private religious schools, that means there is less funding available to the public system which is open to all students." (Kitchener Waterloo Record, Nov. 20, 1999);
2. Kevin Ashe (Ajax-Pickering) told the Toronto Star he is getting “push back” at the doors on Tory’s questionable private school scheme. (Toronto Star, Aug. 3, 2007);
3. Tara Crugnale (Hamilton East – Stoney Creek) said in a front page Hamilton Spectator story today, titled "Candidate splits with PC leader on funding", "I can’t defend the policy as it stands now. This issue has been really divisive." (Hamilton Spectator, October 1, 2007)
4. Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North) is also raising questions about John Tory’s judgment. He told the Packet and Times that public funding of private religious schools is “the thing I’m hearing most”. The newspaper goes on to say: “Many Tory MPPs did not know religious funding would be part of the campaign, said Dunlop. ‘In a way, it caught us by surprise.’” (September 19, 2007);
5. Norm Miller (Perry Sound Muskoka) has questioned John Tory’s private school scheme saying: “I would say this is not something that would be popular.” (Parry Sound North Star, Aug. 1, 2007;
6. Rob Morley (Huron Bruce) told the Kincardine News that "he isn’t in favour [of funding private religious schools], thinks it’s been given too high a priority and feels all faiths should be funded under one roof. ‘We should take it all back to one system… One system for everyone, that’s the message I’m thinking.’” (September 12, 2007);
7. Bill Murdoch (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound) "Now, make no mistake, this issue is important. As a matter of fact, I didn’t realize exactly how sensitive and divisive the issue would be when it was first introduced. Last week I spoke with John Tory by phone, followed by a letter requesting that he agree to either a referendum or free vote on the issue. I am convinced that the majority stand against faith based funding. You have my word that should this come before the legislature, as it stands today, with the majority of my riding opposed, I will vote against it." (Owen Sound Sun Times, September 24, 2007);
8. Bob Runciman (Leeds Grenville) who is John Tory’s House Leader said: “It’s not playing well. I’m not hearing from people (who are) supportive, by and large.” (Canadian Press, Sep. 13, 2007)
9. Ron Swain (Algoma-Manitoulin) Said that he "doubts the notion [of funding private religious schools] would have any traction in … towns like Manitouwadge and White River." (Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal, September 11, 2007);
10. Joe Tascona (Barrie): "It’s my job to listen to the views of my constituents and represent those views with respect to any government policy. If they don’t share the government’s policy, than that’s something that I would be following in terms of representing them." (simcoe.com, August 2, 2007);
11. Bill Vrebosch (Nipissing) has backed away from Tory’s scheme with CKAT radio reporting “if the people of Nipissing don’t agree with the policy, he won’t either.” (600ckat.com, Sep. 11, 2007). The Parry Sound North Star reported that Vrebosch “readily admits he wasn’t enthused about the proposal when he first heard it” saying: “I’m really in a quandary here.” (Parry Sound North Star, Aug 8, 2007);

The Conservative candidates are joining a fast-growing list of Ontarians who are questioning John Tory’s judgment. In mid-September, former Conservative MPP Diane Cunningham – whose leadership bid Tory supported in 1990 – said the idea is so bad, Tory “may go down on this.” (Toronto Star, Sep. 13, 2007)

“John Tory’s scheme to rip $500 million out of publicly funded schools for private religious schools is a big step backwards,” said Deputy Premier George Smitherman. “There are so many unanswered questions that Tory just has not thought through. Even Conservative candidates are questioning John Tory’s judgment.”