Debate prep

Plus: Horwath's message to insurgents, Ford stands by Lecce, Grit candidates MIA, Green platform highlights, Singh defended, birthdays

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BRUSHING OFF THE HATERS — ANDREA HORWATH has a message for the 9:01 Club — a growing group of NDPers who tell me they don’t think they can win government with her at the helm and who are preparing to pressure her to step aside the minute after polls close if she doesn’t deliver on June 2.

“We have an important election that’s upon us, and that’s going to be my focus,” Horwath said at a campaign stop in Paris, Ontario, where she detailed her party’s mental health platform. “I’m going to continue to work for the people of this province and to assure them that instead of a Premier that is working for his buddies, we can this time have a Premier that works for you. I just encourage all of our NDP candidates, as well as members, to get on board to provide the people of Ontario with hope for the future. That’s what I’m hearing from people everywhere I go in this province — they want to know that they can have a government that prioritizes them. That’s certainly my goal — and …