Rematch in Willowdale
Trade wars
ABOVE THE FOLD
Q+A — PAUL SAGUIL is ready for a rematch.
The former Liberal candidate for Willowdale is making a comeback for the next (possibly early) election in the hopes of unseating PC incumbent STAN CHO, who is also the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming.
When the pair sparred in 2022, Saguil wound up roughly 2,000 votes behind Cho — putting the riding close to target-seat territory for the PCs.
The race is heating up: Cho was officially re-nominated as the candidate this week (full candidate list). About 40 folks showed up to the local legion (Cho’s new baby CHARLOTTE took the night off), then a few went downstairs to the bar for drinks and Korean food. Cho also held a town hall last night and is planning a “super canvas” this weekend.
Saguil, too, is gearing up with a $500-a-head fundraiser next week. By day, he’s a lawyer who works in TD Bank’s anti-corruption department and previously chaired the board of The 519.
Here, Saguil tells me what he’s doing differently this time, what he thinks of the new Liberal leader, that time he fought JAGMEET SINGH (literally) and more.
Why did you throw your hat back into the ring? “I believe that this government has really shown that they’re not here for Ontarians. They’re here for their pals and friends — and it’s only gotten worse over the last two years since the election. So for my part, it’s my way of contributing to what I think Ontario needs — which is a change in how our government focuses on the needs of people that are vulnerable, people who need support. They’re just tired of a government that doesn’t heed the feedback that they’re getting about what matters most.”
What was it like to lose? “It was a really tough lesson in 2022. But actually, it translated into something more powerful, which is deepening connections with the community. We’re saying to them: we’re not just going to go away because we didn’t get the job done last time, we’re going to make sure that this time, we’re better prepared and we’re ready to go.”
What’s different for you this time around? “As a first-time candidate, obviously you learn a lot about the process itself. We’ve learned, as a party as well, to reach out to our communities and volunteers and find out what they’re looking for in our platform, and our policy offerings going forward will be based on those exercises. We’ve obviously united under a new leader, too.”
Tell me more about that. How does the BONNIE CROMBIE era compare to STEVEN DEL DUCA’s days? “It’s different circumstances. Obviously it was a challenge for the previous leader, being nominated just on the cusp of the pandemic and then having to navigate and rebuild from that. Now with Bonnie coming in, it has really refreshed a lot of people’s interest and attention to the party. It’s that positive vibe that we really have to bring forward — people are angry with the current government, but we can’t just prey on people’s anger. I think that’s the difference… We’re going to take what people are rightly upset about and present positive ideas.”
What are you hearing at the doors in Willowdale? “Willowdale, like many areas of Toronto, is dealing with the challenges of affordable housing. Sometimes people forget that because Willowdale has a certain historical place in the city. But new developments there, for many people, are not affordable. And those new developments are also putting pressure on public resources and services. Kids are being bussed out of Willowdale because there’s no place in schools for them. There’s traffic congestion along main arteries, and we’re trying to make sure existing communities can access the services they have, while newcomers to Willowdale try to get their lives together through those services, too. That’s really pushing down what’s available to people.”
What gives you the edge as a candidate? “With my background in both the private sector and not-for-profit sector, my experience as a lawyer, as a business executive, as a governance leader and community advocate, I think there’s many things that I could really help out with, and that’s one of the reasons I’m putting myself forward as someone who can help steer the ship going forward.”
I heard you beat up federal NDP Leader JAGMEET SINGH. What happened? “In jiu-jitsu, I think he’s a blue belt if I’m not mistaken; I’m a brown belt. Whenever he’s in town he comes to our academy — which is actually down the street from Queen’s Park. Jagmeet is a big man, relative to my size, and he’s got a lot of hair under that turban — like, I got a mouthful of his hair [laughs]. But otherwise, it was fun. Because I have a wrestling background, and being a smaller guy, I have to learn how to deal with big people all the time. So we had a fun time sparring, but no blood was drawn, no bruises, no long-term damage. Jiu-jitsu is kind of nice because it also gives people from different walks of life a chance to mix and mingle. And even having someone from the other side of the aisle, it’s like politics — it can be pretty rough-and-tumble, but you have a healthy level of respect for each other, and then once it’s done, you shake hands and you say, ‘See you in the next round.’”
Are you running in the next election? I want to hear from you! Reach out to sabrina@qpobserver.ca, or just reply to this email.
HAPPENING TODAY
9 a.m.: Liberal STEPHANIE BOWMAN is in the Media Studio to tease her forthcoming private member’s bill aimed at protecting tenants.
10 a.m.: Liberal Leader BONNIE CROMBIE is up next, to reveal a “previously hidden report on DOUG FORD’s family doctor crisis.” Spoiler alert: “over 3 million people are at risk of losing their doctor,” Crombie says.
11 a.m.: Energy Minister STEPHEN LECCE is up in Toronto.
(Updated) 1 p.m.: Labour Minister DAVID PICCINI continues his announcement streak in Toronto. Incoming: Labour-related legislation is expected to hit the Clerk’s table any day now (more on that in a moment).
FUNDRAISING WATCH — 5:30 p.m.: Another day, another big-ticket PC fundraiser without a ministerial lineup, suggesting DOUG FORD might show. Invite…6 p.m.: VIC FEDELI and local rep DAISY WAI are hosting business leaders in Richmond Hill for $1,000 a head.
ON THE ORDER PAPER
Mystery bill incoming: House Leader STEVE CLARK teased another bill that’s headed for the Clerk’s table just after 3 p.m.
First up on today’s docket: Natural Resources Minister GRAYDON SMITH will kick off second-reading debate on his Bill 228, which deals with carbon storage, wildfires, land surveyors and more. That’s expected to continue in the afternoon sitting.
Later on, PC SHEREF SABAWY will move second reading on his private member’s Bill 215, to proclaim every September Ukrainian Heritage Month.
TUESDAY’S RUNDOWN:
Killed: NDP Leader MARIT STILES’s Oppo Day motion calling on the government to crack down on cash-for-access did not survive the PC majority (Ayes 29…Nays 63)
Off to committee: PC DAISY WAI’s PMB to establish a Retiree Experience Awareness Day will go under the microscope at Social Policy after clearing second reading on a voice vote.
ON THE COMMITTEE CIRCUIT
9 a.m.: At Interior, Bill 186 — PC backbencher MATT RAE’s move to protect farming businesses’ “agritourism” ventures by clearing them of liability, could be tweaked during clause-by-clause consideration.
1 p.m.: Amid an explosive debate on intimate partner violence , Justice Policy continues its study and will hear from a bunch of front-benchers: Health Minister SYLVIA JONES, Mental Health Minister MICHAEL TIBOLLO, Indigenous Affairs Minister GREG RICKFORD and Social Services Minister MICHAEL PARSA. Also from the civil service side: JACQUELINE CURETON, associate deputy minister of the Community Services division.
COCKTAIL CHATTER
Early birds can check out Small Ownership Landlords Ontario’s morning reception in the Dining Room. The Salvation Army is hosting a lunchtime reception in Room 228, followed by the Good Roads association in the evening. Also in the Dining Room tonight: Life Sciences Ontario.
CLIPPINGS
— TRADE WARS: Premier DOUG FORD continues to lean into the DONALD TRUMP talk (which gives him political cover to trigger a snap vote on this side of the border).
The latest: Ford held an impromptu scrum at Queen’s Park Tuesday — complete with a U.S. flag backdrop — to push back against Trump’s threat to levy 25 per-cent-tariffs on Canada. “It’s like a family member stabbing you right in the heart,” he said, warning that Canada would have “no choice” but to retaliate.
The province is also launching a multimillion-dollar “stronger together” advertising campaign in key states highlighting the trade relationship with Canada. And the first ministers will get that virtual call they wanted with Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU tonight at 5 p.m.
The PCs and Liberals are also going at it on social media. More on Ford’s fighting words via the Star.
— WAXING POETIC: Meet Ontario’s next poet laureate: MATTHEW-RAY JONES, the artist otherwise known as Testament. Jones is the second provincial laureate — the position was created by a private member’s bill from ex-NDPer PERCY HATFIELD, in honour of the late GORD DOWNIE.
— WORKING FOR WORKERS 6.0: Labour Minister DAVID PICCINI’s latest legislative teaser: “A job-protected leave of 16 weeks for people who adopt children or have kids through surrogacy…Piccini says the new leave, which would align with upcoming federal changes to create Employment Insurance benefits for adoption, will be part of new labour legislation.”
Details from CP: “It is also set to include a 27-week long-term illness leave for employees who can’t work due to a serious medical condition such as cancer, multiple sclerosis or Crohn’s disease…also expand a requirement for properly fitting personal protective equipment for women in the construction sector to include all sectors.”
— WHAT TORIES ARE READING: Come for The Logic’s Kevin Carmichael’s in-depth interview with Finance Minister PETER BETHLENFALVY (“There’s still some Bay Street in” him)…stay for his comparison of Ontario’s $200 rebate and Ottawa’s $250 cheque:
“There’s a difference between the two plans…The Ontario government decided to blow money out the door from a position of fiscal strength, while [CHRYSTIA] Freeland has struggled to stay within her self-imposed deficit and debt guardrails. [DOUG] FORD and Bethlenfalvy look canny. Without spending cuts to offset their copycat helicopter drop, [JUSTIN] TRUDEAU and Freeland risk looking desperate.”
— WE HAVE LIFTOFF: “The provincial government has announced that excavation of the launch shaft that will be the starting point to tunnel for the Ontario Line subway has officially begun at Exhibition Station.” CityNews reports.
— PLAYING DEFENCE: Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity CHARMAINE WILLIAMS on why the government won’t declare intimate partner violence an epidemic: “I don’t want to rush something like this.” Via the Star.
— YAKABUSKI’S OUT: Turns out it was more than just a rumour — veteran PC JOHN YAKABUSKI already made it official that he won’t seek another term in Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke.
— COMING FOR CROMBIE: New Democrats are having a field day with incoming Liberal candidate ANDREW KANIA in Brampton West, who has a Conservative past. “So continues the Liberals’ lurch to the right,” charged former NDP comms staffer JASON WAGAR.
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
First in Observer — In Finance Minister PETER BETHLENFALVY’s office, NAVREET HUNDAL is now handling the role of MPP liaison, in addition to being director of stakeholder relations, caucus affairs and regional communications.
Hundal is taking over from BENJAMIN MUBIRU, who is moving over to Public and Business Service Delivery Minister TODD McCARTHY’s team as policy adviser.