Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne unofficially kicked off her re-election bid in the Forest City Friday with a visit to open the campaign office of Kate Graham.
London North Centre candidate Kate Graham opened her volunteer office at 931 Oxford Street East alongside Wynne and the current London North Centre MPP, Deb Matthews.
“Southwestern Ontario is important to the province, being the agricultural and automotive heartbeat of Ontario,” Said Premier Wynne.
Kate Graham is set to replace outgoing MPP Deb Matthews as she readies her campaign for London North Centre.
“You can tell by the excitement in the room that Kate is the perfect candidate to lead this riding,” said Wynne.
“She cares about people, she wants to know their stories, and that’s what government is all about,” she said.
Some of those who were looking to have their stories heard were protesters against the closure of the Cardiac Fitness Institute.
Ontario Premier @Kathleen_Wynne was in London Friday to lend a hand in opening the office of @KateMarieGraham, but was confronted by protesters from the Cardiac Fitness Institute before she could get to it. #ldnont ##OnPoli pic.twitter.com/tEs44tR5iY
— Christian D'Avino (@C_DAvino980) March 16, 2018
“I’m glad these people are out here protesting, because that’s their right to do so. Their issues are critical to many in this election, and it’s wonderful to see people stand out in the cold for their message,” said Liberal Candidate for London North Centre, Kate Graham.
“There are two women in this room that inspire me. Deb Matthews and Premier Kathleen Wynne. It’s a real honour to stand here today with them and be apart of the Most progressive party in North America,” she said.
@KateMarieGraham is joined on stage by @Kathleen_Wynne and @Deb_Matthews. Their message? The liberals are ready for a hard battle in #LdnOnt. #Onpoli pic.twitter.com/0ReignYTrV
— Christian D'Avino (@C_DAvino980) March 16, 2018
According to a previous sit down with political analyst Matt Farrell, he told XFM news that the Ontario Liberals have moved further to the left from where they were in 2014, leaving some centrist voters without a party.
“I’ve always said that I would lead from the activist centre, and as such, I will take my party down the right path on these non-partisan issues,” said Premier Wynne.
“The discussion around this election is coming down to a very stark choice, between a party that wants Ontarians to fend for themselves, and our party that’s saying government exists to do those things that people just can’t do by themselves.”