To everyone who has reached out over the last few days, especially those who are angry about the direction of Ontario and Canada, I have a request.
Channel it into resolve.
Have some faith that this campaign can win. Give yourself a reason to hope.
I want to ask my supporters to hold themselves to a high standard in public. Treat people with respect. Show no prejudice.
Assume good faith where you can. But do not mistake this as a call for silence.
Be loud. Make jokes. Be clever. Be optimistic. This campaign does not need to scold people into agreement.
Let’s persuade, build, and to give people a reason to believe Ontario and Canada can still win.
(And for critics, please have the maturity to understand that I don’t control which people say what online).
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The standards we see in public life are not much different from the standards we collectively tolerate.
If we want better politics, we have to practise it too.
That includes being respectful of the
@OntLiberal and the people involved in it.
Throughout this process, they have been professional and courteous. Especially the grassroots, who have been so welcoming as I’ve traveled the province.
We have so many good people in Ontario. From every background. From every community. I’ve never had more faith that the future here is going to be incredible.
Whether you’re a long time Liberal, a new one, or a “Lombardi Liberal”, you are welcome in the big coalition I want to build to take down our ineffective and tired government.
I’m not running against the Liberal party, but to lead it. Not to defend its past, but to give it a future.
I never expected a red-carpet rollout, nor should I have. The truth is that I still have much to prove.
I have not yet earned the trust of many Liberals, and some of my critics and skeptics have every right to be skeptical. That is healthy in a democracy.
I know I need to get better as a speaker. I know people will notice my lisp. I know a platform is not everything.
Politics is also about trust, judgment, discipline, and the ability to bring people with you.
But I also believe ideas matter. Serious ideas deserve serious debate. Criticism made in good faith will be met with good faith.
In the campaign ahead, we will put forward a vision for Ontario that offers a REAL CHOICE.
People will agree with much of it. Some will disagree with parts of it. That is exactly how it should be.
I have strong convictions, but I do not claim to have a monopoly on good ideas.
I will keep an open mind. I am prepared to have my views challenged, clarified, and improved. That is the point of democracy.
And on a personal note, I am genuinely grateful to have this opportunity to participate in it.
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I also want to make something clear.
I have been consistently underestimated throughout this entire endeavour. I hope that continues.
People are looking at this race through the lens of traditional politics. I am not. So don’t expect me to become typical.
I will continue to be myself on this platform. I will continue to say what I think. And yes, I will hit back on bad-faith when it makes a point. Without apology.
This campaign is built on simple beliefs: ideas matter, people are hungry for solutions, and Ontario can still win.
Let’s own the future. 🚀
(Whew that became long)