The following comes from the Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce. You can find more information on the Chamber here.
Your Chamber asked all 6 Parry Sound-Muskoka candidates 7 days ago to provide brief responses to two questions.
Question A: to share information about their platforms; and,
Question B: to respond to the Ontario Chamber network’s recommendations outlined in Ontario Competes. You can read the recommendations in that report by clicking here.
Only TWO candidates responded: can you guess who? Thank you, Progressive Conservative Candidate Graydon Smith and Green Party of Ontario Candidate Matt Richter for caring about and informing our community. Their responses to our 2 questions are below.
If reading this on your mobile, you’ll see responses in alphabetical order for question 1 and reversed for question 2: on desktop you’ll see responses to both questions side by side.
**Election Day is Feb. 27. Today (Sat. Feb 22) is the last day for Advance Polls: you have until 8pm to Vote Early in Muskoka & Parry Sound.**
 Matt Richter, GPO Question A: Please share platform points that may be of particular concern in Parry Sound-Muskoka.These platform points are of particular interest to the people of Parry Sound-Muskoka as I’ve spent 17 years listening, at doors, kitchen tables, town halls, main streets, and homes. I have heard from families, workers, business owners,scientists, and environmental scientists.These are the things that I’ve found resonate the most with the people of our riding and I will fight to make these a priority at Queen’s Park. I will be the independent voice that represents our communities. 1. Investing in Rural Healthcare● Fighting for two new hospitals in Huntsville and Bracebridge that truly serve each community● Recruiting more Family Doctors and Nurse Practitioners so the 20,000 people in our region without one can get better care close to home● Expanding healthcare options to ensure stable and predictable funding exists for hospice, community health hubs, aging at home care, and our long term care homes.2. Helping You Save Money● Stop giving hydro rebate cheques to the wealthiest Ontarians and redirect that money to help low- and middle-income earners pay their bills● Cut taxes for low and middle income earners under $65,000 and households making under $100,000, saving people up to $1,700 per year● Make homes affordable for homebuyers by removing development charges on homes,condos and apartment units built under 2,000 sq ft within urban boundaries. Implement an Affordable Community Fund to reimburse municipalities for lost revenue3. Protecting Our Environment● Safeguarding our watersheds by supporting our municipalities and business sectors in developing multi-disciplinary tools to maintain our high quality environment● Reverse the Ford government’s attack on Conservation Authorities, EnvironmentalAssessments, wetland and species protection. Strengthen and uphold the Environmental Bill of Rights● Working with Indigenous communities to conserve our natural areas through co-management and sustainable resource planning4. Funding Rural Infrastructure and Municipalities● Investing in roads, bridges, and transit so our communities can grow safely and sustainably● Supporting municipalities with stable, long-term funding—not short-term band-aid fixes● Expanding high-speed internet access so families and businesses aren’t left behind5. Investing in Our Kids● Clear the school repair backlog so every child learns in a safe, modern classroom.● Fully fund special education and invest in programs like school food initiatives to ensurekids can focus on learning.● Expand OHIP to cover mental health care so every child and educator has access to support.● Strengthen public education funding to reduce class sizes, support teachers, and ensureschools meet student needs. |  Graydon Smith, PC Question A: Please share platform points that may be of particular concern in Parry Sound-Muskoka. Since taking office in June of 2022, and during my time as a Mayor, I’ve advocated strongly for Muskoka to be returned to the service area for the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund. This $110 million economic development fund is critical in providing businesses, not-for-profit organizations and municipalities with important funding. I was successful in achieving this goal and am thrilled to know that Muskoka businesses are already applying for funding to help with their growth, expansion and job creation. Members of the Muskoka Lakes Chambers of Commerce will now be eligible to apply for funding under the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund. This is a game changer for localbusinesses and not-for-profit organizations across Muskoka. Only the PCs were committed to making this change and able to get it done. We’ve overseen the creation of 850,000 jobs in Ontario since we took office in 2018, including nearly 200,000 this year alone. By cutting over 500 pieces of red tape and lowering costs across the board, our government has created the conditions for businesses to succeed and add good- paying jobs for communities across our province, including right here in Parry Sound-Muskoka. The PC Party is the only party in this election committed to supporting small businesses. Our efforts to reduce red tape, cut taxes and support businesses with critical funding support have enabled small businesses to thrive. We’ll continue to have the backs of small businesses in Parry Sound-Muskoka and across Ontario. We’ll continue to ensure the conditions are there for businesses to invest, expand, and create good-paying jobs in every sector and every region of our economy. |
 Ontario Competes is focused on four areas of concern: I. A Competitive Business and Trade Environment II. Qualified People, Diverse Talent III. Healthy and Sustainable Communities IV. Growth-Enabling Infrastructure Candidate responses to this document are below. Read the entire report here. Ontario Competes |
Graydon Smith, PC Question 2: Please provide a brief response to the Ontario Chamber network’s “Ontario Competes” report. The PC Party has a plan to invest over $190 billion into critical community-building infrastructure projects. Our government made historic investments into the skilled trades to enable the training and certification of more tradespeople. We’re fighting back hard against President Trump’s tariffs to protect Ontario small businesses and jobs. Our government is investing $190.2B in infrastructure over the next 10 years, including $26.2B in 2024-25 to build highways, transit, hospitals, long-term care homes, schools, child-care spaces, and other critical infrastructure necessary for keeping Ontario strong. through partnership with the federal government a total of $10.2B has been invested through the ‘Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP)’ in transit, green,community, culture and recreation, rural and northern and other priority infrastructure under this program. We recognize that these communities are facing urgent critical infrastructure and rehabilitation needs to address the housing supply crisis and safetyconcerns associated with Ontario’s dated infrastructure. Over the coming decade, Ontario is expected to grow by more than two million people. We need to build the infrastructure to keep up with our growing province. That’s why we’re also saying YES to building more transit. We’re investing nearly $28 billion to get drivers out of gridlock and keep goods and people moving by building more highways. I’ll continue to work side-by-side with our local chambers of commerce to ensure I’m hearing directly from local business owners about the things that matter most to them. I was a small business owner myself and appreciate how critically important they are to our local prosperity. | Matt Richter, GPO Question 2: Please provide a brief response to the Ontario Chamber network’s “Ontario Competes” report. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s Ontario Competes report outlines important challenges and opportunities for business competitiveness. In Parry Sound-Muskoka, businesses face unique pressures—from labour shortages to housing affordability and infrastructure gaps—that require bold, practical solutions. My plan addresses these concerns head-on, ensuring asustainable, resilient, and competitive economy for our region Much of our 5 Point Plan for Parry Sound-Muskoka aligns with the goals within the OntarioCompetes report. I would fight for our communities to ensure that: ● Workers can live where they work – Building affordable housing and rentals that work for real people, not speculators. Expanding regional transit options to address labourshortages. ● Businesses have the infrastructure they need – Prioritizing broadband expansion and critical road and bridge upgrades to support economic growth. ● Small businesses can thrive – Cutting red tape, supporting local entrepreneurs, andinvesting in sustainable industries to strengthen our local economy. ● Education and skills training match workforce needs – Expanding skilled trades programs, apprenticeships, and partnerships with colleges and Indigenous Institutes. I want to see a thriving, resilient economy where businesses succeed, workers can afford to live, and our communities grow stronger. Let’s keep the conversation going. |
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Hi, please note that Jim Ronholm, NDP, also sent us a submission a bit later which can be read on our website http://www.muskokalakeschamber.ca.
We posted it on Feb. 25. However, we can not link directly to it today as there is an info blackout we have to respect on Feb 26 and 27.