Ontario Election Debate: Memorable Quotes From Wynne, Hudak, Horwath | HuffPost

This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive.

Hudak: 'Hope Is On The Way'

The Huffington Post Canada

|

Ontario Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne was put on the defensive right from the start of the election debate Tuesday night over the $1.1 billion gas plants scandal.

Wynne apologized and said she understood why voters are still angry about the costly decision to scrap two plants in Oakville and Mississauga.

While both PC Leader Tim Hudak and NDP Leader Andrea Horwath tried to paint the Liberal government as unethical and corrupt, Wynne tried to make her case that she is best prepared to lead the province through an uncertain future.

But Hudak, who has faced controversy over his plan to create one million private sector jobs over eight years — and to slash 100,000 public sector jobs — presented himself as the candidate of "hope."

Though some economists have said his plan is based on a mathematical miscalculation, Hudak vowed that he will resign if he can't pull of his "Million Jobs Plan."

Here are just a few of the memorable comments from the debate.

Wynne Apologizes (Again) For Gas Plants Scandal

The Canadian Press

"The decisions around the relocation of the gas plants were wrong. There was public money that was wasted, and in the process, the public good was sacrificed to partisan interests."

Horwath On Liberal 'Corruption'

The Canadian Press

"The Liberals have betrayed you. They've lied to you and they've wasted billions and billions of your dollars."

Hudak Presses Wynne On Cancelled Gas Plants

The Canadian Press

"Yours is the signature on the contract that sold taxpayers up the river. Why didn't you just say no?"

Advertisement

Horwath On Hudak's Jobs Plan

The Canadian Press

"Your tough medicine is not Buckley's. It tastes awful and it's not going to work."

Just Give Me Like... 8 Years To Pull It Off

The Canadian Press

"I'm so confident in my plan that if I don't carry through and keep my promises in the Million Jobs Plan, I'll resign. I'll step down from office."

Wynne Says The 'R' Word

The Canadian Press

"There is only one leader standing here who would push us back to recession with his plan, and that is Mr. Hudak."

Advertisement

Horwath On Why Voters Should Pick Her

The Canadian Press

"You don't have to choose between bad ethics and bad math."

Hudak On Ontario Liberal Spending

The Canadian Press

"You’re acting like someone who won the lottery when you’re bankrupt."

Wynne's Not Buying Million Jobs Plan

The Canadian Press

"There’s no evidence that your plan would create a million jobs."

Advertisement

Hudak Doubles Down On Math Skills

The Canadian Press

"Students need strong math skills to succeed in acquiring knowledge for tomorrow's jobs."

Hudak Presses Wynne On Dalton McGuinty Legacy

The Canadian Press

"You've got a big audience tonight, please tell us what you regret the most about the Dalton McGuinty legacy that you share?"

And Wynne Reminds Him Of His Years Under Mike Harris

The Canadian Press

"I've seem Tim Hudak’s movie before, too. Tim Hudak was part of a government that slashed public services and didn't care about the people of Ontario."

Advertisement

Horwath Gets Under Wynne's Skin

The Canadian Press

"You're making things up, Andrea."

Wynne Targets Hudak's Vow To Slash 100,000 Public Sector Jobs

The Canadian Press

"The shock to the system that Tim Hudak is suggesting would push us backwards."

Hudak Looks West

The Canadian Press

"It’s sad that Alberta’s number one export is oil and ours has become the next generation."

Advertisement

Hudak To Wynne: You've Changed

The Canadian Press

"You took on some tough cabinet jobs but you’ve changed. And you’re using the same tricks you learned from Dalton McGuinty."

Wynne On Why She Deserves Another Shot

The Canadian Press

"I've made a lot of changes. There are more changes that we need to make."

Hudak... The Candidate Of Hope?

The Canadian Press

"Hope is on the way."

Advertisement

Ontario voters head to the polls on June 12.

Also on HuffPost

Memorable Photos From Ontario Campaign

JOBS!(01 of69)

Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak while campaigning at a food truck festival in Whitby, Ont. on Saturday, May 10, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese (credit:The Canadian Press)

Too Explosive(02 of69)

A flyer depicting Ont. PC leader Tim Hudak laughing as he walks away from an exploding hospital is shown. Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says the Liberal flyer sent by a Vaughan candidate is "not acceptable." THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO (credit:The Canadian Press/Handout)

'Where The Gas Plants Went'(03 of69)

Ontario Premier and Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne reads to a full day kindergarten class at Westwood Public School in Guelph, Ontario on Wednesday May 14 , 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young (credit:The Canadian Press)

But Seriously... A Billion Dollars(04 of69)

PC Leader Tim Hudak gestures to the the 800-megawatt gas-fired power plant scrapped by the previous Liberal administration, as he talks to the press in Mississauga on Sunday May 18 , 2014. Hudak continues his election campaign. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young (credit:The Canadian Press)

Got This Thing In The Bag(05 of69)

Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath purchases groceries at Eraa Supermarket while campaigning in Toronto, Ont. on Tuesday, May 13, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese (credit:The Canadian Press)

Act Natural(06 of69)

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne drives a tractor with instruction from farmer Sandra Vos (right) at a campaign event in Paris, Ontario on Tuesday May 20, 2014, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn (credit:The Canadian Press)

Wynne-Two Punch(07 of69)

Ontario Liberal leader Kathleen Wynne shows off a pair of boxing gloves she received as a gift, while her partner Jane Rounthwaite (left) looks on in Ottawa on Wednesday, May 7, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang (credit:The Canadian Press)

Daddy's Girl(08 of69)

Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak, hugs his new born baby Maitland Hudak after greeting supporters at his headquarters during a campaign stop in Grimsby, Ont., on Monday, May 12, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette (credit:The Canadian Press)

Don't Have A Cow(09 of69)

Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath answers media questions at a campaign stop at the monument to Springbank Snow Countess, world champion lifetime butterfat producing cow, in Woodstock, Ont., Friday, May 9, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dave Chidley (credit:The Canadian Press)

It's Like You're My Mirror...(10 of69)

Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak holds a town hall meeting in a hair salon in Pickering, Ontario on Tuesday May 27 , 2014, as he continues his election campaign. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young (credit:The Canadian Press)

Reunited.. And It Feels So Good(11 of69)

Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak eats lunch with Foreign Minister John Baird as he attends an event at the Chateau Laurier during an election campaign stop in Ottawa on Tuesday, May 13, 2014. Ontario goes to the polls June 12th. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick (credit:The Canadian Press)

Killer Tomatoes(12 of69)

Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is seen behind a display of tomatoes while shopping at Eraa Supermarket in Toronto, Ont. on Tuesday, May 13, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese (credit:The Canadian Press)

HA HA HA!(13 of69)

Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak, centre, laughs before he makes an announcement at a packaging plant about creating 40,000 jobs in Ontario with affordable energy during a campaign stop in Smithville, Ont., on Monday, May 12, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette (credit:The Canadian Press)

HA HA HA HA!(14 of69)

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne talks to members of Toronto's Leaside Lawn Bowling Club before addressing the media as she begins her campaign in Ontario's provincial election on Saturday May 3, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young (credit:The Canadian Press)

Gimme...(15 of69)

Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak jokes with a man about his ice cream cone at a food truck festival during a campaign stop in Whitby, Ont. on Saturday, May 10, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese (credit:The Canadian Press)

Hoptical Illusion(16 of69)

Ontario Liberal leader Kathleen Wynne pulls a beer at a campaign event in Sudbury, Ontario on Tuesday May 27, 2014, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

In A Glass Case Of Emotion(17 of69)

Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak is seen through a reflection in a window while campaigning at Spin Desserts Cafe and Bistro in Burlington, Ont. on Wednesday, May 7, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese (credit:The Canadian Press)

What's So Funny?(18 of69)

Ontario Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne holds Etobicoke-North MPP Dr. Shafiq Qaadri's eight-month-old baby Salman at a campaign stop in Toronto on Monday, May 12, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn (credit:The Canadian Press)

I've Got This...(19 of69)

Ontario Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne practices using a drill during a campaign stop at the Carpenters' Union Local 27 Training Centre in Vaughan, Ont. on Monday, May 12, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese (credit:The Canadian Press)

Manual Labour Is FUN(20 of69)

Campaigning PC Leader Tim Hudak laughs as he tries out a nail gun as he visits a residential construction site while campaigning in Milton, Ont., on Monday, May 26, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Colin Perkel (credit:The Canadian Press)

Little Help Please?(21 of69)

Ontario Liberal leader Kathleen Wynne helps a health care worker up off the floor during a group photo at a campaign event in Toronto on Monday June 2, 2014, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn (credit:The Canadian Press)

Flower Power(22 of69)

Ontario Conservative Party Leader Tim Hudak buys flowers for Mothers Day with his daughter Miller at Growers Flower Market on Avenue Rd. in Toronto on Sunday, May 11, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Vincent Elkaim (credit:The Canadian Press)

That's How I Bowl(23 of69)

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne bowls a ball to formally open Toronto's Leaside Lawn Bowling Club's season as she begins her campaign in Ontario's Provincial election on Saturday May 3, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young (credit:The Canadian Press)

They Call Me DJ Cut & Scrap(24 of69)

PC Leader Tim Hudak talks to the media as he sits at a mixing desk at Metalworks Studios, as he hits the campaign trail in Ontario's Provincial election in Mississauga on Monday May 5 , 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young (credit:The Canadian Press)

The Guy Behind Me Is All Kinds Of Thirsty(25 of69)

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne rests after a run in Milton, Ontario on Monday May 5, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn (credit:The Canadian Press)

Subtlety(26 of69)

Ontario Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak speaks to a lunchtime meeting of the Chamber of Commerce in London, Ontario, Friday, May 23, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Geoff Robins (credit:The Canadian Press)

Pay Up(27 of69)

Emely Tscholy and Blaine Connolly protest quietly against "scandals and waste" outside a rally for Ontario Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne in Kitchener, Ont., on Sunday, June 8, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Colin Perkel (credit:The Canadian Press)

Whoa Baby!(28 of69)

Premier Kathleen Wynne weighs baby Lucas at a family health care unit on a campaign stop in Lindsay, Ont. on Friday, May 30, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Thornhill (credit:The Canadian Press)

I Now Pronounce You...(29 of69)

Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, centre, and Ontario Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak speak after taking part in the Ontario provincial leaders debate in Toronto, Tuesday June 3, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/POOL-Mark Blinch (credit:The Canadian Press)

'Stand Up' To Harper(30 of69)

Wynne wasted no time criticizing the Harper government in her first speech after announcing a provincial vote had been called for June 12.Wynne said the priorities of her government are increasingly at odds with Ottawa."We need a premier who is willing to stand up to Stephen Harper," she said."The federal government pours billions of dollars into the oilsands, but when it comes to the Ring of Fire, Stephen Harper has not acted." (credit:(Fred Lum/ The Globe and Mail))

Ontario Pension Plan? Meh.(31 of69)

Just hours after the provincial election was called, Harper suggested Wynne's proposal for an Ontario Retirement Pension Plan won't be a hit at the polls.When asked if Wynne could win the election with the plan, the prime minister said increasing taxes isn't the way to go. (credit:(The Associated Press))

Wynne To Harper: 'Move Out Of The Way'(32 of69)

Wynne then called Harper's comments about her pension plan "unusual" and told reporters she's not in the race to run against the prime minister."The first choice would have been to have an improvement and enhancement to the Canada Pension Plan, but the federal government is not interested in doing that," she said."So quite frankly I think that if Prime Minister Harper isn't interested in partnering with us then he should move out of the way." (credit:(The Canadian Press))

Say It Ain't So, Joe(33 of69)

Finance Minister Joe Oliver joined the fray, ripping the budget Wynne tabled a day before calling the election. The spending plan is, essentially, the platform on which Ontario Liberals are running."This is the route to economic decline, not the route to economic growth or job creation," he told CBC Radio's The House.And Oliver made clear he's also no fan of Wynne's pension plan, calling it a $3.5 billion tax on "workers and businesses" that will kill jobs in Ontario."This isn't the time to do it," he said. (credit:(The Canadian Press))

'Nonsense'(34 of69)

And Natural Resources Minister Greg Rickford told CBC News that Wynne's comments about alleged Tory inaction on the Ring of Fire file were "nonsense." (credit:(The Canadian Press))

Oh Really?(35 of69)

Wynne didn't care much for Oliver weighing in on her budget.In fact, the Ontario Liberal leader accused Harper of "taking over the Conservative voice in the Ontario election." (credit:(The Canadian Press))

Sorry (But Not Really)(36 of69)

Oliver later denied to reporters he was trying to intrude on the Ontario election, but was careful to repeat his earlier criticism about Wynne's pension proposal."It's not the time, in my opinion, to impose this type of tax when the Ontario economy is so fragile," he said. (credit:(The Canadian Press))

Who Wants To Talk About Harper's Pension?(37 of69)

Wynne then singled out Harper by saying his pension is about 10 times the maximum payout available under the CPP."Stephen Harper when he retires is going to have about 10 times that amount in his pension," she said."So the reality is that if he doesn't believe that the Canada Pension Plan should be enhanced, then he should move out of the way and let Ontario do its work." (credit:(The Canadian Press))

Tony GOES OFF(38 of69)

Treasury Board President Tony Clement then took the fight to Wynne during a segment on CBC's "Power & Politics."The former Ontario MPP didn't mince words, calling Wynne's pension plan proposal a "tax grab" meant to distract from various scandals."She doesn't want to talk about the gas plants scandal, she doesn't want to talk about E-health scandal. She wants to divert attention from her government's terrible record on these things as well as terrible economic record," he said. "So, I'm not going to play into her campaign strategy, quite frankly." (credit:(The Canadian Press))

Smirk-Gate?(39 of69)

Wynne told The Toronto Star that, in a private meeting in December, Harper "smirked' and told her people ought to be saving for their own retirement and not count on the government.“It was their fault and people need to pull themselves up by their bootstraps and they need to just save because there's lots of opportunities,” she recalled in the paper. (credit:(The Canadian Press))

Not Quite, Harper Spokesperson Says(40 of69)

Jason MacDonald, Harper's chief spokesperson, suggested to The Star that Wynne wasn't being entirely truthful about her meeting with the prime minister."Presumably she made the comments she made today to distract from her mismanagement of the Ontario economy and the fact that she can’t run on her party’s record," he said. (credit:(The Canadian Press))

Don't Forget About Us(41 of69)

In a speech delivered not far from Parliament Hill, Wynne accused Harper of neglecting Canada's largest province."Right now, on a number of important issues, the interests of the people of Ontario are at odds with the policies of Stephen Harper's government," she said. "In a very real way, the federal government is balancing its budget on the backs of Ontarians." (credit:(The Canadian Press))

Clement Fires Back.. Again(42 of69)

Clement didn't appreciate Wynne's digs at the prime minister and told reporters he wants Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak to win the election."[It's] a campaign technique to deflect attention from the disastrous record of the Ontario Liberal government, economic record as well as gas plants and shredding emails and 40 percent hikes in hydro bills," he told reporters."I personally want the election of Tim Hudak as premier of Ontario. I personally do, but we’ll work with anybody who forms the government, of course, in the national interest and the provincial interest." (credit:The Canadian Press)

No Surprises(43 of69)

Wynne then shot back by saying federal Tories are "attacking" because they don't share her government’s values."We know [Harper] doesn't like it because Tony Clement was sent out to attack today," she told a crowd in Kingston, Ont."Not a surprise that Tony Clement and Tim Hudak would be on the same page, is it? Not a surprise at all." (credit:The Canadian Press)

An Uphill Climb?(44 of69)

Kathleen Wynne is hoping Ontario voters can look past these five scandals when they cast their ballots on June 12.(Information courtesy of The Canadian Press) (credit:CP)

Ornge(45 of69)

Ontario's publicly funded air ambulance service has been under fire for almost two years over sky-high salaries, financial irregularities and corruption allegations. A legislative committee has been probing the service's complex structures and pay scales in detail, and opposition parties have been alleging wrongdoing with nearly every revelation. The auditor general has criticized the governing Liberals for failing to oversee Ornge, despite giving it $730 million over five years and allowing it to borrow another $300 million. The Liberals insist Ornge went rogue with a web of for-profit companies and questionable business deals, as well as exorbitant salaries and lavish expenses. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS IMAGES/Lars Hagberg)

Cancelled Gas Plants(46 of69)

Scandal has swirled around the government's decision to cancel the construction of two Toronto-area gas plants ahead of the 2011 election, in which the government then led by Dalton McGuinty was reduced to minority status. The cancellation costs have now been pegged at $1.1 billion, but opposition parties have accused the Liberals of actively trying to cover up that figure. Ontario's privacy commissioner has concluded that staff working for McGuinty and a former energy minister broke the law by deleting emails pertaining to the project. Ontario Provincial Police are also investigating the document deletions, seizing government computers at both Queen's Park and beyond. (credit:(Fred Lum/Globe and Mail))

eHealth(47 of69)

The provincial agency was given a $1-billion budget to develop electronic health records, but wound up building themselves a bad reputation. A lot of the eHealth money went for untendered contracts given to highly paid consultants who then billed taxpayers for additional expenses in a scandal that cost former health minister David Caplan his job. In 2009, the auditor general said the agency had very little progress to show for its efforts, and opposition parties have alleged further financial mismanagement since then. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn)

Windsor Parkway(48 of69)

The government has taken heat for not immediately acting when it learned a $1.4-billion infrastructure project didn't live up to safety standards. The Liberals were told that questionable materials were being used on the support beams on Windsor's Herb Gray Parkway in December 2012, but didn't halt the project until July. More than 500 support beams are being replaced by the project overseer at no cost to the tax payers, but the NDP has accused the Wynne government of trying to cover up the affair and only backing down when threatened with media exposure. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young)

PanAm Games(49 of69)

Premier Kathleen Wynne has hailed the 2015 games as a cause for celebration, but opposition parties call it just another scandal. The $1.4-billion budget for the games does not include some key expenses, like the $700 million athletes' village. The government has also come under fire for $7 million worth of bonuses paid out to 64 executives. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)

(50 of69)

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynn smiles as she arrives at the Toronto Blue Jays game against the New York Yankees during home opener AL baseball action in Toronto on Friday, April 4, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power (credit:CP)

(51 of69)

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, left, and Glen Murray, Minister of Infrastructure, ride the subway while en route to Wynne's speech at the Toronto Region Board of Trade in Toronto Monday, April 14, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese (credit:CP)

(52 of69)

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne attends question period at Queen's Park in Toronto on Tuesday, April 1, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young (credit:CP)

(53 of69)

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne is shown outside her office at Queen's Park in Toronto on Thursday, March 27, 2014. Wynne has distanced herself from her predecessor, former premier Dalton McGuinty, following police allegations one of his staffers may have committed breach of trust. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn (credit:CP)

(54 of69)

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne speaks to supporters and her caucus during the party's annual general meeting in Toronto on Saturday, March 22, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette (credit:CP)

(55 of69)

(credit:CP)

(56 of69)

(credit:CP)

(57 of69)

(credit:CP)

(58 of69)

(credit:Getty)

(59 of69)

(credit:Getty)

(60 of69)

(credit:CP)

(61 of69)

(credit:CP)

(62 of69)

(credit:CP)

(63 of69)

(credit:Getty)

(64 of69)

(credit:CP)

(65 of69)

(credit:CP)

(66 of69)

(credit:CP)

(67 of69)

(credit:CP)

(68 of69)

(credit:CP)

(69 of69)

(credit:CP)

Suggest a correction

-- This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.

From Our Partner