Being an independent candidate means I’m not bound to a party’s doctrine. It also means I can work with all sides when they propose something that makes sense. While the Ford government has plenty to criticize—corporate handouts, creeping privatization, and a fixation on highways over housing—there are areas where they’ve taken steps in the right direction. Here are seven policies I’d be willing to support, even if I’d push for them to go further.
1. Expanding the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant
The provincial government introduced the Learn and Stay grant, which covers tuition for students in high-demand fields who commit to working in underserved areas. This is the kind of regional investment Ontario needs more of—supporting workers where they’re actually needed rather than funnelling them to Toronto. That said, I'd push to see this applied beyond just nursing and paramedics to include skilled trades, social work, and municipal services, where we’re seeing shortages across the board.
2. Moving Ontario Place Redevelopment Forward (With a Different Focus)
Ontario Place has been sitting stagnant for years, and while I don’t think a private mega-spa is the answer, the push to revitalize it isn’t inherently bad. The site has huge potential for public spaces, cultural events, and waterfront access. Instead of letting a corporation take it over, I’d advocate for a community-driven model—public investment, cooperative-run attractions, and something that benefits all Ontarians, not just tourists with deep pockets.
3. Keeping the Minimum Wage Tied to Inflation
Ford’s government has stuck to its policy of tying minimum wage increases to inflation—a move that provides some stability for workers. It’s not enough on its own (minimum wage still isn’t a living wage in most of the province), but it’s better than leaving it up to political whims. I’d advocate for a regional approach—higher wages in high-cost areas while ensuring that small businesses in lower-cost regions get the support they need.
4. Repealing Bill 124 (After Defending It for Too Long)
The Ford government fought to keep Bill 124 (which capped public sector wage increases) alive, even after courts ruled against it. But now that they’ve finally repealed it, the focus should be on making amends with the healthcare and education workers who suffered under its restrictions. I’d push to ensure that frontline workers—not just those in the most publicized sectors—get the back pay and wage adjustments they deserve.
5. Investing in New Manufacturing and Critical Minerals
Ontario’s push to develop its electric vehicle and battery supply chain is a smart move. Bringing more manufacturing jobs into the province, particularly outside the GTA, is exactly what we need. But instead of just handing billions to corporations with few strings attached, I'd advocate for stronger local hiring requirements, better environmental safeguards, and ensuring that profits benefit workers—not just executives.
6. Cutting Red Tape for Businesses
The Ford government has made efforts to cut red tape, aiming to make it easier for businesses to operate in Ontario. The Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act is one example, streamlining the approval process for housing developments. Reducing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles is a good thing. I’d push to ensure that these changes actually help small businesses and community initiatives—not just developers and corporations looking for shortcuts.
7. Supporting Agriculture by Reducing Bureaucratic Barriers
Agriculture is the backbone of communities like Sarnia-Lambton, and the provincial government has taken steps to reduce red tape for farmers and agribusinesses. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture has signaled optimism about working with the Ford government to strengthen rural economies. If that means simplifying access to grants, improving processing times for farm-related permits, and supporting local food supply chains, I’ll get behind it. But I’ll also push to ensure these policies don’t just benefit large agribusinesses at the expense of smaller family farms.
None of this means I support Ford’s government as a whole. There’s a long list of areas where they’ve failed Ontarians—gutting rent control, underfunding healthcare, and prioritizing sprawl over real housing solutions. But politics shouldn’t be about tribal loyalty. If a government does something that benefits people, I’ll work with them to make it better. That’s the advantage of being independent—you’re not stuck defending bad ideas just because they come from your team.
Editor’s Note: Nathan Colquhoun, the author of this column, is a candidate in the upcoming election for MPP in Sarnia-Lambton and is also the owner of The Sarnia Journal. The Journal has offered all candidates the same opportunity to publish a column as part of its commitment to fair and open political discourse. More details on this initiative can be found here.