NDP leader Andrea Horwath’s Halton whistle stop, and a quick chat with Diane Ballantyne

Horwath and Ballantyne address a gathering of a dozen or so NDP supporters outside the Halton Hills Public Library. Courtesy of @wellingtonhaltonndp Instagram, 2022.

A dozen or so dedicated NDP supporters gathered in front of the Halton Hills Public Library on May 26, anxiously awaiting the arrival of NDP leader Andrea Horwath’s campaign bus. Everyone holds orange campaign signs handed out, and later collected back by the organizers. Despite recently recovering from COVID, Horwath continues on the campaign trail around Ontario, preparing for the June 2nd election. Today, she is accompanied by Halton NDP representative Diane Ballantyne, touring the riding. An instagram story posted by Ballantyne advertises the pair will arrive at 4pm, however the time is nearing 4:15 and they are still nowhere to be seen. Word begins to spread amongst the supporters of a developing situation in which a Liberal candidate resigned, requiring an emergency press conference. Organizers are apologetic, and suggest people should come back closer to 5pm. “Alright, they’re two minutes away,” an organizer exclaims to the crowd a little after 5. The crowd begins to cheer and wave their signs, as the NDP bus first drives past, then pulls up. It is a converted coach bus, outfitted with NDP colours and branding. Moments after the bus squeaks to a halt, the leader of the opposition appears.

To a flurry of cheers, Horwath and Ballantyne descend the stairs of the vehicle to greet the crowd. Armed security stands nearby, leaning nonchilantly against a sign. Horwath and Ballantyne briefly greet the crowd down a single file line, before stopping at the end and delivering a campaign promotion speech. Horwath leads, and focuses more on morale than issues facing the community and concretes. Horwath hypes up the crowd, makes everyone feel good, and thanks them for coming. Seemingly just after she arrived, Horwath dissipated, no longer than 5 minutes after her arrival. The only member of the public she spoke to was someone introduced to her as an “extremely generous contributor to the NDP party.” The closest thing to an issue addressed was the question “Are you guys having fun?” With that, Horwath and her team (sans Ballantyne) boarded their bus and went back to Toronto.

After Horwath left, Ballantyne took lead, and spoke personally and passionately to the crowd. She addressed local issues, seeming confident, well versed in, and familiar with her riding. Ballantyne recalled countless people she’d met along the way, their issues clearly resonating with the candidate. From elderly people to Teenagers, Diane has an ear to the community, and is in touch with it’s needs. Her campaign speech was far more personal than Horwath’s, touching on far more concretes, and local topics. After her speech, she mingled with everyone in the crowd, engaging in friendly exchanges and making herself available to any inquirers. We had the chance to have a quick chat with Ballantyne, asking her a few questions, which she happily and friendlily answered.

(Exact wording has been paraphrased)

Interviewer: You have alluded to the creation of a Department of Mental Health, should mental health be treated as much a priority as physical? Including expansion under OHIP coverage?

Diane: Absolutely. Mental Health should be treated as much a priority as physical. As a teacher I see the effects Mental Health has on highschool students especially and it needs to be addressed. Expanding OHIP to cover mental health would help alot of people.

I: You have promised to “Regulate the gas market, resulting in lower prices both short and long term.” How can regulations be put on such an international market? Especially with so many variables, such as the ongoing situation in Ukraine?

D: it’s true you can’t regulate an international market, however we can stop the price gouging. Energy companies increase prices by 10-20 cents on holidays, long weekends, and whenever else they feel like it. By placing regulations on gas companies profit margins we can save money on energy. 5 other provinces regulate their gas market, as well as the United States.

I: Is the NDP willing to compromise on some most progressive ideas in an effort to advance Ontario in small steps?

D: If you are asking if the NDP is willing to collaborate on the floor and work with other parties to achieve goals then the answer is absolutely yes.

Following the brief interview, pleasantries and a handshake were exchanged before Ballantyne departed to another local event at the St. George pub. Her opinions regarding mental health are progressive, and supported by most community members, most vocally young ones. The NDP’s mental health program would help a lot of people struggling with their mental health, especially after multiple lockdowns. Wait times for some mental health services approach a year, with mental health services patched on to the existing healthcare system. A designated department of mental health would vastly improve quality of care, but also reduce wait times, and gather valuable mental health data and statistics. While Ballantynes comments on regulating the gas market are technically true, they are a little bit misleading. Since the gas market is international, it is impossible to regulate the base price. Gas companies profit margins can be regulated however, but this does not necessarily mean lower prices across the board. Provinces that have regulated gas markets do not experience lower overall prices across the board, rather less fluctuation in the market over short periods of time. To promise lower prices both short and long term is unrealistic especially given the volatility of the current market. Regulated gas prices are not such a bad idea, just marketed as cutting costs short and long term as a promise is misleading. Collaborating with other parties in order to pass legislation is an important part of succeeding in Canadian democracy, so it is good the NDP is prepared to do it. Expanding ideas to beyond one party can do wonders to further ideas, especially when seats are so competitive. Looking at other parties as potential collaborators, who can be reasoned with as opposed to the enemy who must be fought under all circumstances is much more productive towards a just society and democracy as a whole. The NDP, as well as all other parties continue along their campaign towards the June 2 election date, touring the province, delivering speeches, and placing signs, all with one common message. Vote!