Scott Healey is running in his second provincial election as the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario’s candidate for Ottawa Centre.
Healey served in the Royal Canadian Navy on two command tours and a 10-month deployment in Afghanistan. His 40 years of service represent his “unwavering commitment to safeguarding Ontario and its communities,” according to his website.
“Ottawa Centre requires a strong voice and one that demonstrates leadership and commitment at Queen’s Park,” his website reads. “A voice of reason for all residents, not just the loudest shouter in the room.”
Healey declined an interview with the Charlatan to discuss his campaign proposals.
A spokesperson for Healey provided an email statement and directed the Charlatan to Healey’s website, as well as a public letter published on Feb. 7 in the Glebe Report for statements on affordable housing, health care, climate change and the economy.
Affordable housing
If elected, Healey promises to build more housing to reduce the cost of buying or renting a home.
His platform proposals address affordability by working to reduce the cost of living. He promises to work toward increasing the minimum wage, reducing the cost of gas and eliminating plate stick renewal fees.
In his public letter, Healey pointed to the current PC government’s record under Premier Doug Ford as proof of the party’s ability to improve affordability. He said reductions in personal taxes and scrapped license plate fees are saving money for Ontario families.
Health care
Healey promises to support the new Civic campus of the Ottawa Hospital and create 10,000 long-term care beds, according to his positions page.
He promises to push the government to hire more doctors, nurses and personal support workers, and invest in “age at-home care,” allowing seniors to stay in their homes longer.
In his public letter, Healey said a new PC government would invest $190 billion in infrastructure, including health care and long-term care homes, schools, transit and highways.
In an email statement to the Charlatan, Healey’s campaign team said the provincial government would also continue the work of the Primary Care Action Team to expand Ontarians’ access to family doctors and specialists. The initiative was announced in October under the leadership of physician and former federal minister of health Jane Philpot.
“A Ford government … will work with Dr. Jane Philpot to provide primary care to every family in Ontario in five years,” the statement reads.
Climate change and transportation
There are no explicit promises on the topic of climate change in Healey’s public letter or on his website’s position page.
Rather, Healey promises to work to “seize opportunities in critical minerals, batteries and electric vehicle manufacturing,” to rebuild Ontario’s economy.
He also aims to “expand public transit, with new transit-oriented communities” by supporting the Phase 2 construction of Ottawa’s light rail transit system and the construction of a future Phase 3.
The PC party has promised that the party will assume responsibility for Ottawa’s light rail transit system.
Economic issues
In his public letter, Healey said only a majority progressive conservative government can address the threat of tariffs imposed on Canada by United States President Donald Trump.
“Ontario will have four years of economic anxiety and potentially devastating impacts on our communities and families if these tariffs are actioned,” he wrote. “The only qualified team equipped to meet this challenge is a Doug Ford-led government; here to defend our great province.”
A PC government would work with the federal government to mitigate tariff impacts and provide economic support to Ontarians, Healey said.
“I want to represent you in this existential threat to Ontario,” Healey wrote in the public letter.
For more information on Healey’s platform, visit his campaign page.
Featured image by The Notley Creative.
