The East Parry Sound Retired Teachers Association held an all candidates open debate at the South River Arena, Wednesday February 19, 2025 from 6:30 pm to 9:00pm. The meeting was fully attended with participants from throughout the Parry Sound-Muskoka riding, including a number of people who drove up from Huntsville.
Although all candidates were invited, only two attended the lively discussion and extensive questions that followed: Matt Richter, candidate for the Green Party of Ontario, and Jim Ronholm, candidate for the Ontario New Democratic Party.
MPP Graydon Smith of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario did not attend, citing through a letter submitted by his campaign office that he was canvassing. Smith, who is regularly seen throughout the riding at summer events, such as fairs and festivals and other local affairs, didn’t respond to an offer to submit his position on pre-selected debate issues in writing either. A few members of the audience expressed their disappointment in his non-participation, given that the Conservative Party of Ontario called for this election in the middle of their current mandate.
Permitted to respond in two-minute segments, each candidate reiterated their position on some of the key issues identified as critical to the riding – preserving accessible, stable health services, funding affordable housing, sustainability of the education system, spending priorities, economic development and overall plans to represent the constituents. Brandon Nicksy, the New Blue Party candidate, who was unable to attend, did submit his responses in writing which were read aloud in his turn in the debate.
Matt Richter made his case that if elected he would work for the constituents of the Parry Sound-Muskoka Riding and represent their interests as an independent advocate for the concerns of the riding. He differentiated himself from other candidates, stating that the Green Party does not whip the votes, allowing him, if elected, to work for and on behalf of the riding and its residents as his sole concern. Richter pointed out that the Greens have a fully costed budget plan available for review on their webpage.
Jim Ronholm, who is a local councillor in the Township of Strong, was specific in his party’s approach to governance, especially the NDP’s proposal to help with grocery prices and deal with rising rental costs. Ronholm was well prepared with data on the impacts that six years of the Conservative Party of Ontario leadership has had on the priorities of taxpayer spending.
Both Richter and Ronholm noted the exorbitant expenditures of valuable tax resources on projects that will not affect local voters, such as the Ontario Place Spa. Local healthcare services were vital to the audience and the perceived privatization of services. Discussions also involved Burk’s Falls Health Service Hub’s deficit funding situation and the threat it poses to Almaguin residents.
The open question period provoked the most interest in the audience with a specific focus on a number of important issues facing voters in the area. Highlights in the ensuing conversation centered on rising homelessness, a lack of affordable housing supply, continued pressure on rental prices, reliance on food banks, and fiscally vulnerable healthcare services. Richter proposed that housing starts could be initiated by simply redirecting current Ford government-proposed funding, such as the $50 billion tunnel under Highway #401, towards strategic housing development and hiring needed nurses and doctors. He said the Green Party would realign current project spending back toward vital needs in the province.
Ronholm outlined an aggressive plan to recruit and train new doctors, nurse practitioners, and nurses, pointing out that Northern Ontario is impacted expressively by staffing shortages and that training staff in the North tends to lead to more stable staffing.
In closing, Richter reiterated his passion for serving as an elected representative for the people of the Almaguin and Parry Sound-Muskoka with a sound plan and vision for the province. A feisty Ronholm summarized his position by listing the areas that Premier Doug Ford promised to fix during his first term – efficiency in health care with reduced wait times, lower Hydro costs, increased housing, lowered affordable rents, and buck a beer, noting that instead, Ontario paid for a staggering unnecessary premium to get beer and wine in convenience stores. The audience ended the meeting with a huge applause and laughter—participatory democracy at its best.
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox so you don’t miss anything!
Click here to support local news
A thought on strategic voting in this context – its critical to recognize the balance of principles and priorities. Voting with sincerity is important, its what makes political collaboration possible. Voting to win is important in a different way, as it more directly impacts the practical outcomes of the political process. Idealism in one hand, realism in the other. But this contradiction has a specific resolution for this riding, we don’t have to choose between one or the other. As seen at last night’s debate up in South River, Matt Richter (Green) and Jim Ronholm (NDP) largely agree on goals, and their values are moslty aligned. Moreover, its in the details of their respective plans they disagree, the how, not the why. This is when we can rest easy knowing our principles are upheld, and concern ourselves with practicalities. And nothing is more practical than the NDP not being able to implement any of their plans because they aren’t going to win the election.
With this in mind, it is of clear interest to anyone hoping to break the PC’s winning streak and pursue a more socially-progressive, ecologically-minded and economically-equitable strategy to vote green. Because at this point, a vote for anyone other than Matt Richter is a vote for Grayden Smith.