Andrea Horwath entered the race for the leadership of the provincial New Democrats today saying her background as a grassroots organizer makes her the ideal candidate to rebuild the party and turn around the province's fortunes.
"Things are not working at Queen's Park; it's time for new voice," said Horwath, the lone woman running for the party's top job.
"Together, we can make this province work, so that a working woman in Ontario can get the childcare that she needs and Dalton McGuinty can get the pink slip that he deserves."
The 45-year-old self-described working mom launched her bid at rally in Hamilton surrounded by steelworkers, firefighters and activists.
Horwath said her key goals as leader would be to develop a sound economic strategy, ensure good-paying jobs and a clean environment. As the lone female candidate to replace Howard Hampton, she says she's keenly aware of the need for better childcare, and improvements to schools, hospitals and senior care.
"Times are tough in Ontario," she told cheering supporters to sound of Pink's "Get the Party Started."
"I'm a community organizer, and I know fundamentally that if we rebuild our base, if we strengthen our roots, if we hire organizers to re-invigorate the grassroots of this party, we can and will win elections." More...
