Reset needed

When MPPs finally return to Queen’s Park this coming Monday, it will have been just over four months since then premier Dalton McGuinty announced his sudden resignation and shocking decision to prorogue the legislature while the provincial Liberals chose their new leader.
Facing a series of scandals and a battle with teachers, Mr. McGuinty’s convenient “time-out” was billed as a “cooling off” period and a chance to reset the agenda, which Kathleen Wynne, who was sworn in as premier this past Monday, will have a chance to do with a Speech from the Throne when the legislature resumes sitting.
But just what will the four-month “time-out” really have accomplished? Premier Wynne has unveiled her cabinet—which is larger than the previous one but still contains most of the same faces, including some holding the same post as prior to prorogation.
The scandals, particularly the cancellation of two gas plants and the controversy swirling around the Ornge air ambulance service, certainly haven’t gone away. And teacher ire over Bill 115, though since rescinded, continues to hurt students through the withdrawal of extra-curricular activities at both the elementary and high school level.
If the governing Liberals truly want to reset the agenda, and not simply hang on to power by buying time, they should call an election immediately and let the people judge their actions and platform. Barring that, if the opposition parties truly are outraged by Mr. McGuinty’s prorogation stunt, they should defeat the minority government at the earliest opportunity and put forth their plan for our province’s future to the people.
Yes, it’s only been 16 months since the last election. But given their choice to muzzle Queen’s Park out of self-interest, rather than appoint an interim leader and carry on, the Liberals effectively forfeited their credibility and legitimacy to govern moving forward.
A real reset is needed—and that means an election.