Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland stopped by the Newmarket-Aurora Liberal office on Davis Drive Saturday to speak with supporters of incumbent MP Tony Van Bynen.
Freeland spoke about the Liberals' plan to introduce a $40,000 tax-free savings account that will allow young Canadians to save for their first home.
She also talked about climate change, calling the local supporters "lucky" for the opportunity to live in a community surrounded by so much natural beauty. The global economy is going green, she said, and Canada must lead the way or get left behind.
"Our government has a plan and the Conservatives have been clear — they're going to go backwards on climate action. That's an essential reason to get Tony re-elected."
One of the key points of the Liberal platform is affordable child care, she said.
"If that was the only thing at stake in this election it would be worth knocking ourselves out," Freeland said.
The party's aim is to make child care affordable by charging $10 per day — something Freeland said could happen within five years.
"We put $30 billion in the budget; we have deals with eight provinces and territories already — covering 40 per cent of Canadian children. If we re-elect enough Liberals across the country, I guarantee you we will get a deal done with Ontario. It's revolutionary," she said.
She also spoke about health care — echoing what the provincial NDP have been demanding of Ford — saying that the backlog of surgeries must be cleared and more doctors and nurses must be retained.
"In our platform — which will become our budget — we have the support for all of that," Freeland said.
Lastly, she said she wanted everyone present to feel confident in the 2021 budget — the first in two years — that was tabled in April. She called the plan transparent and the only fully costed one.
"Ask the Conservatives for their costing — because they don't have one."
Freeland arrived to cheers and was joined by Van Bynen, whom she thanked for his great work in Ottawa, calling his recognition to voters as a past mayor in the community "a gift to our government."
Van Bynen is running against Conservative Harold Kim, Independent Dorian Baxter, NDP Yvonne Kelly, Green Tim Flemming and People’s Party of Canada Andre Gagnon.
