The Citizen invited Ottawa candidates from the four major provincial parties to explain why you should vote for them on Feb. 27.
The Citizen invited Ottawa candidates from the four major provincial parties to contribute op-eds on why you should vote for them. Those who met our deadlines and protocols will be published all this week and next. Today: Ottawa South Liberal candidate John Fraser.
For the past 26 years, I’ve had the privilege of working for the people of Ottawa South, and for the last 11 years, I’ve had the honour of serving as our community’s voice at Queen’s Park. At home and at Queen’s Park, I have worked to expand access to palliative care and championed an initiative that ensures all children have their vision tested before entering Senior Kindergarten. I have also introduced legislation aimed at protecting vulnerable workers. I worked locally to make services like CHEO’s One Door for Care and Project S.T.E.P. a reality.
In Ottawa South, 21,383 people don’t have a family doctor. That’s one in six.
Accordingly, my top priority is health care: ensuring that everyone in Ottawa South has access to a family doctor by 2029, reducing wait times and access to needed services such as mental health supports.
I have a record of working with our local hospitals to secure the investments needed to deliver the care our families count on and I will continue to advocate for our community.
In our community, there are significant school infrastructure needs, and the shortage of teachers and educational assistants is affecting every child’s opportunity to learn and grow. As I have in the past, I will work with our local school boards and government to secure investments in school infrastructure and teaching resources.
Many families in Ottawa South have been affected by the decision to remove rent control on new units. I will work and advocate for a plan to get back to real rent control for those units.
Similarly, I will work to support the expansion of Elwood House and other affordable housing projects, especially those for seniors in Ottawa South.
In the last 11 years, my priorities have remained unchanged. I want to continue to fight for the things that matter most to our families. Health care you can count on, great schools and supporting the most vulnerable are all things that will help strengthen Ottawa South.
I will continue to operate an accessible community office with great staff who want to assist residents with whatever needs or concerns they have.
Ottawa South has been my home for my entire life. My wife, Linda, and I raised our three children here, and now they are raising their own families here. I care very deeply about this community and about the people who live, work and raise their families here. I want to continue to make a difference for the people of Ottawa South as your MPP.
I am asking for your support on Feb. 27 so that together, we can continue to build a strong, vibrant, successful community. I will continue to work hard for you and for your family.
John Fraser is the Liberal candidate in Ottawa South.
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