Victory was bittersweet for PC Sylvia Jones
By ALAN LICZYK Staff Reporter

Dufferin-Caledon MPP-elect Sylvia Jones addresses her supporters at her Orangeville campaign office following her win in last Wednesday's provincial election.

The riding of Dufferin- Caledon remained Tory blue in last Wednesday's provincial election, but the party suffered a crushing defeat to the governing Liberals province wide.

Progressive Conservative candidate Sylvia Jones won in the area previously served by PC Leader John Tory as she received 16,508 votes for 42.8 per cent of the total ballots cast. Liberal Betsy Hall came second with 12,636 votes (32 per cent), followed by Rob Strang of the Green Party with 6,429 votes (16.3 per cent) and Lynda McDougall of the New Democratic Party with 3,891 votes (9.9 per cent).

Jones had mixed feelings following the results.

"It's bittersweet," she told the Citizen at her campaign office in Orangeville. "I'm thrilled I won the riding, but province wide it's not what I hoped for."

She believes she made an impact on voters even before she won the local nomination Jan. 13, having served as Tory's executive assistant.

She explained people remembered that she would call them back to answer questions they had.

"A lot of people trusted in my judgment," she said. "That means a lot."

As the new MPP she said she will raise many of the same issues that affect this riding such as health care, highway projects and agriculture, the latter which she believes received very little discussion during the campaign.

Jones said for the referendum question she didn't vote for the proposed Mixed Member Proportional electoral system. She explained its plan to have 39 list member wasn't necessarily good government. She believes politicians who can defend a party is a good thing. She wasn't surprised it failed.

"I didn't believe it would pass because the threshold was so high," she said. "A lot of people didn't know what it was about so they voted status quo."

Her immediate plans are to look for an office and hire staff.

Following her speech to her supporters at her campaign office, they gathered around the television to listen to Tory's speech from Toronto. Tory lost in the riding of Don Valley West to Liberal incumbent Education Minister Kathleen Wynne.

Tory congratulated Wynne and Premier Dalton McGuinty and said he hopes the Liberal government will heed the call to help those who feel left behind.

"I came to public life to build bridges," Tory said.

He requested McGuinty to listen to people's stories and concerns. He vowed to remain as party leader to hold McGuinty to account.

"We are willing and anxious to work with you," he said.

Tory said his party ran a principled campaign but admitted he was disappointed in the results.

"As leader I'm ultimately accountable," he said.

He became the party leader three years ago and will consult with the party's caucus and candidates on how to move forward.

Caledon Mayor Marolyn Morrison told the Citizen she was surprised the

Jones

Progressive Conservatives and Tory didn't do better. She believes they "shot themselves in the foot" with what they came out with.

She explained the media is very powerful and jumped on the issue of Tory's pledge to fund all faith-based schools.

She wished McGuinty all the best and said the Town of Caledon looks forward to working with him.

She congratulated Jones on winning Dufferin- Caledon and also looks forward to working with her.

"I'm sure she'll do a fine job," Morrison said, noting Jones has been in the political arena for many years. "She knows how to get the job done."

She added Jones has contacts at Queen's Park which will pay dividends.

"I wish her all the best," she said.