There were many people who didn't receive a copy of John Tory's letter from last week. We've emailed many people with a copy and decided to post it here for all to see and comment on.

Dear ,

The Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario is a proud organization, with an incredible record of past successes and endless opportunities for the future.

Quite simply, the campaign we ran in 2007 fell well short of expectations, and did not live up to our party's legacy of success. We do however have a lot we can be proud of. Working with you, I'm very proud that we managed to erase the party's monstrous $10.5 million debt from 2003 and get the party into financial shape to fight the election. We had a great slate of candidates and a committed hard-working team of volunteers around the province who were the backbone of our campaign effort.

I am committed to leading the renewal of our Party over the next four years should you give me the chance. I am writing today to ask you for that opportunity and to ask you to vote no during the leadership review vote in February.

There is nothing quite like a defeat in a general election to put into perspective why it is one chooses public life. I sought the leadership of our party in 2004 because I believed then – as I do now – that Ontario deserves better.

Dalton McGuinty's Liberals are a party that will say whatever it takes to hold onto power.

If it sounds good before an election to promise no new tax increases, they'll say it. If it sounds good before an election to say they'll control spending and the size of government, they'll say it. If they believe it will help them win votes to promise lower health care wait times, they'll say it. Unfortunately, we know it's just empty talk.

We believe in trust, competence and fairness. They believe in spin.

Despite this, on October 10th, the people of Ontario delivered a verdict that was extremely disappointing and obviously not what we had hoped to achieve. As party leader, I take full responsibility for that outcome.

And I will not shy away from that. Whether in my career as a Chief Executive Officer of two of Canada's largest communications companies, or as head of the Canadian Football League or one of the many charities I've been proud to serve, accountability always rests with the leader.

I have spent the better part of the last two months travelling to every corner of our province – visiting 13 cities so far – to meet with literally hundreds of party members like you.

I've been as open and honest as I possibly could be about what I think went wrong. We fell short of our goal and I allowed one issue to halt our momentum. We didn't do a good enough job of clearly defining who we are. And notwithstanding consistent efforts to focus on issues of importance to hard-working taxpayers, we didn't adequately get across what we had to offer to the people of Ontario. I apologize to you for these mistakes and commit to you that they will not happen again.

On the issue of the faith-based education policy specifically, I have heard from party members that they believe the issue has been clearly dealt with by the voters and accordingly, we should not deal with it further. I agree. The voters rendered a clear verdict which I accept and this issue will not be part of any future platform while I am the Leader of this Party.

The election loss shone a bright, if painful, spotlight on those some of those other areas that I, as leader, and we, as a party, need to reform, renew and reinvigorate.

In the past two months, I have met with hundreds of grassroots Conservatives. I have listened, I have learned, and these are the top renewal and rebuilding priorities you have told me to address:

1. POLICY

The grassroots must have a final say on the Party's platform. It must be a platform which is concise, clearly distinct from those of our opponents and consistent with Progressive Conservative principles. It must come from a process which includes all Conservatives

2. RIDING SUPPORT

The Party's financial crisis after 2003 took a heavy toll on support for ridings whether database, communications or basic organization. This is basic support ridings need to be ready for 2011.

3. ORGANIZATION & CAMPAIGN READINESS

Too many ridings saw good candidates end up without adequate local support. We have to get back to basics on membership, money and training. We have to look at new techniques. This will require new full-time staff to help organize and train the volunteers so crucial to local success.

4. PARTY FINANCES

Continue to show strong leadership on internal accountability and fundraising. You want us to keep in place the tough measures I introduced to oversee spending and you want us to stay on top when it comes to fundraising.

5. LEADERSHIP

Listen and learn. Then listen some more. Keep working hard but work smarter. More time listening to the grassroots. Become a better communicator. When you do a $250/ticket fundraiser, try to schedule a lower priced ticket event too. Include a listening event with grassroots party people on every tour. Make sure the Leader's office is staffed by people who know the Party, listen to the Party and respond to its needs.

These are some of the things you have told me must be done to clearly demonstrate we have learned from our mistakes. That must include me as your leader.

I heard you loud and clear and I will work flat out on these things, I will keep my word to you and I won't shy away from accountability to you.

I am committed to putting every ounce of energy into this Party that's needed to put it back where it belongs – in government. We are a professional, talented organization with the best people of any political party. I have learned there are much better ways to harness that tremendous advantage we have and that's exactly what I intend to do over the next four years.

Yours sincerely,


John Tory
Leader, PC Party of Ontario

P.S. If I have not yet had a chance to be in touch with you personally, please share your thoughts, ideas and advice. You can reach me at john.tory@ontariopc.net.

The Ontario PC Action Centre is an effort by John Tory and the Ontario PC Party to get better results for Ontario.

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