MacDonald becomes provincial Liberal candidate

Jeff Green | Dec 16, 2010

Bill MacDonald is always ready for a challenge. Ever since he went down to defeat in 2006 after serving as mayor in Central Frontenac for three terms he has set his sights on Queen's Park. He tried for the Liberal nomination in 2007, but lost out in a close vote to Ian Wilson. Randy Hillier ended up winning the riding for the Conservatives by just under 1,000 votes over Ian Wilson.

Since then Bill MacDonald has been working within the LFL&A Liberal riding association to secure the nomination for the 2011 election, and to that end he has sold over 400 memberships in 2010.

When it came time for the nomination meeting in Sharbot Lake last weekend, those memberships were not necessary because Bill MacDonald was the only candidate, and he accepted the nomination at a meeting at the United Church in Sharbot Lake.

About 50 people attended the meeting on Sunday, in an event that was hindered by a mini-ice storm in the region.

Ice storms are nothing new to MacDonald's political career, and he pointed out afterwards. “There was a pretty big ice storm right at the start of my career as mayor of Central Frontenac in 1998, so it might be fitting that there was an ice storm at the beginning of this election campaign for me,” he said.

MacDonald is undaunted by the prospect of campaigning to win an opposition riding for an increasingly unpopular two- term government, as the latest polls have the Liberals running five to ten points behind the Conservatives. “I think there is an opportunity here to represent the people. I think it is just a matter of selling myself, presenting myself as an alternative. I was born here and have worked here and campaigned here, so a lot of people know me and know what I have done and what I stand for.”

While he says he realizes that there is a mood for change in the province, he says he looks forward to bringing change by taking a candidate’s role in the development of the Liberal Party platform at meetings that are scheduled for the beginning of next year.

“We don't always look at what has happened in this riding lately. There is a new hospital in Smiths Falls, a new high school in Smiths Falls, an expansion of Algonquin College, a $1 million expansion of the Napanee hospital, a new school is coming to Sharbot Lake, and the list goes on. What I want to talk about is what we are doing and what we want to do in the future.”

When he is not doing politics. MacDonald runs a logging company and an educational resources company as well.

He said he does not want to conduct an oppositional campaign against Randy Hillier, who began his own political career by attacking the rural policies of the McGuinty Liberals and others.

“I will let Randy Hillier campaign for himself,” MacDonald said, “My focus will be on promoting myself.”

He summed up his campaign strategy at the conclusion in his acceptance speech.

“I am approachable and I know how hard the people of LFL&A work to earn their living and pay their taxes. I am someone voters can place their confidence in, as I will work for all people of the riding. I will work to make this riding the best in all of Ontario – where your family and mine are able to enjoy a safe, affordable and sustainable lifestyle. This riding is our home. We deserve better representation in Toronto,” he said.

While MacDonald said he plans to do a lot of door-to-door campaigning, he may be tweeting as well, at twitter.com/Bill_MacDonald.