Statement from NCC Director Alexander Brown:
Yesterday, in unfortunate and unbecoming remarks, Ontario Premier Doug Ford labelled Project Ontario, an assembly of Canada's leading conservative organizations and influencers, as "radical rights" and "yahoos." (Read the Juno News report.)
And not to be outdone, the Liberal podcast 'Curse of Politics' went on a sweary tirade echoing his remarks.
As Director of the NCC, and, in some small way, the caretaker of my grandfather's legacy -- the NCC was founded by Colin M. Brown in 1967 (scroll to the bottom of the archive to view the newspaper ad that started it all) -- the organization has never had a problem taking a punch on behalf of our supporters, and for the just cause of conservative principles.
But it is indeed unusual that these pointed remarks are coming from an ostensibly 'Conservative' premier, and then supported by only a select public few, who just so happen to be liberals.
As I put in comment to Juno News:
Alexander Brown, the director of the National Citizens Coalition, a non-profit conservative taxpayer advocacy group and contributor to Project Ontario, told True North that he found Ford’s comments “unfortunate” and “unbecoming” and that they explained why groups such as Project Ontario have organized in the first place.
“This assembly of experts, and those worried about the direction of the province and the failure to course-correct on troubling trends like the world’s largest sub-sovereign debt, soaring youth unemployment, and flat-lining economic metrics—they’re no radicals,” he said.
“I’d encourage and remind these entrenched interests that they do not own the conservative movement in Ontario, despite what their electoral record may say,” Brown said. “They should be commended for their record at the ballot box; no one is litigating that success. But on policy and performance, no government should ever be above scrutiny. Even one that claims to be conservative.”
Something unusual has happened here. And there's no way around the fact that the NCC's Ontarians for Responsible Government campaign, once focused so effectively on Bob Rae and Kathleen Wynne, has returned under the unique circumstance of needing to hold the Ontario Progressive Conservatives to better account.
Let me be clear: Project Ontario continues to have our support. These are no radicals, these are the groups and professionals we know and admire inside the conservative movement. And if you're joining us tonight for this maiden event -- now sold out! -- I'll be on stage speaking to these shared principles.
When conservatives lose their principles, provinces and countries tend to lose their way. The National Citizens Coalition will always stand against big government, even when it's inconvenient, even if it means taking a punch.
If you're in attendance tonight, do say hi.
And with tonight's crucial fundraising deadline fast approaching, if you share our alarm, and our values, your support is most welcome.
We cannot reach millions of Canadians each month, nor hold government to account, without your support.
Thanks for all that you do.
Sincerely,
Alexander Brown
Director
National Citizens Coalition, est. 1967