Rob Rainer Selected as Ontario Unity Candidate for Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston

Perth, ON – For seven years, Doug Ford has taken Ontario in the wrong direction. Under his failed leadership, Ontarians are now facing multiple crises – a healthcare system in shambles, chronically underfunded public and post-secondary education, and many dealing with economic hardship and struggling to make ends meet. Urgent action is required along with a new progressive Liberal government to fix Doug Ford’s mess and take Ontario in a healthy direction.

To shift the political landscape, Ontario voters must address two key issues working in Ford’s favour: Low voter turnout and vote splitting on the left.

Cooperate For Canada, a political organization committed to uniting the centre-left for positive change, is working to address these issues and has selected Ontario Liberal Candidate Rob Rainer as its “Ontario Unity Candidate” for the riding of Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston.

“I am honoured to be selected as Cooperate For Canada’s Ontario Unity Candidate for Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston,” said Mr. Rainer. “Our riding is a winnable one, but for me to win it requires the support from voters who may have typically voted for other parties.”

Rob Rainer is the right candidate for these times, having been an active participant in all three centre-left parties at different times throughout his life. 

“I have worked with the NDP, Greens, and Liberals over the years and learned valuable lessons from all three parties,” said Rainer. “I see my strong grounding in progressive values as one of the major strengths I bring to my candidacy. It has already attracted NDP, Green, and some disaffected Conservative voters to my campaign.”

Doug Ford’s cynical call for a snap election on February 27 – in mid-winter no less – was completely unnecessary. It was, however, strategically timed to force low voter turnout, with many residents out of the province, down south or overseas, and with the serious potential for winter storms to keep people from getting out to the polls to vote on Election Day.

In the 2022 election, low voter turnout worked in Ford’s favour – he secured a ‘majority’ government with the support of only 17.9% of eligible voters. A significant portion of progressive voters chose to stay home, while those who did vote were divided between three centre-left parties: the NDP, the Liberals, and the Greens. The first-past-the-post electoral system amplifies this division, allowing Ford and the PCs to win seats despite not having broad support.

“To the voters of Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston: you do not have to accept the status quo, change is possible,” said Rainer. “I’m your change candidate. As your representative, I will work hard every day to earn your trust and to respect your vote.”

As Reeve for Tay Valley Township and a former executive for non-profit organizations, Rob brings leadership, experience, compassion, kindness, and a proven track record of working with integrity, and always striving for excellence while serving diverse communities. “I am confident that, working together, we can build a better future for Ontario and all Ontarians with a progressive Liberal government that truly cares about the people.”