Welcome to the live blog, everyone! Delegates are still arriving here at the former Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto and being greeted by protesters here from from across the province.
Bob Rae read from a poem by Scotland's most famous poet Robbie Burns, talking about the importance of community and brotherhood. President Yasir Naqvi just finished speaking at the convention. The six candidates are now getting ready to speak shortly.
Harinder Takhar is up now for his speech. People cheering....
"Taking Care of Business" on the speakers... feels a bit like a party in here... except with laptops.
Kathleen Wynne spotted in the crowd watching Takhar's promotional video up on the massive screen now...
Takhar is married with two daughters. He arrived in Canada in 1974 with less than $10. He has since been serving on the Ontario legislature since 2003.
Takhar starts his speech by talking about his father who died a few years ago of Parkinson's disease. He wishes his dad was here to see him on stage.
"I come from a small farming community in Punjab, India. I came here from 1974 with less than $10 in my pocket. I remember landing at Pearson far away from family. It was a very diffucult and lonely time."
"I had no idea what to expect. Although I wasn't rich, I felt determination to succeed." - This quote was followed by enthusiastic cheers from Takhar's supporters.
"Someone told me - if you want to find a job in Toronto, you have to cut your hair and change yourself." Takhar said it was a tough choice. He ultimately cut his hair and removed his turban. He was interviewed a second time for a job he didn't get - and got the job once he removed his turban. He says he lost a part of himself forever.
"My ideas are good ideas because they're your ideas." - Takhar finishes his speech. More music, more cheers.
The crowd for Gerard Kennedy is in front of the stage now waiting - and it's about double the size of Takhar's.
Kennedy wanted to be a hockey player when he was a boy. He served as Ontario's Minister of Education from 2003 until 2006.
Kennedy on stage now - "More jobs for young people." Says Hudak won't do that, Horvath can't do that. "Let's get this province really working again."
"We can be an extraordinary force. Renewal has to be deep. It has to be real. The people of Ontario will be watching us this week."
"I will not let the next generation be worse off than the one before," Kennedy says. Speaks French often throughout his speech. "In your heart of hearts, you know that the possibility of the next generation being held back is possible. That's why we're here - to guarantee that they be better off."
"Too many graduates are living in their parent's basement. Worse, they're leaving Ontario to find work in their chosen field."
Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion is here - check out a picture of her below!
"It's a new day. I'm asking you to have faith in us. Have faith that we can be more accountable than ever before."
Kathleen Wynne up next ... HUGE crowd.... dancers on stage... choreographed!
Wynne - mother of three, grandmother of two. Has served as MPP for 10 years. She's currently slightly behind front-runner Pupatello in the leadership race.
Wynne is getting the loudest and most enthusiastic response yet. "So which team has sizzle?" she opens her speech with...
Wynne is talking about her mom now, who helped disabled children in an orchestra. Says she's here for her grandchildren. Now talking about diversity. "How many of you speak more than one language?" - she always asks kids when she visits classrooms.
"Tim, Andrea - I know you're watching," Wynne says. Gets laughter and cheers from the crowd. "I know they're glued to the TV set."
"If the opposition doesn't want to work with us in good faith, I will fight them for every seat and in every poll," Wynne says.
"Is Ontario ready for a gay premier?," Wynne asks. "Yes, you heard that question." "Can a gay woman be premier? ... Not surprisingly, I have an answer."
Kathleen Wynne points out difference between her a pupatello : Can a Gay woman win? - also, will recall leg.
Quoting a good friend, Wynne says: "We are the Ontario Liberal party. The best party in the best province in the best country in the world."
Wynne is finished her speech and people are still dancing. Charles Sousa is up next.
Strong speech by Wynne, sites victory of John Tory as proof she can win.
Sousa is married, father of three. Grew up in Mississauga and has been MPP for five years.
#Wynne has strongest ground org. backed by solid speech, Well positioned for strong finish.
Charles Sousa is on his way to stage. The song playing? Nelly Furtado's "Forca." It means "strength" in Portuguese. Good thing a Portuguese person is writing this live blog, huh?
Kathleen Wynne points out difference between her a pupatello : Can a Gay woman win? - also, will recall leg.by John Stall via twitter 1/26/2013 3:29:51 PM
Gas Prices
680News Android App
Weather Guarantee
Advertiser Directory
