Updates:
Official Statement: No Merger with the New Blue Party
The Ontario Party and the New Blue Party are often seen as two parties with similar values and shared concerns about the issues affecting Ontarians. Both parties are fortunate to have courageous, passionate, and dedicated supporters and candidates who care deeply about the future of this province. I have friends within the ranks of the New Blue Party, and I know them to be virtuous, loyal people who are committed to making Ontario a better place. The same can be said for many of Ontario’s right-leaning political parties.
However, the key difference between the Ontario Party and the New Blue Party lies in leadership. Before the Freedom Convoy, I looked into the New Blue Party seriously. A close supporter of theirs even encouraged me to get involved. I examined their platform and leadership team thoroughly. After the Convoy, I learned that Derek Sloan had become the leader of the Ontario Party. Derek brought a proven track record of standing up against the oppressive mandates of both the federal and Ontario governments, even personally receiving seven COVID-19 fines himself.
In my military career, I had the privilege of working with many great leaders—and some poor ones as well. Leadership matters, and I want to be unequivocally clear: the leader of the New Blue Party is not someone I can ever support. His conduct is toxic and vindictive, and he does not embody the values or character that are important to me or to the Ontario Party’s leadership team.
As the Interim President of the Ontario Party, I extend an open invitation to New Blue supporters, members, and candidates. If there is a desire to see our parties work toward unity, I must regretfully state that the current leader of the New Blue Party has made that impossible, following eight failed attempts to hold meaningful discussions about a merger.
However, the Ontario Party welcomes you to join us in the upcoming election as supporters, members, or candidates. There is a place for you within The Ontario Party.
We firmly believe in treating all candidates and supporters with respect by focusing on the issues, not personal attacks, regardless of party affiliation. It is demoralizing to everyone involved and contrary to our values to denigrate candidates from the New Blue Party. Our party will not engage in negative attacks against New Blue candidates. We believe it is wrong to disparage fellow Ontarians who share a common goal of creating a better future for our province.
This is the official stance of the Ontario Party regarding a potential merger with the New Blue Party. As of today, we will not discuss or entertain further conversations about a merger with the New Blue Party.
We remain committed to our mission of building a stronger, freer Ontario and welcome all who share our vision to join us.