No matter which party forms the government, one thing is certain: one third of all the seats will come from Ontario.

Right now, we all have an opportunity to send a clear message: Ontario deserves fairness.

Over the last 50 years, Ontarians have sent more than $100 billion in equalization payments to other Canadian provinces. That’s almost half of all the funds contributed to the program over half a century.

We contributed to equalization because it was just and right. It was fair.

Ontarians believe strongly in the principle of fairness – but fairness is a two-way street. We have been fair with our fellow Canadians. And today, we are looking for the same treatment in return, from Ottawa.

Right now, laid-off workers in Ontario get $4,600 less in employment insurance than they’d get if they lived in another part of Canada.

Federal health care money is supposed to be divided equally among all Canadians. But right now, Ontario is shortchanged by more than $700 million a year.

Right now, the federal government has an economic development program in place for people living in Atlantic Canada, and the north, and Quebec, and even the west. But it doesn’t do the same for southern Ontario.

And, right now, the Building Canada Fund shortchanges Ontario by $970 million on funding for infrastructure projects.

We’ve made real progress together. But Ontarians are anxious today. Our economy is being challenged by an expensive dollar, expensive oil and a severely weakened U. S. trading partner.

Working with Ontarians, we have in place a solid plan to help grow our economy and emerge from this global economic slowdown stronger than ever.

But we could do more, and we could do it faster if we were treated fairly by Ottawa.

As an individual voter, you can raise the issue with your candidates at the door, in local debates, online or by mail.

And I encourage all Ontarians to sign the online petition calling for fairness, also at www.fairness.ca .

Right now, we have a rare opportunity to make our voice heard. It is time for Ontarians to come together and demand fairness.

To learn more about the issue of fairness for Ontario, visit the www.fairness.ca or contact my constituency office at 905-690-6552.