Newly re-elected MPP Wayne Gates is looking forward to another term of fighting for the needs of Niagara residents.
Following his swift victory in the Feb. 27 provincial election, Gates celebrated among supporters, staff, family and friends at Chip N’ Charlies in Niagara Falls.
“I give a commitment to whether you live in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls or Fort Erie, I’m going to be the hardest working MPP,” Gates said in an interview with The Lake Report.
Gates earned 29,549 votes, 54.95 per cent of the ballots cast.
With 25 per cent tariffs implemented by President Donald Trump on Tuesday, Gates told The Lake Report he is focused on advocating for interprovincial trade without barriers.
“We need a strong, effective retaliation plan to protect Ontario jobs from the tariffs,” Gates said in an interview.
Gates acknowledged the LCBO’s decision to remove American products from their shelves.
“Which is a necessary response, but I believe it cannot be the only response,” he said.
The LCBO should immediately restock shelves with Canadian-made products, Gates said.
“This is an opportunity to address the fact that we can ship from Ontario to BC with no barriers.”
Gates also said it is clear the NDP should be called back to legislature.
“We have sat for seven weeks in the last eight months. Absolutely disgusting that that’s how long we’ve sat,” he said.
Sitting at legislature would allow space to discuss how the provincial government can protect Ontarians at this time, Gates said.
“The best thing that we can do right now is to get back to the legislature. Let’s have these discussions. Let’s find out how we protect Ontarians, Ontarian jobs, Ontario businesses, whether small or large,” he said.
Gates plans to reach out to mayors across the Niagara Falls riding to discuss a plan of action too, he said.
Discussions were had with regional chair Jim Bradley and MP Tony Baldinelli already, Gates said.
“It’s got to be a team Ontario approach, and we should work with all levels of government.”
Other focuses this term include health care, the Greenbelt, education and housing affordability, Gates said.
“One that I’ve got to get done: too many men are dying from prostate cancer. OHIP’s gotta cover that test so we can save lives,” he said.
Gates said he was feeling wonderful about the win but his mind was “already running,” with things to get done.
In response to questions regarding how he has kept up so many personal relationships with residents in town over the last 11 years as MPP, Gates simply said it’s what he loves to do.
“I go to public schools and talk to the kids, I go to high schools and talk to the high school kids, I’m at the Fort Erie Meteor game, I’m at the Canuck game, I go watch the NOTL kids play hockey, I’m out and about,” he said.
Gates recalled an interaction earlier that day during campaigning where a woman pulled up next to him with a three-year-old in the back seat.
“I ended up giving him a voter card and I said to him, ‘I know nine o’clock’s late but keep him up ‘til nine and he can cheer for me,’’” he said
“Thats’s the type of things that I enjoy and that’s how I’ll continue to be. I’m just going to be me.” Gates said.
Along with prioritizing resident concerns, Gates said he wants to show residents politicians can be honest and show support.
“I’ll fight for all the needs,” he said.
