John Tory ran into more trouble over his promise to extend taxpayer funding to religious schools today when one of his Progressive Conservative MPPs broke ranks and said he'd vote against the plan.
Bill Murdoch, the member for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, became the first Tory MPP to say he could not support the controversial promise. Others, including veteran MPP Bob Runciman in eastern Ontario, have so far said the pledge has not been popular with voters in their ridings.
"I didn't realize how sensitive and divisive the issue would be when it was first introduced," Murdoch said today, adding that the majority of voters he's encountered are opposed to extending funding to schools for Jews, Muslims and other religions.
"Should this come before the legislature, as it stands today, with the majority of my riding opposed, I will vote against it."
Tory dismissed Murdoch's opposition after a rally in Guelph.
"When you look up maverick in the dictionary, you find his picture there in colour," Tory told reporters.
Earlier, Tory admitted during a radio interview this morning that the plan to fund religious schools has turned into a tough sell. Source.
