Ontario Liberals, unions attack Tim Hudak ahead of weekend vote on leadership review

There's that old credo about not kicking a man when he's down.

Well,in politics, that saying doesn't exist.

Ontario Progressive Conservatives are meeting in London, this weekend, for their policy convention. According to the Canadian Press, they're expected to talk about things like cutting income taxes and selling beer and wine in corner stores.

The highlight — or low light depending on your point of view — will be a debate on Saturday afternoon on whether to amend the party's constitution to allow for a review of Tim Hudak's leadership.

In anticipation of the debate, the Liberals are having some fun.

According to the Toronto Star, the governing party has created several satirical lapel buttons to distribute outside the convention hall.

One button highlights Hudak's "wreckord."

Another one features a picture of party president Richard Ciano - who is rumoured to want to oust Hudak for his own benefit: "CiaNow for leader," it says.

And one of them says "Survivor London -- outlive, outplay outlast" in reference to whether or not Hudak 'survives' the weekend convention.

[ Related: Ontario PC MPP Randy Hillier responds after being booted from critic role ]

Hudak's leadership has been questioned — by party members and even some MPPs — since a poor showing in a series of byelections in August.

For his part, Hudak doesn't seem too worried about it, telling reporters on Friday that the review debate will amount to nothing more than a "footnote in the history of the party."

Like Hudak, most analysts and pundits don't believe a review will actually happen. At this point it wouldn't do the party any good especially with the prospect of the Liberals forcing a snap election.

[ Related: Will Ontarians and Quebecers be heading to the polls this year? ]

Meanwhile, to correspond with the convention, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) released a 20 minute documentary attacking Hudak on his labour policies. The union fears that a PC government would bring in U.S.-style 'right to work' legislation.

Here's a preview:

You can view the whole documentary here.

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