TORONTO, July 16, 2018 /CNW/ - More than 250 United Church clergy, representing cities, towns, and rural communities from across Ontario, have signed an open letter to Premier Ford outlining their hopes and concerns for the new provincial government.

The letter is a non-partisan and positive response to Premier Ford's promise of March 7, 2018 at a service at the Toronto Prayer Palace where he stated:

"And we will make sure—I can guarantee you we'll make sure—the church has a voice.  All the time."

The unprecedented letter congratulates Premier Ford and raises a number of issues that the writers believe are of concern to Ontarians of all faiths and political stripes:

"We appreciate your desire to unify all Ontarians in a vision of prosperity. We respectfully ask that this vision include care of the vulnerable, affordable housing, support for refugees, quality healthcare, comprehensive sexual education in our schools, climate care, and access to higher education for all."

The letter recognizes that Mr. Ford's platform was based largely on economic reforms, and affirms that any such reforms must consider the poor and marginalized of society. "It is our experience that the weakest of our society are the most vulnerable to change, even when change is warranted."

The letter concludes with an invitation to meet with the Premier and with MPPs in local areas to work together for the betterment of all Ontarians.

The United Church is Canada's largest Protestant denomination and serves over 85,000 households in the province of Ontario.

The letter can be read at: OntarioUCCMinisters.org.

SOURCE United Church of Canada ministry leaders from across Ontario

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