Michael Mantha, MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin, has introduced legislation to end private, third-party contracts for driver examinations in Ontario. The Safer Driving Tests Act (Ending the Privatization Failure), 2024 will require that all driver examinations in Ontario are carried out by the Ministry of Transportation, and not third-party contractors.   “It’s become clear that operating driver examinations through a for-profit company ...

J’utilise régulièrement cette chronique pour parler des problèmes de viande et de pommes de terre qui touchent les gens d’Algoma-Manitoulin. Des questions comme la crise des soins de santé, la nécessité d’améliorer l’entretien des routes dans le Nord, notre réseau scolaire surpeuplé ou le manque de logements abordables dans notre province sont ce que j’entends le plus de la part ...

I regularly use this column to speak about the meat-and-potatoes issues that affect people in Algoma-Manitoulin. Issues like the healthcare crisis, the need for better highway and road maintenance in the North, our crowded school system, or the lack of affordable housing in our province are what I hear about most from people I meet with day-to-day and are top ...

For several years, Ontarians have been experiencing turmoil and pain on several fronts: access to affordable housing, access to health care, shortage of physicians, inflation and cost of living, impossibly low social assistance support, and timely access to programming for children with Autism, to name but a few of the burdensome issues. Most of the way through his second term, ...

Depuis plusieurs années, les Ontariennes et Ontariens vivent des troubles et des douleurs sur plusieurs fronts : l’accès à un logement abordable, l’accès aux soins de santé, la pénurie de médecins, l’inflation et le coût de la vie, le soutien de l’aide sociale incroyablement faible et l’accès en temps opportun aux programmes pour les enfants autistes, pour ne citer que ...

Today during Question Period MPP Michael Mantha (Algoma-Manitoulin) asked the Minister of Transportation to provide a clear timeline for the construction of a new swing bridge in Little Current.   “In this year’s budget the Minister of Finance specifically highlighted the plan to replace the Swing Bridge.” Mantha said. “Over half a year later and we still have no idea ...

Halloween has just come and gone. One of my favourite holidays; I have always been a fan of the creativity on display this time of year. Whether it’s the elaborate decorations that people put up on their houses, the wonderful costumes that trick-or-treaters show up at my door, or even just the fantastic scary stories that come out in honour ...

Halloween vient de venir et aller. L’une de mes vacances préférées, j’ai toujours été un admirateur de la créativité exposée à cette période de l’année. Qu’il s’agisse des décorations élaborées que les gens mettent sur leurs maisons, des merveilleux costumes dans lesquelles les tricheurs apparaissent à ma porte, ou même simplement des histoires effrayantes fantastiques qui sortent en l’honneur de ...

MPP Michael Mantha (Algoma-Manitoulin) made the following statement after the release of Ontario’s 2024 Fall Economic Statement: “This is perhaps the most disappointing Fall Economic Statement to date from this government. It is entirely disconnected from the reality of people in Northern Ontario who are struggling daily to get by. Instead of announcing meaningful investments in healthcare, housing, education, or ...

Hon. Doug Ford Premier of Ontario Room 281 Legislative Building, Queen’s Park Toronto, ON M7A 1A 1 August 29th , 2024 OPEN LETTER: Little Current Swing Bridge Delays Dear Premier Ford , I am writing to you about your recent conversation with Manitoulin residents about the Little Current Swing Bridge and the delays in its replacement. As you are aware, ...

MPP Michael Mantha made the following statement in response to the Ontario government’s announcement on consumption and treatment services (CTS) sites: “Throughout Algoma-Manitoulin, and across Northern Ontario, we continue to experience devastatingly high numbers of opioid related overdoses and deaths. This is a crisis and has been a crisis for some time. The announcement by Minister Jones that the government ...

MPP Michael Mantha made the following statement regarding the ONDP arbitration/Mortimer Investigation: “The last two years have been very challenging, but it is time to move past this matter. While I disagree with some of the characterizations made, on the advice of my legal counsel I will not be commenting further at this time. It is my honour to represent ...

Summer is finally in full swing across Algoma-Manitoulin, and with it comes a renewed appreciation for all the things that our part of the world has to offer. Most obviously, we are blessed with abundant natural resources in our corner of the province. We have ready access to pristine lakes, forests, hiking trails, and campgrounds, which provide we Northerners with ...

L’été bat enfin son plein à travers Algoma-Manitoulin, et avec lui vient une appréciation renouvelée pour toutes les choses que notre région a à offrir. Évidemment, nous sommes bénis avec des ressources naturelles abondantes dans notre coin de la province. Nous avons un accès facile à des lacs immaculés, des forêts, des sentiers de randonnée et des terrains de camping, ...

I have to say; given all of the conditions and experiences we see with increasing frequency throughout the year, it is hard to fathom how there are still climate change deniers. Yet, according to an international survey conducted by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, people seem to doubt the existence of any type of human-caused climate change. Granted, ...