I can’t remember when my team and I hit the ground running sooner and at a faster pace than we have following the election just six months ago. Then, I had loftily envisioned my team and I performing as professional jugglers working to keep Algoma-Manitoulin running. But I quickly brought myself back to earth when I realized that the real ...

Recently I found myself at a car dealership waiting to have my snow tires put on my vehicle. Admittedly, I was very late and fortunate not to have run into difficulties on the road, given my constant trekking back and forth between Queen’s Park and my constituency office in Elliot Lake. I know better. As I sat in the waiting ...

Récemment, je me suis retrouvé chez un concessionnaire automobile en attendant que mes pneus soient changés sur mon véhicule. Étant donné mes allers-retours constants entre Queen’s Park et mon bureau de circonscription à Elliot Lake, j’étais chanceux de ne pas avoir rencontré de difficultés sur la route. J’étais en retard changer mes pneus . Alors que j’étais dans la salle ...

À l’approche de Noël chaque année, nous constatons que les demandes et les pressions sur nos jours et nos nuits s’intensifient. Même nos enfants en font l’expérience à leur propre niveau.  Nous apprenons à le prendre comme une norme sociale et, d’une certaine manière, nous aimons relever le défi de répondre à de telles demandes. En parlant d’essayer d’intégrer les ...

As Christmas approaches each year, we find demands and pressures on our days and nights escalate with each passing day. Even our kids experience the same thing at their own level. As such, we learn to take it in stride as a social norm, and in some ways, while we might complain, deep down, we enjoy the traditional challenge of ...

Friday’s announcement from the Ministry of Transportation is a long overdue step but fails to get to the root of safety concerns on Northern highways. “As the Official Opposition, we have had to push the government every step of the way towards getting strong safety standards on Highways 11 and 17,” said Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha. “Now the government has ...

When I was in high school, I remember our teachers would put posters up to promote a positive atmosphere. Some were humorous, and some were words of wisdom. However, there is one that, to this day, stands out in my mind. It said, “Opportunity knocks only once, but temptation keeps hammering at the door, time after time.” I’ve read similar ...

Quand j’étais à l’école secondaire, je me souviens que nos enseignants mettaient en place des affiches pour promouvoir une atmosphère positive. Certains étaient pleins d’humour, et d’autres étaient des paroles de sagesse. Cependant, il y en a une qui s’est toujours démarquée. Elle disait : « L’occasion ne frappe qu’une seule fois, mais la tentation continue de menacer à la porte. » J’ai ...

Recently I was sitting in a reception area for a meeting that was to begin in a few minutes. I was wearing one of my favourite light sweaters. As I sipped my coffee, I noticed a little thread of yarn hanging just under my elbow. I was about to pull it when in my mind I heard a sharp, “Michael!” ...

Récemment, j’étais assis sur un banc de réception en attendant qu’une réunion commence. Je portais un de mes chandails préférés. En buvant mon café, j’ai remarqué un petit fil juste sous mon coude. J’étais sur le point de le tirer quand dans mon esprit j’ai entendu un pointu, « Michael ! » et je me suis arrêté. J’ai entendu ma mère me dire ...

“All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” Some readers will recognize this title of a book written by Robert Fulghum. It was his published ideology or statement of beliefs and aims for life. I have made reference to this book in previous columns over the years. In essence, Fulghum explained his belief that by following some fundamental ...

« Tout ce que j’ai vraiment besoin de savoir, j’ai appris à la maternelle. »  Certains lecteurs reconnaîtront ce titre d’un livre écrit par Robert Fulghum. C’était son idéologie publiée ou une déclaration de croyances et de buts pour la vie. J’ai fait référence à ce livre dans des colonnes précédentes au fil des ans. En substance, Fulghum a expliqué sa conviction ...

I well recall waking up on the morning, or more honestly, the afternoon of June 3rd, the day following the provincial election and thinking that my fellow MPPs and I have the next four years to try to make life better for all Ontarians. We have such an opportunity and the time to get things done. On that new day, ...

Je me souviens bien de m’avoir réveillé le matin, ou plus honnêtement, l’après-midi du 3 juin, le lendemain de l’élection provinciale. J’ai immédiatement pensé que mes collègues députés et moi avions les quatre prochaines années pour essayer d’améliorer la vie de tous les Ontariens. Nous avons une telle opportunité et le temps de faire avancer les choses. Il semblait que ...

  October 5th, 2022 Honourable Stephen Lecce Ministry of Education 315 Front Street West, 14th Floor Toronto, Ontario  M7A 0B8 RE: CHILDCARE CRISIS OPEN LETTER Dear Minister Lecce, Of all provincial government responsibilities, child protection, health and education are among the highest priorities. Even so, a crisis is brewing here in Ontario, growing at an alarming rate. Its effects will ...