NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said Doug Ford’s 2020 budget is waving a white flag in the battle against COVID-19, and telling people: you’re on your own. With Ontario on the brink of a health and economic disaster, Doug Ford’s budget doesn’t take any new actions to make everyday families safer or healthier. In fact, as the second wave of COVID-19 ...

Sol Mamakwa, NDP MPP for Kiiwetinoong, is calling on Doug Ford to make every effort to support the residents of Neskantaga who are being evacuated due to the complete shutdown of all running water. “Doug Ford must ensure that the provincial government supports the evacuation of elders, children and the most vulnerable in the community who need assistance immediately.  Losing running water to the entire ...

During question period Tuesday, NDP Health critic France Gélinas demanded that the Ford government develop a strategy to clear the backlog of delayed surgeries and diagnostic procedures, and avoid shutting down completely during the second wave of COVID-19 infections. NDP Leader Andrea Horwath has long been calling for a robust and thorough second wave strategy, proposing solutions like capping class ...

The NDP critic for Accessibility and Persons with Disabilities, Joel Harden, said that the NDP’s call for Doug Ford to end the long lines at Service Ontario outlets by reversing his $4.9-million cut and mandating expanded hours, is critical for Ontarians with disabilities.   Harden said many people living with disabilities have been forced to wait in long, crowded lines at Service ...

NDP critic for Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Sol Mamakwa, released the following statement calling on Doug Ford to provide needed funding for First Nations schools.   On Wednesday, the federal government announced funding amounting to just a fraction of what’s needed to get kids back in school safely, and prevent outbreaks of COVID-19 in First Nations schools:   “There is ...

The NDP and its critic for Economic Growth and Job Creation, Catherine Fife MPP (Waterloo), are calling for Doug Ford to remove the looming threat of commercial evictions facing small businesses across Ontario.   “Main Street has been devastated by the pandemic, and the Ford government has done little to help when they needed it most. We’ve already seen too ...

Catherine Fife MPP (Waterloo), NDP critic for Economic Growth and Job Creation, has issued a statement after a new report from the Conference Board of Canada revealed that Ontario’s economy will record a steep 7.6 per cent decline in real GDP growth this year:   “The COVID-19 pandemic has hit every business across the province, with so many still struggling ...

All eight Northern NDP MPPs released a letter to Doug Ford calling on him to respond to the concerns of First Nations who have contacted him after he failed to respect treaty rights and rushed changes in Bill 197 that impacts treaty territories without consulting them. “The government has a legal duty to consult First Nations on any decisions or ...

Kevin Yarde, NDP Critic for Community Safety and Correctional Services, released the following statement in response to the Ford government’s announcement regarding the hiring of 200 additional provincial police officers:   “We are disappointed that the Ford government’s announcement did not consider or address the vital reforms that are being called for by community leaders, experts in health and justice, ...

TOn dit que les sens olfactifs peuvent provoquer certaines des émotions et des souvenirs les plus forts chez les gens. Comme lorsque vous entrez dans une pièce et qu’un parfum particulier tel que la cuisson des biscuits ou un certain pot-pourri vous rappelle de puissants souvenirs de votre grand-mère. Pour moi cette semaine, un simple calendrier évoquait des souvenirs forts. ...

They say the olfactory senses can bring about some of the strongest emotions and memories in people.  Like when you walk into a room and a particular scent such as baking cookies or a certain potpourri brings back powerful memories of your grandma.  For me this week, a simple calendar evoked strong memories.  I just couldn’t believe my eyes when ...

Doug Ford’s refusal to scrap his risky back-to-school scheme has put the start of the school year in jeopardy, and Official Opposition NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says that’s putting parents, school boards, teachers and education workers in a terrible position, scrambling to sort out a safe September without the resources they need.   Horwath brought a school bus to Queen’s ...

Doly Begum­­­­, NDP Early Learning and Child Care critic, said the Ford government’s release of its operational handbook for child care re-opening during COVID-19 on Thursday night has parents and child care advocates worried about skyrocketing costs, on top of the safety of children. “Instead of helping parents who have to go back to work, the Ford government is making ...

With the window for rescuing the start of the school year about to slam shut, Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is urging the Ford government to do much more than just give its permission for school boards to stagger the back-to-school week.   “Staggering arrival days means the Ford government needs to step up with child care and paid-leave options ...

MPP Catherine Fife, Official Opposition NDP Critic for Economic Growth, is calling on the federal and provincial governments to step up and provide struggling small businesses with desperately needed pandemic relief, by administering remaining Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) funds directly to small businesses. “For months, small businesses across the province have been struggling to keep their doors open ...