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, ...

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 ...

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. ...

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 ...

Ontario NDP Health critic France Gélinas issued the following statement in response to the announcement made by the Minister of Education Stephen Lecce on Thursday:   “The announcement from Minister Stephen Lecce offers absolutely no comfort at all to parents, school staff and students who are anxious and afraid about sending their children back to crowded classrooms in September. Lecce’s ...

Kiiwetinoong NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa is calling on the Ford government to support families who have evacuated Red Lake and Eabametoong, after their communities declared a state of emergency due to the threat of fires.   “Families who have evacuated need to know if the provincial government plans to help them.   Right now families from Red Lake are scattered in ...

Teresa Armstrong, the Ontario NDP’s Long-Term Care critic, released the following statement in response to a government announcement of future long-term care beds being allocated to a Humber River Hospital long-term care facility:   “Long-term care is badly understaffed, under-regulated, and the government no longer inspects facilities regularly. As a result, thousands of seniors are neglected, and their emotional well-being ...

Official Opposition NDP critic for Economic Growth and Job Creation Catherine Fife (Waterloo) issued a statement in response to the latest Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey for July: “Friday’s figures reveal that while Ontario’s job market is slowly recovering, we are not seeing the full-time jobs being created that we need to mount a strong and inclusive economic recovery. Almost ...

Jennie Stevens (St. Catharines), NDP critic for Veterans, Legions and Military Affairs, says Doug Ford’s re-announcement of existing capital grants will do nothing to save legions across Ontario that are on the brink of shutting down permanently due to the impact of COVID-19. Stevens says Ontario’s legions desperately need operational funding to make it through the pandemic.   “Veterans and ...

NDP Early Learning and Childcare critic Doly Begum responded to the Ford government announcement that child care centres are permitted to open at full capacity as of Sept. 1: “Doug Ford has quietly put out a notice that child care centres can fully re-open on Sept. 1, but child care centres don’t just need permission from the government; they desperately ...