Editorials, Letters & Political Commentary

Hi Brenda, I would like to update everyone on the tentative plans for our move to the new location. We will be moving to 96 Broadway ave. (“the food bank building”). If everything goes smoothly, we will be closing our current location on Friday,  December 20th after our Christmas Luncheon (members/invitation only). Services will not be available for 2 weeks. ...

On Thursday, the NDP called for the abolishment of closed work permits that have allowed employers to trap, abuse, underpay, and exploit migrant workers in Canada. NDP critic for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Jenny Kwan made the announcement on Thursday alongside NDP critic for Labour Matthew Green, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), and the United Food and Commercial Workers union ...

The Ontario Autism Coalition (OAC) is calling for the immediate implementation of the Vulnerable Persons Alert system in light of the recent incident involving Logan, an 18-year-old autistic individual who went missing in Havelock, Ontario, for over two weeks. While we are relieved that Logan was found safe, this incident highlights significant gaps in our current approach to locating vulnerable ...

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 ...

Ontario NDP MPP Jill Andrew (Toronto – St. Paul’s) tabled a motion calling on the province to eliminate hospital parking fees for health care workers, patients, and their families. “Nobody deserves to be stuck with thousands of dollars worth of bills for visiting a sick loved one,” said Andrew. “When you’re getting chemo, managing chronic health conditions, and just trying ...

Lise Vaugeois, MPP for Thunder Bay–Superior North, has released the following statement today in response to an upcoming CBC marketplace investigation into the fraudulent licensing of untrained commercial vehicle drivers in Ontario. “Our northern communities, where we have witnessed so many severe trucking accidents and highway closures, have been sounding the alarm about road safety for years,” said Vaugeois. “This ...

Twelve Northern First Nations from Northern Ontario sent an open letter voicing their united opposition to the disposal and transport of highly radioactive nuclear waste in the North. The First Nations communities cite the potential for spills or leaks that could happen on site or while the waste is being transported through their communities, watersheds, airsheds, and lands they rely ...

MPP Teresa Armstrong, NDP critic for Child Care, released the following statement in response to funding cuts to affordable child care: “Families across Ontario deserve access to affordable and reliable childcare. Instead, we’re seeing wait lists explode across the province as affordable childcare becomes harder to find. Today, instead of adding funding for affordable childcare spaces, Ford is choosing to ...

Ever been stood up one too many times by a friend or a date? Feel like they’re just not getting the message that your needs aren’t being met? This regrettably summarizes the experience of travelling aboard VIA Rail in Northern Ontario. Between closed stations, chronically late trains and nearly no integration with local or regional transit providers, rail service in ...

It is very difficult to write this, but given the findings from the recent hearing, Mike Mantha should resign from political office today. He should have done this already. The hearing between the Ontario New Democratic Party Caucus, the Canadian Office & Professional Employees Union, Local 343 and Sole Arbitrator Jasbir Parmar held via videoconference on July 25, 2024, and ...

Last week, Loblaw Cos. Ltd., as well as its parent company, George Weston Ltd., agreed to pay $500 million to settle a class-action lawsuit for their part in a 14-year industry-wide bread price-fixing scheme. It’s alleged that Loblaws, along with other large grocery chains such as Metro, Sobeys, Walmart Canada, and Giant Tiger, were all involved in a conspiracy to ...

Ce jeudi, le chef du NPD du Canada, Jagmeet Singh, a dévoilé un plan ambitieux visant à interdire les rénovictions pour rendre les loyers plus abordables à travers le pays. Le plan de M. Singh propose des incitations fédérales pour obliger les municipalités à légiférer contre les rénovictions. Hamilton a été la première ville en Ontario à adopter cette interdiction, et ...