Editorials, Letters & Political Commentary

The newly released Ontario 2020 budget sets a strong course forward for economic growth and recovery, but there is little in it that addresses the real needs of seniors. While there is a marked increase in health care investment and a promise to improve long-term care over the next few years, C.A.R.P.—A New Vision of Aging (also known as the Canadian ...

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 ...

La cheffe du NPD, Andrea Horwath, a déclaré que dans son budget 2020, Doug Ford lève les bras dans la bataille contre la COVID-19 et livre les gens à eux-mêmes. Alors que l’Ontario est au bord d’une catastrophe sanitaire et économique, le budget de Doug Ford ne prévoit aucune nouvelle mesure pour assurer la sécurité et la santé des familles ...

The Ministry of Transportation is seeking feedback from Northerners to “better understand the unique transportation needs of people and businesses” situated along the Toronto, North Bay and Cochrane/Timmins rail corridor to “help develop a plan to improve the transportation system” in the region.   Remind me again … didn’t Ontario Northland just submit its very own passenger rail business case ...

The Ford government has failed to deliver its promised needs-based program, one year after receiving the OAP Advisory Panel Report. The panel, made up of parents, autistic adults, educators and other experts released their report as a guide for developing a needs-based system to serve children with autism in Ontario. One year later, nothing has changed. In a statement released on the same ...

Dear Editor: Cat owners beware! During my early evening dog walks I noticed cats sitting near houses and I feel sorry for them because a few hours later in the dark, I could see dogs (make that coyotes) prowling through the neighbourhood. A few of my friends lost their beloved kitties – put those two facts together and there is ...

I’m often asked that question by folks who’ve heard of my rail industry credentials.  I guess they haven’t listened to MPP Vic Fedeli, who has described me as one of those “consultants with self-serving agendas” because I pointed out the lack of action by his government and Ontario Northland Railway (ONR).   It’s a fair bet Fedeli & Co. won’t ...

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 ...

Readers of last week’s column about utilizing my “political barometer” skills may recall that I alluded to sort of a general vexation that Ontarians, and most Canadians for that matter, have for the seemingly endless gamesmanship and squabbling emanating from their elected officials.  In truth what Ontarians want is for their political leaders to speak, act and lead with confidence, ...

Les lecteurs de la chronique de la semaine dernière portant sur l’utilisation de mes compétences en matière de « baromètre politique » se rappelleront peut-être que j’ai fait allusion à une sorte de vexation générale que les Ontariens, et la plupart des Canadiens, éprouvent pour l’esprit de jeu et les querelles apparemment sans fin émanant de leurs élus. En vérité, ...

A letter signed by more than 3,000 Canadians was submitted to Procter & Gamble in advance of its annual shareholder meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio. Sent by Ontario Nature and the David Suzuki Foundation, the letter calls on the company to start acting in alignment with its stated commitments to sustainable operations and forest conservation, by only sourcing pulp from forests where ...

Nous sommes entourés de plastique. Des pailles que nous utilisons pour boire jusque dans les fibres que nous employons pour donner de l’élasticité à nos vêtements, le plastique est si omniprésent qu’il est devenu un énorme problème pour l’environnement. Il se retrouve dans les sites d’enfouissement, dans les océans, et même dans notre chaîne alimentaire. Le temps qu’il met à ...

Plastic is everywhere in our lives. From the straws in our drinks to the fibres that make our clothes stretch, plastic has permeated so many products that it has become a huge environmental problem. It’s in our landfill, the oceans, and has even entered our food chain. Adding to the problem is the fact that plastic takes so long to ...

Friday, October 2, 2020 Dear Editor, Each fall, in communities across Canada, Take Back the Night events are observed.  The first Take Back the Night event was held in San Francisco, when local citizens met to protest the spread of pornography in their community.  Since that first event, the evening has grown to international proportions.  Locally, this event holds significance ...

Anyone who watched the American Presidential debate will recognize the importance of the moment that Donald Trump refused to condemn white supremacism and white supremacists. To make it even more incredulous, the President then spoke directly to the far-right group, Proud Boys, telling them to, “stand back and stand by”. It was a truly transcendent moment in North American politics. ...