Editorials, Letters & Political Commentary

The Doug Ford government is gutting OW and ODSP employment services with its new scheme to contract out the program to multinational companies — one of which is a for-profit corporation — and the Ontario NDP is worried that will mean fewer Ontarians successfully supported into the job or program that’s best for them. “Today, municipalities and District Social Services ...

Tom Rakocevic, Ontario NDP Auto Insurance critic, released the following statement in response to news that some Ontario drivers will be paying up to 11 percent more for auto insurance this year as rates continue to climb in the province: “It’s wrong for the Ford government to let auto insurers pile on with another rate hike as Ontario drivers struggle ...

In response to reporting by CBC on shocking hallway medicine statistics, Andrea Horwath, Leader Official Opposition New Democrats, released the following statement: “After two years of the Ford government, we’ve seen hallway medicine go from bad to worse, and people are suffering. CBC’s reporting describes what so many families have experienced. Long waits in pain and worry. Nights spent on ...

The Official Opposition NDP is demanding to know how much Doug Ford’s war on the environment will cost this time, as Ford rips wind turbines out of the ground at the Nation Rise Wind Farm in North Stormont leaving Ontarians on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars in cancellation costs, yet again.   “Doug Ford declared his war ...

The Hon. Todd Smith has broken his promise to create a needs-based autism program by April 2020 that would implement all of the recommendations of the Autism Advisory Panel. In his press conference, he stated families may have to wait until 2021 to access core therapies that are needs-based. Families are devastated. The announcement that the Ford government will continue ...

Monique Taylor, NDP Children and Youth Services critic, issued the following statement about Doug Ford’s latest broken promise to families of children with autism. “Once again Doug Ford has hurt kids with autism. He’s already put families through hell over the last year by denying access to the services their children need. Because of his cuts, autism workers have been ...

NDP Official Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath released the following statement as teachers at select boards are poised to walkout for the second time in as many weeks: “I am calling on Doug Ford to reverse his cuts to education, in order to prevent another day of closed schools tomorrow. It’s wrong for him to plow ahead with his reckless scheme ...

Cheryl Gallant, M.P. for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke and Conservative Shadow Minister for Northern Ontario Economic Development, expressed her disappointment following the Liberal Government’s Speech from the Throne.   “Northern Ontario has been completely abandoned by the Liberal Government.  With not a single mention of helping those who work in the forestry or mining industries, nor a focus on rural economic development, this ...

NDP MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan Judith Monteith-Farrell has introduced a bill in the Ontario legislature that would ensure the Northern Health Travel Grant is reviewed and improved, and that northern Ontario residents get the support they need to access health care. The Northern Health Travel Grant Advisory Committee Act would see the establishment of an advisory committee to consult with ...

Mushkegowuk-James Bay MPP Guy Bourgouin slammed the Ford government in question period Thursday for continuing to treat northern Ontarians and northern Ontario highways as second class. Bourgouin stressed the need for the government to invest in more plows, and ensure that the same snow clearance standards it applies to the 400 series highways of the south be applied to northern ...

Marit Stiles, Official Opposition Education Critic, issued the following statement: “Doug Ford’s deep cuts to education have hurt students and their families and brought conflict to our classrooms. He never should have brought us to this point. Instead of picking a fight with educators and forcing them to fight to protect public education in Ontario, Doug Ford should listen to ...

Nov 28, 2019 @ 08:01 – Jeff Burch, MPP for Niagara Centre and NDP critic for municipal affairs, released the following statement after the president of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario told a government committee Monday that municipalities are asking to be released from legal liability for dangerous drinking water as a result of the Ford government’s gutting of water ...

The Official Opposition New Democrats want to know the total price tag for Doug Ford’s move to bulldoze 750 green energy contracts, and they’ll try to make that happen with a vote at the Public Accounts Committee on Wednesday.   Ontario’s Auditor General has told the NDP it’s going to take a vote in the legislature, an order from the ...

Wayne Gates, Ontario NDP critic for Workplace Health and Safety, warned that Doug Ford is creating a dangerous financial incentive for employers to discourage injured workers from making claims.   The Ford Conservatives announced Friday that they’re pouring $140 million into rewarding employers that tout a good health and safety record —  a model that has proven to motivate employers ...