Editorials, Letters & Political Commentary

On Tuesday, Doug Ford tried to smear Deputy Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Commissioner Brad Blair with a claim that Blair broke the law by voicing concerns he had with the conduct of Ford’s office, including the attempt to install Ford’s close friend and ally, Ron Taverner, as the province’s top cop. On Thursday, NDP Community Safety and Correctional Services critic ...

There are already questions about Doug Ford trying to inappropriately influence Ron Taverner, after a news report revealed Wednesday that Taverner knew of — and defended — Ford’s demand that the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) secretly buy him a custom camper van. The Toronto Sun reported the story Wednesday. “I am told it’s not a camper van but an extended-size ...

Michael Mantha, MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin and NDP critic for Northern Development and Mines, urged the Ford Conservatives Thursday in question period not to pass up an opportunity to bring jobs to northern Ontario.   The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation recently released its interest in a long-stagnant mill in Chapleau. But despite Indigenous and forestry industry interest in the mill, ...

Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says that Doug Ford and his Conservatives spent their first six months in the legislature making things worse for everyday people. “The Liberal government let us down,” said Horwath. “But, in six months at Queen’s Park, Doug Ford has made things even worse for people. This is a government that makes decisions in back rooms, ...

As today’s politicians move lock-step to appease big business, it’s worth remembering not all benefits must slide toward corporations. CN Rail is a company forgetting that. Examples abound that CN views those impeding maximum profit as a nuisance, regardless of legal right or argument. Carry this point forward – CN Rail recently made the highest quarterly profit in its 99-year ...

Frequent readers of this column well know how much I value holding regular constituency clinics in communities across the riding. Having the opportunity to talk face-to-face with individuals to listen to their concerns is one of the most effective ways for an MPP to stay in touch with what is going on in the lives of their constituents. Not only ...

Ontario’s Auditor General has released a report that paints a grim picture of just how badly the Liberal government let Ontario down — but is also a foreshadowing of what’s to come, because where the auditor flags major problems, the Ford Conservatives have been making things even worse.   “The auditor really lays out a picture of a Liberal government ...

NDP Environment and Sustainability critic Ian Arthur released the following statement in response to news that Hydro One’s deal with Avista Corp has been scrapped by Washington state’s regulator due to Doug Ford’s political meddling: “Today’s decision (December 5th, 2018) makes it clear that Doug Ford’s political meddling has sent shockwaves through the business community and increased the risk of ...

Joel Harden, NDP critic for Accessibility and Persons with Disabilities, released the following statement on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities: “On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I want to commend the work of the disability rights movement for making Ontario a more inclusive place. It is thanks to the movement’s tireless campaigning that we have an ...

The NDP’s Anti-Racism critic Laura Mae Lindo is pointing out that, with Indigenous children far more likely be in care than non-Indigenous children, Doug Ford needs to reverse his elimination of the Child Advocate’s office to avoid putting up another discriminatory barrier for Indigenous youth. “In my riding of Kitchener Centre, Indigenous children are five times more likely to come ...

Kevin Yarde, NDP critic for Community Safety and Correctional Services, released the following statement regarding the appointment of Ron Taverner as Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP):   “Police forces need to be free from political influence, real or perceived. The Official Opposition shares the concerns of Ontario people about the Ford government’s appointment of Ron Taverner to the ...

Official Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath and NDP critic for Francophone Affairs Guy Bourgouin are calling on all MPPs from all parties to support Horwath’s motion to restore Ontario’s independent French Language Services Commissioner and the province’s Francophone University.   “Franco-Ontarians deserve the long-awaited Université de l’Ontario français, as well as a French Language Services Commissioner that is fully independent, and nothing less,” said Bourgouin (Mushkegowuk-James ...

During question period on Thursday, November 22, 2018, Sol Mamakwa, NDP MPP for Kiiwetinoong, told the Ford government to begin working with First Nations communities and invest in northern airports that fly-in communities depend on.   “These airports are essential lifelines for the communities they serve,” said Mamakwa, the NDPs critic for Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.   “But Ontario’s northern ...

Like many jurisdictions with parliamentary traditions, the Legislature of Ontario appoints Legislative Officers (sometimes called Parliamentary officers) to oversee and review activities of government that warrant special concern. Their duties include regularly issuing public reports that critically evaluate government performance in specific areas. The Officers are chosen by an all-party Committee and report directly to the Legislature through the Speaker, ...

Dear Brenda, I have been dismayed over the coverage of the Postal Strike has been.  It was predictable that most businesses would cheer the back to work legislation and that labour unions would be angry that labour negotiations have be short-circuited.  What has been missing is the actual content of the bill?  Does the bill contain arbitration leading to the ...