Editorials, Letters & Political Commentary

Sol Mamakwa, Ontario NDP critic for Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, said it’s shameful for the Ford Conservatives to rewrite the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit studies curriculum without adequately consulting Indigenous communities; and wrong for Doug Ford to make Indigenous education an optional elective.   On Tuesday, the Ford Conservatives announced the new curriculum for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit ...

Doug Ford’s elimination of out-of-country OHIP coverage will make travel for Ontarians with kidney failure unaffordable, said NDP Health critic France Gélinas who called for the reversal of the cut.   Gélinas held a press conference at Queen’s Park on Thursday with Allison Knudsen and John Landreville, who live with kidney failure and need dialysis.   “Doug Ford will ground ...

Thank You Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd.! The Rotary Club of Wawa recently received a very generous donation to the local Dolly Parton Imagination Library project. All participating children in Wawa are most grateful for your support. The international Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program offers free books to children between the ages of newborn to five years old. If anyone hasn’t ...

During question period Monday, NDP Northern Development critic, Michael Mantha,  continued to advocate for the North in the face of Doug Ford’s first budget, which attacks northern Ontario, hitting families with deep cuts to services, infrastructure, and economic development.   “Ministries that are dedicated to the development of the Northern economy, like the Ministries of Natural Resources and Forestry and Northern ...

During question period Monday, NDP Northern Development critic, Michael Mantha,  continued to advocate for the North in the face of Doug Ford’s first budget, which attacks northern Ontario, hitting families with deep cuts to services, infrastructure, and economic development.   “Ministries that are dedicated to the development of the Northern economy, like the Ministries of Natural Resources and Forestry and Northern ...

The Ford Government isn’t just spending thousands of public dollars on gas pump stickers promoting a partisan campaign against carbon pricing – yesterday’s budget bill revealed that Ford plans to fine gas stations $10,000 a day if the businesses fail or refuse to post the stickers. The stickers, which Ford will use public money to produce and distribute, denounce the ...

During question period Wednesday, NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa (Kiiwetinoong) said the Ford Conservatives must stop undermining the government’s duty to consult with First Nations on the Far North Act, and called for government engagement by holding hearings in Far North communities in order to improve and replace that act.   “Proper engagement on the Far North Act should not be ...

Dear Readers My story starts here roughly 3 years ago I had my colonoscopy done and they found a polyp. It was removed and sent for a biopsy and it came back non-cancerous. Since the doctor found the polyp, I was scheduled for a re-exam 3 years later. This time another polyp was found. As it turns out when this ...

All but 30 of the 1,594 people who applied to be heard by the government on its health care overhaul scheme were turned away by the Doug Ford government, prompting NDP Leader Andrea Horwath to call attention to their stories, and their objections, in the legislative assembly Tuesday.   “Kenneth Yurchuk is almost 70 years old and battling cancer, having ...

  During question period on Tuesday, NDP Northern Development critic Michael Mantha said the Ford government must ensure access to wood supply for northern mills and forestry operations, to support the hundreds of jobs that depend on them. Mantha said the future of one mill in Fort Frances is in jeopardy, and another mill in Thessalon is cutting jobs because ...

In light of a shocking new opioid-related death-toll number, Bhutila Karpoche, Ontario NDP critic for Mental Health and Addictions, said it’s simply wrong for the Ford Conservatives to delay the approval of licence applications for overdose prevention sites, and limit their number.   According to new data reported by the Canadian Press, the first half of last year, the opioid ...

Thank you to the ‘knucklehead(s)” who threw out fish guts or whatever over the hill where we walk our dogs (snow dump). Fine; ashes to ashes and give the coyotes and ravens a chance to survive — but please, not so close to home and worse — take it out of the plastic bag! My curious dog, searching in overdrive ...

Dear Brenda, Doug Ford has turned his back on rural Ontario. So I would encourage rural Ontario to turn their back on Premier Ford. Randy  Hillier was elected by his constituents as their representative at Queens Park not to be Ford’s puppet. Randy has served his riding with great dignity and loyalty to the people. Due to Ford’s bad judgement on ...

Dear editor, How can we allow Ford to further endanger our plants, animals and the environment? Where is our government and why are they not stopping him? Sincerely, Dyanne Smart, Wawa

MPPs return to Queen’s Park on Tuesday, February 19 and budget day should be soon after. The question northerners are asking – is the $45 million promised by the PCs for the return of passenger rail service from Toronto to Cochrane in the budget?? Will Premier Ford keep his promise? Will Vic Fedeli keep his promise? The Northeastern Ontario Rail ...