Editorials, Letters & Political Commentary

In the Fall Economic Statement, Doug Ford and his Conservatives have cut more than $3.2 billion, including the Transportation operating budget by $305 million.   “Northerners are already affected by poor road maintenance, winter and summer.  We can’t afford more cuts when our highways are closed for days after floods or snowstorms,” said NDP MPP Micheal Mantha.  “People in Northern ...

Dear Brenda, One has to wonder when The Canadian’s resiliency will be exhausted and the train will be on the chopping block. In late 2008, I had the opportunity to examine the confidential financial data on The Canadian and I found it was then recovering about 75% of its costs year-round and actually showing an above-the-rail profit during the peak ...

  Doug Ford has revealed that just a partial cost for his useless highway signs is $106,700 – money NDP International Trade critic Taras Natyshak said won’t actually increase trade. Ford has only revealed the manufacturing and shipping costs of the signs – not staff time, installation contractor bills, or what is sure to be a small fortune in having ...

Northern Ontarians are being failed by a utility system that leaves them without running water or electricity for years at a time – something most Ontarians would never tolerate, says Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa.   “Several weeks ago, I stood in this house to remark about the tragic suicide of 13-year-old Karlena Kamenawatamin from Bearskin Lake,” said Mamakwa in the ...

In August, work was begun to do some upgrading along the shoreline of Wawa Lake and to the drains that run into the lake. Since the end of that month, nothing further has occurred and culverts, equipment, temporary fencing was set up. Well, here it is approximately two months later and after the wind and waves of the past few ...

Dear Friends: Throughout my years of service as MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin, I have always been so very impressed with the number of citizens that we have in this riding who make incredible contributions as leaders and helpers in our communities.  My office receives notification of the multitude of individuals that selflessly serve to make our communities better places to live. ...

Brenda, It has been 6 months since our PC Leader (now Premier) Doug Ford promised to bring back full passenger rail service to the North.  At the time, this was welcome news should they be elected. Now they have been elected and Northerners are anxious to see this promise happen. For the past 5 years, NEORN has been busy encouraging Northern ...

    Anyone who knows me would likely agree that I truly am a Northerner through and through. I will admit that at times, though not often, I do take advantage of some opportunities that are more urban in nature, such as professional sports, musical concerts and theatre. Toronto’s reputation as a cultural centre is growing. There are some truly ...

  Thanking our Municipal Staff today for working hard to minimize the damage being created during yesterday’s storm, and keeping our roads open.   Thanks to all our businesses for supporting all the stranded travellers.   Robert Reece

World Mental Health Day statement from Ontario NDP Mental Health and Addictions Critic Bhutila Karpoche:   “Today, on World Mental Health Day, communities around the world come together to raise awareness about the challenges faced by those living with mental health issues. Ontario children struggle with the highest rates of mental-health related emergency room visits and hospitalizations in the country. Last ...

The NDP says Doug Ford’s first 100 days in office can only be measured by the people impacted by his choices.   “Ask the students, teachers and educators who were already in drafty schools with lead in the drinking fountains,” said NDP Deputy Leader Sara Singh. “Doug Ford cancelled $100 million that was supposed to pay for school repairs, so ...

  Dear Mayor George Lefebvre,   My colleague, Eric Boutilier of All Aboard Northern Ontario, has asked me to provide you and your colleagues with an update on our upcoming NortheastLynx proposal for the revival of the former Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) rail passenger service linking Temiskaming, Cochrane, North Bay and Toronto.   We have made tremendous progress over ...

October 5, 2018 Letter to Wawa Candidates for Council and Voters, First, I would like to thank Mayor Rody for running for Mayor again.  I believe Mayor Rody has provided sound and positive leadership over the past four years.  I would also like to thank all the candidates for running for Council. It was great to see everybody at the ...

Recently, I attended a rally on the steps of Parliament organized by veterans suffering from the long-lasting effects of the anti-malarial drug Mefloquinne. It struck me that this is becoming the new normal as veterans are forced to take their struggles with Veterans Affairs to the government themselves. That this problem persists through successive governments shows that, despite many promises ...

During question period on Wednesday, NDP Childcare critic Doly Begum said Doug Ford is putting profits for corporate child care providers ahead of Northern and rural families that need affordable care today.   “Parents across Ontario need affordable, high quality, public, not-for-profit child care,” said Begum.  “Public dollars should go into care for our kids, not private profits for multinational ...