Editorials, Letters & Political Commentary

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 ...

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 ...