Editorials, Letters & Political Commentary

We are lucky to live where eating locally means eating well, and including local produce makes our meals as delicious as possible. Most people who take advantage of this option feel fortunate to do so. Which is why this spring, parliament passed an NDP private member’s bill that recognizes the Friday before Thanksgiving every year as “National Local Food Day.” ...

Doug Ford has blocked an NDP move to reveal his deal with the Hydro One CEO and board, and make public how many millions he arranged for them to be paid.   In question period on Tuesday, Official Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath demanded answers after Ford time-allocated Bill 2, cancelling committee hearings, amendments and any chance for the public to ...

NDP Finance critic John Vanthof demanded to know why Doug Ford is supporting the privatization of Hydro One after a report from the legislature’s independent Financial Accountability Officer showed adopting  Kathleen Wynne’s hydro plan, as Ford has decided to do, will add billions more to hydro bills and the deficit.   “Privatization of Hydro One is a waste. It was ...

With Greyhound set to end bus service from Sudbury to the west coast of BC, there is now an opening for VIA Rail to deliver needed public transportation and expand passenger rail markets in Northern Ontario. However, the Montreal-based bosses at the Crown corporation are not up to that job. With Greyhound runs disappearing by November, places like Thunder Bay ...

In the wake of the deadly shooting on Danforth Avenue, Official Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath issued the following statement: “My heart is with the victims of last night’s shooting, their friends and loved ones, and the beautiful Danforth community so deeply impacted by this heinous crime. Our immediate focus is on strength for the victims in hospital, and for those ...

During question period Thursday, NDP MPP Joel Harden demanded that the Ford government follow through with increases in social assistance supports for Ontarians in need after the government failed to provide assurances the budgeted increases would happen.   The 2018 Ontario Budget includes a commitment to increase support for Ontario Works (OW) and ODSP recipients by 3 per cent annually, ...

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Québec Premier Philippe Couillard and Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister released the following statement today at the summer meeting of the Council of the Federation: “Québec, Ontario, and Manitoba agree that Canada has a proud tradition of welcoming immigrants who are an integral part of our economy. The three Premiers discussed the increase of individuals crossing the ...

If I were a betting man, I would bet dollars to donuts that when Doug Ford was growing up, one of his favourite TV shows was Happy Days. Remember Richie Cunningham, his family, teenage friends and, of course, The Fonz?  For those too young to remember, Happy Days was a weekly sitcom throwback to the good old days of the ...

Premier Doug Ford spoke on the phone yesterday with Rick Snyder, Governor of Michigan. The call was an opportunity for the Premier to connect directly with Governor Snyder, and build on the mutually beneficial trade relationship between the two jurisdictions. “Ontario and Michigan share a very valuable trade partnership,” said Ford. “We’re their number one customer. We trade more than ...

Ontario NDP Energy Critic Peter Tabuns says Doug Ford’s attempt to give the government the power to break its own contracts will have a chilling effect on business. “From now on, businesses seeking government contracts will have only two options,” said Tabuns. “Either they will have to add a bad faith risk premium onto the price of government contracts and ...

Doug Ford has hired embattled former British Columbia premier Gordon Campbell to help him with Ontario’s books – despite Campbell’s having presided over one of the most notorious backroom deal scandals in Canadian history. “As premier, Campbell cut social services, fired scores of public employees and sold off and privatized public assets like ferries and BC Rail’s entire operation,” said ...

During question period Tuesday,  NDP health critic France Gélinas questioned Premier Doug Ford on his decision to award a million-dollar contract to the former president of the Ontario PC party.   Rueben Devlin will be paid $348,000 each year during his three year term – over $1 million in total – to provide advice on the health care system. “The ...

First and foremost I want to say how honoured I am to again have the privilege of bringing the voices of the people of Algoma-Manitoulin to Queen’s Park as your MPP. Just like the people who I represent, I am exceedingly proud of this precious land we call home. I am committed to making life better for all Ontarians, both ...

Michael Mantha has been successful in securing a third consecutive term as MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin. Mantha was delighted with the final outcome of the election results for this riding but said right from the beginning that he was taking nothing for granted. At this time the final tally for all ridings has not been officially announced; however, the NDP is ...

May 25, 2018 @ 06:45 Michael Mantha, the Ontario NDP candidate for Algoma-Manitoulin, issued the following statement after Hwy 631 was closed between White River and Hornepayne due to a culvert collapse.   “My team has been in contact with the Ministry of Transportation and will continue to monitor the situation throughout the day. They anticipate the highway to be ...