Editorials, Letters & Political Commentary

Omnibus Budget Bill Misses the Mark

A measure that was briefly mentioned in last month’s budget bill is going to take a big bite out of Canadian’s wallets when the government hikes fees for federal services like campgrounds, passports, and fishing licenses. Those are just a part of the government’s new omnibus budget bill that will change almost 30 pieces of legislation at a rapid pace. ...

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Le projet de loi budgétaire omnibus : raté

Apr 19, 2017 @ 22:51 Une mesure mentionnée brièvement dans le projet de loi budgétaire du mois dernier viendra piger dans le portefeuille des Canadiens lorsque le gouvernement augmentera les frais des services fédéraux comme les terrains de camping, les passeports et les permis de pêche. Il ne s’agit là que d’une partie du nouveau projet de loi budgétaire omnibus ...

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Brenda Grundt/Wawa-news is threatened with legal action by Gerry Liddle

Apr 17, 2017 @ 15:00     I, Brenda Grundt, editor and publisher of Wawa-news.com refuse to remove any articles that have been written concerning the actions and behaviors of Gerald ‘Gerry’ Liddle and/or Councillor Tamara Liddle. I stand by my research and writing and refuse to be bullied by these individuals. The tax-paying public in Wawa has the right ...

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News from the Park – Rent Increases

Apr 17, 2017 @ 08:23 You may recall that my last column focussed a great deal on the current and future circumstances facing the younger segment of our province. In the Legislature, New Democrats called on the Wynne Liberals to keep a 14-year-old election promise they made to protect vulnerable tenants from outrageous rent increases. Landlords with buildings constructed since ...

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Wynne Liberals announce budget date, higher taxes and deeper cuts expected

 Apr 15, 2017 @ 15:15 The Wynne Liberals announced the date for their upcoming so-called “balanced” budget, which is set to be released on April 27, 2017.   “After 14 years in power, the Liberals have made life unaffordable for Ontario families and businesses. They’ve created a hydro crisis, made housing unaffordable, and slashed health care services,” said Ontario PC ...

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Letter – Hardeman states that ‘Liberals Blocked Rent Control Bill’

Apr 12, 2017 @ 12:00 Dear Brenda, As PC Critic for Municipal Affairs and Housing, I hear from people all over Ontario who are concerned about the unaffordability of living in Ontario. Over the past few weeks I have been hearing from more and more people who, like the 31 seniors in Sault Ste. Marie, are facing huge rent increases. ...

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Mantha acclaimed as NDP Candidate for the next Provincial Election

Michael Mantha has been acclaimed the NDP candidate in Algoma-Manitoulin for the next provincial election. Elected since 2011, Mantha received the nod from the local association on Saturday afternoon. “I have loved representing Algoma-Manitoulin for the last 7 years and very much look forward to continuing,” said Mantha. “My work has just begun and I am excited to continue being ...

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Ontarians deserve a $15 minimum wage

Mar 25, 2017 @ 08:41 Cindy Forster, Ontario NDP Labour Critic and MPP for Welland,  issued the following statement in response to the announcement made today by the Minister of Labour:   “Ontarians deserve nothing less than a $15 minimum wage, because someone who goes to work 40 hours each week shouldn’t be struggling below the poverty line. Too many people are working two ...

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Are Wynne’s Hydro Ads in Contempt of Parliament – House Leader says ‘Yes’

Today, Ontario PC House Leader Jim Wilson charged that Kathleen Wynne’s taxpayer-funded hydro ads are in contempt of parliament. The self-congratulatory ads, which the auditor general has said are out of line, are running before legislation has been introduced, an alleged breach of parliamentary rules. MPP Wilson informed the Speaker today that he will rise on a point of privilege ...

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Musings – Cemeteries and Respect

Mar 15, 2017 @ 12:53 In the winter there isn’t much to give an idea that there are graves hidden, slumbering beneath the snow; and in the summer it is a peaceful place, a sheltered meadow with shade from the pines. The St. Margaret Mary Cemetery has 10 marked graves visible, one without any information, but it has been estimated ...

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Mantha – Hydro bills put community centres at risk

Mar 6, 2017 @ 09:43 On Saturday, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath joined the leadership of Echo Bay, Desbarats, Bruce Mines, Hilton Beach and the Township of St. Joseph to speak out about skyrocketing hydro bills – which are putting their community hubs at risk. “The Johnson Township Community Centre Arena in Desbarats is a community hub for people from all ...

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Letter – Stuart McLean

I am still reeling from the shock of losing one of the threads that so deeply tied me to Canada in its entirety. No one but Stuart McLean could conjure a deeper connection to my country and my roots with his sweet stories of which I would just have to hear the ending, even if it meant another few minutes ...

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I Lost Someone Today…

Feb 4, 2017 …and as I sit here in heartache, pain and anger bordering on rage, I know I am not the only one who has lost someone today. Parents lost a child, friends lost a buddy, employers lost a hard worker, and I lost a young person suffering from a wounded and broken spirit. I am going to personify ...

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Greyhound – Any Responsibility for Stranded Passengers?

Jan 25, 2017   On December 14th, 2016, a Greyhound bus from Vancouver, making its way along Highway 17, was stopped dead in Wawa. Highway 17 from Wawa to Batchawana had been closed at 2:43 a.m. due to whiteout conditions. The radar image from Montreal River shows the intensity of the storm that morning. With the highway closure, passengers disembarked ...

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