Editorials, Letters & Political Commentary

On Wednesday, the final report of the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for the Province of Ontario was tabled in the House of Commons. Despite clear objections regarding representation in the North from the NDP and Liberals, electoral districts in Northern Ontario will be reduced, from ten to nine, with those districts set to become significantly larger. The Conservative party provided a ...

Mercredi, le rapport final de la Commission de délimitation des circonscriptions électorales fédérales pour la province de l’Ontario a été déposé à la Chambre des communes. Malgré les objections claires du NPD et des libéraux concernant la représentation du Nord, les circonscriptions électorales du Nord de l’Ontario seront réduites, passant de dix à neuf, et ces circonscriptions deviendront beaucoup plus ...

As Canadians start to take their summer vacation, Canada’s NDP is calling on Premier Ford and Prime Minister Trudeau to ensure electric vehicle (EV) chargers are available and reliable across Northern Ontario and Canada, as promised in the federal government’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program. The call comes in response to reports of chargers across Northern Ontario, specifically Marathon, White ...

NDP MPP Catherine Fife (Waterloo) met with seniors who have experienced spousal separation in Ontario’s Long-Term Care system today, pushing to bring the Till Death Do Us Part Act back to Queen’s Park committee for discussion and debate. “It’s heartbreaking to hear the stories of older adult couples who are forced to live apart,” said Fife. “I invited all PC ...

Lundi, le NPD a renouvelé son appel au ministre des Finances pour qu’il prolonge la date limite de remboursement des prêts du Compte d’urgence pour les entreprises canadiennes (CUEC) car les petites entreprises qui ont compté sur ces prêts pendant la pandémie font face à une lente reprise en raison de la crise du coût de la vie. Les petites ...

On Monday, Canada’s NDP renewed their call to the Minister of Finance to extend the deadline for Canadian Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loans, as small businesses who relied on these loans during the pandemic have faced a slow recovery with the cost-of-living crisis. Small businesses have been struggling with supply chain issues, and the high costs of groceries, heating, rent ...

On Monday, NDP critic for Indigenous Services, Northern Affairs, MP Lori Idlout (Nunavut), once again urged the Public Safety minister to reinstate the funding for policing for 45 First Nations communities in Northern Ontario. The pressure comes in response to the Minister dragging his feet on negotiations with the Indigenous Police Chiefs of Ontario for a fair contract.  The government ...

On Tuesday, Canada’s NDP introduced Pharamacare legislation, outlining the New Democrats’ expectations of the government on the universal prescription medication program.  As part of the Confidence and Supply agreement, New Democrats are using their power to force the government to pass pharmacare legislation by the end of the year. Northern Ontario NDP MP’s Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay) and Carol Hughes ...

Dear Brenda, I have sent the following letter to the Municipality of Wawa asking where the crushed rock that was placed along the shore of Wawa Lake. This crushed rock was used to line the bioswales and to create a shoreline cladding to protect the waterfront from erosion. Joe Leadbetter   June 11th, 2023 Municipality of Wawa Chief Administration Officer ...

In the final Question Period of the legislative session (June 8, 2023), NDP MPP for Sudbury, Jamie West, called on the Ford Government to remove the cost-prohibitive barriers blocking Northern Ontarians from accessing proper care through the Northern Health Travel Grant. The current system places an undue burden on individuals who must travel long distances to receive specialized health care, ...

On Thursday, Canada’s NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh called for a national response, and investment to tackle the hundreds of fires that are burning across Canada that have put the air quality in Canadian cities, and thousands of Canadians at risk. With a record-breaking wildfire season, and temperatures only expected to rise in July and August, Canada needs a plan to ensure ...

  On Tuesday, NDP MP Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay) called on the government to start respecting Jordan’s Principle and reimburse health-care providers for their care to First Nations children. Under Jordan’s Principle, the government is legally obligated to ensure all First Nation children have access to health care, no matter where they live or the cost. Due to the Liberal ...

On Tuesday, NDP MP Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay) pushed the Liberals on their lack of action to address the growing housing crisis in the North. With support programs running out of funding, and hundreds of waitlists for homes, Angus is calling on the government to sit down with the various social services boards of the North and step up with ...

Dear Brenda This is the latest in the runoff that’s going into Wawa Lake. These pictures tell the whole story. I want to know who is responsible for what is happening to Wawa Lake. Do you? People who share my concerns can contact me by email at: [email protected] Signed Joe Leadbetter

Dear Brenda,   I am sending you some photographs showing the runoff from the old Sir James Dunn Mine (open pit) that is located at the end of Wawa Lake. The first photograph shows runoff from the pit, and the runoff collecting in the waterways and watershed of Wawa Lake.     Last year, I was concerned with the orangey ...