Politics, Editorials & Letters

Northerners tend to be very fond of the early days of spring. You know, the days just before the leaves come out. I say this because Northerners also know what comes along immediately after the opening of the leaves – Blackflies! So I decided to make the most of these fleeting blackfly-free–daysand get some work done around my camp. While doing ...

Sol Mamakwa, Ontario NDP critic for Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, said it’s shameful for the Ford Conservatives to rewrite the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit studies curriculum without adequately consulting Indigenous communities; and wrong for Doug Ford to make Indigenous education an optional elective.   On Tuesday, the Ford Conservatives announced the new curriculum for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit ...

Doug Ford’s elimination of out-of-country OHIP coverage will make travel for Ontarians with kidney failure unaffordable, said NDP Health critic France Gélinas who called for the reversal of the cut.   Gélinas held a press conference at Queen’s Park on Thursday with Allison Knudsen and John Landreville, who live with kidney failure and need dialysis.   “Doug Ford will ground ...

It seems to be an unfortunate sign of the times that almost all of the news people are exposed to is, to be quite frank, of an extremely negative nature. Some like to put the blame on media, but in my opinion, that’s simply too broad of a paintbrush stroke. Yes, media reports a steady stream of disconcerting news, but ...

Recently some of my Northern region colleagues and I were discussing concerns regarding Doug Ford’s deep cuts to public health. Later as I was driving down the road after the meeting, a particular former politician’s image came to my mind followed by the name – Walkerton. Even those too young to remember the horrific circumstances involving the contamination with the ...

Thank You Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd.! The Rotary Club of Wawa recently received a very generous donation to the local Dolly Parton Imagination Library project. All participating children in Wawa are most grateful for your support. The international Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program offers free books to children between the ages of newborn to five years old. If anyone hasn’t ...

If you were a kid who had to take your lunch to school with you, did you ever experience “lunch bag let down?” Most of us did from time to time. As a kid you would sit in class all morning and your mind would wander to thoughts of a favourite PB&J sandwich or some of Mom’s homemade cookies. Then, ...

During question period Monday, NDP Northern Development critic, Michael Mantha,  continued to advocate for the North in the face of Doug Ford’s first budget, which attacks northern Ontario, hitting families with deep cuts to services, infrastructure, and economic development.   “Ministries that are dedicated to the development of the Northern economy, like the Ministries of Natural Resources and Forestry and Northern ...

During question period Monday, NDP Northern Development critic, Michael Mantha,  continued to advocate for the North in the face of Doug Ford’s first budget, which attacks northern Ontario, hitting families with deep cuts to services, infrastructure, and economic development.   “Ministries that are dedicated to the development of the Northern economy, like the Ministries of Natural Resources and Forestry and Northern ...

The Ford Government isn’t just spending thousands of public dollars on gas pump stickers promoting a partisan campaign against carbon pricing – yesterday’s budget bill revealed that Ford plans to fine gas stations $10,000 a day if the businesses fail or refuse to post the stickers. The stickers, which Ford will use public money to produce and distribute, denounce the ...

All of us have heard the phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child,” many times. Some attribute the origin to the Igbo and Yoruba tribes in Africa, while others say it was passed down through North American Indigenous teachings. No matter what the origin, few would argue with the statement. Those of us who have children can readily ...

During question period Wednesday, NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa (Kiiwetinoong) said the Ford Conservatives must stop undermining the government’s duty to consult with First Nations on the Far North Act, and called for government engagement by holding hearings in Far North communities in order to improve and replace that act.   “Proper engagement on the Far North Act should not be ...

Dear Readers My story starts here roughly 3 years ago I had my colonoscopy done and they found a polyp. It was removed and sent for a biopsy and it came back non-cancerous. Since the doctor found the polyp, I was scheduled for a re-exam 3 years later. This time another polyp was found. As it turns out when this ...

You know those sci-fi movies and television programs in which the story revolves around a portal adjoining two worlds. Often the plot is based on the idea that whatever the main character does in one world has some sort of effect in the other world. Some days, when I plunk myself down in my residence in Toronto, I feel like ...

All but 30 of the 1,594 people who applied to be heard by the government on its health care overhaul scheme were turned away by the Doug Ford government, prompting NDP Leader Andrea Horwath to call attention to their stories, and their objections, in the legislative assembly Tuesday.   “Kenneth Yurchuk is almost 70 years old and battling cancer, having ...