Politics

Jun 26, 2017 @ 09:48 I’m pretty sure that I would be safe in saying most of us would agree with author Augusten Burroughs quote, “When you have your health, you have everything. When you do not have your health, nothing else matters at all.” Our public healthcare system has long been the pride of Canadians. Tommy Douglas, noted to ...

Jun 26, 2017 @ 08:52 When we introduced Ontario’s Fair Hydro Plan in March, our government committed to fundamentally restructuring the system to deliver the biggest cut to electricity rates in Ontario’s history.   I’m happy to say that the Fair Hydro Plan is now a reality. And I believe this is the fairer way forward.   This past week ...

May 29, 2017 @ 08:05 Those of you who follow my News from the Park column weekly or tune into the televised proceedings of the Ontario Legislature will know how frequently I raise the issue that we Northerners sometimes feel slighted or forgotten by the government and their policy makers. You know the old line of reminding southerners that life ...

May 23, 2017 @ 08:06 Few would argue the notion that Ontario has been blessed with an abundance of priceless resources. We enjoy access to a vast number of beautiful lakes and the fresh water of the Great Lakes, valuable mineral and ore deposits, fertile agricultural land and many thousands of square kilometres of trees. But without any doubt I ...

May 10, 2017 @ 09:06 The Northern Ontario Party is happy to announce that our platform which came out of the desire of our members to create a strong, independent, and prosperous Northern Ontario for all northerners. After a members’ vote and some polishing by our executive board, we are excited to present to the public, what the Northern Ontario ...

To simply say the last few weeks have been jam packed here in Queen’s Park would truly be an understatement if ever there was one. And just to add to this excitement, I’m sure you are well aware Kathleen Wynne finally called for a long awaited by-election in Sault Ste. Marie after their MPP resigned before Christmas. May 8, 2017 ...

May 8, 2017 @ 12:44 To mark the beginning of Nursing Week 2017, Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath issued the following statement calling for a moratorium on nursing cuts and any further layoffs of health care workers: “Ontario’s nurses are healthcare champions. New Democrats and all Ontarians owe a debt of gratitude to nurses for their concern and care, advocacy, and professionalism. ...

May 1, 2017 @ 10:46 Wynne’s government announces a new budget and yet again she ignores the North. There are going to be new hospitals in Windsor and Niagara, new renovations to the current hospitals in Mississauga and Hamilton. Unfortunately, the cupboard must be bare after spending tax payers’ money on the Golden Horse Shoe facilities, because the Northerners continue ...

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. ...

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 ...

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 ...

 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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...