Black History Month and the new Liberal Leader

February is Black History Month; for more information, I encourage you to visit http://www.blackhistorycanada.ca and http://www.blackhistorysociety.ca/ websites.   Also, the week of February 17 to 23 is Ontario Heritage Week and I encourage you to visit http://www.heritagetrust.on.ca for more information.

I want to congratulate MPP Kathleen Wynne who was elected by her Liberal Party as their new Leader, therefore becoming the Premier-designate of Ontario.

I know that many of us are looking forward to Ms Wynne’s Throne Speech setting out her platform as the new Liberal Party Leader; as well, as she stated, reaching out to our Leader MPP Andrea Horwath and PC Leader MPP Tim Hudak.  As we have said ever since the 2011 election, Ontarians sent MPPs to work in a minority government and Andrea has been very clear that she and our Party have every intention of doing just that.

The dysfunction at Queen’s Park over the last fifteen months has created a contentious environment.  We look forward to Premier-designate Wynne clearing up some the problems created by her predecessor by finally striking Standing Committees of the Legislature with balanced membership from all three parties; by actually working with the opposition to find a balance in the issues that we each believe are paramount to everyday Ontarians; and to raising the bar in the Legislature; we must work towards the collegial atmosphere that was once a hallmark of Queen’s Park.

During the period when outgoing Premier McGuinty unnecessarily prorogued the Legislature, the NDP have been very busy in our constituencies; we have consulted with Ontarians through group meetings, individual meetings and through web-based programmes, to learn what is expected of our Government and how we can work to ensure that we make progress on these issues.  In ongoing efforts to be very clear about what Ontarians have told us during these consultations, Andrea made announcements this week:

  • A home care guarantee that will ensure seniors receive home care service within 5 days;
  • Giving the Financial Services Commission a mandate to reduce auto insurance rates by 15 per cent;
  • A commitment to find savings within the current fiscal framework while protecting the quality services Ontarians rely on.

In January, Andrea also called on the Premier-designate to work with us to end corporate tax loopholes; to develop a First Start Incentive Programme to help get youth back to work; to develop better on-the-job training for youth; to help those on social assistance transition to the work place by removing barriers to employment.

These issues have been raised by the many Ontarians who participated in our consultations and are some of the issues that will get Ontario moving forward in a positive, creative way.

As always, if you have provincial issues and need help, please contact my office at 905-545-0114 and we’ll do the best we can to find a resolution.

 

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Posted on February 7, 2013. Read more about: , .