Mantha’s Notes from the Park
Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha
This coming Tuesday, the Ontario Legislature is finally getting back to business. My colleagues and I look forward to being back in Queen’s Park, getting positive results for the people of Ontario.
When the Legislature resumes, so too does Question Period. As a member of the opposition, Question Period is an important opportunity for me to raise issues that are important to the constituents of Algoma-Manitoulin and to hold the government to account.
Question period provides members of the Legislature the opportunity to highlight issues important to their constituents, or to ask the government to help in urgent situations.
Last year I had the opportunity to ask a number of questions directed to the Premier and Ministers which resonated with many individuals in Algoma-Manitoulin. Some issues I raised were:
- Inadequate government funding for small rural hospitals
- Lack of government action on job creation in Northern Ontario and protection of our local economy
- Need for simplification of the Northern Health Travel Grant and need for shorter reimbursement times for patients
- Ensuring small northern communities have equal access to ServiceOntario services
- Demanding that resources mined in Ontario be refined in Ontario
- Outrage with the government’s decision to close many Provincial Parks including three in Algoma-Manitoulin
- Need for government to respect and recognize the rights of citizens of Ontario and ensure fair access to our natural resources
Questions serve two purposes – they bring important public and media attention to issues that may otherwise fly under the radar, and they force the relevant Minister to answer for or explain the situation.
In a riding as big and diverse as Algoma-Manitoulin, there are many different stories, issues, and problems that could make great questions in the Legislature. If you know of an issue that relates to provincial government, and you think needs more attention, please contact my office.
If you think you have an issue that might be suitable to raise in the Legislature, or for more information about Question Period, please contact my Queen’s Park office at mmantha-qp@ndp.on.ca or 416-325-1938.
As always, please feel free to contact my staff about these issues, or any other provincial matters. You can reach my constituency office by email at mmantha-co@ndp.on.ca or by phone at 705-461-9710/1-800-831-1899.
Michael Mantha, MPP/député
