Mantha’s Notes From The Park
Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha
This week marks another constituency week in the legislative calendar, but much has still happened at Queen’s Park. Early this week, Leader of the Ontario New Democrats Andrea Horwath announced that she, together with NDP caucus will be supporting the budget, so that results can be delivered to Ontario families.
Much has been achieved over this legislative session, and the budget must be passed in order to deliver hard fought wins for Ontario families. I have heard from many who are very concerned about jobs for youth, wait times for home care, the high cost of auto insurance, and government accountability. We fought for serious improvements in these areas on behalf of Ontario families, and are pleased that the government has taken our suggestions. These important improvements will make a real difference in the lives of many Ontarians.
It is through listening that we were able to get real commitments in this budget. Thank you to everyone who called our budget hotline, filled out the online survey, contacted either of my offices, or stopped to talk to me in the community. Your feedback was greatly appreciated, and our role as elected officials remains to bring the voice of our communities to the legislature.
You told us that you were fed up with government scandals at Ornge, eHealth, and the Gas Plants, and couldn’t understand how money could be wasted when those funds could have been used to improve quality of life for many in Algoma-Manitoulin. This is why we created a plan to ensure scandals of any magnitude will be stopped in their tracks. We fought for the implementation of a Financial Accountability Office, more oversight of healthcare, and a promise to have full debate and financial details before the government puts forward its road toll plans. These cost saving measures are an assurance for the future of this province, and a mechanism to ensure that money will be there to fund projects and services that Ontarians need most.
It is true that this budget does not include everything that the Ontario New Democrats put forward, and it doesn’t include everything that Ontario families deserve. We are proud of what we have been able to achieve by listening, and putting forward sound proposals, but we will continue to fight to achieve more. We will continue to work to close the government’s $1.3 billion corporate tax loopholes, and present amendments to the budget which will improve outcomes for Ontarians.
Putting the communities of Algoma-Manitoulin first is my only priority, and passing this budget is not any attempt at political jockeying, it’s about getting results. We listened, and put forward practical and affordable plans, and because of that Ontarians will see a cut in their auto insurance premiums, lower home care wait times for their loved ones, and a plan to get young people working.
This is not a win for New Democrats; however we did bring positive results for Ontarians.
As always, please feel free to contact my office about this issue, 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
Algoma-Manitoulin
