Mantha’s Notes from the Park
Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha
Last week writs were issued for five by-elections in the electoral districts of Etobicoke-Lakeshore, London West, Ottawa South, Windsor-Tecumseh and Scarborough-Guildwood. Premier Kathleen Wynne set the voting date for August 1st, the day before the long weekend. The timing of these elections show the liberals are playing politics again. They think that people won’t notice that there is an election however we know that voters are smarter than that. In these by-elections voters have a choice. They can choose more of the same politics that leave them falling behind or they can elect a local leader who will deliver results and hold the government accountable. Our leader Andrea Horwath alongside my NDP colleagues and I have shown that we can deliver results for people.
Unfortunately, we were disappointed again to see the liberals call this election when they did. We feel that elections are extremely important and they should be timed so that everyone can vote and have their voice heard. The timing of this was done strategically to make it easier for the Liberals to win by suppressing the public’s ability to vote.
My colleague MPP Michael Prue announced his intention to introduce legislation in the fall that will let Elections Ontario schedule by-elections in such a way to maximize voter turnout and fairness to all parties. Elections Ontario is a non-partisan organization with a mandate to review election procedures and states that “the democratic rights of all electors must be protected”. By asking Elections Ontario to set dates for such by-elections it will ensure that the elections belong to the people, not the Premier.
I hope to have an opportunity to lend a hand in some of these by-elections to ensure that we can elect more New Democrat MPP’s and continue to deliver results for Ontarians.
Since the legislature has risen I have been back in Algoma-Manitoulin visiting communities and meeting with constituents. Over the past few months, I have made it out to many of your local community festivals, events, fundraisers, fishing derbies, and community meetings. It has been a great opportunity to meet many new people and hear what you are up to and any concerns you may have.
Algoma-Manitoulin hosts some of the most culturally rich events in the province. The summer is jammed packed with fun events for the whole family. Come celebrate our heritage and our communities by making it out to some of these local events this summer. Also please contact my office to inform us of other events happening in your communities.
CLICK on this hot button (also located on home page and to right of expanded articles) to see archives of Mantha's columns and press releases.
As the legislature has risen for the summer we will continue our columns on a by-weekly basis keeping you informed of activities, events and issues around the riding and across the province on OntarioNewsNorth.com click Mike’s HotButton on the homepage for a list of his archived articles and press releases (listed chronologically beginning with the most recent).
Hope to catch you at these events!
As always, please feel free to contact my office 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
Algoma-Manitoulin
