I saw an interesting editorial cartoon where workmen are dismantling a house to build a fence. The fence is labelled security and the house is labelled privacy. It cuts to the heart of the debate on new anti-terrorism legislation that is being rushed through parliament as the Conservatives [Read more]
KAPUSKASING, ON – The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) recognizes the investments in northern Ontario communities by FedNor. The Northern Policy Institute (NPI) in partnership with the Mowat Centre and the Institute for Competitiveness and Prosperity recently developed a [Read more]
As oil prices slump and take the Canadian dollar along for the ride the question of how budget projections that predicted a modest surplus can be maintained is the flavour of the month in Ottawa. Despite negative indicators the government is holding firm to its projections, but has also moved the [Read more]
OTTAWA, ON – Minimal interaction between the Aboriginal health research community and senior leadership at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is undermining a decade of achievement and future advancement in aboriginal health research, according to Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP, [Read more]
Manitoulin Family Resources is set to open their newly constructed food bank this month. While I am saddened that I will be in Ottawa and unable to join their celebrations for this achievement, I am more than a little frustrated that in a country as rich as ours the number of Canadians who rely [Read more]
Since the economic crisis in 2008 and the collapse of the forest industry, many Northwestern Ontarians have struggled to support their families and make ends meet. Our region has dealt with significant unemployment. Canada’s Employment Insurance system is supposed to help with situations like [Read more]
Most people don’t have the time or desire to watch question period and given the way it has been going recently that probably isn’t such a bad thing. It is largely understood that most Canadians take a dim view of the confrontational nature of parliament, but events this week went far beyond [Read more]
OTTAWA, ON – September 2014, Green Party MP Bruce Hyer (Thunder Bay – Superior North) during Question Period with a query regarding changes to the Reform Act. [Read more]
People who had been denied federal disability benefits were thrown a curve ball as new rules have stripped them of their right to have an appeal in person. Where in the past individuals were able to meet face to face with an adjudicator, they will no longer be legally entitled to this method of [Read more]
It was a noteworthy week in Canadian politics despite the fact that it was a constituency week for MPs. What made it interesting were announcements that Olivia Chow and Jim Flaherty are stepping down to pursue other options. We know that Olivia is leaving to run for Mayor of Toronto, while Mr. [Read more]
Accountability is best assured by dismissing scrutiny. That is the message the Harper government inadvertently makes every time they rush legislation through the House of Commons. How else can they justify their incredible run of closure used on debate? The sad fact is the Conservatives set a [Read more]
People familiar with last year’s battle to maintain ferry service between Manitoulin Island and Tobermory will find similarities with the plight of businesses, communities, and property owners set to lose passenger rail service from the Algoma Central Railway (ACR). On Manitoulin, the [Read more]
Ontario Increasing Minimum Wage Ontario is increasing the minimum wage from $10.25 to $11 per hour on June 1, 2014. This new rate reflects the rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) since the last minimum wage increase in 2010 and is part of the provincial government’s commitment to fairness. [Read more]
ELLIOT LAKE, ON – People struggling just to keep up need to know their government has their back, and that just isn’t happening according to Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing, MP Carol Hughes. Hughes was commenting on NDP Leader Tom Mulcair’s Affordability Tour which stopped in Sault Ste. Marie [Read more]
Green Party caucus doubles with Thunder Bay-Superior North MP’s membership THUNDER BAY, ON – Bruce Hyer, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North, will sit as the second Green Party MP in the House of Commons. “Becoming a Green Party MP will allow me to maintain my independence and [Read more]
