The problems with internet connectivity in Northern Ontario are well documented and it is ironic that this revolutionary technology, which could level the geographic playing field, is so difficult to provide in rural and remote areas. From simple quality of life issues to the best opportunity [Read more]
My colleagues and I have received numerous calls regarding the increase in Bear activity throughout Northern Ontario. The NDP has continuously pressured the Minister of Natural Resources to step up and take some responsibility on the issue of wildlife management in the north. Liberal budget cuts to [Read more]
The Parliamentary Budget Office released a report that explains the cost to eliminating the federal deficit in Canada, but it is not likely to please many Canadians, especially younger ones. According to the PBO the federal debt will be eliminated over the next 35 years, but the outlook isn’t so [Read more]
Are we in a recession or not? That has been at the forefront of news reports this week as the government exercises damage control in the one area they don’t want to show weakness in, the economy. A recession is defined as two back-to-back quarters of declining growth. We have already seen the [Read more]
This week legislature rose however the session was marked by chaos, Hydro One sell-off and criminal investigations. Opposition parties were on fire in the legislature debating the sell-off of Hydro One and the utter lack of respect for hard-working families in Ontario. New Democrats held several [Read more]
OTTAWA, ON – The government is cynically attempting to use veterans as a wedge to garner support for their pre-election budget despite years of inaction, says Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP, Carol Hughes. Hughes says the government should remove the items related to Veterans from the budget so [Read more]
This week the Auditor General released her report on Winter Highway Maintenance. The report said that the contracting out of highway maintenance services has led to a drastic decrease in services leaving roads unsalted and snow uncleared in the winter. My colleague and NDP Transportation Critic [Read more]
PIC MOBERT FIRST NATION – “Today I had the honour and privilege to speak at a rally with a number of great speakers, leaders and community activists. The message was: NO TO NUCLEAR WASTE in their treaty, traditional lands,” stated Serpent River Chief Isadore Day. “As First Nations, we do [Read more]
OTTAWA, ON – Despite government claims that they are responding to the rash of train derailments, nothing will change if they allow railways to regulate themselves, according to Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP, Carol Hughes. Hughes raised the recent derailments in Northern Ontario during [Read more]
When the government cries broke when faced with common sense decisions like supporting passenger services on the ACR (while stakeholders find a permanent solution to a government-created crisis) that claim should be viewed through the lens of their huge and growing advertising budget. Spending [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]
NORTHERN ONTARIO – Northern Ontario Municipal leaders are expressing concerns that the Government of Ontario has moved forward with re-introduction of its anti-SLAPP legislation without proper consultations with industry, municipalities, and others who will be impacted by the proposed [Read more]
“Government should come clean about public costs of Pan/Parapan Am Games sponsorships” says NDP QUEEN’S PARK, ON – Today NDP Finance Critic Catherine Fife demanded the government release the details about costs to the public for sponsorship of the Pan/ Parapan Am Games [Read more]
Parliament held an emergency debate on Canada’s response to the situation in Iraq this week. The fact that it was an emergency debate and not a government-led one spoke volumes about the Prime Minister’s go-it-alone approach on this issue. That was hammered home when Thomas Mulcair was the [Read more]
Friday (July 25, 2014) the Liberal budget passed and the legislature has risen until the fall. New Democrats are calling for the Auditor General to do an independent report on the fiscal plan and set the record straight. The Auditor needs to do the same report that was done in 2007 and 2011. The [Read more]
