Version française ci-dessous This week recreational cannabis became legal in Canada, and while many activists have waited for this moment, there are still a number of related issues that will preoccupy legislators, law enforcement officials, the courts, and citizens for some time. Like alcohol, [Read more]
(Version française ci-dessous) It’s no secret that suicide is a top ten leading cause of death in Canada but more people should be aware that it rates second among young people. In some First Nations communities those numbers rise especially in remote, rural, and isolated areas. Despite [Read more]
The quick analysis of this year’s budget was that it read like an election platform that was long on statements of intent, but short on details. Whether it was, gender equity, pharmacare, or even cracking down on tax cheats, the budget was more about sounding good than putting some meat on [Read more]
Version française ci-dessous Senator Lynn Beyak was jettisoned from the Conservative Caucus recently after spending the better part of a year defending intolerant statements aimed at First Nations – many of whom she ostensibly represents. The move was made after leadership in the Senate [Read more]
The more time Canadians have to unpack the Liberal commitment to invest in public infrastructure, the more it becomes obvious the plan is largely about turning tax dollars and public assets over to the private sector. This for-profit investment model was never fleshed out during the election, [Read more]
(Version française ci-dessous) Last month an advisory from the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) placed onerous conditions on credit unions and seemed to be doing favours for Canada’s big banks in the process. The edict, which was slipped through on June 30th when [Read more]
ELLIOT LAKE, ON – NDP Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Critic Michael Mantha issued the following statement regarding recently-announced funding for the cleanup of mercury contamination in the English-Wabigoon River: “After forty years and of living with the toxic legacy of the [Read more]
Few would argue the notion that Ontario has been blessed with an abundance of priceless resources. We enjoy access to a vast number of beautiful lakes and the fresh water of the Great Lakes, valuable mineral and ore deposits, fertile agricultural land and many thousands of square kilometres of [Read more]
Version française ci-dessou The phenomenon of bank closures is becoming a common occurrence in many small Canadian towns. Here in Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing we are no different. The trend to other forms of banking such as what is available online may have appeal for some people, but not [Read more]
OTTAWA, ON – The government should identify hospice palliative care as a defined medical service to be covered under the Canada Health Act, according to Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP, Carol Hughes. Hughes delivered a petition on the subject in the House of Commons Tuesday, making the case [Read more]
BLIND RIVER, ON – Four days before the historic Have a Heart Day on Parliament Hill, Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes will be hosting a screening of the film, ‘Hi-Ho Mistahey’ and calling for an end to discrimination against Canada’s First Nations children. Hi-Ho Mistahey is [Read more]
New Democrats have been declaring for well over ten years that, as Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” It doesn’t take a political science degree to know this and recognize that the pungency of this aroma has increased month after month and year after [Read more]
Canada was offered one opportunity to review the Canada European Trade Agreement (CETA) earlier this month when Wallonia raised opposition to elements of CETA and threatened not to ratify the deal. That obstacle was eventually removed and the Belgian region’s parliament ultimately agreed to the [Read more]
Last week MPPs found themselves back home in their ridings for a constituency week. I am pleased to say that the clinics I held were well attended. Constituency clinics provide MPPs with the opportunity to meet face to face with constituents to assist them with matters of concern and also hear [Read more]
This week the province was shocked to learn of the tragic deaths of 8 Ontario nursing home residents at the hands of another. To make matters worse, the suspect is a caregiver in the employ of the long-term care facilities where the residents lived. Without doubt the sympathies of us all go out to [Read more]
