We’ve finished one week of the new lockdown measures here in Ontario, but we have not yet detected any benefit in terms of decreased daily new cases or the rapid rollout of the two approved COVID-19 vaccines. Official Opposition leader Andra Horwath is demanding answers, and she’s demanding to get them in-person from Premier Doug Ford and his ministers, and our own local MPP agrees. Continue reading “Schreiner Joins Horwath Call to Re-open Legislature”
A little over a week after passing a budget omnibus bill that forced some sudden and substantive changes to the Conservation Authorities Act, the Minister of the Environment is now inviting everyone to take part in a working group to get input on developing new regulations for conservation authorities, and how best they should be governed. Continue reading “One Week After Passing Omnibus Bill, Ontario Gov’t Wants to Talk Conservation”
Time is running out for action if changes to the oversight role of conservation authorities is of particular concern. On Thursday morning, Green Party of Ontario leader and Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner held a media availability, and leaned on the support of over 100 groups from around Ontario, to make one last push against, what he calls, an “attack on conservation authorities.” Continue reading “Schreiner Demands the Government Pull Changes to Conservation Authorities”
In what might be a sign that people are realizing that the Provincial Election is now a year-and-a-half away, the Guelph riding association of the Ontario New Democrats sent a press release to the media that didn’t attack the current Provincial government, but attacked the current MPP of Guelph instead. The president of the Guelph NDP is calling out Mike Schreiner for being the odd man out and not supporting an NDP private members bill. Continue reading “Guelph NDP Picks a Fight with Schreiner Over Toll Roads”
The Government of Ontario’s been the subject of a number of criticism lately for their Keeping Ontario Safe and Open framework, but the problems with that policy are being compounded by the problem of increasing COVID-19 cases. On Friday, the Premier and his cabinet tried to address some of those issues, and also announced some changes to the colour conditions in a number of areas, including our own. Continue reading “Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Moves Up the Ladder to Orange”
The colour-coded COVID-19 control system has been the subject of controversy and conversation since the moment it was released last week. But that controversy has gone up to a whole new level with a new media report that says while the plan was made in consultation with public health workers, it did not reflect their best advise on slowing the spread. Continue reading “Media Report Says Ontario Gov Rejected Public Health Advice on New Colour System”
A little over six months late from the actual start of the Provincial fiscal year, the Government of Ontario delivered the 2020-2021 budget with some of the usual fanfare. Called, “Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover,” the government insists that their budget will strengthen frontline health care, and offer support for businesses and workers, while laying the groundwork for the future. The opposition obviously disagrees. Continue reading “The Ontario Budget Has Lots of New Spending, Some Say Not Enough”
The fact that COVID-19 cases are increasing again is forcing the Government of Ontario to come up with a new and easy way of making sure Ontarians know where the danger lies, and the answer seems to be colour. On Tuesday, Premier Doug Ford and select members of his cabinet introduced the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework, which will colour grade all 34 of the province’s health units from green to grey. Continue reading “Ontario Government Unveils New Colour-Coded Re-Opening Framework”
It’s one of the worst kept secrets of the pandemic that it has disproportionately affected long-term care homes and the elderly. According to the people charged with investigating those effects, 55 per cent of long-term care homes have experienced COVID-19 outbreaks, and 75 per cent of all COVID fatalities were in long-term care, and as we enter the second wave, those investigators have come forward with some immediate advice. Continue reading “Commission Says Long-Term Care Homes Need More People, More Time”
As the second wave of the pandemic continues to flare, the Ontario Legislature is moving forward on a small measure of assistance for workers with an amendment to the Employment Standards Act that will no longer force workers to get a sick note at their employer’s request. Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner’s private members bill has passed second reading, and it’s well on it’s way to amending the law. Continue reading “Schreiner Amendment on Sick Notes Passes Second Reading”
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