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NDP Taking Aim At PC’s In Thunder Bay

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A delayed start to the fall sitting of the Ontario legislature has given the province’s official opposition time to brainstorm during a week of caucus meetings in Thunder Bay.

Party members will be meeting with representatives from health care, education, and labour to discuss regional concerns.

NDP leader Andrea Horwath says they want to find ways to push back against recent PC government funding cuts.

“Cuts that hurt families, that hurt everyday people, that are hurting the municipalities in Ontario and their ability to do their work to support families and people.”

Horwath admits the extended break from Queen’s Park limits what their party can do.

“If they are not in the Legislature, it’s harder for us to really push them immediately when they make a decision that’s unhelpful for communities.”

She says the Ford government is simply trying to avoid the scrutiny over recent decisions involving municipalities and funding levels.

 

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NDP Leader Seeks End To Provincial Meddling

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The leader of the Ontario NDP is calling for more money for municipalities.

Andrea Horwath says the government should raise transfer payments to communities to $550-million a year with regular, ongoing increases.

She is also calling for a hike in the municipal share of gas taxes and stable predictable funding for infrastructure upgrades.

Meantime, Horwath is seeking protection for municipalities from provincial meddling in their elections.

She is promoting her proposed Municipal Representation and Restructuring Protection Act.

Horwath stresses the Premier should be working with communities, not trying to override their wishes.

“Growing or shrinking or re-drawing boundaries can only come from the community and community leadership, the people who know best.”

She adds “local governments should absolutely be free to evolve and better serve their communities.”