Thank you, thank you Toronto Centre

I'm the first to admit, "Mark Daye becoming the first elected Green MPP in Ontario's history" was a long shot. 

But it's good to have goals. 

Mark Daye,
 Toronto Centre GPO Candidate 2014

On election day, I wanted to double my 2011 results when I was the choice of 1,123 Toronto Centre voters.

I'm proud to report that on election day 2014, 2,265 Toronto Centre residents made the choice for change:

- the choice to fix our school system and say it's time to end the discrimination and waste

- the choice for home retrofits instead of re-tooled nuclear power

- the choice to protect our prime farmland and drinking water

These are not fringe issues. These are good ideas. These are the issues that affect Ontarians every day. 

Unfortunately, good ideas have a tough time in our broken electoral system that is dominated by fear rather than hope.

As we take a moment to catch our breath, I want to thank everyone who donated their time, talents and money to my campaign.

It all helps as we take this small success and continue to grow the Green Party  in Toronto Centre and work for a better future for us all.

I hope you will continue on this journey with me.

Mark Daye,

Toronto Centre GPO Candidate 2014

Your Green MPP’s Plan of Action for 2014

HIGHLIGHTS

 Mike Schreiner and the Green Party of Ontario want to get Ontario back on track.

Click here for the  2014 GPO Platform

We have a realistic, responsible plan for Ontario’s future.

In the next session of the legislature, your Green MPPs will demand that the government:

1. Raise the Employer Healthcare Tax exemption from $450,000 to $900,000 for businesses with payrolls of less than $5 million.

2. Implement dedicated revenue tools to raise $3 billion a year to build and operate the transit we need in Ontario.

3. Put $4 billion over four years into home energy retrofit credits.

4. Save $1.2 to $1.6 billion a year by moving to one public system with French and English public school boards.

5. Double the child tax benefit for half a million children living in families near the poverty line.  

6. Endow a Social Innovation Fund to support social and economic innovation by young adults.

7. Permanently protect Ontario’s Class 1 farmland and source water regions.

8. Increase royalties and levies for mining, aggregates and water-taking. 

9. Close loopholes in legislation that threaten your community and our natural heritage from harmful activities.

Each of the demands is costed, and we show you where the money is coming from.

None of our demands will rely on fairy dust or magic pots of money. None of our commitments will increase the deficit. None of our promises will quietly disappear once they’ve done the work of getting us elected.

All of our commitments will make Ontario a better place in which to live, work, and bring up your family.

Join us and help restore honesty, integrity, and good public policy to Queen’s Park.  

Think Big and Expect Better: The Green Party of Ontario Releases Platform

Queen’s Park -- Mike Schreiner, leader of the Green Party of Ontario, released the party’s election platform today at Queen’s Park.

 

Schreiner is on a mission to bring honesty, integrity and good public policy to Queen’s Park. 

 

“At the doorstep and in coffee shops, people tell me they are tired of the political status quo-- political games, boondoggles, broken promises, and secret deals,” says Schreiner. “We must expect better. Greens are committed to restoring honesty, integrity, and good public policy to Queen’s Park.” 

 

The platform focuses on jobs, kids, and the environment. 

 

It puts forward nine demands that will be made by Green MPPs elected in 2014. Each of the demands is costed and the source of revenue identified. 

 

“Financial, social, and environmental accountability are at the heart of Green Party values,” says Deputy Leader Kevin O’Donnell. “This platform is visionary and responsible. It doesn’t borrow from our kids future by gutting public services or failing to fund important promises.”

 

The demands include bold and innovative solutions to pressing problems faced by the people of Ontario, like a real plan to save you money on energy bills, without costly gimmicks. They are also all concrete ways in which Green MPPs can contribute to creating a better future for us all. 

 

“I want to make it clear to the people of Ontario: a Green vote can and will make a difference,” says Schreiner. “On issue after issue, we have shown leadership and brought about change for a better Ontario.” 

Statement on Erazo decision.

TORONTO, ONTARIO - (April 9, 2014)

The Green Party of Ontario applauds the Ontario Superior Court’s decision to excuse Jonathan Erazo and other students from religious field trips and attending mass and other religious programs.

The ruling applies to students in grades 9 through 12, who are entitled to exemptions from religious education under Section 42(13) of the Education Act with parental permission. Publicly funded Catholic elementary schools legally retain the right to refuse admission to non-Catholic children and are not affected by the decision.

"This decision reflects the increasingly diverse and secular society of Ontario and is one more small step towards a fair and equitable school system that has the potential to be the best and most accepting in the world." said Toronto Centre Green Party Candidate, Mark Daye.

"Catholic schools are the only denominational schools that are fully funded by all Ontario taxpayers,” Daye added. “Catholic boards should adhere to the law of the land or find their own source of funding if they want to make Catholic teaching mandatory."

Open letter to CTV News RE: Misinformation on Catholic School Funding.

Mr. Paul Rogers

Sr. Vice President, CTV News Toronto

CC: Mr. Paul Bliss

Queens Park Reporter,

CTV News Toronto

CC: Honest Reporting Canada

Dear Mr. Rogers,

While watching the CTV Toronto news this evening, January 16, 2014,  I was pleased to see Paul Bliss' story on the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario new policy in support of One School System in Ontario.

This is an issue that is very important to me as someone who believes strongly in improving our school system and making it the best in the world while saving Ontario taxpayers an estimated 1-2 BILLION dollars every year.

I was however, extremely disappointed to see that yet again, the Green Party of Ontario was not mentioned, even though the GPO is the only major political party in the province with a policy that is almost identical to the new policy of ETFO.  

Mr. Bliss feels that because no Green has yet to be elected to Queen's Park that the policy of this major party is irrelevant. I disagree, and so do thousands of your viewers and Green Party supporters, but that is not why I am writing.

The misleading statement;

"...only twenty-three per cent of people actually fill out the form and choose to send their education taxes to the Catholic school system" made by Mr. Bliss is a disservice to the taxpaying citizens of Ontario.

When you tick the box on your MPAC form to indicate which school system you 'support' you are indicating only which school system trustees you will vote for.  

The MPAC "support" selection is a tool used by the status quo to continue to mislead the public into thinking that only those who choose to, will fund the Catholic schools. 

Nothing could be further from the truth. 

The proof of this was reported in the Ottawa Citizen in an advertisement place by a Catholic school board;

"“When you designate yourself as a separate school supporter, there is no longer a financial benefit to our Board. Rather, your designation guarantees a strong political voice through your elected representatives (Trustees) in ensuring your rights to Catholic education for the young people in our province.”"

To find out more, I invite you to read this illuminating piece from Humanist Perspectives.

http://www.humanistperspectives.org/issue173/young.html

I look forward to Mr. Bliss' correction on a future show.

Best regards,

Mark Daye

Candidate - Toronto Centre - Green Party of Ontario
Shadow Cabinet Critic - Min. of Community & Social Services

Toronto Region Male Rep. - Provincial Executive, GPO

SIGN OUR PETITION - One Ontario. One School System.

Follow SMARTER SCHOOLS on twitter @OneONOneSchool

markdaye.ca
Twitter:   @thedaye
Youtube: thedayeforchange

Facebook.com/MarkDayeforTorCen

Support a sustainable future!

Queer Ontario presents the Greg Pavelich memorial public forum on education.

Click on image to view full size.

Mark Daye's Toronto

One Ontario. One School System. Your questions answered.

Open Letter to Premier Wynne: Schreiner says budget is time for action

Toronto – Today Mike Schreiner, leader of the Green Party of Ontario, sent the following letter to Premier Wynne highlighting recommendations for the 2013 budget:

 

Dear Premier Wynne:

 

It is essential for the government to reduce the province's deficit in a fair, balanced and fiscally responsible way.  The financially responsible approach is to spend our tax dollars on public services, not interest payments on debt.

 

Ontario faces major challenges - gridlock, a struggling economy, and rising income inequality. But we also have opportunities to make innovative changes that will allow us to make long-term investments to secure our future. 

 

You have shown a willingness to cooperate across party lines in the search for solutions that will benefit Ontario. In this spirit, we have submitted our recommendations to the 2013 budget. In particular, I would like to highlight a few suggestions that will help us live within our means while improving public services.

 

1. Save $1 billion annually by merging the school boards 

Merging the Catholic and public school boards will provide ongoing savings of an estimated $1.3 billion per year. These savings will allow us to reinvest in the classroom and provide higher quality education for our children.

 

2. Create dedicated funding for transit and active transportation

You have said that you are open to improving our transportation system with funds for public transit. Now it’s time for action. We need new, dedicated sources of revenue to fund public transit, as well as direct funding for safe streets with cycling and walking infrastructure.

 

3. Reduce poverty and pollution

The deceptively named Clean Energy Benefit rewards the wasteful use of energy to the tune of $1 billion per year. We can reduce pollution and poverty by using this money instead to fund programs that support our most vulnerable citizens including a targeted energy rebate program and funding the recommendations from the Commission to Review Social Assistance.

 

4. Invest in our environment and science

We need to be good stewards of water for our children and future generations. By stopping operational funding for the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA), the Prime Minister has refused to protect Canada's water. Without the sound science and data the ELA provides, the safety of Ontario's freshwater resources is at risk. You can step in and bridge funding to keep the ELA running, before it's too late. 

 

5. Support local job creation

Businesses in the emerging clean-tech sector can seize opportunities to transform our economy: improve productivity, facilitate innovation, create jobs, address climate change, and have a positive influence on the well-being of our communities. This is a win-win for the economy and environment. By closing corporate tax loopholes designed in and for yesterday’s economy, we can invest in the right incentives to spur job creation and business development in the new global economy.

 

Premier Wynne, I thank you for your consideration of these recommendations.

 

I have one final request. Last year, changes to 69 acts, including eight environmentally significant laws affecting the Ministry of Natural Resources, were buried in the 327 page omnibus budget bill. This was not honest, transparent or good governance. 

 

Deceptive omnibus budget bills weaken democracy and public participation, and undermine transparency and accountability. This year, I ask that you please do the right thing and not hide changes to significant legislation - including to our environmental protections - in the 2013 budget bill. 

 

Regards,

 

Mike Schreiner

Leader, Green Party of Ontario

 

Find the Green Party of Ontario’s submission to the Ministry of Finances at www.gpo.ca/2013-budget

 

54th Tibetan Uprising Day - Yonge Dundas Square Toronto

To mark the 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day on March 10, 2013, several thousand Canadian Tibetans in the GTA took part in a massive protest rally in Toronto in front of China's Consulate-General on St. George St. The protest rally was followed by a Tibetan Cultural rally at Yonge-Dundas Square. Leaders from various political parties and the Tibetan community addressed the public gathering at Yonge-Dundas Square. Here is the speech by Mark Daye of the Green Party of Ontario.

Tibetan Uprising Day

The Green Party of Canada is observing the 54th Tibetan Uprising Day this Sunday. On March 10th 1959, the people of Tibet rose against China's illegal rule. Thousands of Tibetans were massacred and His Holiness the Dalai Lama had to flee into exile. It will be an honour for me to attend on behalf of Green Party of Canada Leader, Elizabeth May.

To mark the 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day on March 10, 2013, around 3000 Canadian Tibetans in the GTA will take part in a massive protest rally in Toronto that will start at 10:00 am in front of China's Consulate-General at 240 St. George St. The protest rally will be followed by a Tibetan Cultural rally on Yonge St. starting at 11:00 AM from the Bloor St. and Yonge St. intersection to reach Yonge-Dundas Square by 12:00 noon. Leaders from various political parties and the Tibetan community will address the 3000-strong public gathering at Yonge-Dundas Square. The rally will also carry 99 dummy coffins draped in the Tibetan national flag to remember and to show respect to those Tibetans who have died so far through self-immolation in Tibet.

After the Communist Party of China came to power in 1949, China began its invasion of independent Tibet. By 1959 the People's Liberation Army of China and its military garrison controlled Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet. The Communist Party of China began its rule of Tibet, bringing irreparable destruction to Tibet's rich culture and unprecedented loss of human lives through the ruthless implementation of authoritarian Communist rule all over Tibet.

The desperation of Tibetans has led to over 107 self-immolation suicides in recent years. The situation in Tibet is an international crisis. Harper’s Conservatives recently created the Office of Religious Freedom: will it remain silent on the Tibetan question? If protecting religious minorities is really a ‘foreign policy priority’ for Canada, now is the time to send the Office’s ambassador to Tibet. 

Green Leader Elizabeth May, Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands.

Not able to bear the loss of national independence, loss of individual freedom and destruction of rich cultural heritage including freedom of religion, on 10th March 1959 the Tibetan people rose up against Communist China's rule in Tibet. This national uprising was suppressed with use of brute military force of the People's Liberation Army of China. Although many thousands were massacred during the uprising and Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama was forced to flee to India in exile, the Tibetan people's struggle for freedom continued with same resilience and hope. Since 2009, 107 Tibetans inside Tibet have burnt themselves alive through self-immolation to convey a strong message to China and to the world that Tibetans are as determined and committed as they were in 1959 to seek freedom, justice and equality. Through these peaceful means Tibetans also wanted to send a strong message to China that Tibetans are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to be free, to be treated fairly and to be treated equally without discrimination in the land of their birth. Tibet, today, remains one of the most oppressed and discriminated place on earth.

Tibetans will dress in their traditional Tibetan provincial and regional costumes and accessories to showcase their rich and unique cultural identity. In this cultural rally Tibetans will also exhibit their unique spiritual and Buddhist rituals and practices.

This is an opportune time for China’s new leader to act on his recent expression supporting democracy. There can be no democracy without respect for Human Rights. Recognizing the leadership presently in exile as the legitimate leaders of the Tibetan people and upholding the earlier negotiated autonomy within China would prove China’s new direction to the world. 

~ Joe Foster, Human Rights Critic for the Green Party of Canada.

Last week, Lobsang Sangay, exiled Tibetans’ political leader, called on Canada’s ambassador for religious freedom to investigate in Tibet.

Expectations. Ontario's Social Assistance Review.

The Ontario Social Assistance Review must present a clear vision, put a focus on health promotion and illness prevention and do so with dignity, equity and opportunity. 
I believe that all Ontarians can offer a meaningful contribution to society and our social assistance programs should help them to do so. 

The current system penalizes those who, for a variety of reasons, may be unable to work a traditional 40 hour week but still have plenty to offer society. It's time to stop clawing back dollars whenever a social assistance recipient makes efforts towards an independent life.

Assistance levels need to be adequate, so that people receiving assistance can maintain a healthy standard of living. People receiving assistance should have access to public transportation, healthy local food and decent affordable housing, all of which can lead to a more fulfilling, productive and healthy life. I believe that this approach can lead to reduced overall costs for healthcare, by resulting in reduced rates of crime, addiction and incarceration.

It is very important to try to reduce the stigma associated with social assistance and change the current climate that may lead some to work 'under the table', which puts our most vulnerable citizens into potentially dangerous situations.  

Providing opportunities for those on social assistance to transition into training and employment must be a pillar of our social assistance program. Our system needs to focus on helping people find work, paid or otherwise, that values their capabilities and assists them in their quest for long-term financial security.

It's time for Ontario to implement a system that put a positive focus on the individual by providing the necessary tools for success. This could be job training for one individual, life-skills for another, or ESL for a newcomer.

The point is that these service(s) should be tailored to meet the requirements of the individual which would lead to a more positive and rewarding experience for the recipient and a reduction in the numbers of those re-applying for social assistance. This would result in savings for all Ontario taxpayers.

Poverty costs us all and the cost should not be measured by tangibles alone. In a province like Ontario where we have a standard of living that is among the highest in the world, is it not our duty to provide decent opportunities for our most vulnerable citizens?

I'll close with a quote by Hubert H. Humphrey; 

 "...the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life; the sick, the needy and the handicapped. "

Diana: In Memoriam

Our 2008 visit to the makeshift memorial above the underpass in Paris where Diana, Princess of Wales died 11 years earlier. In addition, we paid visits to Diana's one-time home in England, Kensington Palace, as well as the nearby Princess Diana Memorial Fountain.

That's me shooting with the 'Head' backpack, several of my shots are in this video.

Christian Resource Centre at Regent Park

Mark Daye, GPO - Rene, TCRC

A great photo taken by the indomitable Everett Collrin at the Cabbagetown Bia's Festival this past weekend on Parliament St. in Toronto - Green Party of Ontario's Mark Daye supporting the Toronto Christian Resource Centre, which is doing so much for Regent Park.
 
Did you know - the TCRC has some fabulous rental space available on Oak Street? An ideal location for a growing a community-spirited business. 

To find out more about the opportunity to rent space in the new CRC 40 Oak St. building click here. You can also book a tour of the new building by calling: (416) 363-4234

Ontario GSA Coalition Rally

Merge school boards in Ontario

Send a message to Education Minister Laurel Broten to eliminate costly duplication and merge school boards in Ontario

 The proposed Liberal budget will hurt education in Ontario; there are alternative ways to save money and improve our education system.

The GPO is calling on the Liberal government to study ways to eliminate costly duplication by merging the best of the Catholic and public school systems into one French/English public system.

Send a message to the Minister of Education Laurel Broten urging her to eliminate duplication and merge school boards in Ontario. The letter will also be copied to Premier Dalton McGuinty, Minister of Finance Dwight Duncan and NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.

Click this link. 
It's easy and only takes a moment. 
Just add your name

 

Stop subsidizing energy, support lower income families, and invest in energy efficiency

Green Party of Ontario addresses inequity in publicly funded schools

Toronto, Ontario – The Green Party of Ontario today called for a Citizen’s Assembly to address the transition to a single school system (French and English), a move which all other provinces have made over the past decade.

“Greens believe in a fair, equitable, and financially responsible school system that enriches learning for all students. All Ontarian's fund our school system, and it is government’s job to ensure that the public has a voice in how that money is spent.” said Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner.

Currently both Public and Catholic boards are funded per student from the same public fund. Canada ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights on May 19th, 1976, with the consent of all provinces, including Ontario. In November 1999 and again in November 2005 the same committee censured Canada again for failing to ‘adopt steps in order to eliminate discrimination on the basis of religion in the funding of schools in Ontario.’

“Our current system operates under a constitutional privilege that dates back to when women were not permitted to vote,” explains Justin Trottier, Green Party candidate for Parkdale High Park. “Other provinces, like Quebec, have achieved a bilateral agreement with the Federal government to unify their school boards so that no particular faith is being funded by the province.”

Recently the issue of inequality in our school system has been underscored by Catholic school boards openly denying students the freedom to form Gay Straight Alliances to create more inclusive environments for students and staff.

“Ontarian's pride themselves on their diversity,” said Toronto Centre candidate and LGBT rights activist Mark Daye. "Our education system needs to reflect that."

The Green Party of Ontario believes that our education system must be fair, equitable and efficient for all students, teachers and families. The Green Party is the only party with a plan to allow Ontarian's to address equality in our school system, by moving towards one publicly funded school system, in French and English.

Green MPP's will:
• Call for a citizen’s assembly to review moving to one publicly funded French and English school system to study and offer recommendations on the constitutional, procedural and logistical issues relating to a single public school system in Ontario. The citizens assembly will provide an opportunity for all Ontarian's to comment on and participate in this important discussion. Citizen input is essential to help determine the best way forward.

Facts:
• Under the Constitution Act of 1982, Constitutional change in an area of provincial jurisdiction (such as education) can be accomplished through bilateral agreement between the province and the Parliament of Canada alone. Ten post-1982 amendments have been made to the Constitution, five of which concern denomination education rights. Quebec and Newfoundland once had denominational school systems. Both provinces modernized their school systems in the 1990s.

• Ontario's school boards are publicly funded according to the province's 'funding formula', which is based primarily on student enrollment. Municipal 'school support' designations have no effect on the amount of funding a board receives. Catholic taxpayers are not the sole supporters of Catholic schools. All taxpayers support all schools.

• Canada ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights on May 19th, 1976, with the consent of all provinces, including Ontario. In November 1999, the United Nations Human Rights Committee found Canada in violation of the equality provisions of that Covenant by virtue of Ontario's discriminatory school system. In November 2005 the same Committee censured Canada again for failing to ‘adopt steps in order to eliminate discrimination on the basis of religion in the funding of schools in Ontario.’

Education Discrimination in Ontario

Greens part of Moving Planet

This weekend, Canadian Greens will be taking part in a global movement to make the shift away from fossil fuels as part of our effort to solve the climate crisis.  Moving Planet, spearheaded by 350.org, is a worldwide rally, with thousands of events taking place in countries across the globe. 

Canadian Green Climate Change Critic Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu will be speaking at the Moving Planet event in Toronto's Queen's Park, along with local Green provincial candidate Mark Daye.  “We are highlighting the importance of green energy, a key issue here in Ontario,” said Mugnatto-Hamu.  “But even more than that, we are highlighting how many Canadians are part of this movement and are ready to take action.”

Deputy Green Leader Adriane Carr will also speak at an event in Vancouver.  “Canadians realize that we need to start the transition to a lower-carbon way of life and we are asking for governments and industry to join with us in taking meaningful action to achieve that goal,” said Carr.

Arctic and Northern Affairs Critic John Streicker is pleased more attention is finally being paid to climate change, an issue that hits close to home.  “We in the North have been seeing the impacts of climate change for many years and are continually taking action, including helping low income community members to bring down their energy costs.  Individual action is key and when we have a global mass action like Moving Planet, we see the power that can come from banding together.”