Mama Wynne shuts down Olivier

Morning North CBC Sudbury -

Sudbury Liberal candidate Andrew Olivier interview where he expressed support for merging the public and Catholic school systems. 

Listen for yourself. Interesting his retraction came shortly after Kathleen Wynne visited his riding personally yesterday, isn't it?

So much for thinking for yourself!

http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/canada/toronto/story/1.2655636

Schreiner delivers strong message for change in historic meeting with Premier

Queen’s Park - Mike Schreiner, leader of the Green Party of Ontario, made the following statement after his historic meeting with the Premier.

 

“I'm encouraged that Premier Wynne is reaching out across party lines and has listened to our fresh ideas for Ontario. Queen's Park is broken, and needs the new approach that we bring.

 

Today I asked the Premier to include three of our priorities in the 2013 budget:

• Save over $1 billion each year by merging the school boards into one english and french public system;
• Protect our water with actions that start with funding the Experimental Lakes Area, and 
• Move from talk to action with dedicated funding for public transit.

While the Premier and I may agree on some targets - such as the essential need to fund transit - the Liberal record misses the mark. 

 

The gas plant fiasco, for example, has cost us millions and squandered the goodwill of the people of Ontario. The Green Party provides the smart, engaged and honest approach to a green future that people are looking for. 

 

Ontarians are looking for change. They want better management of our money, higher-quality services, smarter implementation of environmental policies, and greater equity and accessibility in education. I call on Premier Wynne's government to be more efficient, more honest, and more principled than the Liberal government that preceded hers.

 

I will continue to push the Premier to make sure this province is strong today and provides a vibrant future for our kids and their kids.”

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