DOCSLIB.ORG

September 18, 2020

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
September 18, 2020 Queen’s Park Today – Daily Report September 18, 2020 Quotation of the day “A few fries short of a Happy Meal.” The premier offers a fresh Ford-ism when calling out partygoers who break gathering limits. Today at Queen’s Park Written by Sabrina Nanji On the schedule The house is adjourned until Monday, September 21. Thursday's debates and proceedings Housing Minister Steve Clark tabled the rent-freeze legislation he teased last month: Bill 204, ​ ​ ​ ​ Helping Tenants and Small Businesses Act (more on this below). A PC backbench bill and NDP motion cleared second reading, while another motion died during yesterday's private members' business debates. ● NDP Leader Andrea Horwath's motion urging the PCs to cap class sizes at 15 students ​ ​ failed (Ayes 29; Nays 54). ● NDP MPP Kevin Yarde's motion calling on the government to provide "immediate ​ ​ ​ ​ urgent assistance" to Peel's Public Health Unit passed (Ayes 81; Nays 0). ● PC MPP Jane McKenna's Bill 201, Magna Carta Day Act (In Memory of Julia Munro), ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ is now off to be studied by the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills, after passing second reading on a voice vote. Treasury Board President Peter Bethlenfalvy tabled the 2020-21 supplementary estimates, ​ ​ ​ ​ part of a routine process to get legislative approval for ministry spending. The house also debated Government Services Minister Lisa Thompson's motion to ensure ​ ​ sections of the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act that have not yet been proclaimed are not ​ ​ repealed (MPPs mostly squabbled over the standing-order changes instead). Premier watch Premiers Doug Ford, François Legault, Brian Pallister and Jason Kenney are headed to the ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ capital today for a joint news conference "ahead of the federal throne speech" next week. The four first ministers will also meet behind closed doors, and Ford and Kenney will sit down one-on-one. Legault, who is incoming head of the Council of Federation, will chair the event. Ford's office said the premiers will push the feds on "strengthening frontline health care, helping people and businesses get back on their feet, and moving shovel-ready infrastructure projects forward." At bilateral meetings last week, Ford and Legault called for an unspecified boost to the Canada Health Transfers. On Thursday, Ford stopped by Vaughan to cut the ribbon on a new grocery warehouse. ​ ​ Residential rent freeze, commercial eviction ban, big fines for scaled-back gatherings: PCs drop Bill 204 On Thursday, Housing Minister Steve Clark dropped the Helping Tenants and Small ​ ​ Businesses Act, a hodgepodge of a bill that freezes residential rent increases, extends the commercial eviction ban and lays out hefty fines for people who break Covid-related gathering limits. Premier Doug Ford announced hotly anticipated rollbacks to social gatherings in Toronto, ​ ​ Ottawa and Peel. As of today, 10 people will be allowed to hang out indoors and 25 outdoors. The new rules are aimed at private parties, like in someone's backyard, and public events, like a dance party on the beach. They don't apply to churches or businesses — including banquet halls and convention centres, where weddings are typically held. Should Bill 204 pass, there will be big fines for scofflaws. Party hosts face fines between ​ ​ $10,000 and $100,000, plus up to one year in jail, while a corporate organizer could be dinged $500,000. Police would also have the power to temporarily shut down the premises. While the government isn't ruling out clamping down in other hot zones, Markham Mayor Frank ​ Scarpitti is "disappointed and concerned" York Region was left out. "We want to avoid ​ becoming another COVID-19 hot spot," Scarpitti said in a statement. (Toronto Mayor John Tory ​ said he spoke with Ford ahead of the announcement and gave him his “strong support.") Meanwhile, tenants would get a bit of a break on rent next year. Ontario dictates how much rent can increase each year for buildings built before November 15 2018, and Bill 204 sets a maximum of zero per cent for 2021. Clark said next year's max was ​ ​ supposed to be 1.5 per cent. The bill extends the moratorium on commercial evictions beyond September 1 to October 30, 2020, "to align with the end of the expected application deadline for CECRA," Clark's office explained. (Landlords who haven't applied for the federal rent relief program aren’t allowed to kick tenants to the curb.) Bill 204 also shifts the responsibility for preparing and maintaining municipal voter rolls from the ​ Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) to the Chief Electoral Officer. Elections Ontario would be the keeper of the list as of 2024. CEO Greg Essensa has been asking for the ​ ​ move for years, saying it would align the municipal and provincial voter lists and clean up errors. NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said the social rollbacks don't mesh with the PC’s back-to-school ​ ​ plan, which has seen 30 kids sardined in some classrooms. "Why is it okay to have 70 kids on a bus and 30 kids in a classroom when he's saying that it's unsafe to have 10 people in an indoor space?" Premier Doug Ford countered that Horwath was comparing "apples and oranges" because he ​ ​ believes private parties are looser when it comes to following public health measures, while there are strict guidelines in schools. (That said, a Pembroke high school became the first in the province to shut down this week after a symptomatic teacher showed up to work and even more went without masks.) Green Leader Mike Schreiner said the commercial eviction ban should be extended to 2021. ​ ​ "Small businesses need complete solutions rather than Band-Aids." Today’s events September 18 at 10 a.m. – Ottawa ​ Premier Doug Ford will meet with Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and the city’s chief medical ​ ​ ​ ​ officer. September 18 at 10:30 a.m. – Ottawa ​ Ford meets with Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. ​ ​ September 18 at 11:30 a.m. – Ottawa ​ Ford, Kenney, Quebec Premier François Legault and Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister will ​ ​ ​ ​ hold a sit down ahead of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s throne speech, which is slated for ​ ​ next Wednesday. September 18 at 1 p.m. – Ottawa ​ The four premiers will hold a joint news conference. September 18 at 1:30 p.m. – Aurora ​ Children, Community and Social Services Minister Todd Smith will make an announcement ​ ​ about veterans’ support alongside Health Minister Christine Elliott. ​ ​ Topics of conversation ● Ontario's daily Covid tally continues to undulate around the 300-mark. Another 293 cases were confirmed Thursday, along with three new deaths. Over 35,000 tests were processed. Health Minister Christine Elliott said the goal is to ramp up to 50,000 daily ​ ​ tests in the next couple weeks. ○ There are 22 LTC homes with an active outbreak, up by two from the day prior. ○ Hospitalizations are also on the rise: there are now 53 admissions, 21 patients in the ICU and 12 who are hooked on to a ventilator. ○ Schools saw another 21 infections among staff and students. There were two new cases reported in child-care centres and homes. ● Per the CBC, roughly half of Ontario's latest infections are untraceable. ​ ​ ● An 28-student outbreak at Western has prompted the university to suspend athletics and ​ ​ recreation, in-person student club meetings and events, and restrict access to libraries. ○ Meanwhile, local officials in Kingston are ringing the alarm bells about off-campus ​ parties at Queen’s, replete with beer pong, as many students have opted to move ​ back to their university communities, despite most classes being online. ● A southwestern Ontario farmer is trying to get the provincial Court of Appeal to overturn ​ a lower court ruling capping the number of migrant workers to a bunkhouse at three. ​ ○ The three-person cap was instituted by Norfolk and Haldimand's medical officer of health this summer and upheld by the Superior Court last month. ● A Trump supporter and U.S. company exec who has campaigned against Covid restrictions was granted special exemption to the 14-day quarantine rules when she and two others crossed into Canada's borders to visit their facility in Milton. The CBC has the story. ​ ● Court delays in Sudbury have punted the David Popescu verdict to next Wednesday. ​ ​ ​ ​ Popescu is facing criminal charges related to homophobic materials he distributed about Kathleen Wynne during the 2018 campaign. ​ News briefs OPS launches third-party workplace culture review with an eye to inclusivity ● Ontario's Public Service is undertaking a third-party review that will focus on anti-racism, transphobia and barriers for people with disabilities. "As one of the largest employers in the province, the OPS must actively listen to, learn from and act upon ongoing conversations about how we can create workplaces that are truly diverse and inclusive," reads a joint statement from Treasury Board President Peter Bethlenfalvy and Solicitor ​ ​ General Sylvia Jones, who is also in charge of the anti-racism file. A final report is ​ ​ expected in April 2021. ○ Last year, two Black female civil servants launched legal action against OPS ​ ​ alleging systemic discrimination on the job. As Queen's Park Today reported in ​ ​ ​ June, one of the women planned to appeal a lower court decision dismissing the case on the basis of jurisdiction. ○ More recently in June, 45 lawyers working at the Ministry of the Attorney General wrote to Cabinet Secretary Steven Davidson with concerns of "countless ​ ​ ​ instances" of anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism. Question period For all of Premier Doug Ford's talk about not wanting to "play politics" this fall session, he ​ ​ closed out the first week back at the legislature by hurling political insults across the aisle.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Honourable Christine Elliott Minister of Health College Park 5Th Floor 777 Bay Street Toronto on M7A 2J3 by Email: [email protected]
    The Honourable Christine Elliott Minister of Health College Park 5th Floor 777 Bay Street Toronto ON M7A 2J3 By Email: [email protected] December 4, 2020 Dear Minister Elliott, I am writing today regarding an issue of great concern to some 435 Ontario health care workers represented by the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC). During the first wave of the pandemic, hospital employees who were unable to work due to a self-isolation requirement arising from a suspected COVID-19 exposure were provided leave with pay in instances where they were asymptomatic and not eligible for sick leave or WSIB. In accordance with direction received from the provincial government through the Ontario Ministry of Health, individual hospitals have begun to implement a very significant change in direction on this critical issue. Asymptomatic employees required to self-isolate due to a suspected exposure while awaiting test results will no longer be paid and are instead being urged to use other forms of leave such as vacation days. This is also being applied to situations where exposure is known to have occurred in the workplace. This new approach is completely unacceptable to our members. While there is no disputing the importance of self-isolation for any and all suspected cases of exposure to COVID-19, particularly in health care, it is abhorrent to penalize essential services workers unable to work due to self-isolation requirements meant to protect their colleagues and their patients. This is especially so when the exposure may have occurred in the workplace itself.
    [Show full text]
  • January 27, 2020
    Queen’s Park Today – Daily Report January 27, 2020 Quotation of the day “Peace room.” What the premier’s office says it is calling its logistics office dealing with teachers’ strikes. ​ ​ Today at Queen’s Park On the schedule There are three more weeks left of the winter break. The house will reconvene on Tuesday, February 18, 2020. Premier watch Premier Doug Ford was in Mississauga Friday to re-announce funding for community policing. ​ ​ Specifically, the Peel Regional Police is getting $20.5 million from the Community Safety and Policing grant program, a $195-million envelope the PCs announced in mid-December. In Peel, some of the cash will go towards more neighbourhood watch services, police town halls and “cultural community outreach.” "My message to the criminals that are watching us now: we are coming for you, we are going to find you and we are going to lock you up for a long time,” Ford said at the news conference, which featured a well-armed police backdrop. ​ ​ Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, Attorney General Doug Downey, local PC MPPs and ex-PC ​ ​ ​ ​ leader-turned-mayor-of-Brampton Patrick Brown were also in tow. ​ ​ Brown and Ford had their first official sit-down since Ford took office at the Peel police station ​ ​ where the announcement took place. The pair discussed crime, CCTV cameras, courthouse resources and health care, according to the mayor. “I appreciate the cooperative tone,” Brown tweeted, alongside a “prayer hands” emoji. Ford defended the decision to appoint Toronto police constable Randall Arsenault to the ​ ​ Ontario Human Rights Commission, despite the fact he was not part of the official candidate selection process.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 April 28, 2020 the Honourable Doug Ford Premier of Ontario
    Office of the Regional Chair Halton Region 1151 Bronte Road April 28, 2020 Oakville ON L6M 3L1 The Honourable Doug Ford Premier of Ontario Legislative Building Queen's Park Toronto ON M7A 1A1 RE: Personal Protective Equipment requirements of Halton Region Dear Premier Ford, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the leadership role that you and your government have played during these unprecedented times, as we work together to stop the spread of COVID-19. Municipalities are working around the clock to support our communities through the pandemic, keep residents safe and help people and businesses through these economic challenges. We are all taking extraordinary measures to support our residents, including our most vulnerable. Halton staff, whether in paramedic services, long-term care or public health, have been working tirelessly to protect the health and safety of our residents. We have been collaborating with the Ministry of Health on reporting, requesting and securing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Halton’s needs. Internally, we have been working diligently to prioritize, manage as well as secure our own PPE supplies to meet the growing needs of our staff and residents in long-term care. I would ask for your formal assistance to expedite the provision of the PPE that we need to be able to deliver increased testing requirements and protect our front line health care workers. Specifically, we are requesting Nasal Pharyngeal swabs, N95 and surgical masks, sanitizer wipes and gel. We have been working with the Ministry of Health to request these supplies. However, some of our PPE delivery remains outstanding and it is critical that we receive these supplies as soon as possible.
    [Show full text]
  • ONTARIO's BLACK Mpps
    www.TheCaribbeanCamera.com June 14, 2018 ISSUE NO: 29/02 TEL: 416.412.2905 FAX: 416.412.3605 JAMAICA AT THE G7 LEADERS AT THE G7 OUTREACH DURING THE G7 SUMMIT IN LA MALBAIE, QUEBEC ON THE WEEKEND (Front row-from left) Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Senegalese President Macky Sall, Argentinean President Mauricio Macri. (Back row -from left) Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, and British Prime Minister Theresa May. This year the outreach session focussed on oceans and resilient coastal communities. See story on Page 2 ONTARIO’S BLACK MPPs See story on Page 3 www.thecaribbeancamera.com THE CARIBBEAN CAMERA Thursday, June 14, 2018 1 NEWS Holness calls for ‘cooperation and partnerships’ to address challenges of climate change CHARLEVOIX, Canada, France, Germa- tions to debt and risk, with growth and high Quebec - Jamaican ny, Italy, Japan and the which support economic debt, have constrained Prime Minister Andrew United Kingdom.) growth. It is ultimate- our ability to effectively Holness said at the G7 Speaking at the out- ly sustainable growth and sustainably exploit summit here on the reach session of the sum- which will empower us to the vast resources and weekend that Jamaica mit, Holness noted that ensure prosperity for our potential that exist in our has supported climate with high public debt and people, while taking care surrounding oceans and change adaptation and is the lack of fiscal space to of our oceans and seas seas.
    [Show full text]
  • April 19, 2021 the Honourable Doug Ford Premier of Ontario Queen's
    April 19, 2021 The Honourable Doug Ford Premier of Ontario Queen’s Park Toronto, ON M7A 1A2 Dear Premier Ford: Re: Reform COVID-19 Operating Restrictions Framework: A Responsible Business Protocol The Whitby Chamber of Commerce represents recognizes the damaging toll the pandemic has had on Ontario’s business community. Forecasts of rising business bankruptcies, supplier, and bank delinquencies due to operating restrictions imposed by lockdowns and lockdown frameworks are alarming. Given the long-term forecast, now is the time to revisit and refine the regional operating restrictions framework to ensure it keeps Ontarians safe, builds business confidence and does not unduly harm our economy. We stand with our Provincial counterparts copied on this letter and recognize their innovative and responsible approach to revising the current Provincial framework. Thank you specifically to the Brampton Board of Trade for recommending the Responsible Business Protocol in January 2021. The “Responsible Business Protocol” refines the current colour-code system, calls for better definitions of safe operating protocols by sector, and recommends adding a community contact reduction framework to better address pandemic spread. Most importantly, the recommended Responsible Business Protocol puts the onus on businesses to adhere to a common safe operating framework to continue to remain open. In essence, it is a solution that simplifies understanding of rules by sector, addresses community contact reduction and most importantly, minimizes further damage to our economy while fighting the spread of COVID-19. At the heart of the Protocol is the understanding that compliance with safety standards is an integral part of running a business. It impacts every size and sector from retail to restaurants, from construction to manufacturing.
    [Show full text]
  • Doug Ford's Coming Tuition Announcement Is
    Queen’s Park Today – Daily Report January 17, 2019 Quotation of the day “Doug Ford’s coming tuition announcement is going to turn out to be a smoke and mirrors exercise.” NDP MPP Chris Glover joined the chorus of post-secondary advocates concerned ​ ​ about today’s expected announcement about tuition fee cuts and OSAP changes. Today at Queen’s Park On the schedule The House is recessed until February 19. Government sources have told Queen’s Park Today, and reportedly the CBC, that cabinet will ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ convene today. Sources say caucus meets as well. The premier’s office remains on lock. Premier watch A “Game Changer of the Year” award was bestowed upon Premier Doug Ford Tuesday night at ​ ​ a gala put on by the Coalition of Concerned Manufacturers and Businesses of Canada, a group ​ that bills itself as a “growing and powerful voice” for manufacturing firms. The guest list for the ​ Scarborough event included the finance and environment ministers, treasury board president and a few Tory MPPs. The premier wrapped up a two-day stint at the Detroit auto show earlier that day after meetings ​ with executives from Toyota Canada and General Motors as well as Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. ​ In the park The Legislature’s public galleries are getting a fresh look. ​ ​ NDP ask why deputy minister didn’t recuse himself in Taverner hiring Let’s get ethical. That’s the message from NDP community safety critic Kevin Yarde, who wrote to ​ ​ soon-to-be-retired Cabinet Secretary Steve Orsini Wednesday asking why Deputy Community ​ ​ Safety Minister Mario Di Tommaso didn’t recuse himself from the hiring committee that picked ​ ​ Ron Taverner for OPP commissioner, given the pair’s history.
    [Show full text]
  • RIDING MPP CANDIDATE PARTY Ajax Joe Dickson Liberal Stephen
    RIDING MPP CANDIDATE PARTY Ajax Joe Dickson Liberal Stephen Leahy Green Rod Phillips PC Monique Hughes NDP Algoma—Manitoulin Charles Fox Liberal Justin Tilson Green Jib Turner PC Michael Mantha NDP Aurora - Oak Ridges - Richmond Hill Naheed Yaqubian Liberal Stephanie Nicole Duncan Green Michael Parsa PC Katrina Sale NDP Barrie-Innisfil Bonnie North Green Pekka Reinio NDP Andrea Khanjin PC Ann Hoggarth Liberal Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte Keenan Aylwin Green Jeff Kerk Liberal Doug Downey PC Dan Janssen NDP Bay of Quinte Robert Quaiff Liberal Mark Daye Green Todd Smith PC Joanne Belanger NDP Beaches—East York Rima Berns-McGown NDP Arthur Potts Liberal Debra Scott Green Sarah Mallo PC Brampton Centre Safdar Hussain Liberal Laila Zarrabi Yan Green Harjit Jaswal PC Sara Singh NDP Brampton East Dr. Parminder Singh Liberal Raquel Fronte Green Sudeep Verma PC Gurratan Singh NDP Brampton North Harinder Malhi Liberal Pauline Thornham Green Ripudaman Dhillon PC Kevin Yarde NDP Brampton South Sukhwant Thethi Liberal Lindsay Falt Green Prabmeet Sarkaria PC Paramjit Gill NDP Brampton West Vic Dhillon Liberal Julie Guillemet-Ackerman Green Amarjot Sandhu PC Jagroop Singh NDP Brantford - Brant Ruby Toor Liberal Ken Burns Green Will Bouma PC Alex Felsky NDP Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound Elizabeth Marshall Trillium Francesca Dobbyn Liberal Don Marshall Green Karen Gventer NDP Bill Walker PC Burlington Jane McKenna PC Eleanor McMahon Liberal Andrew Drummond NDP Vince Fiorito Green Cambridge Kathryn McGarry Liberal Michele Braniff Green Belinda Karahalios PC Marjorie
    [Show full text]
  • March 8, 2019
    Queen’s Park Today – Daily Report March 8, 2019 Quotation of the day “Lisa, listen to us!” A woman yells at Children Services Minister Lisa MacLeod as she’s escorted from the chamber ​ ​ while hundreds descended on the south lawn in protest of the PC’s revamped autism system. Today at Queen’s Park On the schedule MPPs are heading back to their ridings for the March Break constituency week. The House is adjourned until Monday, March 18. Thursday’s debates and proceedings MPPs considered Bill 74, People’s Health Care Act, before question period. The legislation to ​ ​ ​ ​ establish an Ontario Health super-agency needs roughly two more hours of debate before a second-reading vote can be called. A Tory backbench bill and motion, as well as inaugural Ontario Green legislation, chugged forward during the afternoon’s private members’ business: ● PC MPP Christine Hogarth’s Bill 65, Protecting Our Pets Act, will go under the ​ ​ ​ ​ microscope at the Standing Committee on Justice Policy. The bill would establish an advisory committee to report on the quality of care for companion animals kept for entertainment, breeding, exhibition, boarding, hire or sale. ● PC MPP Donna Skelly’s motion — calling on the government to design a plan to ​ ​ ​ ​ promote a no-cost program that encourages unwanted clothing and textiles be donated to local charitable and non-profit organizations — passed after debate. (Motions are non-binding but have symbolic value — and Skelly’s got a dedicated hashtag from the premier: “#DontDumpDonate.) ​ ​ ● Green Leader Mike Schreiner’s Bill 71, Paris Galt Moraine Conservation Act, to protect ​ ​ ​ ​ the drinking water supply in Guelph, Wellington County and Waterloo region, is off to be studied by the general government committee.
    [Show full text]
  • GBHU BOH Motion 2019-21
    May 6, 2019 The Honourable Christine Elliott Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care College Park, 5th Floor 777 Bay Street Toronto ON M7A2J3 The Honourable Lisa MacLeod Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Hepburn Block, 6th Floor 80 Grosvenor Street Toronto ON M7A1E9 Re: Support for Bill 60 On April 26, 2019 at a regular meeting of the Board for the Grey Bruce Health Unit, the Board considered the attached correspondence from Peterborough Public Health urging the passing of Bill 60 as an important step towards fiscal responsibility and to address health inequalities. The following motion was passed: GBHU BOH Motion 2019-21 Moved by: Anne Eadie Seconded by: Sue Paterson “THAT, the Board of Health support the correspondence from Peterborough Public Health urging the passing of Bill 60” Carried Sincerely, Mitch Twolan Chair, Board of Health Grey Bruce Health Unit Encl. Cc: The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario Local MP’s and MPP’s Association of Local Public Health Agencies Ontario Boards of Health Working together for a healthier future for all.. 101 17th Street East, Owen Sound, Ontario N4K 0A5 www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca 519-376-9420 1-800-263-3456 Fax 519-376-0605 BOH - CORRESPONDENCE - 17 Jackson Square, 185 King Street, Peterborough, ON K9J 2R8 P: 705-743-1000 or 1-877-743-0101 F: 705-743-2897 peterboroughpublichealth.ca Serving the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, and the County and City of Peterborough Serving the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, and
    [Show full text]
  • “As a Straight, White Man — Wait, Not White.”
    Queen’s Park Today – Daily Report February 6, 2020 Quotation of the day “As a straight, white man — wait, not white.” Liberal leadership candidate Alvin Tedjo, who is of Asian descent, makes a quip about using ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ fellow contender Steven Del Duca’s speaking notes during the party’s LGBTQ forum. ​ ​ Today at Queen’s Park On the schedule The house will reconvene on Tuesday, February 18, 2020. In the park The Ontario Autism Coalition will stage a “freeze-in” to protest the Ford government’s delay in implementing a needs-based autism program. Families and advocates will march on the legislature’s south lawn and stand still for five minutes at 11:30 a.m. Coronavirus scare shines light on need for public health funding: NDP The Opposition and government traded barbs over concerns about the coronavirus at Queen’s Park on Wednesday. That’s despite the latest update from provincial health officials that there are no new cases beyond the three previously confirmed, and as the number of cases under investigation continued to drop this week. NDP Leader Andrea Horwath held a press conference to call on the PCs to reverse future ​ ​ funding cuts to public health, while Health Minister Christine Elliott’s office fired back that ​ ​ Horwath was trying to “score political points.” “Ontario’s expert public health officials have been unanimously clear: Ontario is prepared to effectively respond to the 2019 novel coronavirus, something Andrea Horwath herself acknowledged,” Elliott’s spokesperson Travis Kann said in an email statement. ​ ​ Kann added that public health officials have briefed the NDP three times on the matter in order to ensure all MPPs are informed and “to demonstrate that the health and safety of Ontarians is and always should be above politics.” Horwath did admit Ontario’s response to the outbreak has been “outstanding” but stressed that “we need to keep it that way.” She urged the PCs to cancel planned funding cuts and asked the government to review public health resources in order to keep Ontarians safe in the future.
    [Show full text]
  • Special Education Advisory Committee Tuesday, September 20
    District • Peel School Board '-""' AGENDA Special Education Advisory Committee Tuesday, September 20, 2016 7:00p.m. Brampton Room PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD Special Education Advisory Committee Meeting AGENDA Brampton Room Tuesday, September 20, 2016 7:00p.m. OPEN SESSION 1. Call to Order 1.1 Approval of Agenda 1.2 Special Presentation 1.2.1 Starting Point 2016- video ''Words of Wisdom" 2. Declaration of Conflict of Interest 3. Minutes 3.1 Special Education Advisory Committee Meeting June 14, 2016 4. Chair's Request for Written Questions from Committee Members 5. Notices of Motion and Petitions 6. Delegations 7. Ministry and Board Policy Review 7.1 Programs and Services for Students with ASD- Letter from Minister of Education, Mitzie Hunter to Ontario School Board Chairs 7.2 Peel District School Board Plan for Student Success 2016-2021 8. Program Review 9. Reports from Officials and Staff/Department Work Plan Review 9.1 Superintendent's Report- oral 9.2 Updated SEAC Member List 9.3 SEAC Annual Calendar Draft- Agenda & Goals 9.4 Special Education Department Goals and Projects 2016-2017 10. Communications - for Action or Receipt 10.1 Letter from Janet McDougald, Peel District School Board Chair to Minister Michael Coteau, Minister Mitzie Hunter Re: Ontario Autism Program and response from Minister Michael Coteau and Minister Mitzie Hunter to Janet McDougald 11. Response of Administration to Former Questions 12. Reports from Representatives on Councils/Associations 13. Questions asked of and by Committee Members 14. Public Question Period 15. Adjournment 2 1 June 14, 2016 3.1 Special Education Advisory Committee:lf PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD Minutes of a meeting of the Special Education Advisory Committee of the Peel District School Board, held in the Brampton Room, the H.
    [Show full text]
  • “The Risk of a Carbon Tax Recession Is Very Real.”
    Queen’s Park Today – Daily Report January 22, 2019 Quotation of the day “The risk of a carbon tax recession is very real.” Premier Doug Ford takes fresh aim at Ottawa’s carbon backstop in an Economic Club ​ ​ speech. Today at Queen’s Park On the schedule The House is recessed until February 19. In the park Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell hosted the Lincoln M. Alexander Awards ​ ​ ceremony in the LG Suite Monday afternoon. The award honours young folks who have made a difference in their community when it comes to eliminating racial discrimination and promoting social equality. This year’s winners are Manaal Chasso, Lisa Wang and Fiqir Worku, and you ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ can read more about their projects here. ​ ​ Ford: Beware “carbon tax recession” The premier took fresh aim at Ottawa’s carbon backstop Monday, saying it will trigger a recession in Ontario. Speaking to more than 1,000 business-minded people at an Economic Club luncheon at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Premier Doug Ford warned of tough economic times ahead ​ ​ thanks to the federal government’s carbon pricing. “A carbon tax will be a total economic disaster and there are already economic warning signs on the horizon,” Ford said in his prepared remarks. “There couldn’t be a worse time to impose a massive, job-killing tax on Ontario families and small businesses.” “The risk of a carbon tax recession is very real,” Ford said. But critics were skeptical. NDP environment and climate change critic Peter Tabuns accused Ford of “making things up to ​ ​ justify cash handouts to big polluters,” a reference to the $400-million taxpayer-funded “carbon trust” in the PC’s new climate action plan, which incentivizes businesses to reduce emissions.
    [Show full text]