I'm surprised the hear Tim Hudak says," They wanna make sure that their kids do better than they did. They wanna make sure that great Canadian tradition of each generation doing better than the last stays strong." The TIm Hudak Progressive Conservatives are proposing policies that will ensure Ontario moves backwards and policies that will not allow the next generation to be strong. The PC's are purposing a costly Nuclear energy project, that is neither cost effective or environmentally friendly. The last nuclear power project left Ontario with a crippling debt of 30 billion dollars only 2.7 billion of which has been paid off, that nuclear power project did not come in on time or on budget. What person wanting to allow the next generation of ontario to thrive would purpose a nuclear power project that will lead Ontario into crippling debt. Shame on Tim for masquerading as a man of the people when his policies will lead Ontario down a dark path of social services cuts and debt.
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
Monday, 12 September 2011
First Debate
I am excited to be here with you this afternoon, and hope that what you hear today will allow you to make an informed decision. I have been a resident of Beamsville all of my life, and I am the third generation of my family to live in Niagara West Glanbrook my mothers family lived in Smithville and I sit in my grandmother’s pew at Smithville United Church. I am committed to working with residents: business owners, parents, community activists, and anyone interested in helping me to more effectively represent the issues that matter to them. The Green Party of Ontario presents a new, sustainable perspective on government, and my goal this election is to offer a bold vision of sustainability, that has no commitment to special interests or inflexible established policies. I’ve often heard that the Green Party of Ontario is unelectable. Greens in Ontario have come a long way, in 2007 we received 6 times more votes than all other minor parties combined and we averaged 8% of the popular vote. Some of our candidates placed second and third their riding, we are ready to build on these gains. As we think about the long term progress and direction of our civilization, we see the need for sustainability not only in the environment but in the job, health care, economic, and education sectors. We see that the challenges we face require creative solutions and new ways of doing things, they require something other than the traditional left and right wing parties. It’s time to elect Green MPPs to Queen’s Park. Never before has the Ontario political landscape been so dismal. The Liberals and Conservatives lack the vision and courage to lead Ontario into its rightful place in the 21st century. Ontarians must stand together to correct this miscarriage of democracy. It is time for a party with a bold vision and a leader with the courage to bring sustainability to Ontario. There is no better leader or Party than Mike Schreiner and the Green Party of Ontario.
Many Ontarians view the Green Party as a single issue party, every party has a central paradigm that gives it force. Ours is sustainability. We believe in environmentally sustainability but we also believe in fiscal sustainability. We are the only party calling for a balanced budget by 2015 all of the other parties are not purposing to balance the budget until 2017. Sustainability is certainly underlined in our environmental policies but it is at the core of our entire platform. Our bold platform developed, by thousands of Ontarians, covers all major sectors: jobs, economics, energy, health care, education, transportation, food and farming, and government reform. When we talk about sustainability we are dedicated to looking beyond an exclusive focus on the near term, whether that be the four year political cycle, or the next quarter. Instead we want to think about the long-term progress and direction of our civilization. The choices we have made thus far are not sustainable and won’t work in the long term. We need creative solutions for our problems. We know a vote for the old parties will result in more of the same: more taxes, more environmentally unsustainable practices, more cuts to social services, like under the Mike Harris conservative government. It’s time for a new approach on politics, its time for fiscally responsible government, it’s time for an environmentally responsible government, it’s time for a government that acts on behalf of ordinary Ontarians, and their families. It’s time to election Green MPP’s to Queen’s Park. I will give you three good reasons to vote Green: 1. Create Jobs in a 21st century economy 2. Harness safe affordable energy 3. Promote Health 4. Feed communities 5. Deliver government that works for people
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It's time, Niagara. Vote Green.
Friday, 9 September 2011
Beamsville Fair
It's time, Niagara. Vote Green.
Monday, 8 August 2011
Harris Conservatives
"Under my leadership, the debt retirement charge will come off the residential hydro bill. Families have paid enough ... we're going to get it done," Hudak told reporters during a stop in Ottawa Wednesday.
I am so pleased to hear that the leader of the official opposition has the desire to lower the burden on Ontarians by taking away the debt retirement charge, this will certainly be a big plus for all citizens in Niagara West-Glanbrook. Its really admirable that politicians are promising to reduce our taxes, but I have to wonder at what cost theses reductions will be, will there be drastic underfunding to public services, like the ones implemented during the Harris conservatives. I wonder how the leader of the official opposition plans to eliminate the debt retirement on our bills because our debt can not just be erased, with no interest collected, I think even a third grader would know that. I think to myself, "Will a new charge for the same amount as the debt retirement start to appear on our bills, or will perhaps the cost of a kilowatt go up so the price of our energy bills shall in fact remain the same." It seems to me like a great promise with no real means for implementation especially when the leader of the opposition at Queen's Park is purposing yet another environmentally unfriendly, expensive, and unsafe nuclear power project that will surely leave Ontario with more debt, as every nuclear power project has neither come in on time or on budget. How does the leader of the official opposition plan to take away the debt retirement especially with another costly nuclear power project he has proposed. Citizens should always be weary when they hear promise that are too good to be true.
Thursday, 21 July 2011
True Democracy
It's time, Niagara. Vote Green.
Monday, 11 July 2011
Support Local Economies, Encourage Farming
Chris Josipovic is planning to work on his grandparents farm tomorrow bailing hay, he and his grandparents will probably bail 2000 to 3000 bails which will be enough to feed all of their animals for the season. His grandparents farm is located on the mountain and is about 30 arcs but they farm about 100 arcs. Their family farm consists of mostly livestock: cattle, sheep, and pigs. Chris said, "the farm feeds the entire family on both sides which is about twenty people, giving every member stake a few times a week." It is really nice to met farmers and especially farms in our area because these are the people that allow for local health produce to be available at our amazing farmers markets. The GPO wants to make sure that Ontarians are healthy and are eat good quality local produce. The GPO wants to end one-size-fits regulations for family farms and local food processors; implements smart regulations that recognize the differences in operations, Eliminate tax penalties and reduce zoning restrictions on facilitate local, on-farm food enterprises and innovative sources of farm income, and improve income stabilization programs so they are more accessible for family farms, cover a wider range of products and don't penalize farmers who experience bad years. These are some of the ways the GPO wants to promote local farms and provide fresh local produce to Ontarians.
Chris commented on the profitability of farms saying, "I'd love to farm but economically it doesn't make sense especially if I wanted to start my own farm because of the necessary start up capital. " This is a problem across Ontario. In Ontario we have less then 7000 farmers under the age of 35, too many of our youth are not going into farming because it just doesn't make finical sense. The GPO wants to make farming profitable so our youth want to farm and we can provide healthy food to all Ontarians. The GPO would do this by Establishing an Ontario Food and Farming policy Council to coordinate planning across ministries and consult diverse stakeholders on programs, regulations and legislation, reward farmers for steward ship practices that provide environmental and community benefits such as clean water, habitat preservation and carbon storage, and invest in rural infrastructure, research and innovation, plant-based manufacturing products, distribution hubs, farmer co-op, organic and specialty crops to support farm incomes. The GPO wants to ensure that citizens of Niagara West-Glanbrook continue to farm our beautiful land and can do it in a way that is finically and environmentally responsible. The GPO is ready to stand up at Queens Park and ask the tough questions so that we can address issues around farming and getting farming back on track.
Together, we can be the change we want to see.
It's time, Niagara. Vote Green.
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Sorry Earth
On Friday, June 24, the Conservative government once again embarrassed our country on the international stage. We alone prevented the United Nations from adding chrysotile asbestos to the global list of hazardous substances.
We won’t allow asbestos in our homes and offices. We are spending millions to remove it from our Parliament buildings. Here in Canada, we know asbestos is hazardous. Yet year after year our government refuses to let the world officially recognize it as hazardous, because they want to continue to export it to developing countries without even a warning label.
Our government has behaved shamefully on this issue, and when you behave badly there’s only one thing to do: apologize. Since Stephen Harper clearly won’t, the Green Party is apologizing to the rest of the world for our country’s disgraceful position on asbestos. We invite all Canadians to join us in saying “We’re sorry!”
We're all sorry for allowing our government to make poor choices that do not reflect the values of Canadians, choices that will harm future generations. Canadians are honest, decent, concerned about social justice, and hard working people. We deserve good quality health care, education, social services, and true democracy. When I see our elected government making poor choices that do not reflect Canadian values I am disheartened. Still I am able to keep the faith because I know despite the poor choices of Harper government, I know that these are not Canadian values and I know of so many Canadian sticking to their values. They are strong willed Canadians fighting for justice. Thanks to the NDP for the filibuster in support of the postal workers, Brigette Depape (the page who held the stop sign up in the Senate), every Green Party Canadiate, Elizabeth May, Mike Schriener, Sid and Chris Frere, Allen and Charleen Foster, Mary K, Pat Konkle, Vicky Jenkinson, Lauren Smith, Sam S (for their great green picture :), every farmer, teacher, cashier, postal worker. All of these people show me what true Canadians are. We all inspire each other to do more in the fight for social justice and the quest for a government that will make choices that do reflect Canadians and their values.
We must continue to be inspired by one another and stay strong willed in the face of a government that makes poor choices and does not respect Canadians and their values. We must find new and creative ways to express our disagreement with the Conservative party policies.
Congratulations to Bridgette Depape for her brave and creative stance against the Harper conservatives.
Together, we can be the change we want to see.
It's time, Niagara. Vote Green.
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Mike Schreiner visits Niagara West Glanbrook
June 18th Mike Schreiner Leader of the Green Party of Ontario spent the day in Niagara-West Glanbrook to attend the Berries and Blooms Festival, and take to participate in the local Green Party of Ontario bike tour and bbq. Mike and local candidate Meredith Cross attended the newly opened farmers market at Great Lakes Christian college. As the leader of the green party of Ontario Mike Schreiner is a strong advocate for local farms and businesses, and was very pleased to see Beamsville's Initiative. Mike and Meredith then spoke with citizens at Berries and Blooms receiving many questions and positive response. After a quick lunch Mike joined other Green Party members for a bike tour of more local businesses.
In the evening, Schreiner spoke about the green party vision commenting on the five point plan the Green Party wants to implement. 1. Creating jobs for a twenty-first century 2. Harnessing safe, affordable energy to power our communities 3. Promoting access to quality, sustainable health care close to home 4. Feeding our communities by championing local farms 5. Delivering government that works for people.
I will be at the Poultry Fest this Saturday, and I will be at the happening this Sunday, please say hi!
Hope you see you this weekend
and thanks to everyone who came out to the fundraiser it was a great success
Together, we can be the change we want to see.
It's time, Niagara. Vote Green.
Thursday, 16 June 2011
Green Tsunami
Some people hope for another Orange wave to sweep through Ontario as it did in the Federal election May 2nd, but I think something bigger is coming to Ontario. Over the past decades we have seen parties do more harm than good, make ill informed choices when MPP's jobs are to make informed choices. We have seen government act in the best interest of the wealthy and not in the best interest of those all citizens that have elected them. This is proved by the continual shrinking of the Ontario middle class relative to the richest few. Our elected MPP's have been acting on behalf of the wealthy and have help to increase the riches' wealth to account for 32% of all income growth between 1997 and 2007, this is the most growth in recorded history. MPP's continue to act on behalf of the wealthy which has made the gap between the rich and the rest of hard working Ontarians greater and greater. Queen's Park has become more and more isolated and closed off leaving government not transparent and allowing for back room deals like Samsung. Deals that are not in the interest of average Ontario voters but are in the interests of the wealthy Ontarians. On Oct. 6 voters have another opportunity to make a statement to politicians that back room deals and opaque government is not acceptable. On Oct. 6 Ontarians have the chance to vote for the Green Party of Ontario, a party that has a compressive platform and has MMPs that are dedicated to making government work for the average Ontarian not just the very wealthy. We deserve a government that won't make back room deals, and that truly values our democracy like so many other Ontarians. So instead of an orange wave this Oct.6 I know a Green Tsunami is coming and it starts with your vote.
As I wait for the Green Tsunami I love to take part in green initiatives in my town like farmers markets for local produce. I am really looking forward to attending the farmers market in Grimsby tonight, and I am really looking to attending the Beamsville farmers market this saturday with Mike Schreiner (the leader of the GPO). Mike and I will be at the farmers market at Great Lakes Christian college around 10am to check out the farmers market. I will also be at a the GPO booth at Berries and Blooms, please feel free to come by and say hello :)
Together, we can be the change we want to see.
It's time, Niagara. Vote Green.
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Advocating for Niagara's Seniors -change starts here
Everyone has a beloved Grandma, Grandpa, Mother or Father that they wish to honour by seeing they get the best health care possible. The Green Party of Ontario wishes to serve our seniors by improving the care available to Ontario's aging population. This is especially important in Niagara West-Glanbrook because a large part of our population is over 65 years old and we need to make sure that our seniors are being looked after.
Last week I was very pleased to read about the possible expansion of the GO train to Grimsby. Having the GO train extended to Grimsby would help with traffic on the QEW and help with the ever growing problem of urban sprawl. Most of all the extension of the GO train would open up the discussion for possible public transit in Grimsby and other towns in Niagara West-Glanbrook. Many of our seniors could use public transit to travel to their various health care appointments as well as any other desired destinations in the area.
The Green Party of Ontario wants to ensure that seniors receive the continuum of care they need where they want it by improving home care, transitional care, assisted living and long-term care. The GPO wants to serve our seniors by creating case managers at the family clinic level to proactively coordinate the care seniors need, and the GPO wants to support all long-term care facilities to provide services in compliance with provincial standards. The GPO aims to make health promotion and illness prevention a top priority, to ensure our seniors and everyone stay healthy. To promote a healthy lifestyle the GPO wishes to feed our communities by championing stronger local farms. Farms like the ones that have booths at the market, which moved downtown Grimsby this week. If you have not yet been - check it out.
I was so pleased to attend the local market this week. As the Green Party of Ontario candidate for Niagara West-Glandbrook I am always happy to see the support that goes towards our local farmers market . Moving the market downtown means more people will attend which could create a higher demand for local goods/produce. The market is open Thursdays 3-7pm with approximately 30 vendors. I look forward to shopping there tomorrow!
As citizens of Niagara West-Glanbrook we all want to honour our seniors and we need to do this by promoting access to quality, sustainable health care close to home. We need to ensure we have quality public health care and we need to make sure on Oct. 6 we elect MPPs that will continue to honour our seniors with quality health care. We need to ensure we don't allow what happened to public education under the Harris's Conservatives to happen to our public health care. Under Harris's Conservatives the reform of the public education system drastically cut funding for the newer, larger school boards under-funding public schools and creating school boards that were too big to manage. The quality of public education went down. Essentially the tax cuts achieved during the Harris Conservatives reign were on the backs of the public schools. (for more information on public education read Playing Fast and Loose with the Public Education). Citizens of Ontario and especially citizens of Niagara West-Glanbrook, with so many seniors, need to elect MPPs that will not make tax cuts on the back of our public health care system.
To ensure we have enough money to continue providing citizens with quality health care we need to get our spending on health care under control. Ontario Minister of Health Deb Matthews stated that, "our government has increased funding to the Niagara Health System by more than 50 per cent since 2003." This is not to say that the Liberal government does not provide quality health care, but rather says that the Liberal government provides quality health care in a fiscally inefficient way. The GPO wants to provide health care in a fiscally responsible manner, the GPO believes that less spending can result in more services and better health. The GPO advocates for preventive health care, healthy food, clean air and water, and access to health care when citizens need it. We wish for Ontarians to stay healthy and avoid expensive cures for illnesses. This is the cause of our health care spending spiralling out of control. Serve our seniors in Niagara West-Glanbrook by voting for a party that will not cut funding to public health care and will promote healthy living and preventive health care. We need Green MPPs at Queen's Park. Honour your Grandma, Grandpa, Mother or Father by voting Green Oct. 6
Together, we can be the change we want to see.
It's time, Niagara. Vote Green.
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
Working for You
It's time, Niagara. Vote Green.
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Already Green
It's time, Niagara. Vote Green.
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Platform Launch
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
National Police Week
It's time, Niagara. Vote Green.
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Good morning, Niagara!
From here on out, every week I will have a new post, spotlighting one issue facing us as citizens of Niagara West-Glanbrook, and more importantly, Canadians. Together, we can show our provincial parliament that we deserve a positive change in not just our area, but our entire province.
One of the first steps toward this positive change in which you can show your interest and support for the Green Party is at our fundraiser, June 18th. At this event, we will have a bike ride between several wineries - the pride of our riding. After the bike ride there will be a picnic, at which you can meet our leader, Mike Schreiner. More details will follow.
Together, we can be the change we want to see.
It's time, Niagara. Vote Green.