Tag: Politics

  • Minister Matthews asks Opposition to stop backtracking on Youth tanning bed ban Bill 30

    Minister Matthews asks Opposition to stop backtracking on Youth tanning bed ban Bill 30

          “PCs and NDP Threaten to Stall Youth Tanning Bed Ban” (Queen’s Park)  One day after calling on the government to fast-track Bill 30, legislation to ban youth access to tanning beds, the PCs and NDP are threatening procedural tricks to stall the bill in the Ontario Legislature. “When the House returns next…

  • Why are Ontario farmland values skyrocketing? Greens: due to development

    Why are Ontario farmland values skyrocketing? Greens: due to development

    Ottawa, ON – Green Party leader and Guelph candidate Mike Schreiner called for the complete protection of prime farmland in Ontario. “We can’t eat subdivisions, quarries or pipelines,” said Schreiner while attending the Association Municipalities of Ontario Conference in Ottawa. “The Ontario government must stop destroying prime farmland before it’s too late.”  Only five percent of…

  • Ontario Greens- Inaction on Ombudsman recommendations puts Ontarians ‘at risk’

    Ontario Greens- Inaction on Ombudsman recommendations puts Ontarians ‘at risk’

    Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner made the following statement in response to the Ombudsman’s 2012-2013 Annual Report [search the report here at thesilo.ca CP ]:   “Whether it’s safe transportation for medical issues, our civil liberties or responsible, accountable government, the Liberal government has put people at risk by failing to act. It is especially…

  • Real–life Detroit set to receive ten-foot ‘pop culture’ Robocop statue

    Real–life Detroit set to receive ten-foot ‘pop culture’ Robocop statue

                                    In the 1987 the Dutch auteur film maker Paul Verhoeven created a movie unlike any other. He called it Robocop and I’m old enough to remember watching this dark comedy sci-fi masterpiece when it was brand spanking new.  …

  • Ontario Greens seek Experimental Lakes petition signatures UPDATE Liberals agree to fund

    Ontario Greens seek Experimental Lakes petition signatures UPDATE Liberals agree to fund

            (Toronto, Ontario): The Green Party of Ontario has launched a campaign calling on the Ontario government to take over the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) from the federal government.  In less than a day over 700 people have written emails to the Finance Minister Sousa demanding the ELA be included in the upcoming…

  • Ontario government wants to strengthen rules for Debt Settlement Services

    Ontario government wants to strengthen rules for Debt Settlement Services

                        Ontario is taking steps to provide vulnerable consumers with protection against unfair business practices of some companies that offer debt settlement services. As part of the province’s continuing commitment to strengthen consumer protection, the Ontario government intends to introduce legislation that, if passed, would impose…

  • GTHA Traffic Hurts Farmers Trying To Move Food Through Region Quickly

    GTHA Traffic Hurts Farmers Trying To Move Food Through Region Quickly

    Where investing in transit can take us…….The first subway line in Toronto opened in 1954, the year after I was born. I still remember riding the subway with my grandmother as a little girl. I was wearing my white gloves because it was a special occasion. Everyone was so excited, so proud. Today, in the…

  • Ontario’s Greens ask MPP’s to support dedicated transit funding

    Ontario’s Greens ask MPP’s to support dedicated transit funding

            (Toronto) – GPO leader Mike Schreiner is criticizing the NDP for hurting the economy and environment by refusing to support dedicated revenue tools to fund public transit.    “NDP leader Andrea Horwath sounds like Rob Ford when it comes to funding public transit,” says GPO leader Mike Schreiner. “Ontario’s economy will grind…

  • Letters To The Silo- Idle No More

    Letters To The Silo- Idle No More

    Dear Silo, We have as of late been inundated with all the bad news about the “ Idle No More “ protests by the aboriginals and how disgusting it is, and counterproductive it is and all the finger pointing that is going on, and who’s right and who’s wrong and how dare theses people disrupt…

  • Professional salons respond to Canada’s “Teen tanban” legislation via JCTA

    Professional salons respond to Canada’s “Teen tanban” legislation via JCTA

    KELOWNA, B.C. – The Joint Canadian Tanning Association (JCTA) as the representative voice for Canada’s professional salon sector, responds to the Ontario government’s introduction of a “teen ban” on UV light exposure. “Ontario’s  professional salon sector is disappointed that this legislation was brought forward. JCTA salons have long instituted standards which restrict access for youth,…

  • Revamped auto e-testing in Ontario is “ineffective money grab”

    Revamped auto e-testing in Ontario is “ineffective money grab”

                                              It’s time to scrap Ontario’s Drive Clean program and the latest reboot of the decade old Drive Clean program should get the boot altogether. I make this claim following the Wynne government’s latest set of changes introducing…

  • Letters To Silo- Concern Over Canada-China Treaty Agreement

    Letters To Silo- Concern Over Canada-China Treaty Agreement

    Hello Silo, I think this is a very, very important non-partisan political issue. I believe it is imperative to get the word out to all Canadians. I hope The Silo will give it some publicity. It is about the Canada-China Treaty Agreement. This is a letter I got from Elizabeth May after I sent an…

  • First Nations reader sends letter outlining FIPA Canada-China trade concerns

    First Nations reader sends letter outlining FIPA Canada-China trade concerns

    November 1, 2012 His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D. Governor General Your Excellency: I am going to start with this quote i read today “I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to…

  • Canada’s New ePassport Contains Biometric Chip?

    Canada’s New ePassport Contains Biometric Chip?

    Gatineau, Québec, October 26, 2012 – Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today announced that Canada’s new ePassport will be full of iconic images that will make Canadian passports more attractive and more secure. “The new ePassport will be more reflective and representative of who we are as Canadians,” said Baird during an event at the…

  • Liberals: Ontario remains on track to eliminate deficit by 2017-18

    Liberals: Ontario remains on track to eliminate deficit by 2017-18

    The deficit projection for the current fiscal year has improved by more than $400 million from the 2012 Budget forecast to $14.4 billion. The province remains on track to meet the 2012 Budget deficit targets in 2013-14 and 2014–15 and for the deficit to be eliminated by 2017–18. Ontario is projecting growth in real gross…

  • Not Up To Government To Act As Investment Banker To Support Select Businesses

    What kind of tax break would you like to see? Ontario has gotten itself into a difficult situation. Too many people have lost their jobs, our province has lost its leading position in the country, and government has lost its ability to balance its books. We face a critical choice. Either we implement sensible policies…

  • Ontario Amendments Aim To Improve Care For Marine Animals

    Ontario Amendments Aim To Improve Care For Marine Animals

    Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, has announced Ontario is proposing legislative amendments to improve care for marine mammals at aquariums and zoos and strengthen animal welfare enforcement. Ontario is proposing legislative amendments to improve care for marine mammals at aquariums and zoos and strengthen animal welfare enforcement. Recent reports on the…

  • Ontario Greens say government failing in climate change driven water protection and conservation

    Ontario Greens say government failing in climate change driven water protection and conservation

    Queen’s Park – The McGuinty Liberals have consistently failed to deliver simple policies and programs to protect and conserve our environment. These failures negatively affect our economy, communities and well being. A [Sept 25,2012] report from the Environment Commissioner of Ontario cites many examples of how the government has failed to provide adequate water protection…

  • Holland Marsh Peaker Plant

    Holland Marsh Peaker Plant

    “The cost of moving gas power plants for political reasons is more than financial. It erodes confidence in our government and our democracy. It leads to cynicism and turns people off politics.It’s a sad day for democracy when jokes are flying around Queen’s Park that the going rate for a Liberal seat is $40 million.…

  • Green Party- merging public & separate school systems would save Ontario $1,300,000,000 pr year

    Green Party- merging public & separate school systems would save Ontario $1,300,000,000 pr year

    KITCHENER-WATERLOO – Green Party of Ontario candidate Dr. Stacey Danckert was joined by Leader Mike Schreiner in Kitchener to outline the Green Party’s plan to strengthen Ontario’s school system by ending wasteful duplication in the public and Catholic boards. “With the issue of school cuts dominating these by-elections, the choice for voters is clear,” says…

  • Ontario Greens- partisan bickering brought province to “another election” edge

    Ontario Greens- partisan bickering brought province to “another election” edge

    “Ontario needs responsible leadership and instead we’re seeing partisan bickering, brinkmanship and flip-flopping from Queen’s Park politicians. Bringing us twice to the edge of another election only seven months after the last one is not responsible governance. I want to see the political establishment at Queen’s Park focus on solutions for the very real problems…

  • Unlike Quebec and United States, Ontario has no transportation budget $ for cycling infrastructure

    Unlike Quebec and United States, Ontario has no transportation budget $ for cycling infrastructure

    Toronto – GPO leader Mike Schreiner is calling on the McGuinty governmentto dedicate1% of the transportation infrastructure budget to cycling and another 1% for pedestrians. Sustainable infrastructure is a sound investment that will help people choose healthy transportation options. [The song  featured is by Mercury and was supposedly inspired by his observing a leg of…

  • Ontario Green Party still championing merging of public and Catholic school boards

    Ontario Green Party still championing merging of public and Catholic school boards

    May 15th Queen’s Park GPO leader Mike Schreiner is calling on the Liberal government to establish a public commission to explore merging the public and Catholic school boards. “The Liberals have a clear choice,” says Schreiner. “Prioritize high-quality education for all kids or protect the entrenched interests that want special funding for one religion at the…

  • 13% Of All Working Ontarians Are Public Sector Employees

    13% Of All Working Ontarians Are Public Sector Employees

    Let’s find alternatives to layoffs and program cuts. On May 16th, I introduced my Private Members Bill titled: An Act to address Ontario’s debt through alternatives to public sector layoffs and government program cuts while reducing the fiscal pressure on the people of Ontario who are having trouble paying their bills. This legislation offers options…

  • Ontario Energy Board/Green Party – Rising electricity costs due to Nuclear; not so much Wind/Solar

    Ontario Energy Board/Green Party – Rising electricity costs due to Nuclear; not so much Wind/Solar

    Ontario Energy Board report reveals nuclear causing rising electricity rates. “We need an honest discussion about rising electricity prices in Ontario. The misleading rhetoric blaming green energy for rising electrical rates is a disservice to the people of Ontario. According to the Ontario Energy Board, since 2006, 45% of the increase in our electricity costs are from subsidies for…

  • Ontario Greens: Liberal budget excludes public input on important environmental protections

    Ontario Greens: Liberal budget excludes public input on important environmental protections

    [Ontario]Liberals have voted to pass a budget that muzzles public input on changes to important environmental protections. With these changes buried in the budget bill (Bill 55), the government has in effect exempted them from the public participation process normally required by law. “The GPO is all in favour of working together, and we applaud…

  • Green Party of Ontario: “NDP prioritizes energy companies over low-income families”

    Green Party of Ontario: “NDP prioritizes energy companies over low-income families”

    On April 3rd, NDP leader Andrea Horwath introduced the first of their budget proposals, taking HST off of home heating costs. “The NDP’s proposal to subsidize home heating fuel rather than supporting our most vulnerable children through full funding of the Ontario Child Benefit reflects misguided priorities,” says Green Party of Ontario (GPO) leader Mike Schreiner.…

  • Green Party of Ontario offers ‘big ticket savings’ Budget eg: One School System

    Green Party of Ontario offers ‘big ticket savings’ Budget eg: One School System

    “Ontario’s financial future is at risk, and Premier McGuinty lacks the will to make the hard, long-term decisions we need,” says GPO Finance critic Kevin O’Donnell. “He’s already passed over obvious, big ticket savings. In contrast, our budget priorities don’t shy away from the realities facing Ontarians.” The GPO believes eliminating the deficit requires challenging…