Mantha’s News from the Park : Bill 8 & Omnibus Bills
Algoma-Manitoulin NDP MPP Michael Mantha
Last week in the legislature, New Democrats voted against Bill 8 due to the fact that it was an omnibus bill containing 11 pieces of legislation. Also one of the main concerns was that the Liberal government has been pushing time allocation on so many bills to prevent debate and ram bills through the legislature. New Democrats support greater transparency and accountability. My colleague and Finance Critic MPP Catherine Fife supported amendments to the bill to post MPP expenses online in committee. Bill 8 was not a transparency bill; it was a Harper-style omnibus that prevented oversight and accountability in many areas. Just some of the reasons we could not support this omnibus bill is that it prevents the Child Advocate from protecting children, it doesn’t address CEO pay, and it prevents the Ombudsman from investigating our healthcare sector. We would be happy to look at any non-omnibus legislation that actually addresses this issue
Even the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth stated that If passed, Bill 8 would make Ontario’s Provincial Advocate the only child and youth advocate in Canada with limited jurisdictional powers for investigations. It would give him less authority and tools to carry out his duties compared with the other six independent Officers of the Legislature. Currently, Ontario is the only province whose ombudsman has no jurisdiction over hospitals, long-term care or children’s aid societies. Bill 8 does nothing to change that Andre Marin, Ontario Ombudsman stated.
We support MPPs expenses being posted online but what we don’t support is a Stephen Harper-style omnibus bill that will actually prevent transparency and limit oversight. We support greater transparency and accountability. We voted for amendments to Bill 8 to post expenses. Both the Provincial Child Advocate and the Ontario Ombudsman have said that this bill limits accountability and prevents oversight. For those reasons New Democrats could not support this bill.
Before the legislature rose last Thursday, I had the opportunity to re-introduce my Private Members Bill for an HST rebate for Home Heating. In light of a damning Auditor-General report that shows the government misspent almost $2-billion on the failed smart meter program, now, more than ever, Ontarians need relief from the growing costs of heating their homes.
An HST rebate is a simple way to put some hard earned money back in the pockets of the people who need it most.
Liberal’s smart meter plan was intended to save money, yet the Auditor-General report this week reveals that it wasted $1.9-billion while families’ bills continue to sky-rocket. The report also revealed the Liberals wasted billions on P3 infrastructure funding schemes that saw billions of public funds go to boosting bank profits.
When Ontarians hear about billions of dollars wasted on Liberal infrastructure schemes and smart meters, it makes their blood boil. Compound that with the Liberals telling them they will just have to live with increasing hydro rates, and the whole situation just seems increasingly unfair. I know as we go into the winter months, people are worried about the increase to their bills. I will continue to pressure the liberal government to make real changes that will help hard working families in Ontario.
As always, please feel free to contact my office about this issue or any other provincial matters. You can reach my constituency office by email at mmantha-co@ndp.on.ca or by phone at 705-461-9710/1-800-831-1899.
MPP Michael Mantha, Algoma-Manitoulin
