This week I attended the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference in Ottawa where I joined municipal leaders and delegations from across Ontario including several from communities in Algoma-Manitoulin. The purpose of the AMO, which is comprised of almost all of Ontario’s [Read more]
You might not have heard about the problems afflicting the Phoenix pay system that the federal government uses, but if you are one of the 80,000 people affected by them, you are all too aware that a lot is wrong. Not getting paid, getting paid too much, having taxes deducted for the wrong [Read more]
The problems with internet connectivity in Northern Ontario are well documented and it is ironic that this revolutionary technology, which could level the geographic playing field, is so difficult to provide in rural and remote areas. From simple quality of life issues to the best opportunity [Read more]
I am adamantly opposed to the Conservative government’s Bill C- 51. It undermines the foundations of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms – and what it means to be Canadian. Because of its very fuzzy definitions of “terrorism,” “safety,” and “security,” [Read more]
OTTAWA, ON — Today MP Bruce Hyer released the following statement regarding the designation of heritage lighthouses under the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act: “Community groups that work to protect our heritage lighthouses and curate an important part of Canada’s maritime history have [Read more]
The government is crowing about a balanced budget but what they aren’t bragging about is how their efforts offer little hope to improve stagnant job numbers or some dismal economic indicators that show their balancing job for what it is – a temporary illusion. What you will hear a lot [Read more]
OTTAWA, ON – The government is cynically attempting to use veterans as a wedge to garner support for their pre-election budget despite years of inaction, says Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP, Carol Hughes. Hughes says the government should remove the items related to Veterans from the budget so [Read more]
Day after day, week after week, without a doubt the number one concern raised in our offices is the skyrocketing cost of hydro. Absolutely nothing has been done since this Liberal government was given a majority mandate to alleviate the crippling costs of hydro on hardworking families across this [Read more]
Submitted by Andrew Foulds THUNDER BAY, ON – Thunder Bay City Councillor Andrew Foulds announced today that he will seek the Thunder Bay Superior North NDP nomination for the coming Federal election. In making the announcement, Foulds said, “It is an exciting time for New Democrats. As [Read more]
When the government cries broke when faced with common sense decisions like supporting passenger services on the ACR (while stakeholders find a permanent solution to a government-created crisis) that claim should be viewed through the lens of their huge and growing advertising budget. Spending [Read more]
As oil prices slump and take the Canadian dollar along for the ride the question of how budget projections that predicted a modest surplus can be maintained is the flavour of the month in Ottawa. Despite negative indicators the government is holding firm to its projections, but has also moved the [Read more]
We are often told not to put all our eggs in one basket and not to count our chickens until they hatch. Someone should have reminded the federal government about those poultry related maxims as they set out to spend a surplus based on assumptions which included oil trading at a high price. Now [Read more]
Manitoulin Family Resources is set to open their newly constructed food bank this month. While I am saddened that I will be in Ottawa and unable to join their celebrations for this achievement, I am more than a little frustrated that in a country as rich as ours the number of Canadians who rely [Read more]
Since the economic crisis in 2008 and the collapse of the forest industry, many Northwestern Ontarians have struggled to support their families and make ends meet. Our region has dealt with significant unemployment. Canada’s Employment Insurance system is supposed to help with situations like [Read more]
OTTAWA, ON – New Democrats have ramped up pressure in House of Commons for the government to call an inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women, says Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP, Carol Hughes. New Democrats took control of the House agenda on Friday forcing a debate and a vote on the [Read more]
