The Algoma News Review
Micheal Mantha's News From The Park, October 9th, 2018
As most people know, each September the Ontario Plowmen’s’ Association hosts theInternational Plowing Match which is
an agricultural expo held in a different corners of the province annually. This
year it was in Pain Court, down near Chatham. As well, tradition has it that
MPPs and the party leaders attend and use the event as a way to connect with
the farming community. Personally, I always really enjoy the friendly and
relaxed atmosphere where I get to connect with friends I’ve made over the
years. It also provides me with an opportunity to interact with members from
across the aisle in a meaningful, positive way.
Truly, I do have to admit that one of the other key
factors is that my NDP colleagues and I enjoy being there to cheer on Andrea
Horwath as all of the party leaders compete with each other, getting behind the
wheel of a tractor and try their hand at plowing. I’m happy to say that Andrea
extended her successive win record to five this year with her straight and even
furrows. Mr. Ford is encouraged to practice his skills over the next year so
that he may be ‘straighter’ with his lines for the next competition.
As they say, ‘all good
things must come to an end,’ just as it has for Doug Ford’s honeymoon with
Ontario voters. It seems that just months after making promises at the campaign
alter to look out for the ‘little guy’ or average Ontario worker, the wooing
commitment has been put aside. Proof the honeymoon is over is clear from all of
the protests held across the province and even in the Legislature where
citizens have made their displeasure known from the public gallery, much to the
chagrin of the government.
After just four months
in office it is clear Doug Ford is not looking out for the ‘little guy.’ The
truth is that his priorities do not match with the majority of Ontario voters.
Remember, while the Conservatives won a majority number of seats in Queen’s
Park, they only captured 40% of the popular vote. One example of Ford’s callous
attitude toward average Ontarians is the Conservative plan to freeze the
minimum wage at $14 an hour, cancelling the January 1st increase.
This rips $2,000 a year out of the hands of the lowest-wage workers in the
province. Ford is listening to the many lobbyists who are buzzing the backrooms
as they twist government arms to also cancel improvements to labour laws such
as the new sick day and pay equity protections granted to Ontario
workers this year.
Still thinking of the ‘little guy’,
Ford’s latest spurn for the average worker is to give big business a 30% break
on the insurance premiums they pay to the Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB).
This windfall for big business stems from the elimination of WSIB’s unfunded
liability – the difference between its current funding levels and long-term
payouts. WSIB was created to provide much needed support for vulnerable injured
workers. Instead all the Conservative plan does is line the boss’s pockets
while the injured workers life is in shambles. So how is this looking out or
the little guy by taking this action? Ontario workers deserve better!
New Democrats are also
concerned for Ontario farmers who are very important ‘little guys’ in the
province. Just days ago the Federal Government finished negotiating the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA),
which replaces NAFTA. One of the results is that dairy farmers will be taking a
hit. The new agreement also fails to address the steep and punitive tariffs
currently being charged on steel and aluminum. With thousands of jobs and
billions of dollars in economic activity on the line, many of Ontario’s family
farms are at risk.
The USMCA
threatens to undermine supply management in Canada. This a system has allowed
for a stable agriculture sector and food supply across the country for over 50
years. Ford refuses to allow for the possibility that Ontario’s farmers could
expect Ontario to be involved in support, even transitional support, to ensure
their long-term stability. Farmers have relied on supply management to
ensure they can earn a living and pay the bills while they do the hard work of
feeding our families.
The USMCA is
devastating news for Ontario farmers. Some farm families are wondering whether
they can continue or if they’ll need to pack it in. They need to see our
provincial government taking swift action, including financial assistance and a
plan to ensure Ontario farms are sustainable in the long-term. Ford’s
much-lauded trip to Washington obviously failed to move the needle on trade
negotiations. So at the very least he should step up now with support for Ontario
farmers, labourers and Ontario industries.
The Quebec
government stepped up with direct financial aid and money for transition
training. The people of Ontario deserve no less. Now is not the time to point
fingers and pass the buck on to the federal government. All Ontario families
are being put at risk. We need a leader that offers solutions and hope instead
of just criticism.
As always, please feel
free to contact my office about these issues, 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 or Toll free 1-800-831-1899.
Michael Mantha
MPP/député
Algoma-Manitoulin
