Latest news with #LiberalHouse
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Newsroom Ready: NDP request for official party status denied
Liberal House leader Steven Mackinnon says the Parliament of Canada Act requires a party to have 12 seats to be granted official party status and that requirement won't be waived for the NDP, which only won seven seats in the last election. Interim NDP Leader Don Davies says even with only seven seats the party holds the balance of power in the minority Parliament and should have the tools it needs to fulfil that function.(May 26, 2025)
Toronto Star
07-05-2025
- Health
- Toronto Star
Health Minister Sylvia Jones insists Ontario's measles efforts are working despite spike in cases
Health Minister Sylvia Jones insists Ontario's strategy to fight measles is working despite a growing number of cases that includes a sharp rise of 223 infections reported last week. Health Ontario sees sharpest rise in measles yet with 223 new infections since last week TORONTO - Ontario is reporting its highest weekly increase in measles cases since its outbre… She defended efforts by the government and chief medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore as other provinces have managed to put a lid on the increase in the highly infectious disease. 'Over a year ago, he directed public health units to refocus their efforts on childhood vaccination. Is that working? I believe it is,' she told reporters in Brampton, encouraging anyone who has not had a free measles shot to get one. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'There is no shortage.' The increase in Ontario cases last week was the highest weekly rise since the outbreak began. At least 1,243 people have caught measles since October, with 84 hospitalized — 63 of them children. New cases had been limited to 100 in previous weeks, prompting deeper concerns about Ontario's approach which some critics say has been low-profile compared with efforts from Premier Doug Ford, Jones and Moore at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when frequent news conferences were televised province-wide. 'Parents are worried about sending their kids to school,' New Democrat Leader Marit Stiles said in the legislature's daily question period. 'The government seems to be totally content with the state of things.' Many of the measles cases are in southwestern Ontario. Part of the problem has been that some families fell behind on their childhood vaccination schedules during the pandemic. 'There's no doubt that there are outbreaks in certain communities,' Jones said as she touted an investment of up to $300 million coming in next Wednesday's provincial budget to establish as many as 17 new or expanded primary-care clinics in areas hardest hit by Ontario's doctor shortage. They will be teaching clinics associated with Ontario medical schools. Provincial Politics Doug Ford's Tories will table Ontario budget on May 15 as Trump's threats loom Bethlenfalvy will introduce the budget against the backdrop of economic threats to Canada from 'The focus needs to be on, first, reminding caregivers and parents the value and the efficacy of a measles vaccine that have been in place for over 50 years in the province of Ontario,' she said, citing a social media campaign and increased efforts by some health units to hold special vaccine clinics. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'With two doses you have over 97 per cent protection.' Liberal House Leader John Fraser accused Ford's government of 'failing to protect' the province — especially children — from measles and noted Ontario has twice as many cases as Texas, a state that has double the population. 'It's a serious situation and we didn't have to be here,' he added, blaming anti-vaccination campaigns in some circles on social media and charging Ontario has not done enough to counter them. The Ford government was not shy about spending tens of millions on pre-election feel-good ads about the economy to 'pat yourself on the back' but sees no need to launch a major campaign on measles shots, Fraser said. 'All of that money would have been way better spent.' Politics Headlines Newsletter Get the latest news and unmatched insights in your inbox every evening Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. Please enter a valid email address. Sign Up Yes, I'd also like to receive customized content suggestions and promotional messages from the Star. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Politics Headlines Newsletter You're signed up! You'll start getting Politics Headlines in your inbox soon. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page.
Toronto Star
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Despite Doug Ford's tough talk no U.S.-style election of judges planned for Ontario, attorney general says
Ontario is not pushing for the U.S.-style election of judges despite words to the contrary from Doug Ford, Attorney General Doug Downey said as the government went into damage-control mode after the premier called judicial independence a 'joke.' Ford's attack — including angry comments about 'unelected' judges followed a court injunction that temporarily halted the removal of several bike lanes in Toronto — sparked warnings from the province's top justices, civil rights groups and opposition parties. Provincial Politics Doug Ford vows to appeal injunction preventing removal of Toronto bike lanes Railing against 'unelected' judges, Premier Doug Ford says Ontario will appeal a temporary court 'It's not something that we're pursuing,' Downey told reporters Thursday as questions about judicial elections overshadowed a news conference on proposed reforms to put child sex traffickers on the sex offender registry, make it easier to get restraining orders against domestic abusers and study involuntary addictions treatment for people in jail. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'Everybody knows that judicial independence is a bedrock in a democracy,' added Downey, a lawyer. Fearing that Ford does not, Ontario's Chief Justices Michael Tulloch, Geoffrey Morawetz and Sharon Nicklas issued a rare statement following remarks from the premier including his assertion that 'judges should not determine items like bike lanes ... because of ideology.' 'We get elected democratically,' Ford said Wednesday, noting his government passed legislation and was re-elected to a third majority on Feb. 27 on a platform that included removing bikeways on Bloor, Yonge and University. 'Last I checked, there hasn't been any judges elected. Maybe that's the problem.' The three justices stressed judicial independence is key to the rule of law. 'A judge must be, and must be seen to be, free to decide each case on its own merits, without interference or influence of any kind from any source, including politicians,' they wrote, echoing concerns raised by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. 'Every Canadian has the right to have their legal issues decided by fair and impartial judges ... so the public can be confident that judicial decisions are made without bias.' Downey defended Ford for his remarks about judges, saying 'the frustration that it comes from is real,' including the premier's concerns that 'bleeding heart judges' are letting too many violent criminals out on bail. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'It is important that we go after the offenders, the violent repeat offenders,' the attorney general added. Ford repeatedly evaded questions about his controversial comments in the legislature's question period Thursday, leaving Downey to dismiss them as 'nonsense' as he touted measures the government is taking to clamp down on crimes, including a rash of car thefts and home invasions. Liberal House Leader John Fraser said the premier's remark 'let's start electing our judges, holding them accountable' is even more alarming when coupled with his failed 2019 attempt to make family friend Ron Taverner, a Toronto police superintendent, commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police. He challenged Ford to clarify his position. 'Where I come from, if you say something out loud, a whole bunch of things out loud, you have to at least ... have the cojones to stand up and respond,' Fraser said. Ford remained in his seat. 'It's a shame the premier doesn't understand judges don't work for him or any other politician,' New Democrat MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam said minutes later. In the bike lane injunction decision April 22, Justice Paul Schabas ruled Ontario government lawyers provided 'no evidence' of an urgent need to proceed with removing bike lanes on Bloor Street, Yonge Street and University Avenue, noting they are 'more easily removed than rebuilt or restored.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The injunction came as Schabas weighs a Charter challenge of the removal of bike lanes. The injunction was filed by cycling advocates who say removing the lanes violates Charter rights to life and security of the person. The government is appealing the injunction decision. Opposition parties said they will take a close look at the fine print in Downey's proposed justice reforms in a bill called the 'Protect Ontario Through Safer Streets and Stronger Communities Act' tabled in the legislature Thursday afternoon. 'I don't understand why the province is talking about involuntary treatment when they haven't provided enough funding for people who actually want to access treatment' for which the wait lists are 'unacceptably long,' said Green Leader Mike Schreiner. Politics Headlines Newsletter Get the latest news and unmatched insights in your inbox every evening Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. Please enter a valid email address. Sign Up Yes, I'd also like to receive customized content suggestions and promotional messages from the Star. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Politics Headlines Newsletter You're signed up! You'll start getting Politics Headlines in your inbox soon. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page.
CBC
25-02-2025
- Business
- CBC
Liberal bill would require considering wood heat for N.S. public buildings
Liberal House leader Iain Rankin says a bill his party tabled last week at Province House would create new markets for the forestry industry while helping to heat public buildings with something other than oil. The Wood Chip Heating Systems in Public Buildings Act would require Nova Scotia government officials to consider wood heat systems in all new public buildings or in cases of major retrofits, including for schools and hospitals. In an interview last week, Rankin said there would be multiple benefits to the initiative. "For the climate, because it is a renewable resource. It could be a cost savings to the province because of the volatility of oil prices — so it's displacing oil — and it creates a good economic advantage to areas of the province that are predominantly rural." Rankin said the bill is a nod to the 2018 Lahey report on sustainable forestry practices, which advocated for the use of efficient wood heat as a way to create markets for wood chips and low-grade forestry byproducts from ecological forestry. The industry has struggled to find such markets since the shutdown of the Northern Pulp mill in Pictou County five years ago. When Rankin was lands and forestry minister in a former Liberal government, he said there was an extensive list of public buildings that could be converted to wood heat. Since the change in government in 2021, however, he said it seems like there is less interest in using wood heat. He called on Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton to champion the cause as a way to promote more ecological forestry and create economic development for rural communities. In a recent interview, Rushton said he's interested in exploring new markets for low-grade wood and chips, and noted an ongoing assessment of the viability of a new pulp mill in Queens County and the potential creation of a hub for sustainable aviation fuel that would use biomass as part of the process. Rankin's bill comes on the heels of a report from Nova Scotia-based TorchLight Bioresources, which makes the case for the development of biomass combined heat and power plants, along with associated district heating networks, throughout the province. Another option that incorporates wood heat The plants would be fuelled with low-grade wood products and the byproducts of ecological forestry, with generated electricity going into the grid and generated heat being delivered to homes and buildings through a network of underground pipes. The process is common in countries such as Denmark, Finland and Sweden, according to the report. "None of this is experimental, this is actually what has driven decarbonization in these [countries]," Jamie Stephen, TorchLight's managing director, said in a recent interview. Although the establishment of the power plants and pipe networks would cost billions of dollars, the report points to financing options through pension funds and private-sector equity investment without relinquishing ownership. Co-operative ownership, which is common in Europe, is another option. Stephen said combined district heat and power plant systems would help control heating costs in the province while making Nova Scotia less dependent on energy imports and positioning the province to become a net exporter of energy.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Liberal leadership candidates clear a challenging fundraising hurdle
OTTAWA — The campaign teams for the remaining Liberal leadership contestants all confirmed Friday they have cleared a major fundraising hurdle, allowing them to remain in the race. The campaigns said they have each paid the party $125,000 that was due today — part of an instalment plan to manage a hefty total entry fee of $350,000. The candidates will have to come up with a final payment of $125,000 by Feb. 17. Former Liberal House leader Karina Gould's campaign confirmed Friday afternoon she cleared the bar and said the average individual donation to her campaign was $150. Her campaign raised questions about how long she could stay in the race when it sent out a fundraising email Tuesday night warning supporters she needed to raise $100,000 by the 5 p.m. deadline. She said Thursday the party establishment tried "as hard as possible" to keep the number of candidates low and that she was working to meet an "extremely aggressive" fundraising deadline. Nova Scotia MP Jaime Battiste, who was the only First Nations candidate in the race, was forced to drop out of the running when the last payment deadline arrived a week ago. He said his campaign struggled to raise the funds in such a short time. A spokesperson for candidate Frank Baylis, a former Liberal MP and Montreal businessman, confirmed Friday the party received his payment. Baylis told a press conference Thursday that he would meet all the fundraising deadlines. "I understand the party. It's in a very difficult position. This is a very condensed race. We have a very short time period," he said. "But I respect what the party is doing, and we're going to work within the confines of the rules that the parties laid out." Sakshi Mehrotra, a spokesperson for former MP Ruby Dhalla's campaign, said in an email she raised the $125,000 and sent the money off to the party Friday morning. Former central bank governor Mark Carney and former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland, widely seen as the front-runners, have both made their payments as well. The Liberal party is looking to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in record time. Trudeau announced Jan. 6 that he would step down as soon as a new leader was elected, and prorogued Parliament until March 24. The party later announced it would elect its next leader on March 9. The candidates will meet in two debates — one in English and one in French — after the Feb. 17 final fee payment deadline passes. The party reported a week ago that nearly 400,000 supporters registered as members to vote in the leadership race before the deadline. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 7, 2025. Michel Saba and Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press
