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CTV News
28-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Chatham-Kent councillor's pay suspension challenge now before judge
Rhonda Jubenville, New Blue Party of Ontario (Source: New Blue Party of Ontario) A legal challenge launched by Chatham-Kent councillor Rhonda Jubenville is now before a judge, with a virtual hearing underway this morning. The Ward 4 councillor is seeking a judicial review of council's decision to suspend her pay for 90 days — the maximum penalty allowed under Ontario's Municipal Act — after the municipality's integrity commissioner found she violated council's code of conduct. The controversy began in 2023, when Jubenville proposed a motion to limit flag raisings at municipal buildings to only national, provincial and municipal flags. She brought forward the motion after a local anti-abortion group's flag request was denied, while flags supporting Pride and other causes were permitted. Council voted the motion down. In the months that followed, the municipality received multiple complaints about Jubenville's social media activity. A report by Integrity Commissioner Mary Ellen Bench found that Jubenville used her position to bully and intimidate critics, violating rules around improper use of influence and discreditable conduct. Among the posts cited in the report: A Facebook post supporting Norwich Township's ban on Pride flags, with Jubenville writing: 'I wish CK Council felt the same… Good for Norwich! Makes sense to me.' A post alerting families that teachers in the Lambton Kent District School Board would be attending a workshop 'to prepare for Drag Queen Story Time,' which drew sharp criticism and concerns about misinformation. A post alleging a Pride flag was flown incorrectly beneath the Canadian flag at a local high school, calling the move disrespectful and encouraging residents to 'let Blenheim High School know your feelings.' A post referencing another group's 'healing event' related to the flag debate, in which Jubenville wrote: 'FYI… For the trauma I caused them 🙄. The irony is the stress I was caused by vile words and threats... over a motion that had nothing to do with them specifically.' The commissioner's report also noted that several municipal staff and members of the public felt intimidated by Jubenville's rhetoric and the actions of some of her supporters. One complainant cited concerns for personal safety, saying, 'My mental health is suffering worrying about what she is going to do next.' Jubenville's legal team argues that the investigation was procedurally unfair, particularly because the identities of the complainants were not disclosed. Her lawyer, Michael Alexander, maintains that the integrity commissioner's conclusions lack a solid factual basis and infringe on Jubenville's Charter right to free expression. A judge will now decide whether the case will proceed to a full judicial review.
CBC
25-02-2025
- Health
- CBC
How Guelph candidates plan to address health care, tariff threats and housing the homeless
Health care is a top concern for Guelph voters. Here's what candidates say they'll do 1 hour ago Duration 3:41 After participating in a panel discussion on CBC K-W's The Morning Edition, Guelph candidates were asked to explain how they'd address the health-care crisis and family doctor shortage in their riding. The three candidates who took part in the panel were incumbent Mike Schreiner of the Green Party, NDP Cameron Spence, and Liberal Mustafa Zuberi. The other candidates are Robert Coole of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, who declined to participate in the panel, and Carina Fraser of the New Blue Party. Health care, tariff threats and housing the homeless were among the top issues addressed by Guelph candidates as part of a panel discussion on CBC Kitchener-Waterloo's The Morning Edition on Tuesday. Three candidates from major parties joined host Craig Norris for the panel discussion. CBC K-W invited the candidates from the four parties with MPPs currently sitting at Queen's Park. There are eight candidates in Guelph: Robert Coole, Progressive Conservatives. Carina Fraser, New Blue Party. Mike Schreiner, Green (incumbent). Cameron Spence, NDP. Mustafa Zuberi, Liberal. Three candidates — Schreiner, Spence, and Zuberi — attended the panel. Coole did not respond to the invitation to participate. Health care Access to family doctors and long emergency room wait times were among some of the concerns Guelph voters put down in CBC K-W's voter survey. Candidates were asked what they believe needs to be done to improve health care access in Guelph. Spence said under funding has led to a lack of PSWs and ambulances at Guelph General Hospital and a reliance on private nursing organizations. "They're costing us $100 to $160 per hour. We need to have a proper nursing ratio for care," he said. Spence said his government would increase funding for hospitals, which in turn would save money. "Turns out when people get care quickly it costs less money because they're getting care when they're not as ill and it's not so intensive for treatment," he said. Spence also said he would advocate for a second hospital in the city. Zuberi said his government would look to renovate the existing hospital, but said he too would advocate for a second one. He said that a top health-care priority of his would be to see better working conditions and pay for doctors and nurses. "We will make sure that it's an ideal career for them to work at and not a restrained and overburdened career," he said. He said his party leader, Bonnie Crombie, has committed to starting two new medical schools in Ontario. Zuberi said he would advocate for the University of Guelph to be a potential destination for one of those medical programs. He said it would "not only just help us in the short term for addressing the health-care needs, but also keep the talent that we have with the University of Guelph." Schreiner focused on health-care staffing issues in the hospital, long-term care homes and mental health services, calling for better wages and working conditions. He said "Guelph desperately needs a new hospital," as a result of population growth. He said the current location is built for a city of 70,000 people and Guelph's population is double that. Schreiner referenced his role in getting approval for phase one of the new hospital and his role in securing funding for the expansion of Guelph General Hospital, but said the job isn't done yet. He called for an increase to long-term care homes in Guelph, saying his government has secured funding for 195 more beds in that field. He said his government would also work to extend mental health care coverage under OHIP, "ensuring that we have accessible, affordable mental health care for people in our communities." Economy and tariff concerns Guelph voters raised concerns about the economy and any impact U.S.-imposed tariffs might have on local businesses. Candidates were asked what role they see themselves playing, if elected, in combating tariffs and bolstering the economy. Zuberi said he wants to see a team Canada approach. To him, that means removing interprovincial trade barriers and working with the federal government to seek out international trade partners aside from the U.S. "That's one of the ways that we can bolster our economy and see free trade amongst our provinces," he said. Zuberi said new international trade partners would help businesses, like Linamar, diversify their business and help them to stop relying on American parts, all while ensuring job stability in Guelph. He also said his government would incentivize small businesses by lowering interest rates and providing tax incentives to farmers so they continue to grow locally and people can buy Canadian products. Schreiner said that Ontario needs "strength through unity," to push back on proposed tariffs. He said his government would introduce an investment tax credit to help reignite investment in the city, which he said would help create jobs in the face of the trade threats. Schreiner said his government would remove interprovincial trade barriers and "aggressively" diversify international trade partners, too. He said they would also introduce a "buy-local public procurement program" to support Ontario businesses. In addition, Schreiner said he would raise the employer health tax exemption. He said that would "lower payroll taxes on small businesses so they can hire more people [and] pay them higher wages to address the ripple effects that we're already seeing." Spence said if he were elected he would focus on workers, saying policy needs to prioritize stable jobs rather than corporate subsidies. To him, that means properly funding education, child care, health care and housing. "We need workers who can afford to live. We need workers who have a home and who can afford that home," he said. Spence said his government would use investments that might have been heading toward large corporations on full-time jobs for residents of Guelph. Housing and homelessness Guelph has struggled with how to handle homeless encampments in the past. With the crisis growing, candidates were asked what they believe needs to happen in Guelph to ensure everyone has a place to call home. Schreiner said the housing crisis is the number one issue he hears about when he speaks with voters. He said his government would invest in permanent, supportive housing with wrap around mental health and addiction supports. "Guelph has been one of the most successful in securing that funding over the last couple of years. But we need way more in Guelph and across our entire region," he said He said the government has been under investing in housing for 30 years, adding that his government would get back into building deeply affordable non-profit and co-op housing. Spence said his party sees housing as a human right. He said providing a house for someone experiencing homelessness is cheaper than allowing them to live on the street. "If someone suffering from a mental health condition or an addiction, they need to feel safe first," he said. "Once they feel safe in their own home, then they can get the help that they need." He said having steady mental health care and his party's plan of doubling OWSP and ODSP rates will also help people transition back into the workforce. Zubari said the first thing his government would do is focus on mental health care, which under the Liberal's plan will be covered by OHIP. He said the second thing he would do is bring back rent control and solve the backlogs at the Landlord and Tenant Board. When it comes to building affordable new homes, Zubari said his party plans to cut development charges for houses under 3,000 sq. ft., as well as cutting the provincial land transfer tax. "These aren't small numbers and if we have this collective approach together, we will see massive reduction in housing costs and rental costs across the board," said Zubari. Candidate from non-major party While only candidates running for parties with seats at the Ontario Legislature were invited to participate in the candidate panel, Guelph also has a candidate from a non-major party: Carina Fraser of the New Blue Party of Ontario. CBC News reached out to Fraser to ask about her priorities for the Guelph riding, but did not receive a response. Voting Early voting polls have ended and Guelph saw 8,503 residents, or about 7.4 per cent of all registered voters, drop off their ballots. People can vote at the Guelph election office located at 292 Speedvale Ave. W., Guelph on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Election day is Thursday, Feb. 27.
CBC
24-02-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Smaller Ontario parties, independents looking to score wins in snap election
Apart from the four major parties you're familiar with 16 parties and 41 independents will be looking to win a riding in the Ontario election. It's a rare but not impossible feat. In Ontario's last election in 2022, a lone independent candidate, Bobbi Ann Brady, catpured the seat of Haldimand-Norfolk. And this year, she's running again. According to her website, Brady became the first female independent MPP ever elected in this province and the first to be elected as an independent without previously winning with a major party since 1905. In this year's snap winter election, triggered early by PC Leader Doug Ford, more than three dozen independents will be looking to the same. Remember, in Ontario's system you vote for who you want to be your local MPP, not who you want to be premier. That means smaller parties that don't often have the reach or resources of the major parties (the PCs, NDP, Liberals and Greens) will still often get candidates onto your ballot. The best way to see who is running in your riding is use the candidate search on Elections Ontario's website. New Blue party fields more than 100 candidates The New Blue Party was the most successful party not to win a seat in the last provincial election, and has candidates in 108 of the 124 ridings this year. One of them, Belinda Karahalios, was a Progressive Conservative MPP before she was removed from the party caucus for opposing its COVID-19 emergency measures. She and her husband, Jim Karahalios, then launched a new party. They say Ford hasn't done enough to cut taxes. "There's never been any tax relief that they've put in place, and Doug Ford continues to promise that every election cycle," Jim Karaholios said in an interview last week. "And then when he gets another mandate, he never provides permanent tax relief." The party wants to cut the HST from 13 per cent to 10. Karahalios says "cleaning house at Queen's Park" is a priority for the New Blue Party. "Because whether it's PCs or Liberals, all we see is cronyism, scandals after scandals, and no one that's respecting taxpayers in this province," he said. The New Blue Party received nearly 130,000 votes in 2022, the most of any party that didn't win a seat. Second best among those parties was the Ontario Party, founded in 2018, which took home nearly 85,000 votes. Ousted NDP, PC MPPs running as independents Voters in some Ontario ridings will also see a few familiar names running as independents. In Hamilton, Sarah Jama, a housing and disability activist who won Hamilton Centre for the NDP in a byelection in March 202, will be running as an independent. In October 2023, Jama was ousted from the party after she made a statement in support of Palestinians following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel that led to the current Israel-Hamas war. Jama called for an immediate ceasefire and an "end to all occupation of Palestinian land." Michael Mantha, who was removed from the NDP caucus in August 2023 after allegations of workplace misconduct, is also running again in Algoma-Manitoulin. Mantha promises to disrupt conventional party dynamics and could potentially split votes in a riding that has elected New Democrats and Liberal candidates for the past four decades. Meanwhile, Vincent Ke, a Toronto MPP who resigned from the PC caucus and sat as an independent over allegations he's linked to election interference by China, is running again in Don Valley North. Ke's team, in a news release this week, maintained he's done nothing wrong. "He has never been charged or convicted of any crime. While allegations were made against him, there is no evidence to support those false and defamatory claims," the release said. None of the Above party pushing for electoral change Greg Vezina, leader of the None of the Above Direct Democracy Party, wants to see referendums on main issues, saying he'd push for a "direct democracy" system similar to Switzerland's. It's one of the party's main priorities "In Ontario, we have no say, absolutely no control once we elect a government," Vezina said last week. But he says he knows it's tough for smaller parties like his to come up with big wins. "We've got two chances of winning: slim and none," Vezina said. The Ontario Party and New Blue Party won a combined 4.5 per cent of the total vote in 2022, while the remaining parties that didn't win a seat, including None of the Above, combined to receive 0.5 per cent. Still, Vezina says he hopes his party can win enough votes to move the needle on key issues.
CBC
24-02-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Ontario Election 2025: Health care and affordability key issues in the riding of Essex
Ontario Votes 2025: Health care, affordability priorities for candidates in Essex 55 years ago Eight candidates are eager for your votes in the riding of Essex, many of them pointing to healthcare and affordability as key election issues. Here's who's running, in alphabetical order: Brigitte Belton - New Blue Party New Blue Party candidate Brigitte Belton is a truck driver living in Wallaceburg. She describes herself as one of the leaders of the self-described Freedom Convoy in southwestern Ontario. "I am a hard worker. I work 70 hours a week currently, and if I need to work more, I will. I believe in an open door policy. You will always have access to me," she said. Tackling affordability is one her top priorities, as is ensuring everyone has a family doctor. She said her party wants to rehire every doctor and nurse that was let go due to COVID-19 vaccine mandates. "People who work hard, who go to work every day are now suffering. They're having a hard time paying bills," she said, adding that effective leadership is needed to address the issues affecting the province. Stephen Higgins - Green Party of Ontario Green Party of Ontario candidate Stephen Higgins is a lifelong Kingsville resident and entrepreneur, currently running PURE Mobile Wash. "I'm going to be a strong independent voice and the Green Party platform allows their candidates to be that strong independent voice that represents the riding at Queens Park and not the party to the riding," he said. "Politics should be done that way." Addressing healthcare — especially mental healthcare — and education are his biggest priorities. "Investing in education is investing in our own future. We are all going to age and we need to have people that are able to solve the problems that we'll be facing when we're older," he said. Travis Jacques - Ontario Party Travis Jacques is running for the Ontario Party, which describes itself as a party defending freedom, family and faith. CBC was unable to reach him for an interview. (Incumbent) Anthony Leardi - PC Party of Ontario Incumbent Anthony Leardi was first elected as MPP for the PC Party in 2022. He is a lawyer and former deputy mayor of the Town of Amherstburg. His campaign manager told CBC he was unable to participate in an interview. In posts to campaign social media, Leardi notes the party's need for a strong mandate in the fight against tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump, as well as the endorsements the party has received from unions across the province. He has also posted about protecting Ontario's energy sector. Kevin Linfield - None of the Above Direct Democracy Party Holding the banner for the None of the Above Direct Democracy Party is Kevin Linfield, an aerospace engineer who lives in Essex County. He describes himself as a "concerned voter" who does not like how party politics have been playing out across Ontario and the country for some time. Addressing the housing shortage is his top priority. "I am very concerned that my children will not be able to afford a house in Ontario," he said, explaining that he would be advocating for duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes to be built on regular lots, as well as smaller homes. He acknowledges most people won't choose him this election, but said, "Doesn't matter who you're voting for, whether it's Conservatives, Liberals, Greens, NDP or None of the Above, I would want people to get out and vote. Please don't stay home. Vote." Rachael Mills - Ontario NDP Ontario NDP candidate Rachael Mills describes herself as a community activist who has worked in healthcare and customer service. Improving healthcare and affordable housing options are her top priorities. "We need sustainable land use planning to ensure that we're building the homes that we need in the communities that we know and love that have the infrastructure and not continue to threaten and jeopardize our natural environment and our agricultural lands," she said. She says when the election was called, "I knew that I had to get out there and really provide people the opportunity to feel hopeful. We have the solutions. We have a fantastic platform and plan to address all of these concerns." Tamara Stomp - Ontario Liberal Party Ontario Liberal candidate Tamara Stomp is from Kingsville and works as a lawyer in Windsor. She also served on Kingsville's town council for 11 years from 2003 to 2014, including as deputy mayor for the final four years. Her top priorities in this election are housing, education and healthcare, adding that she herself does not have a family doctor. She said the province needs to open up more schools or programs to take in students wanting to become doctors. "I have a lot of knowledge, a lot of experience, and I believe that in the public I have a lot of integrity. I want to tell you the truth. I do not want to sugarcoat it," she said. "Ontarians are facing these tariff issues and all the big problems that have come with Doug Ford's reign of seven years where he has not fixed the home healthcare, the homelessness, not the healthcare and not the education. They're worse than they were before that." William Szabo Verzoc - Independent Independent candidate William Szabo Verzoc describes himself as a disability rights advocate living with Crohn's disease, with a background in medical studies. "I'm running because I believe our party system has ultimately failed us and it's important that we as individuals are able to be nominated and run as independents and speak our minds and contribute to this particular election process," he said. He cites healthcare as his top priority, saying he would like to increase the number of medical school placements in Ontario, and lift some restrictions for Canadians who have studied abroad. "We all have to be healthy in order to live our best lives," he said. "I would say yes, in order to have a thriving society, you have to have a healthy society in order to get people off the streets, right? They have to be healthy, both in body and in mind."
CBC
20-02-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Perth-Wellington: 6 candidates seek to unseat PC incumbent
Social Sharing Matthew Rae, a one-term MPP, is hoping to retain his seat in this large rural Ontario riding that includes Perth County, the Town of Minto and the townships of Mapleton and Wellington North. There are seven candidates running in Perth-Wellington: Jason Davis, NDP. Ashley Fox, Liberal. James Montgomery, New Blue Party. Ian Morton, Green. Matthew Rae, Progressive Conservatives (incumbent). Rob Smink, Freedom Party of Ontario. Sarah Zenuh, Ontario Party. Jason Davis, the NDP candidate, is a diesel technician and owner of Stratford Comic Stop and is co-founder of Stratford Affordable Housing Alliance and a director for Mikinaak Community Land Trust. Ashley Fox, the Liberal candidate, is a registered practical nurse and works as a nurse case manager and community outreach co-ordinator at Promyse Home Care This is her second time running as the Liberal candidate in this riding. James Montgomery of the New Blue Party is a Canadian Armed Forces veteran and continues to mentor young people through the cadet program. He also works in auto manufacturing as an instructor to promote skilled trades. He ran for a council seat in Stratford in 2022. Ian Morton, the Green candidate, is a teacher who has also volunteered on city committees in Stratford including as chair of the energy and environment committee and as vice-chair of the active transportation advisory committee. He ran for a council seat in Stratford in 2022. Matthew Rae, the Progressive Conservative candidate, is the incumbent in Perth-Wellington, having first won his seat in 2022. Prior to being elected, Rae worked on his family's dairy farm near Harriston and also worked for former MPP Randy Pettapiece and current Perth-Wellington MP John Nater. During his first term, Rae held two parliamentary assistant positions: Most recently to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and before that to the Minister of Education. Robby Smink has run as a candidate of the Freedom Party of Ontario in every provincial election since 1985. The former salesman from St. Marys uses the election as an opportunity to raise issues such as the federal carbon tax, COVID measures and the theory that the vapour trails from airplanes are chemicals (or chemtrails) purposely sprayed by unknown entities for nefarious purposes. Experts have dismissed it as a baseless conspiracy theory. Sarah Zenuh is a candidate for the Ontario Party. Zenuh lives in Stratford and runs a business called Oh For Fish Sake Designs and is a former early childhood educator. Riding history The riding of Perth-Wellington has existed since 2003, when it was formed from parts of three ridings: Dufferin-Peel-Wellington-Grey, Perth-Middlesex and Waterloo-Wellington ridings. Liberal John Wilkinson served the riding from 2003 to 2011.
