What matters to you
September 11, 2007 | 10:27 AM
After weeks of unofficial campaigning, party leaders hopped on their tour buses, bikes and SUVs Monday to kick off their official campaigns for the Oct. 10 provincial election.
The Liberal platform promises an additional $14.7 billion in annual spending by 2012, with commitments ranging from funding 50 new Family Health Teams and full-day pre-school to a statutory holiday in February.
The Progressive Conservatives launched their campaign with $14.1 billion in promises over the same period. They included cutting the controversial health tax, funding faith-based schools and support for children with autism.
The NDP has yet to release their platform, but have made commitments to review the education funding formula, lower college and university tuition fees and take over some of the social programs now being done by municipalities.
Premier Dalton McGuinty has said the Conservative promise to extend public funding to Jewish, Muslim and Christian schools will be the “defining issue” in this election campaign.
Is he right? What do you think are the most important issues for this election? What are the ones that will shape your vote and why?
Comments: (43)
i think that the priemer should focus more on the envirment. torontos global warming problem is taking over the city. in the summer we are hitting +40s and if the new primeir cant do something about it global warming will take over the world. try help the enviroment and dont exclued it.
ethan
age 13
Posted October 10, 2007 09:28 PM
I am not watching nor listening to, and will not watch nor listen to, the debates because the Green Party leader is not participating. A full slate of candidates and a 10% interest by the electorate behooves the large media to include the Green Party in all the debates.
Posted September 20, 2007 06:54 PM
1. Education - well educated children will be future scientists, leaders and, well, politicians.
2. Secular education - atheists make lousy suicide bombers.
3. ONE, state funded educational system - most efficient and integrating ou children instead of balkanizing them ("I am better than you because my priest/mullah/rabi said so").
4. Science education - our environment needs well educated brains to make it liveable in the future.
All the other issues are based on education.
Posted September 20, 2007 04:12 PM
I would like to know why poverty doesn't seem to be anyones list be it candidate or party.
From what I have seen things like the environment,schools and health care have taken the lead and yet...
At the end of the day,people are most concerned about a roof over their head and food in their kid's stomach.
All other issues pale in comparison.
The problems that society ignores today,they do so at their own risk.
Politicians and society may forget,but you are forgetting about the kids you are forgetting about who are affected by poverty now,today.
These will be the future voters of tomorrow.They will remember what was done or not done to help their lives.
Ignore their problems today,you might not like their solutions when you are older and on the receiving end.
So my suggestion to all politicians is choose your issues wisely.
Posted September 20, 2007 02:36 PM
Health care, including the question of accessibility to new products on the market, certainly ranks as one of the most important issues for Ontario electors. My schizophrenic son spent ten long years shuffling in and out of psychiatric wards - and costing taxpayers a bundle of money - with no hope of recovery when using the older traditional medication.
When will our political leaders realize that easier open access to newer medication - as is the case in B.C. and the province of Quebec - actually cuts down on medical costs by providing a quality of care which keeps patients out of the hospitals? Let's leave the decision as to which is the better medication to our doctors and psychiatrists.
Posted September 20, 2007 02:18 PM
With our dollar hitting paraity with the U.S. dollar, the impact on our economy here in Ontario will be substantial. Shouldn't our leaders be considering a cut in provincial taxes, (i.e. business taxes & PST) to offset some of the job losses and plant closers.
This should be a main stake in the platforms of the parties. For as an well known american politician once stated. "It's the economy stupid".
Posted September 20, 2007 12:37 PM
My questions for Mr. McGuinty:
As a resident in your riding, there have been no noticeable improvements in the area, yet your government has funded multi-millions on improvements to the Greater Toronto Area - historically Liberal-friendly ridings. If Toronto is all you care about, why should the rest of Ontario, including rural Ontario believe that you will invest in their communities.
Furthermore, you prorogued the legislature and left key bills to die "on the table". How can the public trust in your vision when your political agenda is put in front of safer streets?
Posted September 20, 2007 10:17 AM
Here in no particular order are my concerns. First as a rual resident with both farming an woodlot acrage I want the government off of my property. Period! Property rights are a major concern for me and so far I haven't seen any promises from any of the big three parties to protect property rights.
the roads in this province are a mess potholes, cracks, blind turns, badly engineered on/off ramps, congested and deadly. Where the heck has all that gas tax gone?
I want my money back Dalton. Mr McGuinty you said your health tax was to make heathcare better. It isn't. When an 87 year old man can linger on a gurney in the hall for over 8 hours with a life threatening condition because "there are no surgical theatres avaiable" there is something fundamentally wrong. Your tax isn't working so I want a refund! Interesting how you have a 2 billion surplus just in time for an election. Say isn't two billion about what you stole from taxpayers with your health tax?
Acountability. 1million to the soccer club when they didn't ask for it says to me that those that are supposed to be watching the purse strings aren't. Those responsible should be fired!
Law and Order? When are we goign to get some law and order in this provice? There are gangs running loose in our cities and the best the bunch of them can come up with is gun bans and therapy? The NDP wants to build basketball courts? Lets start by electing judges to the criminal courts. They might be less inclined to give pedophiles probation if they have to face the public. Lets actually throw people in jail. If we need more jails build them or better yet house the overflow of inmates in tents. If it's good enough for our soldiers to live in tents in the desert than it's more than fine for inmates.
Posted September 19, 2007 01:13 PM
All Ontarians want a better life; a better standard of living, health, job security and clean environment for themselves, their families and their children to live.
What are you Premier McGuinty going to do to make my life, my family life and my standard of living better in the next term should I re-elect your government. One might also pose the same question to other members of the opposition (i.e. governments-potential -in-waiting)
Posted September 18, 2007 10:05 PM
Little if anything has been said about the horrific traffic conditions in Ontario. The death rate and personal injuries number in the hundreds but this does not seem to be important. As a truck driver my job is becoming more dangerous every day. I count an average of 20 red light runners a day, and dangerous driving, illegal turns are commonplace. Why can't the provincial government which is responsible tackle this issue?
Additionally we have a transportation sector in disarray, the lack of good truck drivers, the influx of poor drivers, the lack of enforcement and poor pay mean that drivers are leaving as soon as they can. It is a sad thing that the very people we depend on are bullied into piece rate incomes where the driver has to take on the economic risks of weather, congestion and corporate inefficiency. Where is the interest in helping these people?
Finally, the transportation of dangerous goods is haphazard. Poor training, old equipment and confusing regulations mean the public is at risk. Do we have to wait for a major chemical spill on the 401 during rush hour to get the point?
These issues relate to the very real danger to public safety. Why has nothing been done and why are these issues avoided?
Posted September 18, 2007 07:07 PM
A transit system, like a go-train that extends from...let's say London, all the way to Toronto. Many people who live west of Toronto, drive a large commute into the 905 and even the 416 yet the 401 is the most used highway in North America so there is always traffic, and with traffic there is always a large amount of pollution. If a Go-Train type system were put in place, you would not only reduce congestion on the 401 from all the commuters, but you would also reduce green house emissions from all the idling cars that are now sitting in the driveway because there is a transit system that exists outside of the Grand city of Toronto.
Politically, the Liberals are fools for more than obvious reasons. The NDP have already stated that they will discriminate with the Health Tax that was a complete sham considering it goes into Genereal Revenue and now there is a surplus close to the amount of the Premium Tax that the Grits introduced. So the NDP are of no use to me as they probably never will be.
So, John Tory...be a man of your word, and do what you say you will do, and open your eyes to this idea of a more broad scale transit system, and please, don't waste my tax dollars on religous based schools. Religion is a choice, yes I can appreciate religion for what it is, and what it...can do, as opposed to what it has been doing over the years...ahem *war*. None the less it is a choice, that should be taught in the privacy of a home. Not in a publicly funded school.
Posted September 18, 2007 09:34 AM
For everyone NOT living in Toronto. I have been living in the 905 for 20 years and now the 519, and something has really been starting to get to me. I understand that Toronto has the largest population amongst all the cities in Ontario...HOWEVER. It does not trump all the other cities combined, I am tired of all the focus on Toronto. Yes Toronto does deserve its due, I will not dispute that at all, but the other cities in Ontario never really get any attention, hence our higher property taxes. The only reason Toronto's taxes have been flourishing over the last while is due to a very poor mayor.
As a taxpayer who is paying more than an average amount of money in taxes every year, I want to see something for my taxes. The important things to me are quite simple. Health care, Education and our roads across Ontario that are in serious need of re-paving, not just little touch-ups which lets face it, don't do a whole heck of a lot. The rest of the social services I have no need for.
So while everyone is in a demanding mood for what they think they should recieve from their Government, I suppose I should make some sort of a demand too.
Posted September 18, 2007 09:34 AM
There are lots of reasons why I would not vote for Dalton McGuinty’s liberals. For a refresher I will list them all.
1) After the election Dalton broke his promise and introduced the new health tax on our income tax.
2) The new Pit Bull dog ban based on emotions rather than facts.
3) The ever unpopular and not to mention unfair drinking and boating law 209 that could leave you walking for enjoying a brew at your favorite fishing spot. Why not just go after the careless boaters, weed them out, instead of hitting us who responsibly enjoy a brew or two on a quiet day on the lake.
4) The provincial smoking ban including all bars and restaurants and the funding for the secret smoking police.
5) Sky rocketing electricity rates and the Hydro One scandal, including helicopter rides by the Hydro One CEO Tom Parkenson.
6) The huge economic slump that started right after the liberals seized power in the province. The forestry sector was hit very hard.
7) Running the province on a deficit again.
8) Dalton’s self serve 25% pay raises.
9) New seatbelt bans that limit the number of passengers a car can carry. Just what the large cash strapped family’s need especially here in the north where there is little or no public transit.
10) The booze bottle return that will inconvenience folks by forcing them to drive down to the beer store to return their empties. Why not return them back to the liquor store. But that would be just too easy.
11) The roads in this part of the province (The northwest)are in disrepair many of which are dangerous and have a high accident rate. From recent funding announcements, nothing will change in the foreseable future.
Posted September 17, 2007 04:18 PM
I live in Ottawa South - the ward currently held by our illustrious Premier and I can tell you that NOTHING has been done to fix the problems that ails our community, let alone the Province. Crumbling infrastructure, traffic congestion, increased crime, poverty, etc. etc. etc. In fact, Mr. McGuinty's brother is cut from the same cloth, but I'll save that for another day.
The fact is, people are comfortable giving up the responsibility of running their own lives. That is what Mr. McGuinty is counting on....the voters apathy for anything that requires thought, energy, and dare I say it...hard work.
Call me a Blue Tory, but I remember having more money in my pocket when the Mike Harris Conservatives were in power. I still saw my doctor when I got ill (not with the sniffles, but seriously ill), my bus ride was just as comfortable and timely, I wasn't coughing due to smog just like I am not today, and yes, I went to a Catholic school..not only does it have a superior curriculum, but taught morality..something that the public board couldn't offer.
For the record, Mr. McGuinty never attended public schools, nor his children. So don't buy the "I love public schools" nonsense. Don't buy the I won't raise taxes because let's be honest...2 billion dollar surplus will be dry when all the manufacturing jobs and businesses leave for Mexico due to less taxes. Don't buy the health care system is better or wait times is going down...8 hrs in a hospital waiting room passing out due to severe dehydration and 107 temperature is not better. At least with the Tories..you could afford to pay your bills...with the Liberals..you can't afford squat and with the NDP..you might as well put a hammer and sickle on your chest and call your family COMRADE!
Posted September 17, 2007 10:13 AM
Some may say it's just because I'm getting old, but I sincerely believe life in urban centres was better ten or fifteen years ago when we had adequate financial resources to provide the services we needed. Yes, we paid income tax at a higher rate, but the revenue has to come from somewhere. Is it so difficult to return to the tax regime we had before the disastrous era of downloading?
Posted September 17, 2007 06:44 AM
Why is there still an unequal application of the law between Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals, such as in Caledonia?
Just recently there was a construction worker beaten severely by Native thugs, but nothing ever happens. They routinely ignore court orders by insisting that the laws don't apply to them.
The OPP refuse to enforce the laws against Aboriginals, but if a non-native does something they OPP jump all over them.
I sympathize to a point with Native issues, but the lawlessness that is tolerated by the current government is unacceptable.
Posted September 14, 2007 03:17 PM
My question - we have never seen a ontario government lead out side Toronto. It seems the benifit of paying taxes is to the GTA only we seem to get a long line of garbage trucks and crappy infrostructure. and the rest of the province feels like the kid who is too short for the ride.
Posted September 14, 2007 12:07 PM
McGuinty promised to not raise taxes four years ago only to implement the largest tax increase in Ontario's history. Now, we see the government posting $2.6 billion surpluses and spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on cricket clubs.
His government was able to increase the salary of MPPs and ministers while the minimum wage is stagnantly sitting below the poverty-line. And, that increase, $8 now, $10 in two years, is too little, too late, and only conceded after resounding by-election defeats. Meanwhile, the cost of living across the province for an average resident has sky-rocketed: whether it be the price of oil, electricity, consumer goods, all despite a dollar that has never been healthier.
His government has failed to up-load the Social Services that were downloaded to municipalities under Harris, forcing citizens of cities like Toronto to dig ever-deeper into their pockets to pay for transit fare, hurting the people who need it the most.
He campaigns on a pledge of reducing greenhouse gases, but failed to close the Nanticoke coal generating station (another broken promise).
And let's not forget, that all of these lame-duck funding announcements (Move Ontario, etc)that he has been dolling out like a pez dispenser have effectively been Liberal party campaign promises paid for by Ontario Citizens months ahead of the legal campaign window that his party drafted.
There is the saying, Liberals campaign like New Democrats, and govern like Conservatives. People who are in favour of the progressive measures that McGuinty has been plundering from smaller parties like the NDP and Greens would do well to cast their vote for either of those parties, as I shall.
Posted September 13, 2007 12:42 PM
John Tory will get my vote even though I disagree with his social policies. McGuinty is NOT trustworthy.
I believe that John Tory is on the right track with funding the faith-based schools. So once again, choosing the lesser of two evils with John Tory.
Hampton is just not even of consideration as I recall what Bob Rae did to Ontario when in power. Remember the Rae Days? What other
cockeyed ideas will they have up their sleves if in power again!
Posted September 12, 2007 08:44 PM
GL:
Well, I do realize the visible error of cutting income and increasing spending, however lets point out the surplus of 2.4 billion currently, and all the waste the McGuinty has been known for. Organizations requesting grants of 100,000 and recieving 1,000,000. The grants that were doled out to Lib. friendly organizations and not made public. The quick point is that there is ALOT of waste in government spending. If it was all prioritized and managed properly...like that of a successful business, you would probably see yet again a surplus even though spending was increased. Don't forget Ontario is extremely overtaxed in many ways.
I don't think Tory is too far off as long as he sticks to prudent financial management
Posted September 12, 2007 05:52 PM
Josh:
I forgot to include the word "not" in my opinion of Mr. Hampton and the NDP! That is to say I do not think they could adequately govern Ontario.
Tory does appear to be the best candidate in my opinion, although I am strongly opposed doleing out funding to private religious schools; with its current state, more money needs to be put into the public system - colleges and universities in Ontario seem to be forgotten, and tuition continues to soar. Hopefully, (if elected) this issue would go by the wayside.
My other concern with Mr. Tory is that he is making several promises that involve spending, while at the same time promising to eliminate the health premium. Is doesn't make economic sense to cut taxes and increase spending - you cannot decrease income and increase spending!
Decisions, decisions....perhaps the debate will attempt to answer some of these questions.
Posted September 12, 2007 05:39 PM
GL:
Well I think you're right about Dalton Mcguinty, however I think Hampton would be a terrible choice for Ontario, based on what we have seen from him out of Toronto, magnify that to a Provincial scale and you can see that he is not the right candidate.
As far as Tory goes, I disagree with the religion thing in our schools, but let's face it, this next government will be a minority. This is one pledge I don't think would come to pass, because it is something that Ontarians don't want and in a minority I really doubt it would come to pass. But if you look at the rest of his platform it looks pretty good, and relatively prudent, doesn't seem as though he is one to over extend himself.
1 more point, John Tory has come under scrutiny over the education/religion idea, I would imagine that he has seen that it is an idea that won't float in Ontario.
Posted September 12, 2007 04:18 PM
Our candidates for this election are terrible. Here's why...
Dalton McGuinty - imposed the largest tax increase in Ontario's history after promising not to raise taxes. Dalton is a liar.
John Tory - is pledging to provide funding to several religious schools. Our public school system is in shambles, how does Tory expect to be able to provide additional funding to religious schools? Tory is either going to break this promise, or destroy the public school system.
Howard Hampton - the NDP has proven they cannot govern. I am a blue collar union worker, and I still do think the NDP can govern Ontario! Several of their policies and overall platform is not practible for our province.
This the first election I have voted in where I truly do not know who to vote for!
Posted September 12, 2007 03:55 PM
A quick look at the candidates.
Dalton McGuinty - untrustworthy, thinks of tax relief as "trinkets and baubles" to buy votes. Runs 2.4 billion surplus, after 2.9 billion health tax. Wastes millions on grants that were not made public to ensure his friends were taken care of.
Bottom line, hasn't improved a single thing, has taken away from my ohip and has cost my wallet an extra 900 a year.
Howard Hampton - Tax happy NDP. Typical, basically someone that thinks borderline communist, evidence is in how he has been operating in Toronto all these years, tax tax tax, no such thing as getting ahead in life with this guy as the Premier, tax burden is already too much, he will increase it, as he has so openly said.
John Tory - Known relatively as a Red-Tory. Not sure if that is a bad thing, but certainly better than being as far right as American politicians. As a businessman, has been fairly trustworthy, his plan is more prudent than ambitious, which is probably better than the damage McGuinty and or Hampton could do...let's not forget we like having a strong economy, Hampton would make quick demolition of that, while McGuinty just feels his surplus probably isn't enough, get set for another tax hike if you vote him in.
Conclusion, I will vote John Tory on account that I cannot trust McGuinty and certainly not Hampton either. Tory has a pretty clean score card and has some pretty good ideas.
Posted September 12, 2007 03:53 PM
When someone gives me their word, or signs their name to a contract, I expect them to keep it... for me, my word is my bond, and when I give it to someone, I'm going to keep it.
Mr. McGuinty signed his name to a promise, and then broke his word by bringing in his Health Tax... which has cost my family $2000, and we're not well off by any means.
While I don't agree with Mr. Tory on a whole lot of issues, I feel that I have to give him my vote in order to get rid of someone whom I can no longer trust. At least he strikes me as someone who makes and keeps his commitments.
Of course, we may be right back here in the same place four years from now, but better to give the new guy a chance to keep his word rather than leave things with someone we know is untrustworthy.
Posted September 12, 2007 03:14 PM
Why is it that Ontarians are even considering Dalton McGuinty again?
Look at his track record, of the 60+ promises he made, 50+ have been broken.
Single largest tax increase in Ontario's history, in the amount of 2.9 billion for the health tax.
A Surplus of 2.4 billion..hmmm I see something funny here.
Tons of mis-management, letting Toronto politicians get tax happy because they are want nothing to do with the problems of Toronto.
A Health system and education system that to be quite honest aren't better than what they were 4 years ago.
Why in the world would anybody want to re-hire, yes I said RE-HIRE (look at it like a job) this guy?
Posted September 12, 2007 01:42 PM
It is quite simple really. Ontario voters should look at the election process as a job. Do the candidates deserve the job or to be re-hired.
McGuinty certainly has a terrible history of breaking promises...a health tax that goes straight to general revenue and then gets doled out to Liberal friendly organizations. The health care system is not better now than 4 years ago, simple.
The education system is not better than what it was 4 years ago, and I am sorry but religion is a choice, if you choose to educate your child, or any other relative in a specific religion, do it in your own home, not at the expense of tax dollars.
We are all WAY over taxed this is a fact that I think we can all agree on, I want tax relief, and I want my tax dollars spent more wisely, and stop with all the waste.
Seeing as how accountability has become a cliche phrase in today's governements, how about a new parallel. When we as a people make a mistake, we are held accountable, fines, community service, jail, etc.. If a government breaks a promise they are automatically fined as individuals...each member of the guilty party should be fined a set amount, the money over the 4 year term should then be put directly into the health care system and the education system 50/50.
I am tired of all the lies and mis-management, all I can say is Ontarians, make an informed decision. Look at the track records of our candidates before you vote, actions speak louder than words, especially politicians.
Posted September 12, 2007 01:36 PM
I was listening to Dalton McGuinty on the Andy Barrie show and three things came to mind
First, Mr. McGuinty has been quick to make substantial and sizable promises. Why is he trying to sell us a 30-year plan?
Secondly, he has come up with all of these new, great ideas. Why hasn’t he implemented any of them over the last four years? If he really wanted to, he could have given us another statutory holiday four years ago.
And finally, of the promises he will break, will it be the one that is important to me. And we know he will break promises – he’s done it in the past.
Posted September 12, 2007 01:28 PM
It is obvious that unbelievable promises will be broken, but if the promise of having an extra day off in Feb can be kept that is a reason for me to vote for a particular party. It will benefit my family to have an extra day a year to spend with them.
With all of the broken promises over the years, it is very sad that this little promise (because its almost believable)is what would convince me as a voter to vote.... I vote for accountability!!!! If they say it then make them accountable!!!!
Posted September 12, 2007 10:22 AM
Mr. Tory.....how can you argue that such groups as Orthodox Jews, Orthodox Muslims and right wing Christian Groups will teach the Ontario Curriculum when much of the curriculum in Science, Health and Physical Education and Social Studies is dramatically at odds with their religious beliefs?
Part two: What will it cost the Ontario Government to supervise schools who do meet the entry requirements to ensure that they are willing and able, in a part-time, usually a half day program, to deliver the Ontario Curriculum with qualified teachers?
Posted September 12, 2007 10:16 AM
So today McGuinty announces 'NO NEW TAXES'. This sounds familiar to last election. Does that mean that if he is elected he will beat his last tax increase, which was the highest in Ontario history?!!!
Why should we trust him now? As the old saying states, 'Once bitten, twice shy' Does Daltan think that Ontario voters are fools? Yes politicians may say anything to get elected but none in my memory have been so dishonest as McGuinty. It is time to show him that we expect a modicum of honesty from our politicians. It is time to 'vote the bums out.'
Posted September 12, 2007 09:57 AM
For me, the main issue in this election, as in all elections is TRUST - Do I trust the candidate? Does she/he have the backbone to stand up for me and my community - not to the exclusion of others, but to ensure a fair distribution of services and programmes. Do I trust the leader? Does the leader have the integrety and honesty to govern well? Will the leader demand the same intergrety and honesty from her/his Ministers?
Policies and issues are important but they ebb and flow with the seasons. I have neither the time, money nor ability to supervise all the actions of government. I look for someone who I can trust to handle these matters in the best interests of all. If I don't trust your word, or have faith in your character, you are not getting my vote.
Posted September 12, 2007 12:33 AM
I'd like to know how each party plans to address the gap in funding between the elementary school level and secondary school level ($711 per student).
Posted September 12, 2007 12:06 AM
I would like to know what the candidates think has happened to all of the learning disabled students that couldn't pass the grade 10 literacy testing.
The only breaks given these students has been to allow larger print or extra time. The government has certianly done a great disservice to all these young people who can never graduate secondary school let alone dream of recieving any post secondary educational. " To leave no child behind?"
Posted September 11, 2007 11:51 PM
Will you support the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) Act legislation for Ontario? And if not -- why not?
Posted September 11, 2007 11:07 PM
The school funding issue seems to getting the most attention in this campaign while the referendum question on electoral reform seems to be largely ignored. Given that this reform has the potential to effect significant change on all future Ontario elections, I would like to hear where each of the party leaders stand on this issue.
Posted September 11, 2007 10:13 PM
I would like to ask Mr. Tory if he would/could fix all that Mr. Harris destroyed. Tory has no credibility because he is of the same party as Harris and Harper.
Posted September 11, 2007 08:01 PM
One parallel between Ontario and the US is that we both are our issues that are enshired in our constitutions, but have outlived their relevance.
The Americans have the right to bear arms and we have the obligation to fund Catholic education. Neither one is constructive in today's world. The Americans are killing each other with the arms they have a right to bear and our education system in Ontario is going broke because we have to fund two parallel systems. Our constitution safeguarded Catholic education for two reasons. One, it was the only other major relegion. Two, it was there to ensure relegious freedom for the Catholic Quebecers. Interesting that Quebec no longer funds Catholic education. We should have the right to address these situations that no longer make sense in our world of today. Please, Mr. Tory, don't try to make two wrongs make a right, by extending funding to other religious schools!
Posted September 11, 2007 06:27 PM
Here is my question for the party leaders.
Through taxes and the Ontario budget, we spend a certain average amount of money to educate every child or adolescent that attends a school in a public school board. Although the average amount per student may change from year to year, we can always call it 100%. Every other school that educates a child or adolescent could receive 30% instead. Every private school could have its funding per student increased from 0 to 30% slowly, year by year, over the next ten years, and every separate school could have its funding decreased from 100% to 30% at the same time.
Explain whether your party is for or against this idea, and why!
Posted September 11, 2007 06:19 PM
As a voter from Northern Ontario, I can tell you we are concerned with the long term economic plan for our region of the province.
The provincial government continues to drain off resource revenues from taxing big mining profits and refusing to adjust hydro rates to reflect the low cost of generating up here. We want to know what happens after this mining bump is over and there are no more mills left in the north. Handing out short term grants in bits and pieces isn't a plan.
Posted September 11, 2007 04:15 PM
Every candidate has taken pride in emphasizing improving education as a top priority under their government. You all promise “to leave no child behind” (borrowing from the Bush motto) by helping children who needs assistance to completing the necessary schooling to succeed in life. These programs have had success over the years at increasing the graduating rate of high schools.
However, has our candidate thought about students that are under-challenged in school and help them reach their full potential?
Posted September 11, 2007 02:31 PM
Health is one of the most critical issues for this election.
Why is Ontario the SECOND WORST province in Canada in terms of providing cancer patients access to newer intravenous cancer drugs and the WORST province in providing access to PET Scan imaging?
Why can't Ontario be at parity with British Columbia for access to newer cancer drugs and at parity with Quebec for PET Scan imaging?
Posted September 11, 2007 02:13 PM
York Region has a population close to one million people and yet there are no services available nor is there any commitment to providing sustained funding to serve people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender.
While Toronto has a myriad of services in place, this Region has none other than those provided intermittently by agencies who recognize the need. This is unfathomable and needs to be changed. What are you willing to do?
Posted September 11, 2007 12:10 PM