Tag Archives: Kathleen Wynne

Ontario Boosts Transit Funding Across Province Doubles Municipal Share Gas Tax

January 27, 2017 The Silo 3 Comments

Ontario is boosting support for nearly 100 cities and towns across the province, providing them with reliable, long-term funding to improve and expand their local transit systems and offer more travel options for commuters and families.

Premier Kathleen Wynne and Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca were at York Region Transit’s Richmond Hill facility today to announce the new investment.

The province has heard directly from people who are frustrated by their daily commute and from municipalities [Municipalities are often also incorrectly called “County”- though they are legally incorporated as a super-city Ed.] that are struggling to meet their transit needs. In response to these concerns, starting in 2019, Ontario will be increasing funding for local transit through an enhancement to the existing gas tax program, doubling the municipal share from two cents per litre to four cents by 2021. There will be no increase in the tax that people in Ontario pay on gasoline as a result of the enhancement to the program.

Cities and towns receiving the new funding are able to plan for and make major infrastructure upgrades, buy additional transit vehicles, add more routes, extend hours of service, implement fare strategies and improve accessibility.

Ontario recognizes that commuters need reliable transit options before revenue-generating measures such as road tolls are implemented. For example, the ongoing GO Regional Express Rail project will not be completed and in service before 2024. That is why the province is not supporting plans for municipal road tolls at this time. This new investment, along with Ontario’s $31.5-billion transit and transportation investment across the province, will support more buses in cities like Thunder Bay and Windsor, new LRT lines in Waterloo and Ottawa, and GO Regional Express Rail in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, including SmartTrack in Toronto.

Supporting stronger public transit systems is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.
QUOTES

” People in communities across Ontario can’t afford to waste time stuck in traffic — we all need better options to get to work and home to our families sooner. This substantial boost to funding for local transit in cities and towns across the province will help them make significant improvements that will have a big impact on people’s day-to-day lives.”
– Kathleen Wynne
Premier of Ontario

” We’ve heard loud and clear from municipalities that they need more sustainable funding for public transit to keep up with the demand to provide more service. By modernizing Ontario’s gas tax program we are helping municipalities improve their local transit service so people can easily get where they need to be.”
– Steven Del Duca
Minister of Transportation
QUICK FACTS

Funding will increase to 2.5 cents per litre in 2019–20, 3 cents in 2020–21 and 4 cents in 2021–22.
This year the province committed $334.5 million in gas tax funding to 99 municipalities [Municipalities are sometimes incorrectly called “County”- though they are legally incorporated as a super-city Ed.] . This amount is expected to increase to about $401.3 million in 2019–20, $481.5 million in 2020–21 and $642 million in 2021–22.
Ontario made its gas tax program permanent in 2013 to provide a stable source of funding for municipalities.
One bus takes up to 40 vehicles off the road and keeps 25 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions out of the atmosphere each year.
Research shows that every $100 million of public infrastructure investment in Ontario boosts GDP by $114 million, particularly in the construction and manufacturing sectors.
LEARN MORE

Gas Tax Funding for Municipalities
Ontario.ca/BuildON

Available Online

Disponible en Français

L’Ontario accroît le financement des transports en commun des villes de l’ensemble de la province
Plus d’options pour les déplacements et amélioration du transport en commun local pour les navetteurs et les familles

27 janvier 2017 09h35

L’Ontario accroît son soutien à près de 100 villes de la province en leur fournissant un financement à long terme stable qui favorise l’amélioration et l’expansion des transports en commun locaux et offre un plus grand nombre d’options aux navetteurs et aux familles.

La première ministre, Kathleen Wynne, et le ministre des Transports, Steven Del Duca, se sont rendus aujourd’hui à la gare de transports en commun de la région de York à Richmond Hill pour faire l’annonce de ce nouvel investissement.

La province a directement recueilli les propos de navetteurs frustrés et de représentants de municipalités qui éprouvent des difficultés à répondre à la demande en services de transport en commun. Pour donner suite à ces préoccupations, l’Ontario augmentera à partir de 2019 le financement qu’il accorde aux transports en commun locaux et bonifiera son programme actuel de financement par la taxe sur l’essence en doublant la part municipale pour la porter de deux cents le litre à quatre cents d’ici 2021. Cette bonification du programme n’entraînera pas de hausse de la taxe provinciale sur l’essence.

Les villes qui toucheront ces nouveaux fonds pourront planifier et entreprendre des rénovations d’importance à l’infrastructure, l’achat de véhicules de transports en commun supplémentaires, l’ajout de circuits, la prolongation des heures de service, la modification de leur structure tarifaire et l’offre de services plus accessibles.

L’Ontario reconnaît que les navetteurs ont besoin d’options de transports en commun fiables, avant même que des mesures génératrices de revenus soient mises en oeuvre. Par exemple, le service régional express de GO Transit est en chantier et ne sera pas opérationnel avant 2024. C’est pourquoi la province ne soutient pas de plans pour installer des péages municipaux en ce moment. Ce nouvel investissement, qui s’ajoute à l’investissement de la province de 31,5 milliards de dollars dans les transports en commun et les transports à la grandeur de son territoire, soutiendra l’achat d’un plus grand nombre d’autobus dans des villes comme Thunder Bay et Windsor, la construction de nouvelles lignes de train léger sur rail (TLR) à Waterloo et à Ottawa, de même que le service régional express de GO Transit dans la région du grand Toronto et de Hamilton, dont le SmartTrack à Toronto.

Le soutien permettant l’amélioration des réseaux de transport fait partie de notre plan visant à créer des emplois, à stimuler notre économie et à améliorer la vie quotidienne de notre population.
CITATIONS

« Les habitants des collectivités ontariennes ne peuvent se permettre de perdre du temps dans des embouteillages — nous avons tous besoin de meilleures options pour nous rendre au travail et rentrer à la maison afin d’y retrouver notre famille plus rapidement. Cette hausse substantielle du financement affecté au transport en commun local aidera les municipalités à apporter des améliorations appréciables qui auront des effets marqués pour les gens dans leur vie de tous les jours.»
– Kathleen Wynne
première ministre de l’Ontario

« Les municipalités nous ont clairement fait comprendre qu’elles ont besoin d’un financement plus durable pour le transport en commun afin de satisfaire à la demande accrue en services. C’est en modernisant le Programme de financement par la taxe sur l’essence que nous aiderons les municipalités à améliorer leurs services de transport régionaux, de telle sorte que les gens pourront se déplacer plus facilement.»
– Steven Del Duca
ministre des Transports
FAITS EN BREF

Le financement augmentera à 2,5 cents le litre en 2019-2020, à 3 cents en 2020-2021 et à 4 cents en 2021-2022.
Cette année, la province s’est engagée à verser 334,5 millions de dollars en financement par la taxe sur l’essence à 99 municipalités. Ce montant devrait augmenter jusqu’à environ 401,3 millions de dollars en 2019-2020, 481,5 millions de dollars en 2020-2021 et 642 millions de dollars en 2021-2022.
C’est en 2013 que l’Ontario a rendu permanent son Programme de financement par la taxe sur l’essence pour ainsi offrir une source de financement stable aux municipalités.
Un seul autobus permet de retirer jusqu’à 40 véhicules de la route et réduit de 25 tonnes par année les émissions de gaz à effet de serre de l’atmosphère.
Des recherches démontrent que chaque tranche de 100 millions de dollars d’investissement dans l’infrastructure publique de l’Ontario fait croître le PIB de 114 millions de dollars, tout particulièrement dans le secteur de la construction et le secteur manufacturier.
POUR EN SAVOIR DAVANTAGE

Financement par la taxe sur l’essence pour les municipalités
Ontario.ca/ONrenforce

Disponible en ligne

Available in English

Culture

Ontario Intro’s Online Alcohol Sales And Delivery Via LCBO.COM

July 26, 2016 The Silo Leave a comment

Ontario is offering a new and convenient way to buy alcohol products by introducing online sales through LCBO.com.

Order beer with your iphone & open it when it is delivered with your iphone case!

Starting today, LCBO consumers can buy online up to 5,000 different products from across Canada and 85 other countries. Customers can choose to have their order sent to an LCBO store of their choosing for pick up, free of charge, or choose to have it delivered directly to their home, anywhere in Ontario.

Ontario beverage alcohol producers will have access to greater “virtual” shelf space, which increases their reach to consumers who may not always have access to their product in their local store. This is the government’s latest step to expand options for buying alcohol, including the sale of beer in grocery stores last December, cider this June and the arrival of wine this fall.

Today’s e-commerce launch strengthens LCBO’s ability to generate revenue for Ontarians and continue to fund key public services such as health care and education.

Ontario is expanding access responsibly. In partnership with Canada Post, the LCBO will ensure that online orders are only handled by and delivered to adults of legal drinking age. Ontario is also developing a comprehensive alcohol policy to support the safe and responsible consumption of alcohol.

Supporting more choice and convenience for consumers, while improving opportunities for businesses, is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario’s history and is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.

QUOTES

“This exciting launch of LCBO.com gives consumers greater choice and convenience while increasing opportunities for Ontario’s dynamic beverage alcohol producers. LCBO’s new e-commerce platform will continue to maintain a high standard of socially responsible distribution, while helping Ontario’s wine, beer and spirits businesses grow and create good, well-paying jobs in communities throughout Ontario.”
— Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance

“Online shopping at LCBO.com enables us to offer a convenient customer experience in a changing marketplace. This e-commerce platform draws on our local and international supplier relationships and buying power, efficient supply chain and extensive store network– bringing our customers across Ontario better access to a world of products. This new virtual LCBO store is a natural extension of our in store shopping experience.— George Soleas, President and CEO, LCBO

QUICK FACTS

§ Up to 5,000 individual products are now available online, including exclusives beyond the LCBO’s current catalogue. The total could grow to more than 16,000 over time.

§ Consumers can have Canada Post deliver products securely and responsibly directly to their home anywhere in Ontario for $12 per order plus tax. They can also have them shipped free for pickup at any of the LCBO’s 655 stores. A $50 minimum applies to online orders.

§ The LCBO had another record year in 2015–16, with sales of $5.57 billion, up 6.8 per cent year over year. It paid a dividend of $1.935 billion to Ontario, an increase of $130 million.

§ Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, Québec Premier Philippe Couillard and British Columbia Premier Christy Clark recently committed to greater choice, convenience and expanded access to wines produced in their provinces through online ordering.

§ The Premier’s Advisory Council on Government Assets stated in its final report that it strongly supports the LCBO’s e-commerce launch because it will improve consumer choice.

LEARN MORE

§ The LCBO’s news release and backgrounder on online sales

§ The LCBO’s commitment to responsible retailing and consumption

§ Ontario’s programs supporting responsible consumption of beverage alcohol

**************************************************************************************************************

Disponible en français

L’Ontario lance un service de vente en ligne via LCBO.com

Des produits du Canada et de 85 autres pays au bout des doigts du consommateur

NOUVELLES

L’Ontario offre un moyen nouveau et pratique d’acheter des produits alcoolisés en offrant un service de vente en ligne via LCBO.com.

À compter d’aujourd’hui, les clients de la LCBO pourront acheter en ligne jusqu’à 5 000 produits du Canada et de 85 autres pays. Ils pourront faire livrer leur commande à un magasin de la LCBO sans frais, ou encore directement à leur domicile n’importe où en Ontario.

Les producteurs ontariens de produits alcoolisés auront accès à des rayons « virtuels » plus vastes, ce qui leur permettra d’atteindre des consommateurs qui ne trouvent pas toujours leurs produits dans le magasin de leur quartier. Il s’agit de la toute dernière mesure prise par le gouvernement pour élargir les options en matière d’achat de produits alcoolisés, qui comprennent la vente dans les épiceries de bière depuis décembre dernier, de cidre depuis ce mois de juin et de vin à compter de l’automne prochain.

Le lancement du service de vente en ligne renforce la capacité de la LCBO de générer des revenus pour la population de l’Ontario et de continuer à financer les services publics clés, dont les soins de santé et l’éducation.

L’Ontario élargit l’accès de façon responsable. La LCBO s’associe à Postes Canada pour s’assurer que les commandes en ligne sont traitées et livrées par des adultes en âge légal de boire. De plus, l’Ontario établit une politique détaillée en matière d’alcool pour appuyer la consommation sûre et responsable d’alcool.

Offrir plus de choix et de commodité aux consommateurs, tout en améliorant les possibilités pour les entreprises fait partie du plan économique du gouvernement, qui vise à favoriser l’essor de l’Ontario et à concrétiser sa principale priorité, à savoir stimuler l’économie et créer des emplois. Ce plan en quatre volets consiste notamment à aider plus de gens à obtenir et à créer les emplois de l’avenir en élargissant l’accès à des études collégiales et universitaires de haute qualité. De plus, le plan permet le plus important investissement de l’histoire de l’Ontario dans l’infrastructure des hôpitaux, des écoles, des routes, des ponts et des transports en commun et investit dans une économie sobre en carbone guidée par des entreprises innovatrices, à forte croissance et axées sur l’exportation. Enfin, le plan aide la population ontarienne active à bénéficier d’une retraite plus sure.

CITATION

« Le lancement de LCBO.com est un événement réjouissant qui donne aux consommateurs plus de choix et de commodité tout en accroissant les possibilités pour les producteurs dynamiques de boissons alcoolisées de notre province. La nouvelle plateforme de vente en ligne de la LCBO maintiendra une norme élevée de distribution socialement responsable, tout en aidant les producteurs ontariens de vin, de bière et de spiritueux à prendre de l’expansion et à créer de bons emplois bien rémunérés dans toute la province. »

— Charles Sousa, ministre des Finances

« LCBO.com nous permet d’offrir aux consommateurs un service de vente en ligne pratique sur un marché en évolution. Cette plateforme tire parti des relations que nous entretenons avec nos fournisseurs locaux et internationaux, de notre pouvoir d’achat, de notre chaîne d’approvisionnement efficace et de notre vaste réseau de magasins, afin d’offrir aux consommateurs ontariens un meilleur accès à une myriade de produits. Ce nouveau magasin virtuel de la LCBO est un prolongement naturel de l’expérience que nous offrons dans nos magasins. »

— George Soleas, président-directeur général, LCBO

EN BREF

· Jusqu’à 5 000 produits individuels sont maintenant offerts en ligne, y compris des articles exclusifs ne figurant pas dans le catalogue actuel de la LCBO. À terme, le total pourrait atteindre plus de 16 000 produits.

· Les consommateurs peuvent faire se livrer les produits de façon fiable et responsable par Postes Canada directement à leur domicile, n’importe où en Ontario, au coût de 12 $ la commande plus la taxe. Ils peuvent aussi recevoir leur commande sans frais dans l’un des 655 magasins de la LCBO. Un minimum de 50 $ s’applique aux commandes en ligne.

· 2015-2016 a été une nouvelle année record pour la LCBO qui a enregistré des ventes de 5,57 milliards de dollars, soit une augmentation de 6,8 % d’une année sur l’autre. Elle a versé un dividende de 1,935 milliard de dollars à l’Ontario, ce qui représente une hausse de 130 millions de dollars.

· Kathleen Wynne, première ministre de l’Ontario, Philippe Couillard, premier ministre du Québec, et Christy Clark, première ministre de la Colombie-Britannique, se sont récemment engagés à offrir plus de choix et de commodité ainsi qu’un meilleur accès aux vins produits dans leurs provinces grâce au service de commande en ligne.

· Dans son rapport final, le Conseil consultatif de la première ministre pour la gestion des biens provinciaux a indiqué qu’il appuyait vivement le lancement du service de vente en ligne de la LCBO parce qu’il offrira plus de choix au consommateur.

POUR EN SAVOIR PLUS

§ Communiqué et document d’information de la LCBO concernant le service de vente en ligne

§ Engagement de la LCBO envers un service de vente au détail et une consommation responsables

§ Programmes de l’Ontario favorisant la consommation responsable d’alcool

Politics

Canada Was Being Transformed Due To Stephen Harper’s Government

May 7, 2015 The Silo 1 Comment

MacLean’s columnist, Paul Wells, wrote a book on Prime Minister Stephen Harper entitled “The longer I’m Prime Minister: Stephen Harper and Canada 2006 –“. In this book, the author warns that as the years pass with Harper in office, Canada is being radically transformed.

Truthfully, Canada is being transformed because of Stephen Harper’s government in Ottawa – just not in the way that Paul Wells anticipated it would be. Wells pictured our federal government being fashioned into a reflection of a Reagan-esque Washington, where an enduring small-c government will be his legacy.

If Wells is right and that was Harper’s goal, then he hasn’t accomplished it. Canada’s Economic Action Plan was one of this country’s largest ever public spending policies and Harper’s government has run deficits each year in office, except for the last budget.

But Stephen Harper has changed Canada, and in at least one case irreparably, because of his influence on Provincial politics.

Over the course of the past 50 years, provincial leaders have postured during campaigns that Ottawa has been unfair to their province. Trudeau’s National Energy Policy was pure gold to the Alberta PC’s led by Peter Lougheed. Anti Liberal sentiment has endured and kept the PC’s in power for more than a generation after Trudeau left office.

Canadian voters inherently understand the need for checks and balances by electing a strong Premier who promises to guard against the power of the federal government.

The trend in Ontario is if the Prime Minister is a Liberal, then the Premier will be a PC – and vice versa. This trend has been going on for generations.

In reaction to Stephen Harper being Prime Minister, Ontarians have sleep-walked into re-electing Liberals who have put in place policies that have devastated the Ontario economy. Seven years have passed since the great recession and Ontario shows scant few signs of recovery. The crown jewel of the Ontario economy, it’s manufacturing sector, has left Ontario after years of artificially high energy costs and unnecessary red tape. Local economies once buttressed by auto manufacturing are left reeling under Kathleen Wynne’s government.

The longer that Stephen Harper remains Prime Minister, the deeper the chasm for Ontarians created under provincial Liberal mismanagement. With public debt loads skyrocketing, it will soon be impossible for the next generation to find its footing after a decade of reckless waste.

What is going on in Ontario today under the ardently left wing government of Kathleen Wynne should be a splash of cold water in the faces of Albertans who recently voted to give a majority mandate to the NDP.

Alberta had 42 years of provincial PC power. During that time, they saw four conservative Prime Ministers, Joe Clark, Brian Mulroney, Kim Campbell, and Stephen Harper. (Clark and Campbell held power for only a few months and they had little impact on provincial politics.)

When Mulroney won his massive majority by piecing together a winning coalition of conservative voters in Alberta and Quebec, his government elicited a jarring reaction from Alberta voters. Rather than change the provincial government, Albertans birthed a new federal party, the Reform Party, and booted all of the federal PC’s out of the province in the next election.

And the provincial vs. federal dynamic played a role in last night’s Alberta election results. A former high ranking cabinet minister in the Harper government, Jim Prentice was soundly rejected by voters, ending the PC dynasty as the party moves from first to third in the provincial legislature. Simply put, Jim Prentice was too close to Stephen Harper. And when Alberta’s only sound opposition, former Wildrose leader Danielle Smith, shocked her party to join Prentice in an attempt to “strengthen forces” we saw the idea backfire magnificently in last night’s results with a crushing Orange wave. Alberta voters did not trust Prentice to provide the checks and balances that will see the province through the economic crisis brought on by low oil prices.

Does an Alberta Orange Wave mean that Stephen Harper’s support in Alberta is waning? Will we see prominent cabinet ministers defeated on October 19th?

Anti-Harperites might think so but there really isn’t a chance the CPC will lose seats in Alberta this time around.

Alberta has an Albertan Prime Minister. Many of the most powerful cabinet ministers are also Albertan. When Harper retires, his successor will likely also be an Albertan.

Alberta voters have people in Ottawa that they know they can count on.

On the other hand, the two other federal options can be easily discounted. Mulcair and Trudeau are both from Montreal and each have a checkered history with Alberta oil interests.

Rather than change the Prime Minister, Alberta voters decided that they will change the provincial government instead .

Checks and balances will be restored in the voter’s minds. For the Silo, Maddie Di Muccio.

ABOUT MADDIE:

A former municipal town councillor in Newmarket, Ontario, Di Muccio often appears as a political pundit in the media and her freelance columns in the Toronto Sun discuss political issues across Canada. She currently serves as President of York Region Taxpayer’s Coalition and President of the Society for Quality Education.

Politics

Ontario Increasing Minimum Wage- will also affect Liquor Servers, Students

March 16, 2015 The Silo 1 Comment

Province Committed to Providing Fairness for Workers, Predictability for Business

Ontario is raising the general minimum wage from $11 to $11.25 per hour, effective October 1, 2015. Minimum wage rates for jobs in special categories such as liquor servers, homeworkers, and students are also increasing at the same time.

25Cents might not seem like much (after all, payphone calls require two of them) but it does add up: 25 hour part time job works out to an extra $300/ year.

The increase is the result of recent changes to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) that tie minimum-wage increases to Ontario’s Consumer Price Index (CPI). This was recommended by the Minimum Wage Advisory Panel in its final report last year.

Increasing the minimum wage in a fair and predictable manner is part of the government’s economic plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people’s talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire.

“Our government has taken politics out of minimum wage increases while ensuring wages for Ontario workers keep pace with inflation and businesses have time to prepare for payroll changes. This puts more money in people’s pockets, gives our businesses predictability and helps build a more prosperous economy, while ensuring a fair society for all.”

– Kevin Flynn, Minister of Labour

QUICK FACTS

The government enacted legislation last fall that amended the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) to tie future annual increases to minimum wage to Ontario’s Consumer Price Index (CPI).
This will be the ninth minimum wage increase since 2003.
The primary sectors employing minimum wage earners are accommodation and food, retail trade, and agriculture.
Minimum wage increases are to be announced by April 1 each year, and will be effective on October 1 of the same year.

LEARN MORE

See the upcoming wage increases for jobs in special categories (links below)
Read the report from the Minimum Wage Advisory Panel
Learn your rights under the ESA
What businesses need to know

Disponible en français- Contacter le Silo, si vous souhaitez lire ceci en Français

Politics

Premier Wynne talks leadership and politics at Alma Mater in Richmond Hill

May 5, 2014 The Silo Leave a comment

"Andrea Horwath’s decision to force this election has put all of these improvements at risk of Tim Hudak’s slash and burn agenda." Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne — “Andrea Horwath’s decision to force this election has put all of these improvements at risk of Tim Hudak’s slash and burn agenda.” Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne

Premier Kathleen Wynne spoke to high school students about leadership today at a Free the Children event at Richmond Hill High School. A proud graduate of Richmond Hill High School, Premier Wynne was excited to return to her alma mater. She joined Marc Kielburger and Free the Children to discuss leadership and her values as Premier.

Wynne told the students that leadership is about standing up for what’s right, even when others try to shout you down. Leaders have a vision, and they are willing to work with others to make it a reality.

As Ontario Premier, Wynne has led by making the tough decisions that are necessary to ensure our economic recovery and make our province a better place to live and do business, including:

·Ontario Liberals introduced the 30% Off Tuition Grant, which saves eligible students with $1,730 on tuition in degree programs and $790 for students in diploma or certificate programs. Last year, the grant supported about 230,000 students with the cost of post-secondary.

·Investing $295 million over two years for the highly successful Ontario Youth Jobs Strategy, which gives young people the opportunity to gain a foothold in the job market. The strategy has already helped over 10,000 young people get work experience and find jobs.

·Standing up to Stephen Harper and the federal government after they refused to address the emerging pension crisis. Premier Wynne proposed an Ontario Retirement Pension Plan, a made-in-Ontario solution to help people save for their retirement.

·Kathleen Wynne Liberals have a plan that includes more than $11 billion for elementary and secondary education infrastructure and $11.4 billion in major hospital expansion and redevelopment projects.

Andrea Horwath’s decision to force this election has put all of these improvements at risk of Tim Hudak’s slash and burn agenda.

On June 12, Ontarians will choose between Premier Wynne’s plan for jobs and growth and Tim Hudak’s radical cuts.

QUOTE

“There’s nothing more inspiring than speaking with young people. I can’t wait to see the great leaders that they become. I believe that leadership is about making tough decisions – ones that provide opportunity now, as well as into the future. That’s what I will continue to do as Premier of Ontario.”

– Premier Kathleen Wynne

QUICK FACTS

·Kathleen Wynne’s Liberals have a 10-year plan for a stronger Ontario that includes creating jobs with a new $2.5 billion Jobs and Prosperity Fund.

·Our plan includes investing $130 billion in transit, infrastructure, hospitals and schools to make Ontario a better place to live and do business.

·According to the Mowat Centre, the people of Ontario contributed $11 billion more to the federal government than they received in return in 2009–10. This represents about $850 per Ontarian. For the Silo, Rebecca MacKenzie

Culture

Unique Ontario Bill 36 (designed to promote Local Food) passes final Vote

November 5, 2013 The Silo 1 Comment

Ontario is moving forward to help promote the good things that are grown, harvested and processed in Ontario with today’s passage of the Local Food Act, 2013. The new legislation is part of a strategy http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/localfood.htm to build Ontario’s economy by making more local food available in markets, schools, cafeterias, grocery stores and restaurants. This will create jobs and expand the province’s agri-food sector.

The new legislation — the first of its kind in Canada — will increase local food awareness, and boost sales by setting local food goals and targets in consultation with sector partners. The act will also create a non-refundable tax credit of 25 per cent for farmers who donate their surplus harvest to eligible community food programs such as food banks, and proclaim a Local Food Week that will take place annually, beginning the first Monday in June. Building a stronger agri-food industry is part of the government’s economic plan to support a dynamic and innovative business climate, invest in people and invest in infrastructure.

QUOTES

“The Local Food Act will benefit people by making the connection between buying local and helping grow an important Ontario industry. If we increase demand to homegrown food, we will create jobs and boost the agri-food sector’s contributions to our economy. It’s an important and historic step forward and I thank everyone who helped support this legislation.” — Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario and Minister of Agriculture and Food

“The Local Food Act will serve as a constant reminder of the bounty of Ontario. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture is happy to see that it will target food literacy, local food use and will help farmers attend to the needs of others through a community food donation tax credit.” — Mark Wales, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

“By raising the profile of local food, the Local Food Act will provide Ontario food and beverage processors with an opportunity to further develop local food systems and market development strategies. Ontario consumers are demanding high quality food and drink, and our processors are willing and able to deliver. ” — Steve Peters, Alliance of Ontario Food Processors

QUICK FACTS

The Local Food Act will also require the government to produce an annual local food report on its activities to support local food.  The province’s agri-food sector contributes approximately $34 billion to the economy and supports more than 740,000 jobs across Ontario.  The province’s farmers produce more than 200 commodities, including fruits, vegetables, livestock, dairy, poultry, grains and oilseeds. Food processors in Ontario purchase about two-thirds of the food that is produced on the province’s farms. 

Ontario’s Local Food Fund is part of a $30 million investment from the province to create jobs and support innovative local food projects over the next three years (2013-2016).

LEARN MORE

About the Local Food Fund and how to apply http://news.ontario.ca/omafra/en/2013/09/growing-more-local-food-opportunities.html . Discover award-winning local food innovators in Ontario http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/premier_award/2012-13/winners/index.htm. Be adventurous in the kitchen by visiting Foodland Ontario and trying new recipes http://www.ontario.ca/foodland/foodland-ontario.

Politics

Ontario Planning Legislation- Mandatory Menu Labeling For Fast-Food Restaurants and others

October 10, 2013 The Silo Leave a comment

It appears North American society has been desensitized to what childhood obesity 'looks like'- what a difference a single generation can make. Here we see child obesity stricken Augustus Gloop characters from Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory- (Left) 1971 (Right) 2005. Clearly, what was considered obese 42 years ago would not be considered obese today. As Society as a whole becomes more overweight and as media desensitizes our perspectives due to film and video characterizations, our opinions have been influenced. CP image: weknowmemes.com — It appears North American society has been desensitized to what childhood obesity ‘looks like’- what a difference a single generation can make. Here we see child obesity stricken Augustus Gloop characters from Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory- (Left) 1971 (Right) 2005. Clearly, what was considered obese 42 years ago would not be considered obese today. As Society as a whole becomes more overweight and as media desensitizes our perspectives due to film and video characterizations, our opinions have been influenced. CP image: weknowmemes.com

October, 2013 Ontario will help parents and their children make healthier choices by putting calories on menus, following consultations with the fast-food industry and health care sector.

Legislation that would require large chain restaurants to include calories and other potential nutritional information on their menus will be introduced this winter. The government will also seek advice on how to reduce the marketing of unhealthy food and beverages aimed at kids.

Consultations on menu labeling will include parents and representatives from food and beverage manufacturing, agriculture, restaurant, food service, food retail and health sectors. Consultations on limiting the marketing of unhealthy food and beverages to children will also include the media and telecommunications industry.

Making it easier for Ontario families to choose healthy food is a key component of the Healthy Kids Panel report and helps deliver on our Action Plan for Health Care.

This is part of the Ontario government’s economic plan to invest in people, invest in infrastructure and support a dynamic and innovative business climate.

QUICK FACTS

* The consultations build on steps the government has already taken to implement recommendations from the Healthy Kids Panel, including a 24-hour support line for breastfeeding moms and expanding Ontario’s Student Nutrition Program.

* In 2009, the economic cost associated with physical inactivity and obesity in Ontario was $4.5 billion.

* More than 80 per cent of food ads in Canada are for food high in calories and low in nutritional value.

* A vast majority of Ontarians (95 per cent) support requiring fast food restaurants list nutritional information on their menus (Ipsos Reid, 2011).

Australia’s controversial “Break the Habit”- childhood obesity commercial

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* Ontario Consulting On Healthy Eating Initiatives

* Support for Ontario’s Healthy Eating Initiatives

* Ontario’s Action Plan for Health Care

* The Health Kids Panel Report

QUOTES

“Parents have told us they want our support in keeping their kids healthy. We are

committed to giving parents and their kids the information they need to make healthy

choices. I want to thank our health care and industry partners for working

collaboratively with us on this important initiative to improve kids’ health.”

— Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

McDonald's VP Ontario- Sharon Ramalho began working at McDonald's part-time in 1983. image courtesy of womenworthwatching.com — McDonald’s VP Ontario- Sharon Ramalho began working at McDonald’s part-time in 1983. image courtesy of womenworthwatching.com

“McDonald’s Canada supports the Ontario government’s action to provide Ontarians

with more access to nutrition information in restaurants. McDonald’s is a long-time

leader in providing comprehensive in-restaurant nutrition information based on the

13 core nutrients including calories, so its customers can make informed eating

choices to suit their dietary needs and preferences.”

— Sharon Ramalho, Vice President – Ontario Region, McDonald’s Canada

“Ontario’s doctors wholeheartedly support the government’s plan to introduce menu

labelling in large chain restaurants, and also believe in the need for restrictions

on the marketing of unhealthy food to kids. Obesity is strongly associated with an

increase in chronic disease – and over half of all adults and one-third of children

are overweight or obese. The government’s Healthy Kids Strategy will go a long way

towards addressing this growing epidemic.”

— Dr. Scott Wooder, President, Ontario Medical Association

“The Heart and Stroke Foundation applauds the Government of Ontario’s decision to

introduce mandatory menu labeling. With today’s busy lives and vast array of food

choices, it’s crucial to provide everyone with the ability to make well informed

decisions about the food we eat and feed our children. This important initiative

will go a long way in empowering Ontarians to make healthy choices when dining out

or purchasing prepared food. Eating well is absolutely one of the best investments

Ontarians can make to decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke.”

— Mark Holland, Director of Health Promotion and Children & Youth, Heart and Stroke

Foundation

Helping Families Make Healthier Food Choices

Supplemental- How close is planned Ontario legislation to the USA Obama administration’s new calorie limitations for school lunches? http://eagnews.org/appalled-school-cafeteria-employee-seconds-banned-extra-food-thrown-away/

The impact of food advertising on childhood obesity by the American Psychological Association http://www.apa.org/topics/kids-media/food.aspx

"“We have to keep an enormous amount of paperwork, about serving sizes, food temperatures, labels, on and on,” our source says. “The new forms are more complex, ask for more information that’s just being duplicated on other forms. (Food service workers) are all collecting the same data for reports that sit in a file drawer and never get looked at.” Our source believes the new government-required paperwork consumes so much of the employees’ time that it is driving up labor costs for the school district, which serves a low-income community." source/image: eagnews.org — ““We have to keep an enormous amount of paperwork, about serving sizes, food temperatures, labels, on and on,” our source says. “The new forms are more complex, ask for more information that’s just being duplicated on other forms. (Food service workers) are all collecting the same data for reports that sit in a file drawer and never get looked at.”
Our source believes the new government-required paperwork consumes so much of the employees’ time that it is driving up labor costs for the school district, which serves a low-income community.” source/image: eagnews.org

Politics

Ontario Supporting First Law And Architecture Schools For The North

September 4, 2013 The Silo 1 Comment

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne (Lib) in Thunder Bay, ON home to new law school.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne attended the opening of two professional programs in Northern Ontario on September 4th, as part of her commitment to help young people in every part of the province prepare for promising careers.

Lakehead University’s Faculty of Law in Thunder Bay and Laurentian University’s School of Architecture in Sudbury are Northern Ontario’s first law and architecture schools, and the first of their kinds to open in the province in more than 40 years.

The schools will help Northern Ontario students enter the law and architecture professions, and study closer to their families and the communities where they grew up. There is currently a shortage of lawyers who specialize in Northern issues, and Lakehead’s new law school will help bridge that gap by focusing on issues such as access to justice in Northern and rural communities, as well as Aboriginal, natural resource and small- or single-practitioner law.

The Ontario government is committed to making smart investments that will help Northern Ontario’s economy grow and create more jobs.

“I want young people in every part of this province to be able to pursue their
dreams, find great careers and give back to their communities. These two exciting
programs bring new opportunities to a wonderful part of our province.”

—Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario

“A post-secondary education continues to be one of the most important investments
people can make in themselves and their future. Programs like these will help
prepare students in the North for the global economy, give them better access to
good jobs and help Ontario build the highly skilled and educated workforce it
needs.”

—Brad Duguid, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities

“These two new programs further establish Thunder Bay and Sudbury as destinations
for specialized post-secondary education and training. Our government is so proud to
be able to work with educational institutions in Northern Ontario to ensure we have
the infrastructure needed to educate the workforce of tomorrow.”

—Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines

Laurentian University. Main campus. photo: Google.ca

QUICK FACTS

§ The Ontario government invested $1.5 million in Lakehead’s new Faculty of Law building, and $21 million in Laurentian’s new School of Architecture.

§ Approximately 57 per cent of Lakehead’s 60 new Faculty of Law students are from Northern Ontario. Laurentian’s inaugural School of Architecture class is comprised of 70 students.

§ Laurentian is the first Canadian school of architecture outside of Quebec to offer French programming. It also provides students with access to an Elder-in-residence, and several courses focused on Aboriginal teachings.

LEARN MORE

Find out more about Lakehead University’s Faculty of Law<https://www.lakeheadu.ca/academics/departments/law>.

Read more about Laurentian University’s School of Architecture<http://www.laurentian.ca/content/school-architecture-0>.

Disponible en français (Contacter le Silo)

Supplemental–http://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2013/09/northern-ontarios-first-law-and-architecture-schools-open.html

Province Committed to Providing Fairness for Workers, Predictability for Business

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