Tag Archives: Premier Dalton McGuinty

Politics

Ontario Greens: Canada European Union Trade Deal Extends To Municipalities

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The official description from the Government of Canada is that CETA "is by far the most ambitious trade initiative" image: canada-eu.gc.ca
The official description from the Government of Canada is that CETA “is by far the most ambitious trade initiative” image: canada-eu.gc.ca

Ontario Greens are calling for a public review on the EU trade deal before its final approval.

(Queen’s Park): GPO leader Mike Schreiner is demanding that Premier Wynne conduct a public review on CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) before Ontario approves the deal.

“The people of Ontario deserve the right to accept or reject CETA’s sweeping changes before the deal is finalized,” says Schreiner. “Ontario cannot let CETA sell out local decision making, local purchasing policies, and sovereignty over our natural resources and public services without
a public debate on costs and benefits.”

The GPO has raised concerns over CETA in the past. In a letter to then Premier McGuinty last year, the GPO asked to Premier to:

* exempt natural resources, local purchasing programs, public utilities and services such as education and health care, and municipalities from CETA;
* demand open and transparent negotiations, and
* insist the dispute mechanisms are open and fair.

In this excerpt: A look back at what NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Act from 20 years ago) proposals looked like and their predicted impacts. Essay by E.Bernard http://www.law.harvard.edu/programs/lwp/nafta.pdf
In this excerpt: A look back at what NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Act from 20 years ago) proposals looked like and their predicted impacts. Essay by E.Bernard
http://www.law.harvard.edu/programs/lwp/nafta.pdf

“The Green Party supports free, fair trade with Europe, but NAFTA has taught us that we need to think these things through to prevent
expensive problems after the treaty is signed,” says Schreiner. “Ontarians need to be in control of fundamental decisions about their province and their economy.”

This would be the first trade deal that extends to provinces and municipalities. Over 50 municipalities and school boards have sought an exemption from CETA.

“Ontario must have a public review before approving such sweeping changes to our democratic institutions and local economies,” says Schreiner. “We can’t sell out our sovereignty to multi-national corporations without the people having a voice on the final details of this deal.” For the Silo, Becky Smit

Supplemental- What exactly is CETA supposed to be? http://www.actionplan.gc.ca/en/content/ceta-aecg/canada-eu-trade-agreement

In 2009 conspiracy reports of a Super NAFTA highway made headlines in the US. Here is a CNN brief:

Legislative Assembly Manitoba From 2007- Announcements of a Winnipeg ‘in land port’ with preclearance for international shipping , and a super NAFTA highway joining Manitoba with the US and Mexico via a mid continent trade corridor:

 

Culture

Green Party of Ontario: “NDP prioritizes energy companies over low-income families”

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"The NDP's proposal to subsidize home heating fuel rather than supporting our most vulnerable children through full funding of the Ontario Child Benefit reflects misguided priorities," says Green Party of Ontario (GPO) leader Mike Schreiner

On April 3rd, NDP leader Andrea Horwath introduced the first of their budget proposals, taking HST off of home heating costs. “The NDP’s proposal to subsidize home heating fuel rather than supporting our most vulnerable children through full funding of the Ontario Child Benefit reflects misguided priorities,” says Green Party of Ontario (GPO) leader Mike Schreiner. “Subsidizing energy consumption increases pollution and benefits big home owners the most –generally the wealthy consume the most energy.”

“This is bad economic, social and environmental policy, driven by political expediency,” adds Schreiner. “The NDP’s proposal is a job creation strategy for Alberta oil and natural gas companies, not Ontario businesses.”

The GPO prefers to support lower-income families, social assistance recipients, and energy conservation ahead of subsidizing energy waste.
With this in mind, the GPO advocates eliminating the misleadingly-named Clean Energy Benefit, which supports the wasteful consumption of electricity, clean or dirty. Canceling it would save $975 million.
Here’s how we’d advise investing those savings, while still balancing the budget:

* $220 million for an energy rebate program targeted to lower-income families and seniors.          * $600 million for an energy-efficiency building retrofit program to help homeowners, tenants and small business save money by saving energy.          * $90 million to fund a full increase in the Ontario Child Benefit.

* $65 million to avoid freezing social assistance rates.
It’s not too late to put our financial, social and environmental future ahead of cynical politics. Environmentally and socially-concerned, fiscally-responsible voters should demand that Horwath’s NDP rethink such short-sighted budget demands. Read the GPO open letter to Premier McGuinty with our proposals for budget amendments www.gpo.ca

Jaymini Bhikha (Office) 416-977-7476 (Cell) 416-275-8573  jbhikha@gpo.ca
Sent from Green Party of Ontario PO Box 1132 Toronto, ON M4Y 2T8 Canada

Politics

Goal: Ontario’s Clean Energy Plan To Create 50,000 jobs By 2012

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More Jobs For Families In Ontario’s Clean Energy
Economy

McGuinty Government Making Ontario The Place To Be
For Clean Energy

Premier Dalton McGuinty visited the workers who are developing Siemens Canada’s new plant in Tillsonburg today, thanking them for their hard work in helping Ontario become a global leader in clean energy.

Siemens Canada Limited is creating 900 jobs — 300 direct and 600 indirect — in clean technology at this plant, which will build wind turbine blades. The Tillsonburg plant is one of four under Ontario’s revised, enhanced agreement with Samsung that will provide 16,000 clean energy jobs across Ontario.

Ontario is back on track and moving forward in the clean energy economy. Because of the changes we’ve made, together, Ontario has added 20,000 new, high-skills clean energy jobs since 2009.

Building a clean, modern and reliable electricity system is part of the government’s plan to attract clean energy investments and create good jobs in communities across Ontario.

QUOTES

“We’re moving forward together to become number one in North America when it comes to clean energy. Thanks to the hard work of Ontarians, that’s already happening. Ontario’s economy has turned the corner and we’re back on track. We can’t go backwards, now.”

—   Premier Dalton McGuinty

“Siemens is building on its strong position in the Ontario wind power market. Our investment in the Tillsonburg blade facility will further enhance our ability to competitively serve our customers, locally, and potentially acrossNorth America.”

— Bill Smith, Senior Vice President, Siemens Canada Limited.

QUICK FACTS

  • Ontario’s clean energy economy has attracted more than $20 billion in new private-sector investment.
  • Since 2009, more than 30 businesses have announced they are setting up or expanding plants in Ontario to manufacture parts for the solar and wind industries.
  • Ontario’s clean energy plan is on track to create 50,000 jobs by the end of 2012.

LEARN MORE

Read more about Ontario’s Long-Term Energy Plan.

See how Ontario’s Clean Energy Benefit is saving you 10 per cent off your bill.

Premier’s Media Office: 416-314-8975
ontario.ca/premier-news