This Premier is no Santa

Make no mistake, premier Doug Ford is on Santa's naughty list.  In fact, the Conservative government has generated a surprising amount of naughtiness in only six months since they took office.  Here are several examples:

1. Inflating deficit numbers to justify cuts: In September, the Conservative Minister of Finance proclaimed the province’s deficit to be much higher than what the Liberals had claimed. The Ford Conservatives have used this inflated number over and over again, as a tactic to justify their callous cuts to vital services and programs Ontarians rely on.
2. High price firings and appointments: It seems that not a week goes by without news of someone getting fired or hired as a result of Ford’s meddling.  The former Hydro One CEO was canned, and walked away with about $9 million in cash and stocks, while an Ontario Power Generation executive was fired on the first day of his job and paid out up to $500,000. As I write this, controversy surrounds the appointment of the premier’s personal friend as head of the OPP.  
3. Voting against auto insurance reform: The Ford government voted against an NDP Private Member’s Bill that would have put an end to postal code discrimination on the part of auto insurers, and ensure that the entire GTA is considered as a single region when determining auto insurance rates.
4. Leaving Humber River-Black Creek out in the cold: The Ford government has shown our community little regard, and it keeps making life harder for Ontarians. This is evidenced by the Conservative Minister of Community Safety adding to the stigmatization of the Jane and Finch community, the government introducing legislation to allow gas companies to raise the cost of heating our homes, allowing developers to potentially build on the once-protected Greenbelt, cutting an increase to minimum wage as well as two paid sick days for workers, rolling back protections of temporary workers, and much more.

Although it appears this government is doing a great job of imitating Ebenezer Scrooge, you can count on the NDP opposition to fight for the people of Humber River-Black Creek, and for all Ontarians. I wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas, happy holidays and health and joy in the New Year.