Wednesday August 31, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Wednesday August 31, 2016 Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown now says he was unaware of letter promising to scrap sex-ed curriculum OntarioÕs Progressive Conservative leader says he didnÕt know that a letter was being distributed with his name on it saying he would scrap the Liberal governmentÕs sex-ed curriculum. The letter bearing Patrick BrownÕs electronic signature was sent out last week in the east Toronto riding of Scarborough-Rouge River days before voters head to the polls Thursday in a byelection. Brown says he doesnÕt want to throw anyone in the campaign team Òunder the bus,Ó but he only saw the letter after it went out and after media reports about it emerged Friday. He now says he wants to correct the record because he will not scrap the Liberal sex-ed curriculum if he is premier after the 2018 provincial election. Brown says that there is Òsignificant oppositionÓ to the curriculum in Scarborough-Rouge River and that his position will likely cost his party votes there. The curriculum was updated last year, for the first time since 1998, but some parents complained that the government didnÕt consult them enough and others were angered by mentions of same-sex relationships, gender identities and masturbation. (Source: National Post)Êhttp://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-politics/ontario-pc-leader-patrick-brown-now-says-he-was-unaware-of-letter-promising-to-scrap-sex-ed-curriculum Ontario, PC Party, Sex-ed, sex, education, boy, cried wolf, Patrick Brown

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday August 31, 2016

Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown now says he was unaware of letter promising to scrap sex-ed curriculum

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Tuesday May 31, 2016 'Freedom and respect': Conservatives strike marriage definition from party policy Conservative delegates at the party's policy convention in Vancouver have voted to strike the definition of marriage in the party's official policy document. In a 1,036-462 vote, delegates from all provinces except Saskatchewan cast majority votes in favour of no longer defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. "I think our party got a little more Canadian today," Calgary MP Michelle Rempel said after the vote. "It's a milestone and it's not just a milestone for our party, it's a milestone for all Canadians.Ó "Yes, it took us 10 years to get to this point, but I think this is something that is a beacon for people around the world who are looking at equality rights. Canada is a place where we celebrate equality.Ó The result followed a heated debate and prompted some high-fives and cheers across the hall. It shifts the party's official position on same-sex marriage from being against the unions to neutral. Eric Lorenzen, from an Eastern Ontario riding, said during the debate that as a gay Conservative, he found it troubling that his party told him his relationship with his partner was not valued. "What other group does our party have a negative policy towards? A policy of restricting civil rights and restricting full participation in society?" he said, drawing applause. The result followed a heated debate and prompted some high-fives and cheers across the hall. It shifts the party's official position on same-sex marriage from being against the unions to neutral. Eric Lorenzen, from an Eastern Ontario riding, said during the debate that as a gay Conservative, he found it troubling that his party told him his relationship with his partner was not valued. "What other group does our party have a negative policy towards? A policy of restricting civil rights and restricting full parti

May 31, 2016

Ontario’s Progressive Conservative leader says he didn’t know that a letter was being distributed with his name on it saying he would scrap the Liberal government’s sex-ed curriculum.

The letter bearing Patrick Brown’s electronic signature was sent out last week in the east Toronto riding of Scarborough-Rouge River days before voters head to the polls Thursday in a byelection.

Thursday, February 26, 2015

February 26, 2015

Brown says he doesn’t want to throw anyone in the campaign team “under the bus,” but he only saw the letter after it went out and after media reports about it emerged Friday.

He now says he wants to correct the record because he will not scrap the Liberal sex-ed curriculum if he is premier after the 2018 provincial election.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Tuesday March 8, 2016 Patrick Brown sees a new, inclusive Ontario PC party Taking aim at climate change, Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown is signalling his party will propose a ÒsensibleÓ price on carbon emissions. ÒWe have to do something about it,Ó he told about 1,700 delegates Saturday evening at the first PC annual meeting since taking the partyÕs helm in May. ÒSensible carbon pricing doesnÕt have to be a contribution in terms. But it cannot be a cash grab,Ó he added in a reference to Premier Kathleen WynneÕs cap and trade plan, which will add an average 4.3 cents to a litre of gasoline and $5 to homeownersÕ monthly natural gas bills. The line drew lukewarm applause and a shout of ÒnoÓ from one vocal skeptic and some groans in a crowd that came to its feet several times during the 26-minute address. ÒI spoke from the heart,Ó Brown told reporters later, noting he had briefed his MPPs about the stance and got Òpractically universalÓ support. ÒWe have a grassroots party. People are entitled to have divergent opinions. ... ItÕs healthy.Ó Although Brown did not detail how his plan would work as the party begins deliberations on an election platform for 2018 and freshens its face with a new logo, he promised a carbon tax that is Òrevenue neutralÓ to the government and will come with Òcorresponding tax cuts for individuals and businesses.Ó Promoting himself as a ÒpragmaticÓ Progressive Conservative, Brown said the Liberals, who have trounced his party in four elections since 2003, are not expecting a more nimble and canny rival than in years past, when Tory campaigns were scuppered by ideas that flopped. ÒThere is one thing that Kathleen Wynne fears more than anything else: a Progressive Conservative Party that has the courage to change,Ó he said to a standing ovation at a downtown convention centre. In a reference to the ill-fated Tim Hudak PC election promise in 2014 to cut 100,000 p

March 8, 2016

Brown says that there is “significant opposition” to the curriculum in Scarborough-Rouge River and that his position will likely cost his party votes there.

The curriculum was updated last year, for the first time since 1998, but some parents complained that the government didn’t consult them enough and others were angered by mentions of same-sex relationships, gender identities and masturbation. (Source: National Post)