Saturday October 27, 2012
By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Saturday October 27, 2012
Hamilton, tiger cats, ticats, football, homeless, season, stadium, construction
By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Saturday October 27, 2012
Hamilton, tiger cats, ticats, football, homeless, season, stadium, construction
By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Thursday May 17, 2012
Councillors are declaring war on Queen’s Park after provincial cuts to social services benefits left Hamilton with a $1.8-million hole in its budget.
The emergency and community services committee voted unanimously Monday to shoulder the cost of discretionary benefits for Ontario Works recipients.
The move was in response to the province’s decision to put a cap on the amount of money it provides to cities to fund things such as funerals, glasses, dental care, prosthetics, cribs and baby supplies for people receiving social assistance.
If the city hadn’t agreed to pay the extra $1.8 million, it would have been forced to scale back the services it provides to people on social assistance.
Councillors on the emergency and community services committee railed against the provincial government for downloading the cost onto city taxpayers.
Meanwhile, Organizations that represents Canada’s doctors say Dalton McGuinty should resume negotiations with Ontario’s MDs rather than imposing fee cuts and urging his fellow premiers to do the same.
In a letter to the Premier dated Wednesday, the Canadian Medical Association and medical associations in 12 provinces and territories take aim at Mr. McGuinty’s decision to roll back medical fees – a move that has sparked some interest on the part of other provincial governments. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)
Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday December 21, 2006
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty accused the NDP on Tuesday of using unprecedented stalling tactics and theatrics to delay a 25-per-cent salary hike for provincial legislators.
New Democrats have been colourful in expressing their anger over the pay boost for members of the provincial parliament, announced in a surprise move by McGuinty’s government last week. The NDP has been trying to force the related bill to a committee for public hearings.
The provincial legislature had been scheduled to rise on Dec. 14, but the government announced it would sit another week in an effort to pass the pay hike.
Before a Liberal caucus meeting Tuesday, McGuinty invited Ontarians to “grab some popcorn” to watch the NDP’s performance.
“…It is really without precedent in the annals of parliamentary traditions,” he said of the New Democrats tactics.
The legislation would see the MPPs earning 75 per cent of what their federal counterparts make and would increase a member’s base salary to $110,775 from $88,771. (CBC)