MPP

Friday April 15, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Friday April 15, 2016 Patrick Brown admits heÕs ÔupsetÕ with Jack MacLaren Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown insists he has done enough to punish rogue MPP Jack MacLaren. ÒObviously, I was upset,Ó Brown said of MacLaren, who in the past week has been forced to apologize for making a sexist joke about a female Liberal MP in front of 350 people and for posting testimonials from fake constituents on his official website. ÒIt was the totality of events, not one single (thing),Ó said the Tory leader, who removed the Carleton-Mississippi MPP from his largely ceremonial post as chair of the ToriesÕ Eastern Ontario caucus. ÒThis is a post just like a regional minister would be. ItÕs speaking to the riding associations. ItÕs a leadership position in the party,Ó said Brown, who has handed the symbolic title to MPP Jim McDonell (Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry). ÒIt was important to express that I wasnÕt happy and thereÕs consequences and thatÕs why he was demoted from that position. The demotion speaks for itself,Ó he said. MacLaren, who brushed past reporters Wednesday after uttering a terse apology for the website ruse, wasnÕt seen at QueenÕs Park on Thursday and could not be reached for comment. But, privately, his caucus colleagues are fuming that he hasnÕt been sanctioned more severely. ÒThis is basically meaningless,Ó said one senior Tory, noting MacLaren never once chaired a meeting of the Eastern Ontario caucus. ÒJack made Patrick look bad and he made all of us look bad,Ó said the insider. The Tory caucus got a much-needed morale boost Thursday afternoon when former prime minister Brian Mulroney dropped by QueenÕs Park to give them a pep talk. ÒIÕm in town to do an event tonight and Patrick, whoÕs an old friend of mine, asked me to come by and say hello to the caucus. We had a great meeting,Ó Mulroney told the Star. (Source: Toronto Star)Êhttp://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2016/04

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday April 15, 2016

Patrick Brown admits he’s ‘upset’ with Jack MacLaren

Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown insists he has done enough to punish rogue MPP Jack MacLaren.

“Obviously, I was upset,” Brown said of MacLaren, who in the past week has been forced to apologize for making a sexist joke about a female Liberal MP in front of 350 people and for posting testimonials from fake constituents on his official website.

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

Tuesday March 8, 2016

“It was the totality of events, not one single (thing),” said the Tory leader, who removed the Carleton-Mississippi MPP from his largely ceremonial post as chair of the Tories’ Eastern Ontario caucus.

“This is a post just like a regional minister would be. It’s speaking to the riding associations. It’s a leadership position in the party,” said Brown, who has handed the symbolic title to MPP Jim McDonell (Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry).

“It was important to express that I wasn’t happy and there’s consequences and that’s why he was demoted from that position. The demotion speaks for itself,” he said.

MacLaren, who brushed past reporters Wednesday after uttering a terse apology for the website ruse, wasn’t seen at Queen’s Park on Thursday and could not be reached for comment.

But, privately, his caucus colleagues are fuming that he hasn’t been sanctioned more severely.

“This is basically meaningless,” said one senior Tory, noting MacLaren never once chaired a meeting of the Eastern Ontario caucus.

“Jack made Patrick look bad and he made all of us look bad,” said the insider.

The Tory caucus got a much-needed morale boost Thursday afternoon when former prime minister Brian Mulroney dropped by Queen’s Park to give them a pep talk.

“I’m in town to do an event tonight and Patrick, who’s an old friend of mine, asked me to come by and say hello to the caucus. We had a great meeting,” Mulroney told the Star. (Source: Toronto Star)

ROGUES GALLERY

Tuesday September 10, 2013

Tuesday September 10, 2013

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday September 10, 2013

Peter Shurman fired as Tory finance critic over housing allowance

Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak has fired his finance critic, Thornhill MPP Peter Shurman, for taking a $20,719 housing allowance from taxpayers last year.

Shurman, a former talk radio host who represents a suburban riding bordering Toronto’s Steeles Ave., but moved to a $660,000 home in Niagara-on-the-Lake and claimed the allowance for an apartment near Queen’s Park where he stays while working at the legislature.

Hudak said in a statement Sunday night that controversy over the payout — which was not strictly against regulations — was becoming a distraction for his party and its message of respect for taxpayer dollars.

A source said Hudak’s meeting with Shurman to discuss the allowance Sunday turned into “a very heated exchange” with the leader asking his MPP to repay the housing allowance, which Shurman refused.

The source said Hudak was aware Shurman was moving to Niagara-on-the-Lake but did not know the Thornhill MPP was claiming the housing allowance.

Shurman declined to comment when asked about repayment.

The Conservatives — and in particular, Shurman, as finance critic — have been slamming the Liberal government for its $11.7-billion deficit and for spending $585 million to scrap power plants in Oakville and Mississauga before the 2011 election.

“While the current rules were followed, it is clear taxpayers hold elected officials to a higher standard and those rules need to be changed,” Hudak said Sunday after meeting with Shurman. (Source: Toronto Star)

Saturday October 27, 2007

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Saturday October 27, 2007 Deamalgamation still a hot topic Deamalgamation apparently isn't completely dead yet as two provincial election candidates stated their support for a binding referendum on the issue at a local debate during the past provincial election campaign. Liberal incumbent Ted McMeekin, who rose to the MPP job seven years ago out of community angst over forced amalgamation, noted his efforts to give more strength to local community councils while NDPÊcandidate Juanita Maldonado went after Mr. McMeekin and his party for making promises but not getting enough done. But it was Green Party candidate David Januczkowski, a veteran of two federal campaigns under the Green banner, who first raised the deamalgamation idea. "I would work towards getting a referendum question on the next ballot. The Green party believes in decentralization," he said. "I would work towards a binding referendum question so we can decide this onceÊand for all. That voice was taken away from you." Six candidates appeared at the debate hosted by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce's Dundas Division, at the Dundas Community Centre. Mr. McMeekin, Progressive Conservative Chris Corrigan, Ms.ÊMaldonado, Mr. Januczkowski, Family Coalition candidate Jim Enos and independent Marty Zuliniak were heard by more than 100 residents.Ê(Source: ÊDundas Star News) Ontario, MPP, Deamalgamation, Ted McMeekin, Liberal, Dalton McGuinty, cabinet, minister

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday October 27, 2007

Deamalgamation still a hot topic

Deamalgamation apparently isn’t completely dead yet as two provincial election candidates stated their support for a binding referendum on the issue at a local debate during the past provincial election campaign.
Liberal incumbent Ted McMeekin, who rose to the MPP job seven years ago out of community angst over forced amalgamation, noted his efforts to give more strength to local community councils while NDPÊcandidate Juanita Maldonado went after Mr. McMeekin and his party for making promises but not getting enough done.

But it was Green Party candidate David Januczkowski, a veteran of two federal campaigns under the Green banner, who first raised the deamalgamation idea.

“I would work towards getting a referendum question on the next ballot. The Green party believes in decentralization,” he said. “I would work towards a binding referendum question so we can decide this onceÊand for all. That voice was taken away from you.”

Six candidates appeared at the debate hosted by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce’s Dundas Division, at the Dundas Community Centre. Mr. McMeekin, Progressive Conservative Chris Corrigan, Ms.ÊMaldonado, Mr. Januczkowski, Family Coalition candidate Jim Enos and independent Marty Zuliniak were heard by more than 100 residents. (Source: Dundas Star News)

Thursday March 17, 2004

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday March 17, 2004 Hamilton's Provincial Duds Perhaps Hamilton's five representatives to Queen's Park -- Judy Marsales, Dominic Agostino, Marie Bountrogianni, Jennifer Mossop and Ted McMeekin -- should be known as MIAs rather than MPPs.Harsh? Perhaps. But on the issue of the crushing costs to municipalities of downloaded social service, we have yet to hear any of our government members offer any significant support, let alone aid. While Hamilton pleads to an indifferent premier, our MPPs have been mostly silent. Yes, the downloading was by a different Queen's Park regime, and perhaps some or all of the "Hamilton Five" are working behind the scenes as Dalton McGuinty tries to balance promises with fiscal realities. But in the absence of any of them publicly championing Hamilton's cause, Mayor Larry Di Ianni is left sticking his neck out as he proposes an economic ultimatum to the province. Without $19.5 million for social services, Hamilton will not balance its budget, he says. Confrontation with the premier and his ministers has its risks, since municipalities essentially exist at the will and whim of the provincial government. But playing nice hasn't worked for two past mayors, and the stars-are-aligned promise of having a unified caucus of Hamilton MPPs has so far not delivered in any consequential way. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) Hamilton, QueenÕs Park, Toni Valeri, Judy Marsales, Dominic Agostino, Marie Bountrogianni, Jennifer Mossop, Ted McMeekin, social service, pooling, Ontario, Liberal, Flamborough, Flamboro, MPP, amalgamation, Liberal, AncasterÑDundasÑFlamboroughÑAldershot

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday March 17, 2004

Hamilton’s Provincial Duds

Perhaps Hamilton’s five representatives to Queen’s Park — Judy Marsales, Dominic Agostino, Marie Bountrogianni, Jennifer Mossop and Ted McMeekin — should be known as MIAs rather than MPPs.Harsh? Perhaps. But on the issue of the crushing costs to municipalities of downloaded social service, we have yet to hear any of our government members offer any significant support, let alone aid. While Hamilton pleads to an indifferent premier, our MPPs have been mostly silent.

Yes, the downloading was by a different Queen’s Park regime, and perhaps some or all of the “Hamilton Five” are working behind the scenes as Dalton McGuinty tries to balance promises with fiscal realities. But in the absence of any of them publicly championing Hamilton’s cause, Mayor Larry Di Ianni is left sticking his neck out as he proposes an economic ultimatum to the province. Without $19.5 million for social services, Hamilton will not balance its budget, he says.

Confrontation with the premier and his ministers has its risks, since municipalities essentially exist at the will and whim of the provincial government. But playing nice hasn’t worked for two past mayors, and the stars-are-aligned promise of having a unified caucus of Hamilton MPPs has so far not delivered in any consequential way. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)