plan

Saturday April 29, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday April 29, 2017

Proposed: Publicly funded drug plan for all Ontarians under 25

Give one cheer for the Liberals. Kathleen Wynne’s Ontario government has finally bit the bullet on publicly funded pharmacare.

February 24, 2017

Their scheme to provide those under 25 with free prescription drugs isn’t comprehensive. Nor, in spite of Finance Minister Charles Sousa’s boast, is it exactly path-breaking.

Saskatchewan already offers a similar, albeit less generous, drug plan to children 14 and under.

But it is a start.

The plan, announced in Thursday’s budget, would allow any Ontarian age 24 and under who needs prescription drugs for medical purposes to receive them at no cost.

March 10, 2017

Unlike the province’s drug plan for seniors, there would be no co-payment and no deductible. Unlike the drug plan for welfare recipients, there would be no means test.

Rather, like medicare, it would be universally available and cover the entire cost of roughly 4,400 drugs.

Experts can argue whether the Liberal pharmacare plan is better or worse than that pitched by Andrea Horwath’s Ontario New Democrats. The NDP proposes a scheme that would cover everyone under 65 but only for 125 commonly prescribed drugs.

But the Liberals have the advantage of being in power right now. If they follow through on their promise, their truncated pharmacare plan will come into effect next January.

March 8, 2016

For these reasons, any move toward universal publicly funded pharmacare is welcome and probably irreversible. Progressive Conservative leader Patrick Brown told reporters Thursday that he would prefer a scheme that is means-tested. But Ontario already has a drug benefit program for the poor.

What is useful about this scheme is precisely what Brown doesn’t like about it: It is a step on the road to universal pharmacare.

Sousa told reporters that he hopes Ontario’s move will persuade Ottawa and other provinces to act. Perhaps it will. (Source: Toronto Star) 

 

Tuesday June 21, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Tuesday June 21, 2016 CPP reform to dominate finance ministers meeting in Vancouver The federal finance minister says revamping the Canada Pension Plan is critical to ensuring that future generations of Canadians can retire in dignity, no matter the state of their finances. Bill Morneau joined his provincial and territorial counterparts in Vancouver today to discuss reforming the national pension program over concerns that some Canadians will struggle financially come retirement. The pressure is on to reach a deal as Ontario's plans to develop its own pension program are well on their way, though the province's finance minister says his preference would be for a national plan. Ontario wants a deal now, but Saskatchewan and B.C. have suggested the economic conditions aren't right for a change that's likely to lead to an increase in the premiums that come off workers' paycheques. That premium hike is why some critics of the expansion call it a payroll tax, a common refrain from the Opposition Conservatives who oppose an across-the-board expansion of the program. The ministers could agree to that or to more selectively target those Canadian workers who are the least likely to save. Federal research has suggested that group tends to be under the age of 30, earns between $55,000 and $75,000 (although some estimates are higher), and either doesn't save enough or lacks access to a workplace pension plan. The federal and provincial governments are looking at a possible increase in the $55,000 cap on annual maximum pensionable earnings, which would result in both higher premiums and increased pension benefits. Resolving the issue could be harder than changing the Constitution. A change to the CPP requires provinces representing two-thirds of the population; a constitutional amendment needs seven provinces representing at least half. (Source: CBC News)Êhttp://www.cbc.ca/news/business/finance-minister-cpp-1

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday June 21, 2016

CPP reform to dominate finance ministers meeting in Vancouver

The federal finance minister says revamping the Canada Pension Plan is critical to ensuring that future generations of Canadians can retire in dignity, no matter the state of their finances.

Thursday October 15, 2015Bill Morneau joined his provincial and territorial counterparts in Vancouver today to discuss reforming the national pension program over concerns that some Canadians will struggle financially come retirement.

The pressure is on to reach a deal as Ontario’s plans to develop its own pension program are well on their way, though the province’s finance minister says his preference would be for a national plan.

Ontario wants a deal now, but Saskatchewan and B.C. have suggested the economic conditions aren’t right for a change that’s likely to lead to an increase in the premiums that come off workers’ paycheques.

That premium hike is why some critics of the expansion call it a payroll tax, a common refrain from the Opposition Conservatives who oppose an across-the-board expansion of the program.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Tuesday June 15, 2010 Planning for the Future For the past two years, the federal government and provincial finance ministers have been looking at what to do to help Canadians better prepare for retirement. When the bottom fell out of the stock market in the financial crisis that swept the world in 2008, company pensions and registered retirement savings plans were hit hard. It was feared that some pension plans would not be able to meet their obligations to current and future retirees Ñ and that some retirees would have no pension at all if the companies they worked for went bankrupt. People who had to rely on RRSP savings faced the prospect of having to work several years longer than planned to make up for their losses. While markets have recovered much of what they gave up and many plans that were at risk are solvent again, Canadians are still worried about what their retirements will look like. An Ipsos Reid poll commissioned for the Canadian Institute of Actuaries suggests 42 per cent of Canadians over the age of 45 feel they are not financially prepared to live comfortably after they leave the workforce. Seventy-two per cent said they were concerned about maintaining a reasonable standard of living in retirement. A similar poll done by Ipsos Reid in November 2006 for BMO Financial Group suggested that 70 per cent of Canadians don't feel they're on track with their retirement savings Ñ or don't know if they're on track.Ê(Source: CBC News)Êhttp://www.cbc.ca/news/business/what-s-being-discussed-1.955300 Canada, retirement, CPP, RRSP, consumerism, consumers, planning, savings, advice, Best Buy, electronics

June 15, 2010

The ministers could agree to that or to more selectively target those Canadian workers who are the least likely to save.

Federal research has suggested that group tends to be under the age of 30, earns between $55,000 and $75,000 (although some estimates are higher), and either doesn’t save enough or lacks access to a workplace pension plan.

The federal and provincial governments are looking at a possible increase in the $55,000 cap on annual maximum pensionable earnings, which would result in both higher premiums and increased pension benefits.

Resolving the issue could be harder than changing the Constitution. A change to the CPP requires provinces representing two-thirds of the population; a constitutional amendment needs seven provinces representing at least half. (Source: CBC News)

Published in the Ottawa Citizen

Published in the Ottawa Citizen

Wednesday May 18, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Wednesday May 18, 2016 Ontario government not denying report on sweeping climate change plan Ontario's Liberal government is not denying a published report that its long-awaited action plan on climate change aims to phase out the use of natural gas in both home heating and the electricity system. Premier Kathleen Wynne and Environment Minister Glen Murray have been working for months on an action plan to reduce carbon emissions through a mix of incentives to choose green options and new regulations to shift people away from using fossil fuels. At Queen's Park, the opposition blasted the plans, saying they don't make sense and will harm Ontario homeowners. The Globe and Mail says it has obtained a confidential cabinet document that lays out the plan in detail. Among the key measures cited in the Globe report are: * All new homes built after 2030 must be heated without using fossil fuels, such as natural gas.Ê Ê * A target of 1.7 million electric or hybrid cars on the road by 2024 * Mandating a five per cent cut in carbon emissions from gasoline and diesel The measures would be funded using the revenues from a looming cap and trade systemÊfor carbon emissions, which is expected to net the government some $1.9 billion annually Cabinet ministers refused to deny any specifics in the report. "Over the next couple of weeks you'll see the entire action plan," Murray told reporters at the Legislature on Monday. "When that plan is out we'll have lots of time to talk about it.Ó "This government is committed to taking strong action when it comes to climate change," said Deputy Premier Deb Matthews in question period, taking Wynne's place during her trade mission to Israel. "We feel the responsibility to the planet, to our kids, to our grandkids." The report says the Liberals plan to spend $7 billion of cap and trade revenues from 2017 to 2021 to push the transition to a lower-carbon life. More than half of

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday May 18, 2016

Ontario government not denying report on sweeping climate change plan

Ontario’s Liberal government is not denying a published report that its long-awaited action plan on climate change aims to phase out the use of natural gas in both home heating and the electricity system.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Saturday April 23, 2016 Justin Trudeau signs Paris climate treaty at UN Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signed the Paris agreement on climate change during a ceremony at the United Nations in New York City this morning, giving his word that Canada will harness the power of renewable energy as a way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. "Today, with my signature, I give you our word that Canada's efforts will not cease,"ÊTrudeauÊsaid Friday. "Climate change will test our intelligence, our compassion and our will. But we are equal to that challenge.Ó TheÊCanadianÊgovernment has committed to reducingÊgreenhouse gas emissions byÊ30 per centÊfrom 2005 levelsÊby 2030ÊÑ a goal set by the previous Conservative government. Ê The Trudeau government has saidÊthis objectiveÊis a "floor" rather than a "ceiling" for what can be accomplished.Ê During his opening remarksÊat the UN ceremony on Friday, Trudeau saidÊthe Paris agreement will be tabled in Parliament next month and will be formally ratified later this year. The Liberal leader saidÊthe business case for investing in cleanÊenergy was clear, with nearly a third of a trillion dollars invested in renewable powerÊglobally last year. "That's a trend that will continue to grow, and it's one that represents a tremendous opportunity for Canada.ÊOne that we cannot ÑÊand will not ÑÊignore,"ÊTrudeauÊsaid to rousing applause from the UN assembly. Trudeau drew further applause from the crowd when he defendedÊdeveloping countries who are facing extraordinary challenges. "They shouldn't be punished for a problem they didn't create, nor should they be deprived of opportunities for clean growth that developed nations are now pursuing." TrudeauÊtold the UN that the Liberal government hasÊcommitted to investingÊ$2.65 billion over the next five yearsÊto help developing countries fight climate change. "We're not making theseÊinvestments simply to be nice,Êalthough I know Can

Words, action pending – April 23, 2016

Premier Kathleen Wynne and Environment Minister Glen Murray have been working for months on an action plan to reduce carbon emissions through a mix of incentives to choose green options and new regulations to shift people away from using fossil fuels.

At Queen’s Park, the opposition blasted the plans, saying they don’t make sense and will harm Ontario homeowners.

The Globe and Mail says it has obtained a confidential cabinet document that lays out the plan in detail. Among the key measures cited in the Globe report are:

  • All new homes built after 2030 must be heated without using fossil fuels, such as natural gas.
  • A target of 1.7 million electric or hybrid cars on the road by 2024
  • Mandating a five per cent cut in carbon emissions from gasoline and diesel

The measures would be funded using the revenues from a looming cap and trade system for carbon emissions, which is expected to net the government some $1.9 billion annually Cabinet ministers refused to deny any specifics in the report.

April 19, 2016

April 19, 2016

“Over the next couple of weeks you’ll see the entire action plan,” Murray told reporters at the Legislature on Monday. “When that plan is out we’ll have lots of time to talk about it.”

“This government is committed to taking strong action when it comes to climate change,” said Deputy Premier Deb Matthews in question period, taking Wynne’s place during her trade mission to Israel. “We feel the responsibility to the planet, to our kids, to our grandkids.”

The report says the Liberals plan to spend $7 billion of cap and trade revenues from 2017 to 2021 to push the transition to a lower-carbon life. More than half of that money would go to grants and rebates for retrofitting buildings and to move them from natural-gas heating to such sources as geothermal and electric heat.(Source: CBC News)

 

Friday, August 7, 2015

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Friday, August 7, 2015 first phase of the LRT may also connect to waterfront The latest twist in Hamilton's long-running LRT saga leads straight to the waterfront. Two months ago, Premier Kathleen Wynne surprised city politicians with a $1-billion promise to build light rail transit along the King Street corridor Ñ with the caveat it must link to the new James Street GO station via an unplanned spur line. Now, a city report outlining the next steps for the ambitious project suggests the north-south spur line could be extended all the way to the waterfront. That's the "ideal vision," said Mayor Fred Eisenberger, who cautioned Metrolinx has yet to weigh in on the notion or cost of extending the spur beyond the west harbour GO Station. ÒI think the spur line makes all sorts of sense, given what we have in mind for the waterfront, and in my mind itÕs doable.Ó "I think it makes all sorts of sense, given what we have in mind for the waterfront, and in my mind it's doable," he said after the city released a LRT update report Wednesday. The city is working furiously to prepare for a hoped-for $500 million development boom on piers 7 and 8, including up to 1,600 housing units and new commercial space. Originally, the city asked for $811 million to build a 14-kilometre, east-west line running along the "B-line" transit corridor between McMaster University and Eastgate Square. But the province signed off on a shortened line ending at the Queenston traffic circle to cover the added cost of a link to the GO station. The section east of the traffic circle is identified as an unfunded "phase two" project. Extending the spur line to add a waterfront stop Ñ almost a kilometre beyond the GO station Ñ would fulfil part of the city's long-term vision for a north-south "A line" rapid transit route from the harbour to the airport, noted city spokesperson Mike Kirkopoulos. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) http://www.thesp

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday, August 7, 2015

first phase of the LRT may also connect to waterfront

The latest twist in Hamilton’s long-running LRT saga leads straight to the waterfront.

Two months ago, Premier Kathleen Wynne surprised city politicians with a $1-billion promise to build light rail transit along the King Street corridor — with the caveat it must link to the new James Street GO station via an unplanned spur line.

Now, a city report outlining the next steps for the ambitious project suggests the north-south spur line could be extended all the way to the waterfront.

That’s the “ideal vision,” said Mayor Fred Eisenberger, who cautioned Metrolinx has yet to weigh in on the notion or cost of extending the spur beyond the west harbour GO Station.

“I think the spur line makes all sorts of sense, given what we have in mind for the waterfront, and in my mind it’s doable.”

“I think it makes all sorts of sense, given what we have in mind for the waterfront, and in my mind it’s doable,” he said after the city released a LRT update report Wednesday.

The city is working furiously to prepare for a hoped-for $500 million development boom on piers 7 and 8, including up to 1,600 housing units and new commercial space.

Originally, the city asked for $811 million to build a 14-kilometre, east-west line running along the “B-line” transit corridor between McMaster University and Eastgate Square.

But the province signed off on a shortened line ending at the Queenston traffic circle to cover the added cost of a link to the GO station. The section east of the traffic circle is identified as an unfunded “phase two” project.

Extending the spur line to add a waterfront stop — almost a kilometre beyond the GO station — would fulfil part of the city’s long-term vision for a north-south “A line” rapid transit route from the harbour to the airport, noted city spokesperson Mike Kirkopoulos. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

 

Wednesday August 15, 2012

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Wednesday August 15, 2012

Councillors frustrated by stadium secrecy

The secrecy surrounding Hamilton’s new Pan Am stadium has led to one councillor threatening to step down from the Games subcommittee.

Bernie Morelli, whose ward will house the new venue on the site of the current Ivor Wynne Stadium, says he’s so frustrated by the process that he’s thinking of quitting the Pan Am stadium subcommittee. Councillor Brad Clark also expressed his frustration at Infrastructure Ontario, the province’s development agency.

“We’ve relinquished all of our responsibility to Infrastructure Ontario,” Clark said.

The comments came about after councillors dealt with a report about a cost-sharing agreement for the new Pan Am stadium at Monday’s general issues committee meeting.

City staff were asking for council’s approval to enter into discussions with Infrastructure Ontario to determine the “roles, relationships, joint and separate responsibilities, authorizations and obligations” for the Pam Am stadium.

According to the report, the capital cost for the stadium is $145.6 million. The operating costs for 2012 are $340,300. However, the staff report offered few details about how the costs and operating responsibilities of the stadium will be shared.

When councillors asked staff for more information, Gerry Davis, the city’s general manager of public works, said they would have to check with Infrastructure Ontario to see if they had permission to share those details publicly. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)