Ted McMeekin

Wednesday July 27, 2022

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday July 27, 2022

‘I love this city’: Former Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath enters Hamilton mayoral race

March 30, 2022

After weeks of speculation, Andrea Horwath is making it official.

Ontario’s former NDP leader is running for mayor of Hamilton.

“I’ve decided to jump in the race because I love this city. I always have,” she said.

“It’s the place where I get my passion from, and I’ve spent my whole life fighting for and working for Hamiltonians.”

Horwath, 59, makes it a three-way contest between main mayoral contenders Bob Bratina and Keanin Loomis.

Wednesday June 8, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Wednesday June 8, 2016 Ted McMeekin stepping aside in advance of gender equity cabinet shuffle Hamilton MPP Ted McMeekin says he will give up his spot at the Liberal cabinet table to make room for more women. The municipal affairs and housing minister said in an interview Monday his decision was spurred by a looming cabinet shuffle and a desire to help Premier Kathleen Wynne shoot for gender parity. "Sometimes timing is everything. The premier and I talked about it and she thinks it's important to move toward more of a gender balance," he said. "I happen to agree with her.Ó The 68-year-old, who beat prostate cancer in 2008, said he feels great and is not leaving cabinet over health concerns. McMeekin (who will turn 69 in December) said he'll continue as MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale, but declined to say if he'll run in 2018. He has been at Queen's Park since a 2000 byelection in the former riding of Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Aldershot. In an online statement, McMeekin said he thought about his three daughters and a day when gender parity "would just be taken for granted.Ó "Sometimes the best way for a man to advance the equality of women may be to step back and make room at the table," he said in the statement. McMeekin later added he felt more comfortable stepping away from cabinet because legislative action is "well underway" on many of his top priorities, including homelessness, poverty reduction and reviews of the Municipal Act and Greenbelt. "I'm going to keep up my interest on those items," he said. "And if my colleagues (in cabinet) need advice, well, they can come to me. I'm full of advice.Ó Mayor Fred Eisenberger praised the "classy" decision even as he mourned the loss of Hamilton's only provincial cabinet minister. "Not having that voice at the table is going to be a considerable loss. Those are important, powerful portfolios," he said, also pointing to McMeekin's past

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday June 8, 2016

Ted McMeekin stepping aside in advance of gender equity cabinet shuffle

Ted McMeekin Gallery

Ted McMeekin Gallery

Hamilton MPP Ted McMeekin says he will give up his spot at the Liberal cabinet table to make room for more women.

The municipal affairs and housing minister said in an interview Monday his decision was spurred by a looming cabinet shuffle and a desire to help Premier Kathleen Wynne shoot for gender parity.

“Sometimes timing is everything. The premier and I talked about it and she thinks it’s important to move toward more of a gender balance,” he said. “I happen to agree with her.”

Rebel without a cause 2002

Cause without a rebel 2002

The 68-year-old, who beat prostate cancer in 2008, said he feels great and is not leaving cabinet over health concerns. McMeekin (who will turn 69 in December) said he’ll continue as MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale, but declined to say if he’ll run in 2018. He has been at Queen’s Park since a 2000 byelection in the former riding of Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Aldershot.

In an online statement, McMeekin said he thought about his three daughters and a day when gender parity “would just be taken for granted.”

“Sometimes the best way for a man to advance the equality of women may be to step back and make room at the table,” he said in the statement.

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Thursday October 29, 2015 Justin Trudeau has begun repaying Premier Kathleen Wynne for helping him become prime minister. Upon being sworn in to succeed Prime Minister Stephen Harper next Wednesday, Trudeau will reverse his predecessorÕs attempt to derail the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan. That announcement came after a 30-minute meeting Tuesday at QueenÕs Park between the two leaders. ÒWe made progress on our mutual commitment to build greater retirement security for Ontarians and Canadians,Ó said Zita Astravas, WynneÕs director of media relations. ÒOnce it takes office, the incoming federal government will direct the Canada Revenue Agency and the departments of finance and national revenue to work with Ontario officials on the registration and administration of the . . . ORPP,Ó said Astravas. ÒThis would be the same assistance with pension administration that the federal government has extended in the past to Quebec and Saskatchewan. The ORPP is being designed to integrate with any future CPP enhancement,Ó she said, referring to the Canada Pension Plan. Finance Minister Joe Oliver said in July that Ottawa would not provide administrative support for WynneÕs retirement scheme because the Conservatives felt it would Òtake money from workers and their families, kill jobs and damage the economy.Ó ÒAdministration of the ORPP will be the sole responsibility of the Ontario government, including the collection of contributions and any required information,Ó Oliver, who lost his Eglinton-Lawrence seat on Oct. 19, said at the time. During the campaign, Harper boasted that he was ÒdelightedÓ to hinder the Ontario plan, which launches in 2017. ÒKathleen Wynne is mad that I wonÕt help her do that . . . . YouÕre bloody right. The Conservative government is not going to help bring in that kind of tax hike.Ó Wynne created the Ontario plan after Harper refused to bolster CPP, which pays out a maximum ben

October 29, 2015

McMeekin later added he felt more comfortable stepping away from cabinet because legislative action is “well underway” on many of his top priorities, including homelessness, poverty reduction and reviews of the Municipal Act and Greenbelt.

“I’m going to keep up my interest on those items,” he said. “And if my colleagues (in cabinet) need advice, well, they can come to me. I’m full of advice.”

Mayor Fred Eisenberger praised the “classy” decision even as he mourned the loss of Hamilton’s only provincial cabinet minister. “Not having that voice at the table is going to be a considerable loss. Those are important, powerful portfolios,” he said, also pointing to McMeekin’s past posts, including agriculture and community services.

“His legacy in Hamilton is enormous, from LRT to housing and homelessness.”

McMaster University political science professor Henry Jacek said he’s not surprised to see McMeekin “be the loyal soldier” for Wynne, whom he supported in the Liberal leadership race to replace Dalton McGuinty. (Continued: Hamilton Spectator)

 

Ted McMeekin Gallery

Tuesday June 2016

Hamilton MPP Ted McMeekin has announced he will step down from his duties as Minister of Municipal Affairs ahead of a coming cabinet shuffle to make way for greater gender equity on the Provincial executive branch. He’s long suffered satire in political cartoons for nearly 2 decades. Here is a gallery of his many appearances.

September 1, 1999
September 21, 1999
October 23, 1999
December 4, 1999
January 7, 2000
January 18, 2000
February 9, 2000
March 22, 2000
May 2, 2000
September 2, 2000
September 2000
October 26, 2000
Tuesday December 1
Rebel without a cause 2002
September 6, 2003
October 29, 2003
March 17, 2004
October 27, 2007
April 28 2013
October 27, 2008
July 22, 2011
October 19, 2012
July 26, 2014
May 15, 2015
May 27, 2016

Mcmeekintext

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Friday May 15, 2015

Friday May 15, 2015Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday May 15, 2015

Province set to unveil LRT game-changer for Hamilton

The province is close to announcing a game-changing commitment to light rail transit in Hamilton, The Spectator has learned.

Sources at both levels of government say a transit funding commitment is imminent — perhaps as early as next week — but hinges on overcoming serious logistical hurdles.

The LRT waiting game gallery

The LRT waiting game gallery

A spokesperson for Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca wouldn’t comment on the specific timing or substance of the anticipated announcement, but promised the minister “will be in the city in the coming weeks to discuss what Ontario’s … transit and transportation infrastructure plan means for the residents of Hamilton.”

The province wants to green-light part or all of the city’s requested $811-million LRT line — but potentially deal-breaking details still need to be nailed down, said sources who didn’t want to be identified due to the sensitivity of the discussions.

A transit garage and GO expansion have also been discussed as additional or alternative announcements. If all goes well, a visit is expected any time between next week and early June.

Premier Kathleen Wynne raised eyebrows when she spoke in the legislature about the importance of working with Hamilton to “build that LRT.”

She later corrected the record to say she meant “rapid transit.”

The city asked for both $811 million for LRT and $302 million for express buses and a maintenance facility in advance of the provincial budget.

Sources say a critical question is whether there’s enough cash to build LRT all the way from McMaster University to Eastgate Square — especially given the province is insisting on a spur-line connecting to at least one GO station. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Saturday, July 26, 2014By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday, July 26, 2014

Province not ready to commit to $811-million Hamilton LRT

The province isn’t ready to commit to an $811 million LRT line in Hamilton and there’s no timeline for a decision.

Ontario’s new Transportation Minister, Steven Del Duca, emerged from a controversial private meeting at the city Friday to repeat the Liberal government’s commitment to paying 100 per cent of capital costs for a new “rapid transit” project in Hamilton.

But he couldn’t say what that project will be, when the city will get an answer or define what is covered by “capital construction costs.”

“It may very well be LRT,” he said in response to persistent questioning after the meeting with Mayor Bob Bratina, city manager Chris Murray and four other councillors.

But he said he wasn’t in a position to “make an announcement” Friday, although he added he was clear the city’s official request is for a light rail line, despite recent public musings of some councillors on the idea of a bus rapid transit alternative.

Del Duca also acknowledged the city needs an answer on what will be covered by provincial capital funding, for example expropriation and other land costs. He said he would consult with provincial officials and Metrolinx and get back to the city on the “interesting” question.

Councillors had varying reactions to the meeting.

Mayoral aspirant Brian McHattie said he was “blown out of the water” by the “positive” meeting, adding he was relieved the minister was not confused by mixed messages coming from individual local politicians.

Councillor Brad Clark, also a mayoral candidate, said he didn’t hear “very much new information” from the minister, but appreciated the chance for a direct conversation.

Clark said it was made clear Hamilton has more work to do, to make its case for a rapid transit project, but added the specifics will come from Metrolinx and senior provincial staff in the coming weeks or months.

McHattie, by contrast, said the minister praised the work already competed by Hamilton and seemed to think “we’ve done enough” to take the next step. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

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