(Niagara At Large is posting the following January 11 media release from the Ontario NDP for your information. We will post media releases from other parties pertaining to the budget when we get them.)
Queen’s Park– New Democrat Leader Andrea Horwath says all parties in Ontario’s first minority government in over twenty years have to listen to everyday families when setting priorities for the upcoming Budget and work together to meet their challenges.
Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath
Joined by NDP Finance Critic Michael Prue, Horwath announced her plan to visit communities across the province over the next few weeks to discuss ideas New Democrats have already put forward: like taking the HST off home heating bills and replacing reckless corporate tax giveaways with smart tax investments that reward companies creating jobs.
Horwath and Prue want to hear more about solutions to help people find good jobs, improve healthcare and make life affordable.
“The minority Liberals promised to work with opposition parties and respond to the needs of Ontarians. Now we need to see whether they’ll back up those words or if they’re more interested in the sound of their own voices.”
Horwath insisted that Ontarians should be setting the agenda for government, not the other way around.
“Ontario families are hurting and they want to be heard. They want to talk about good-paying jobs and health care and the NDP is ready to have a conversation about the spring budget. We’re ready to listen.”
(We invite you to share your views below.)
Niagara At Large 
People First!!!! This is what good government should be about, this attitude saved Kim Craitor last election, even though his boss stinks, putting people first is probably why Kim never got a high position in the Ontario Liberal Party, I have never been a fan of dogma in any shape or form, this attitude of my way or the highway, does not inspire confidence in the minds of the residents that they (Government) have our best interests in mind.
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What is this @#&^*(%# — The minority government controlled by the CONS & NDP has done little to nothing for the improvement of Niagara Region Healthcare – Dispense with the BS and get something done. Talk is cheap !!!!!!!!
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I like what Ms.Horwath is saying here. Here’s my initial input (with more to follow). Tighten up the legislation,and work to make necessary changes, so foreign-owned companies like Electro-Motive, owned by Caterpillar, can’t decimate our comunities and insult our workers. Currently, there is an illegal lock-out caused by the company’s “take it or leave it” offer of a 50% wage cut, no cost of living adjustment,and a co-payment for insurance plan. Disgusting.
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Andrea is correct in so much as “All” so called Democratically elected governments (of all stripes) “should” have the health and welfare of the peoples whose vote put them in “Power” as their priority, but disgustingly this is not the case for Federal, Provincial, Municipal and Regional so called Representatives of the people.seem to be the agents of corporations not the people.
Last evening I reluctantly watched the PM of Canada state his views on the Oil Sands as a Corporate Market Place Right for “Oil Companies”not the Rights of the peoples of Canada for fair access to energy in their own land.
Then I watch and listened to this same pm (respect absolutely no) rail about Iran and Iran’s aspirations and I thought what the hell is he trying to do justify what he might do in the future “Engage Canada in another WAR”. He sounded so much like Bush and Cheney that it was totally terrifying as I recalled the body bags coming back with our dead military personnel, young men and women. Very few, if any, of our so called “Representatives” had to endure the pain of having to bury a son or daughter because of these wars they supported and I hope they will curb their ardor for war in the future. God Bless Canada I say God help Canada if they do not.
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