Ontario Provincial Election, Oct. 6, 2011

I have deliberately avoided Ontario politics (#ontpoli hashtag) on Twitter over the summer, but the pollsters are busy drumming up business, and the ubiquitous Hudak on-line ads are driving me nuts. (Not a long drive!) For my international readers, I apologize, but provincial and municipal politics are the ones that have the most direct impact on the electorate in our daily lives. Ontarians go to the polls on Oct. 6th, 2011. In an experiment, I've been asked to share some of my posts on this topic by The Toronto Star. Just for fun, not profit! This is my first post.

As a rural resident (see: Election in Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington), I believe I am in the minority of political bloggers. Living, now, in neither centre of the Ontario universe: Toronto or Ottawa, I am quite keen on politics and its impact on our lives. Ontario's population, in the 13 millions, holds about 38% of Canada's 34 million residents. According to Statcan, 85% of Ontarians live in urban settings. The Golden Horseshoe holds much of Ontario's population, the area around the western area of Lake Ontario from Toronto to Hamilton.

I am a retired teacher, hospice volunteer, wife, mother and grandmother.
Yes, I am conflicted, but for heaven's sake there is a difference between being in opposition and being a viable alternative. Hudak's going to have to get his act together. People of a certain age, like myself, are aware that there are many issues of concern.

What are the issues?


Yet, Crime is down (despite what the Tea Party/Conservative Feds say). Prisons remain crowded, and with mandatory sentencing from Harper, we pop those with mental illness in a place we wouldn't leave an enemy. (A great story about our new GG:

Governor-General David Johnston takes legal profession to task

Aug 15, 2011 – Former law school dean calls on lawyers and justices to heal themselves)

The Economy in Canada is better than elsewhere, but that's not saying much. At least there is no rioting in the streets, we have healthcare, and training programs. Making Ontario a great place to live and work is a good idea. Big box stores are ruining small towns.

Hydro outside Habitat Build

Encouraging young people to get an education that leads to a job, is another. No longer can young people graduate with a $30,000 OSAP loan and expect to wait for a great job to pay it off.

Rising energy costs hit hardest for those who can least afford it, but we must pay for what we use. HydroOne has issues. More complex than I can fathom. Making it easier to put clean energy into the grid makes sense. The penalties for excess electricity are absurd. 

Taxes... well you get what you pay for, and the lessons of the American system ought to prevail.

Education issues are a continual topic, since I was a teacher (for 25 years in Ottawa), especially during the Harris debacle. Amalgamation sucked the lifeblood out of the distinct district school boards. Then there were the NDP Rae Days. Forced LWOP days off. Absurd systems of determining per diem and budgets. Local taxpayers were at their wit's end and trustees could no longer be accountable.

The Environment is at a terrible risk with my local Scott Reid (MP)/Randy Hillier (MPP) twins', libertarian (let the cows pee in the river, "back off government") attacks on any viable protection for water, land and air. The battles between the Wind Farm warriors and the NIMBY's don't make sense to me. Heck, even the small town of Bala is rejecting a revamped hydro dam in a bitter battle of NIMBY and well-off cottagers protecting their world. Environmentalists don't have a chance. Local politicians lack the will.

Healthcare - a pet topic of mine. I volunteer in this sector - in two LHINs. I have researched it well and both attended and given lectures on the topic. The system is not broken, it does require adjustment, and just listen to Dr. Brian Goldman on physician accountability. Let's lay down that responsibility where it lies, e.g. Physicians in long-term care. You get what you pay for. We are short both nurses and personal support workers (PSWs), and don't get me going on two-tier or Concierge Care. Ontario workers, in hourly-waged work, cannot afford to take time off to care for ill family members.

Population 900,000

Transportation - I grew up in downtown Toronto. I am an inner-city kid. I loved the subway. The buses, as with OCTranspo in Ottawa, suck. It makes sense for a city to have rapid transit. I hope Ottawa gets it together, too.

Here in rural Ontario? We drive 5km to the closest general store, bike for fun, and walk for pleasure. Transportation issues for seniors are the biggest barrier you can imagine. My hospice clients in Muskoka, and here in Lanark County, all face this daily. There are many who cannot and should not drive. This means that funding to volunteer agencies (e.g., drivers for the Cancer Society), or those such as Community Home Support, and other transfer payment agencies (TPAs), must continue. Our healthcare system works as long as we have a means of transporting those who are ill to the doctor, NP or clinic. Also, they need transportation to get out there and vote.