Keith Leslie
@QPnewsboy
Followers
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Politics. Music. Contributor @CHCHnews @OnTheLedge podcast. Former @CanadianPress reporter. Chair Antigonish Community Transit Society. https://t.co/7YV9xuijv2.
Canada
Joined February 2010
So what if Twitter unverified me twice, @ratemyskyperoom gave me a 10/10!.
Depth. Well angled. Easily in the top ten of LP collections we’ve seen. Maybe top five. 10/10 @QPnewsboy
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Free rapid tests available for everyone in Nova Scotia. You can even pick 'em up at the liquor store! #cdnpoli
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How to get a sole sourced contract from @fordnation ."Months before FH Health was tapped to run 10 GTA vaccine clinics, each member of its board made the maximum allowable donation to the PC Party — all within a few days of each other." Reported by Queen's Park Today. #onpoli.
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NDP Leader @MaritStiles says FOI documents show there was a "rigged process" for redeveloping Ontario Place. She says @fordnation gifted a $500 million parking garage to Therme in a "shady backroom deal," wants the gov't to terminate the 95-year lease it gave the spa. #onpoli.
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A reporter exposed the fact that criteria were changed for the top OPP job to suit a Ford friend, and reporters who helped expose possible green belt development, forcing @fordnation gov't to backtrack on both. How's that circumventing the media working out? #onpoli #journalism.
Premier Doug Ford says mainstream journalists have become irrelevant because social media allows him to speak directly to Ontarians.
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FAO reports @fordnation saved money in 2020-21 by spending $369 million less on Ontario Works (welfare), $83 million less on ODSP (disability supports) and $137 million less on autism services. #onpoli.
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Former Health Minister Christine Elliott @celliottability registers as lobbyist for private surgery company Clearpoint Health Network. Undermining the public health care system with profit takers is the @OntarioPCParty way. #onpoli.
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Pharmacies bail on Ontario's vaccine program after @fordnation rewards Shoppers Drug Mart with sole distribution rights. The PC government modus operandi is to rewards its friends in every way possible, at the expense of everyone. #onpoli.
What made this year exceptional was the ministry's decision to appoint Shoppers Drug Mart as the sole distributors of publicly funded vaccines for Pharmasave.
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Toronto Star editorial calls for police investigation of @fordnation #GreenbeltScandal."The government’s response smacks of a cover-up. There has been no effort to right a wrong.".#ONpoli.
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"Gone is the requirement that (private surgical) clinics be inspected by the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons. No new inspecting authority is identified. Perhaps the clinics will inspect themselves?" By @LindaMcQuaig #onpoli.
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Premier @fordnation should suspend time-of-use electricity prices for the next three weeks at least while everyone is home all day during peak rates. #onpoli #covid19.
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Your racist hate speech was way more than a mistake, and was obviously deliberate. You have no business being an MP. #cdnpoli.
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Did @fordnation help fund what amounts to a pump-and-dump stock fraud? $2.5 million in taxpayer money helped drive Facedrive share prices to $59. Company execs cashed out over $26 million before shares fell to $1. Their promised made-in-Ontario technology was from China. #onpoli.
In the @globeandmail today: Facedrive bought COVID-19 devices from China as Ontario government touted $2.5-million funding for local manufacturing #onpoli
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Former prime minister Brian Mulroney says #CPC leadership candidates attacking each other are engaging in "politics of personal destruction," warns you shouldn't "seek to destroy" rivals. Mulroney told a @stfxuniversity zoom call "garbage politics" won't win elections. #cdnpoli
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Why is @fordnation exempting the Ontario Place redevelopment from environmental rules? A 95-year secret deal for an Austrian spa on prime Toronto waterfront plus a half billion taxpayer dollars for a parking garage wasn't enough of a gift? #FordsFolly #onpoli.
NEW: The Ford government has tabled legislation that would give itself significant new powers to fast-track the redevelopment of Ontario Place and exclude it from environmental laws, including the power to issue MZOs on the site. #Onpoli.
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Mike asking why @fordnation doesn't talk about the deaths from COVID-19 was not only fair, it elicited a very telling response. The premier spoke all about himself and how hard the pandemic has been on him, and didn't mention the 3,368 Ontarians who have died so far. #onpoli.
I've received a few messages from people saying my question to Premier Ford today was anywhere from inappropriate to disgusting. I've also heard from lots of people saying the question needed to be asked. Watch, listen, and decide for yourself.
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Was very disappointed today to hear @MacLeodLisa use the words "fake news" in the legislature to insist her gov't hadn't broken a promise. Words matter, and show @fordnation intends to undermine the media and its role in our democracy. #onpoli.
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.@DrFullertonMPP utterly failed Ontario's most vulnerable seniors as long term care minister during COVID, and is MIA on the #Autism file as minister of social services, ghosting families of 50,000+ kids on the growing waiting list for help. #onpoli.
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After today's unhinged newsr, it's time @OntarioPCParty MPPs decide if they want to reclaim a once respectable brand and have a chance at re-election in 2026, or stay as loyal members of @fordnation and have their reputations dragged down with the #GreenbeltScandal #onpoli.
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Extendicare, Sienna Senior Living and Chartwell Retirement Residences, in the first three quarters of 2020 (ending Sept. 30), collectively paid out nearly $171 million to shareholders while at the same time taking $138.5 million in pandemic funding from taxpayers. #onpoli.
Big for-profit long-term-care companies paid out more than $170 million to investors through Ontario’s deadly first wave
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"In Ontario, for-profits own 54% of long term care beds but had 73% of (Covid19) deaths. Public homes, by contrast, with 20% of LTC beds had only 6% of deaths." #onpoli.
Grim conditions and fatality rates reveal the devastating mistake Ontario has made in allowing seniors’ housing to be treated as financial assets for investor gain — by @Martine_August #onpoli #longtermcare
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All of a sudden, @fordnation wants to talk about pronouns and parental rights. Overwhelmed by the stench of his #GreenbeltScandal, the premier digs into the conservative's culture wars playbook, but his obvious attempt to change the channel won't mask that stink. #onpoli.
Ontario Premier Doug weighed in on the pronoun/gender discussion happening in schools. The Premier attacked school boards while questioning their abilities. His latest speech happened as the Greenbelt scandal continues to have legs amid large protests. Here’s my report tonight:
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What the hell @TIFF_NET? Read the room! No one but @fordnation wants a bloody spa at Ontario Place. #TIFF23 #onpoli.
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Blacklock’s is the only Press Gallery member that neither solicits nor accepts government funding. The eviction came one day after it published ATI records detailing a private meeting between 35 publishers and the Canada Revenue Agency on distribution of $595 million in subsidies.
IMO, Blacklock's Reporter (@mindingottawa @hollydoan) is an invaluable source of news out of Ottawa given its intensive coverage of Parliamentary committee meetings & tenacious pursuit of gov't documents. Blacklocks evicted from Parlimanetary Press Gallery
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Queen's Park media point out @fordnation is stuck in reverse: Peel Region, green energy projects, greenbelt land protections, forced municipal expansions, municipal audits, ministerial zoning orders, autism program, license plates, public sector wage freeze. #onpoli.
After listing off a litany of Ford government’s reversals & backtracks, @CityCynthia asks Municipal Affairs Minister Paul Calandra: “Does your government think before it acts?” #onpoli
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Queen's Park today reports @fordnation giving raises. Ontario's 28 deputy ministers will bring in annual salaries of $234,080 to $320,130. That’s up from the previous salary range, established in 2016, of $205,000 to $311,050 — a 14% increase at the low end of the scale. #onpoli.
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"No less than seven (@OntarioPCParty) MPPs want to get out,” a third senior Conservative operative told the Star on Friday. "We’ve never seen anything like this." #onpoli.
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.@fordnation paying private surgical clinics two-to-four times as much as public hospitals for the same procedures just one of the issues @LauraBabcock @MarkCripps and I dig into in the latest OSHOW. #ONpoli.
🔥🔥🔥NEW OSHOW: Scandal Panel discuss eruption of new Ford government scandals including shocking details privatizing Healthcare, secret cell phones, new investigations and if Ford PCs can be beat #GreenbeltScandal #OnHealth #ONpoli #OntarioPlace #hamont
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Slash Toronto council in half, cancel regional chair elections, allow pot sales in private stores, kill safe-injection sites. That ought to be enough to get the media off the sex ed story for the weekend. #onpoli.
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Asked directly if private surgical clinics will be paid more for procedures than OHIP rates for public hospitals, Premier @fordnation and health minister @SylviaJonesMPP respond with non-denial word salads. #onpoli.
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Therme's inability to read the room is shocking. A 95-year secret lease with an Austrian spa for prime Toronto waterfront disgusts voters who are fed up with the @fordnation government and its Greenbelt scandal. Auditor General's probe should kill the Ontario Place deal. #ONpoli.
NEW: Therme has released a statement on the AG value-for-money probe saying the company is "confident" it's presence at Ontario Place will bring "excellent value" for Ontarians. #onpoli
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Who doesn't need friendly judges when your government is being investigated by the RCMP. #ONpoli.
New documents confirm rumours, Ontario AG Doug Downey delayed a (still vacant) judicial appointment in Cornwall to appoint his preferred candidate: .
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The @OntLiberal arrogance is stunning. Know they're being kicked out of power but want the balance of power in a minority because no other party is responsible enough to have a majority government. #onpoli #Onelxn
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It's unfair to accuse Ontario MPP's of taking a 4 month vacation. Most do a lot of constituency work when the legislature isn't sitting, and get to hear what their constituents really think. Cabinet + cttees still meet, etc. Please don't make me defend politicians again. #onpoli.
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.@fordnation mocks species at risk legislation by appointing developers and lobbyists to board. Not even pretending to actually care. #onpoli.
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Why does @ThermeCanada need a five-storey, underground parking garage, paid for by taxpayers, when its massive spa at Ontario Place will be on the new subway line? This needs to be an issue in the mayoral campaign. #onpoli #TOpoli.
This part of the proposed Ontario Place design 'overwhelms' public space: report
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Health professionals say @fordnation government threatened to discredit them if they didn't provide a quote publicly supporting Ontario's new autism program before they'd seen the details. #ONpoli.
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PC staffers should be embarrassed to applaud to stop reporters from asking questions. It's bush league. Media right to insist gov't staff stop acting like trained seals. via @ipoliticsca.
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Why did @fordnation give so many Ministerial Zoning Orders to PC donors + friends?."In most cases, those MZOs have done nothing to add to housing, but helped developers bypass Ontario Land Tribunal hearings or gain permission to build on environmentally sensitive lands." #onpoli.
NEW: Doug Ford’s government issued dozens of special orders designed to fast-track LTC homes and housing. That hasn’t happened, a Star analysis reveals via @torontostar.
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“People think the private clinics are an add-on. But they are, in fact, a take-away because there’s only one set of staff,” said Mehra. “They take the staff out of the public hospitals.” #onpoli.
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.@fordnation cancelled surprise inspections of long term care homes and hasn't reinstated them. @OntarioPCParty didn't "inherit" that problem. #onpoli.
NEW - Ford on long term care report “I can stand here and point of all the problems that I inherited” “But none of that matters because I am your premier today” says he’s sparing no expense to improve the system.
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Never seen anything like it in decades of covering politics. Cops called on Hamilton city councillors who wanted to hear @C_Mulroney explain why @fordnation was killing the city's LRT. The Transportation Minister cancelled her newsr and fled under police escort. #onpoli #HamOnt.
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Important read. @fordnation first changed the process for appointing Justices of the Peace, now announces 41 new appointees at once, at least some of them @OntarioPCParty donors. "There is no doubt that ideological alignment has become a prerequisite to appointment." #onpoli.
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An @OntarioPCParty staffer, who resigned Thursday from the premier's office, lied to the Integrity Commissioner about a Vegas vacay with a @fordnation cabinet minister (he lied too) and a developer. So many lies. Ford's big climb down won't end this #GreenbeltScandal. #onpoli.
NEW: Further to this, the integrity commissioner's office has confirmed Jae Truesdell, via a lawyer, has given it "revised information regarding dates of travel to Las Vegas" — which MPP Kaleed Rasheed & former Doug Ford aide Amin Massoudi have also done.
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Premier @fordnation booed at Special Olympics event in Toronto. Ford says it's the first time he's been booed. Mayor @JohnTory got loud cheers - no boos - at same event. #onpoli #topoli.
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The PCs promised during the 2018 election to cut the price of electricity by a further 12% (after the Liberals' 17% cut). Prices have not come down since Premier @fordnation came to power. But hey, they've ordered a new look for electricity bills. #onpoli
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NDP Leader @AndreaHorwath arrives at polling station to cast her vote in her Hamilton riding. #onpoli
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My weekend take: there should be consequences for PC MPP @samoosterhoff for ignoring the pandemic protocols his government is mandating for the rest of us. #onpoli.
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@nicolemartintv So sorry to hear that Nicole. Small men trying to compensate for their serious shortcomings by attacking an accomplished woman doing her job. Sad, pathetic weaklings.
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NDP Leader @AndreaHorwath says more leaked documents from @fordnation gov't show "they will definitely privatize" labs, ORNGE and all kinds of health care services. "It is absolutely very clear that Ms. Elliott was not being honest and truthful and nor is Mr. Ford." #onpoli.
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Reporters are not the official opposition, but are an integral part of a functioning democracy. Asking if Premier helped a friend become OPP commissioner is appropriate, especially after reports his office tried to direct police to raid pot shops + get arrest video on TV. #onpoli.
The media is "the official opposition," Ont. Premier Doug Ford said during a tense exchange with reporters that centered on the appointment of his long-time friend Ron Taverner as the next OPP commissioner. Watch the full press conference here: #onpoli
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St. Catharines paper @StCatStandard joins CHCH-TV in refusing to staff Friday announcement by Health Minister @celliottability + Infrastructure Minister @MonteMcNaughton, who want media coverage but won't take questions from reporters. Especially unfair to local media. #onpoli.
The @StCatStandard also will not be attending this event. Given the recent issues regarding health care - the super agency, @abenner1's stories about care homes, at changes to autism - we think the minister should be answering questions from local journalists.
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They can keep Premier @fordnation on the sidelines during the federal election, but not the people struggling because of his Conservative government's policies. #cdnpoli #onpoli #elxn43.
Also at Scheer event, advocates for austic children show up to protest Doug Ford cuts, demand meeting with Scheer and commitment to austism strategy. #elxn43
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"He’s the only developer who had land removed from the Greenbelt who also attended Ford’s daughter’s wedding and stag. He was on the Las Vegas trip that cost a cabinet minister and political aide their jobs. He received the most Minister’s Zoning Orders issued by @fordnation.".
Rematullah surfaces again. 🤦🏼♀️. Greenbelt developer faces opposition in cottage country
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So unbelievably disrespectful to a fellow MPP, and an especially shameful way to treat any former premier. It was big of @Kathleen_Wynne to say she's not taking it personally, and she can enjoy getting under the Tories' skin just by being there. #onpoli.
A rookie Progressive Conservative MPP is in hot water for shouting “Why are you still here?” at former Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne while she was asking a question in the legislature. Story by @robertbenzie
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Former pm Jean Chretien on US elxn: there are pills to help you with pneumonia, but apparently there's no pill against stupidity. #cdnpoli.
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She sounded like a Therme saleswoman, defending a 95-year lease of prime Toronto waterfront. She called advocates opposed to the massive private spa at Ontario Place a "special interest" group, dismissing legitimate public concerns just as @fordnation did with #Greenbelt #ONpoli.
Somewhat surprised at how deeply invested people seem to be about the future of Ontario Place. Reaction to @KingaSurmaMPP appearance on the show has been massive.
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The @fordnation government's screwing up of the autism file is shameful, and pushes some families to financial ruin. By @allisonjones_cp #onpoli.
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@CBCAlerts reports two of the largest long-term care providers, Extendicare Inc. and Sienna Senior Living Inc., received more than $157 million in federal and provincial COVID-19 relief and then paid out $74 million in dividends to their shareholders. #onpoli #greedybastards.
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Why would the highly-paid professional comms staff at @opg not immediately go to work after getting the same nuclear alert that woke up the rest of Ontario? Not available today!!! #EpicFail #onpoli.
@opg security tells @globalnewsto they have no communications staff in today to speak on the phone. All media requests need to go through e-mail. They might want to think about bringing someone in— just a thought! #Onpoli.
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No no no no no no no no, breath, no no no no no no no no no no no no no. No bullshit quarantine exemptions for millionaire athletes or anyone else arriving from the U.S. Apply the pandemic rules equally.
Looks like the Jays will go to Tampa for three, then Washington for two, then the Nationals will come to Toronto for two to start the season. For a Jays team that will need to get off to a hot start that's. not great!.
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Biggest surprise for me in @fordnation shuffle is that @DrFullertonMPP is still in cabinet after screwing up LTC so badly during COVID-19. I'll discuss all the changes with @nicolemartintv on the 6pm @CHCHNews #onpoli.
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The Ontario Health Coalition has asked the Integrity Commissioner to investigate "political donations and high-level personnel links between the for-profit long-term care industry and key ministers and MPPs in the @fordnation government." #onpoli.
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Long past time for @fordnation government to come out of campaign mode. You won. @Kathleen_Wynne doesn't deserve derision for doing her job. #onpoli.
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The uber rich get richer on the backs of the poorest of the poor, 10 cents at a time. Most people don't notice another dime on the price of bread, but many do.
"Socialization" is the gentle term for price-fixing used by the country's biggest bread makers and grocers in a decade and a half long scheme, Competition Bureau alleges. Prices to consumers were increased by 10 cents on at least 15 separate occasions.
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Bill Davis was the first premier I covered at Queen's Park, and was a true gentleman. Davis took the entire press gallery to dinner at the historic Albany Club after he resigned. #onpoli
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We never thought @fordnation would end hallway healthcare by closing hospital emergency departments. Private surgical clinics funded by PC government draining staff from public hospitals. #ONpoli.
BREAKING: Despite Premier Doug Ford’s promise to end hallway health care, it remains a major problem in Ontario hospitals plagued by shortages of doctors and nurses and the lack of an ER strategy, the province’s auditor general says. #onpoli .
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Liberals insist they won't impose a tax on home assessments, but spent a quarter million dollars studying the idea. #cdnpoli .
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I apologize. I regret. I accept full responsibility. The buck stops with me. Meaningless words from @SteveClarkPC as he rejects calls for his resignation as Housing Minister following two damning reports from legislative watchdogs on his role in the #GreenbeltScandal. #onpoli.
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Private long term care operators in Ontario want to take the Registered Nurse out of nursing homes, scrap criminal record checks for employees, and replace Personal Support Workers with less qualified, lower-paid staff to provide direct patient care. Profits before care. #onpoli.
Ontario’s private, for-profit long-term care lobbyists are pushing Doug Ford to loosen criminal record check rules for care providers. #onpoli #cdnhealth.
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No public inquiry into LTC in Ontario. No public hearings, as promised, by @fordnation hand-picked panel probing LTC. Now families of LTC residents killed by #COVID19 denied right to appear at legislature cttee hearing into PC law that protects LTC homes from lawsuits. #onpoli.
Almost Four Dozen People Who Applied to Testify Before the Ontario Legislature’s Standing Committee on Bill 218 Limiting Legal Liability for COVID-19 Harms for Long-Term Care Homes and Others, Cut Out of the Hearings Today #onpoli .
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.@fordnation + @MacLeodLisa: Letting #MLB teams cross our still-closed border during the pandemic completely undermines everyone's efforts so far to stay safe. It's a huge mistake to have different rules for the rich + powerful while telling the rest of us to stay home. #onpoli.
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From the Ontario Autism Coalition on @fordnation spending promises: "When a government maliciously underspends its budget while families and children in are in a state of crisis, it is not merely a failure of fiscal responsibility, but a failure of conscience as well." #onpoli.
MEDIA RELEASE: The OAC responds to Financial Accountability Office report showing that the Ford government has underspent its budget for the Ontario Autism Program. WE ARE NOT OK.
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"There were numerous (@fordnation) colleagues of mine who were quite uncomfortable," Karahalois said. "They knew that they should vote no, but didn't because they were afraid of what would happen. They were afraid of getting kicked out." #onpoli.
Ousted Tory MPP Belinda Karahalios says new law gives Ford government too much power.
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Wow. New low in level of 'debate' in the Ontario legislature speaks to level of heckler's intelligence. #onpoli.
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The Auditor General's report wasn't "unforseen circumstances" but proof of the "preferential treatment" @fordnation and @OntarioPCParty gave certain developers in #GreenbeltScandal. No surprise cabinet ministers and PC MPPs are ducking the public. #onpoli.
Hmmmm 🧐 Looks like @PBethlenfalvy, Ontario's Minister of Finance and MPP for #Pickering #Uxbridge wasn't interested in being roasted at his own community barbeque?!? .#GreenbeltGate #SaveDRAP #OnPoli #MunPoli #DurhamRegion #GreenbeltScandal #Greenbelt.
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"A tally by the Ontario NDP finds that just four guests at a Ford family wedding reception benefited from as many MZOs as previous Liberal governments issued in total over the course of their 15 years in power. " #onpoli.
In the wake of the Greenbelt scandal, there’s new scrutiny of how the Ford government has handed out 100+ fast-track zoning orders (MZOs) for properties around Ontario. I’ll discuss just after 7am on @metromorning .👇to read full story 👇#onpoli
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Wishing @blatchkiki all the best in your fight with cancer. Your columns are missed, and the round tables just aren't the same without you.
Christie Blatchford, long-time NEWSTALK 1010 contributor and panelist is currently undergoing treatment for cancer and appreciates the many listeners who have reached out and sent their best wishes. If you also want to send well-wishes to her 👉
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This is ridiculous. Two @fordnation top cabinet ministers plan a public announcement they want the media to cover, but they won't take questions from reporters. Why? Transparency? Accountability? #onpoli.
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So just how many hospital execs joined Canada's political "elites" who exempted themselves from the pandemic rules they set for the rest of us? The London hospital board of directors should be replaced if it won't fire its border-hopping CEO. #onpoli .
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"Mr. Orban received an outright statement of congratulations for his 2018 election victory from former prime minister Stephen Harper. Mr. Harper doubled down the next year, paying a long-weekend visit to Mr. Orban in Budapest.".
Doug Saunders: Orban’s bigotry has repelled his best friends. Why do conservatives still salute him? .
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Yet again the @fordnation government shows why Ontario needs a full public inquiry into long term care. #onpoli .
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Ontario’s auditor general criticized the process for appointments to the species at risk advisory committee for being not transparent. At that time, a majority of members on the committee worked for associations or companies, half of which were registered lobbyists. #onpoli.
.@fordnation mocks species at risk legislation by appointing developers and lobbyists to board. Not even pretending to actually care. #onpoli.
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I bet @OntLiberal regrets the hard line @Dalton_McGuinty took with Howard Hampton in 2003 when @OntarioNDP fell 1 seat short of official party status. Why would @fordnation change the rule for the Liberals? #onpoli #OnElxn.
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