Glad to share some happy news! Jon and I are thrilled to announce that we got married on November 4th! We tied the knot with family & friends, and are looking forward to starting our next chapter together.
Seriously?! The Premier sent - by courier - a full box of glossy "healthcare" propaganda books to my constit office. Really trying to sell this privatization scheme, eh? How much money did this 50+ page campaign magazine cost taxpayers, Doug?
#MedicareMatters
#onpoli
5 a.m. special sitting to fast track a bill to take away the rights of
#EducationWorkers
in Ontario. "Notwithstanding" the Charter OR Human Rights Code. And above the courts and the law.
#onted
@osbcucscso
@CUPEOntario
Publicly funded
#healthcare
is only half the story. Publicly *delivered healthcare must be defended. Money flows out of our healthcare system when private, for-profit companies can siphon profits. Patient care suffers when shareholder care is the priority.
#MedicareMatters
#onpoli
Yep. I sure did. I voted against the heavy-handed PC plan to strip seniors of their right to consent to making health care decisions. Coercing them under duress & w fear of financial ruin into the for-profit hinterlands without consent or family nearby isn't about compassion.
⚠️ HYPOCRITE ALERT ⚠️
After NDP MPP
@jennkfrench
said that ALC patients were "taking up our hospital space" and that she'd "love to put them somewhere," she voted against our legislation today.
Parents are being asked to make an incomprehensible choice for September... classroom learning at school, OR permanent, virtual learning at-home. How do parents choose *now for September with so much uncertainty? School Boards are asking
@Sflecce
to halt his plan.
#onted
#onpoli
Ford hates unions. Ford *really hates
#solidarity
. He doesn't get that the more he rips, tears & seeks to divide, the more Ontario will come together. Solidarity isn't a slogan. It is hope. It is power. It will keep the province together.
#RallyforEducation
#CutsHurtKids
#onlab
GM didn't build
#Oshawa
. Oshawa built GM. If it is true that
@GMcanada
is abandoning us, then they are in for a fight. Autoworkers & families deserve better than rumours. The Govt better be figuring out a plan...
#MadeInOshawaMatters
#community
The Govt is being sued for *unlawful use of an MZO to allow the destruction of a provincially significant wetland. So naturally, they intro
#Bill257
(Sched 3) to retroactively change the rules to make it "lawful". Sneaky & destructive.
#SaveDuffinsCreek
#onpoli
@envirodefence
Today was my appt for my 1st shot of the Pfizer vaccine. As Grandma's registered essential caregiver, I am glad to do what is recommended to keep her protected. Getting the shot was painless, fast, professional & so smooth at the vaccine clinic in N. Oshawa.
#COVID19
#GotTheShot
I am up for the fight that this PC Govt seems bent on bringing to Ontario. $300 private
#COVID19
tests for those w means, & hours and hours of waiting for the rest? Privatizing health care does *not make us healthier. Exploiting a pandemic & damaging public healthcare is gross.
My bill passed! Proud to have been advocating for the folks of Durham Region since 2018 & that my
#Bill43
passed 2nd reading today! Hopefully the Government will bring it to committee soon & pass it into law - & finally remove the unfair tolls from the 412 & 418!
#community
The Premier wants to pave paradise & put up a warehouse.Unfortunately, a warehouse won't filter runoff, mitigate flooding, purify drinking water, sequester Carbon & provide habitat for wildlife the way Duffins Creek does. MZOs bulldoze protections. Coastal wetlands are NECESSARY.
Ford pleads he can't possibly know what staff is up to, but the AG reports that the Premier's office directed Clark's Chief of Staff to muck w the
#Greenbelt
Boundary. So which is it, Doug? Are you the Premier in charge, or just a poor guy in the dark?
#GreenbeltScandal
Doug Ford told minister Clark to develop processes for “swaps” & “contractions” of Greenbelt land, breaking his promise not to touch “anywhere” in the Greenbelt. It is impossible he & Clark were not closely involved in what would certainly be a controversial policy change
#onpoli
Hey folks. Watch this. Hear the promise. "Maintain the Greenbelt in its entirety." Keep in mind that today this man announced the intent to remove 7400 acres of the existing Greenbelt.
#Greenbelt
#onpoli
I have to hand it to the optometrists- I haven't seen such a prolific petition campaign in a very long time. Clearly, folks across the community care about optometric eye care! Keep the petitions coming & keep pressuring the government to
#SaveEyeCare
in Ontario!
@ONOptometrists
I asked the Parliamentary Assistant to the Min of Education, former trustee, & MPP for Ajax about
#Bill28
& how they justify stripping collective bargaining rights from education workers... Answer? "being in school 24/7 & extracurriculars"...
#onted
#onlab
#39kIsNotEnough
Glad to cast my ballot to keep hospitals public & stop the privatization of our public hospitals & services! Vote in the
@OntarioHealthC
referendum near you!
Really grateful to see my little Grandma. We had a nice visit. She is hanging in there, but it isn't easy to be 99. It was a beautiful day to see my favourite person. I hope more families are able to see their loved ones safely & soon. Grandma says "hi" :)
#family
#COVID19
Grandma turned 99 & my awesome neighbours came over to share birthday wishes - from a careful distance. She was thrilled to see them :) While keeping apart, it's so special to find ways to stay connected. Happy 99th Birthday, Grandma!
#community
#COVID19
#COVID19ON
#StayHome
It'll be a late night sorting amendments & preparing for committee 3/30 at 9 am, to go clause-by-clause through
#Bill257
. This Govt has been moving this bill through w break-neck speed. They're so driven to give themselves more power (ie. To pave wetlands...)
#SaveDuffinsCreek
Why can't we look after
@OntScienceCtr
? This Minister of Megaspas thinks after 50 years, buildings are past their prime. The Ontario Science Centre deserves a better landlord, proper maintenance & investment - not to be diminished & torn down.
@SaveOSC
Disappointed, but not surprised that this PC Government voted today *against my Private Member’s Motion to improve
#accountability
in Long-Term Care. They voted to keep profits eating into care & against better accountability for residents & families. Brutal.
#onpoli
Are any Ford deals done in Ont made w ANY integrity anymore? All questionable links deserve attention. These are massive public projects that should be transparent, & the Premier should be accountable. Ontarians deserve Ministers who aren't super shady.
#OntarioPlace
#Greenbelt
From 12:01 through til morning, MPPs will be debating
#Bill31
. Unlikely any PC MPPs will speak, so opposition will keep debate from collapsing. To the folks from Durham Region, send me your unanswered letters. I'll read 'em to your MPPs. jfrench-qp
@ndp
.on.ca
#notwithstanding
After my first Speakers' meeting today, I was fitted for my robes! I'm honoured to be appointed & am looking forward to my new role as a Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
#onpoli
People understand the importance of optometric eye care... well, everyone apart from this government. My office hears from folks everyday concerned about access to eye care in Ontario. Do the right thing,
@fordnation
&
#SaveEyeCare
#optometry
@OAOPresident
@derabbie
People who rely on social assistance can not pay their bills with "Ontario Spirit". ODSP & OW folks & families needed help from this govt & this budget did not deliver. They were again left out- & left struggling.
#ODSP
#OW
#onpoli
#ontbudget
Ontario's New Democrats stand up for strong public education & stand alongside educators, education workers & students before, during & *after elections. We believe in education & will always fight to strengthen it!
#RallyforEducation
#CutsHurtKids
#onpoli
#onted
@OntarioNDP
Yesterday, Ontario's PC majority govt voted to extend its emergency powers through December. I am against this power grab & the Official Opposition voted against it (& called for a recorded vote). MPPs are cohorted during COVID, but my ONDP colleagues who were there voted against
WATCH: The
@OntarioNDP
Opposition Day motion to acknowledge that an "Iron Ring" was never around
#LTC
during this pandemic, that families deserve an apology & Ontario deserves a day to mourn those who died in long-term care was defeated by a very indignant & defensive government.
Thank you to the nurses & medical care team at
@LakeridgeHealth
for looking after my little Grandma. She is getting better & we hope she can come home soon. Being 100 is pretty tough sometimes.
#HealthcareHeroes
#family
Thank you to the voters of
#Oshawa
who have again trusted me to represent our
#community
at Queen's Park. Thank you to our team & all of our volunteers that worked so hard & w such conviction for a positive future. I love Oshawa & I am filled w appreciation.
#onelxn
It blows my mind that the Attorney General of the province thinks that for-profit, private long-term care operators pay themselves last. Nope. The folks *actually last in line to benefit are vulnerable Ontario seniors. Take the profits out of care, please.
#LTC
#onpoli
Thank you to
@jennkfrench
for asking all the right
#LTC
questions. No clear answers provided, as usual. And FYI: It was
@DrFullertonMPP
who first alluded to penalties hurting resident care (I have those transcripts)
Attorney General LTC 10 27 via
@YouTube
The Premier had *NOTHING to say to
#autoworkers
as the last truck rolls off the
@GM
line, after 100 yrs in
#Oshawa
. Lordestown & Detroit are getting product & it was over for them, too. I wonder what might have been if
@fordnation
had fought for us.
#onpoli
I am humbled to be nominated as
#Oshawa
's
@OntarioNDP
Candidate for the 2022 provincial election. There is so much at stake, & I hope to continue the work on behalf of our
#community
. The nomination meeting was very special. Thank you for the support.
It has been a long road for this Government to end up back at the beginning. I guess after a few weeks of "reflection", their absurd blue vanity plates weren't worth it. We won't ever know the cost, though. What a mess.
#plategate
@TorontoStar
@robertbenzie
I've seen a few of the new blue
@fordnation
license plates & agree they are weirdly reflective & challenging to read at night & from a distance. How did we get here,
@ONtransport
? Were they road-tested? Safety has to be more important than branding!
#onpoli
#plategate
Ok, this was taken off duty in a relatively well lit parking lot with my headlights on. Did anyone consult with police before designing and manufacturing the new Ontario licence plates? They’re virtuallly unreadable at night.
My first day in my official "robes". I am proud to serve the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as a presiding officer of the House. It is an honour - if not a challenge - to act as Speaker & preside over debate as one of the Deputy Chairs.
#Legislature
Canada mourns Ed Broadbent - a tremendous & principled leader & visionary. Oshawa mourns a friend & force who worked tirelessly for a kinder, fairer society. I am grateful for so many years learning from such a mentor. My condolences to his family. Ed, you will be missed.
Middle of the night, but I'm still preparing for Committee tomorrow at 9 a.m. Govt has rushed the
#MOMSAct
through so fast w almost no time for careful, due diligence... But, this is not my first rodeo. I will be ready with thoughtful NDP amendments to fix their mistakes.
#Bill282
Grandma made it to vote! She got all dressed up because - as she told folks at the poll - "voting is a privilege". Thanks to the people at the voting location who were so kind & helpful. Polls close at 9:30. Make sure to vote!
#elxn44vote
#ELXN44
#Oshawa
@shailenepanylo
Thank you to the nursing staff at
@LakeridgeHealth
for the wonderful care for my little Grandma.
#Grandma
made it through hip surgery & is glad to be healing, & watching her programs w timbits. She is 100.5 & doing her best to get better.
Get well soon, Grandma ❤️
#family
I am my Grandma's essential caregiver. Fortunately, during this pandemic she has been healthy where she lives. MPP
@LGretzky
's "More than a Visitor Act" recognizes seniors & vulnerable loved ones must have access to needed help, care & support from essential caregivers.
#COVID19
I was glad to meet w folks from Minden at Queen's Park who need the Minister of Health to stop the closure of their ER. I printed hundreds of letters & made sure she & their local MPP received them.
#SavetheMindenER
The Official Opposition just raised the issue that the live debate isn't online. Currently this morning's proceedings are being broadcast only on tv, not online. Most of Ontario can't watch. The government clapped when Lecce kept talking.
#circus
#onted
Officially sworn in and again the MPP for the riding of
#Oshawa
! Privileged to serve a second term and to work sincerely for the people of my
#community
at home & at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
Thank you!
I voted against the Ford Govt Bill 7 - a bill that removed the right to consent from seniors in ALC. Not okay. Seniors deserve the protections we all have - the right to consent to health care treatments, to control their personal health information, & to appeal. Consent matters.
Proud to stand w
@OntarioNDP
colleagues & stand up for Ontario Place & accountability. The cost to Ontarians will be astronomical, & this govt is hiding what they know so they can go ahead w their absurd MegaSpa plan. Ontarians want to know - at what cost?
#SaveOntarioPlace
@chrisgloverndp
Next up is Infra Critic
@jennkfrench
who’s been asking the government tough questions on the flawed process that led to the MegaSpa. Notes Ontario Place has been hiding their annual report, last public one was 2018. We know why now; attendance numbers are through the roof!
This may be an older article, but the shady & well-connected folks who have been steering the PC Shopper's Ship are clearly still at the helm in this province. In light of the symptomatic testing, these Tory ties are worth reviewing...
#Buddies
#onpoli
Dinner out with Grandma! So grateful we are both double-vaccinated & able to enjoy time together. Thanks to the folks at the
#BullDogPub
for a lovely evening out.
#supportlocal
#community
Quite an unusual day in
#Oshawa
! After
#deer
came through our window & spent some time in our office, they headed downtown. Relieved to hear they made it through their downtown adventures safely. Our office will reopen soon after some repairs. Email if needed.JFrench-CO
@ndp
.on.ca
Bill 195 was a brutal power grab. Every email I received about
#Bill195
decried it as undemocratic. I have every faith that ALL MPPs heard the same. It appears
@KarahaliosPC
was listening to them - & her conscience. Belinda, I applaud your principled stand.
#onpoli
#democracy
Grandma is doing better, thankfully. She is getting wonderful care at
@LakeridgeHealth
& is finally sleeping :) I was able to stay because of her initial confusion, but she's improving & I will see her in a few days. Thank you to the great nurses - there when family can't be.
I am a Christian New Democrat & I was taught that "thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself". I do not believe Jesus was homophobic, Islamophobic, or a bigot. I don't believe it is a tenet of Christianity to seed hate or divide, Mr. McVety.
#onpoli
“The NDP hates Christians and believes we are second-class citizens who should be shunned by society,” Charles McVety wrote in an email to the Globe, via
@jeffreybgray
#onpoli
The courts ruled against him, but
@Fordnation
will do what he wants. Today the PC govt introduced a Bill to silence community groups & critics a year out from the election. He is shockingly using the
#notwithstandingclause
to get his way.
#onpoli
#powergrab
Grandma has had a tough day. She took a fall & now has to heal. Hard to spend the day in a busy
@LakeridgeHealth
hallway, but Grandma thinks the paramedics, nurses & everyone she's seen "have been just super". The offload challenges & the overcrowding *must be fixed,
@ONThealth
Today we stand together for loved ones in Long-Term Care & call loudly for
@DrFullertonMPP
to do the right thing & protect seniors. Families need to have Govt action & commitment to staffing, training, supports, funding & accountability.
@voicesofltc
#voicesofltc
#LTC
#onpoli
Thank you,
@LakeridgeHealth
#nurses
& care teams for the care & attention my little Grandma is getting. Grandma has moved to rehab & is working on healing... & crosswords. Hopefully, she will be walking again soon.
#family
#HealthCareWorkers
Thank you to everyone who worked on our very positive, hopeful campaign in
#Oshawa
, & thank you to the voters who again put their trust in me to represent them at Queen's Park for a 3rd term. I am proud of the work we've done, & am committed to the work ahead. Thank you.
#onpoli
In committee all morning,trying to fix the mess the govt is making in the
#ebike
world. PCs have defeated all of our thoughtful, precise amendments to solve the problems *they're creating w
#Bill282
. They don't seem to understand. I asked to record the Zoom video... PCs refused.
I believe in public
#education
& investing in the futures of kids. I believe in strong public services. Stop attacking teachers, education workers & classrooms so we can face the uncertain road ahead.
@fordnation
, end the attacks & support public education.
#onted
#onpoli
Thank you, to
@theJagmeetSingh
for coming to
#Oshawa
. I saw what it meant to the workers to have you come and listen to them. All levels of Gov't need to understand what a plant closure would do to our
#community
. We must do what we can to keep good jobs here.
#SaveOshawaGM
I have new neighbours! Actually, this pair of mourning doves is pretty chill with me & tolerates photo ops & porch visits... Pretty sure it is the same pair that lived on my porch last season & raised their babies. Welcome back :)
#Spring
Honoured to be reelected to a 3rd term at the Legislative Assembly to represent
#Oshawa
. Proud to be sworn in officially to again take my seat in the Ontario Legislature. I am immensely appreciative of the opportunity to serve again.
#onpoli
Proud to vote to support Ontario's workers without paid sick days. Many who are told to stay home, or feel sick, aren't able to stay home or keep others safe by staying out of the workplace.
Govt said we were crying that "the sky is falling". Yes. It is.
#PaidSickDaysSaveLives
We must have minimum standards of care in Long-Term Care & we have to push the Govt to pass the
#TimeToCareAct
. 4.1 hours of hands-on, face-to-face care & attention would mean seniors could live w dignity w proper staffing & support.Tell Ontario why you think this matters!
#LTC
Glad to spend my Christmas day with my special little Grandma - on her 100th Christmas! :) Grandma & I wish everyone a
#MerryChristmas
& a season of good health.
#family
Happy 100th Birthday, Grandma! We celebrated Grandma's milestone birthday, together on Zoom. She had a special day of memories & visiting w family around the country. 100 years ago, it would have been impossible to imagine a virtual party on the internet!
#LovedForACentury
People across my
#community
sent me to Queen's Park today with an armload of petitions in support of education workers & public education. Folks are adamant that this government repeal
#Bill28
,
#Bill124
, & invest in public education.
#onted
#onlab
I will NOT rest assured. You have NOT done the job of protecting people. Your premier wants to give indemnity to LTC homes when what we *should be calling for is to investigate & have a public inquiry. I fear you & the damage you continue to turn a blind eye to. Resign.
Rest assured – our government is actively working on solutions for our broken
#LongTermCare
system. Every option is on the table to make it better. Critical work is underway and we will leave no stone unturned as we undertake badly needed system transformation.
Throw back to pre-election 2018 when the ONDP committed to removing the unfair tolls from the 412! Post-election, I introduced Bill 43 to Free the Highways. It has been quite a long road to get here, but today *finally the province freed the 412 & 418. Community win!
#freethe412
Thank you, Aaron for your letter. I was glad to share your voice with the Government. We have heard from you & so many struggling desperately with the "punitive" ODSP rates. The
@OntarioNDP
continues to push for support & equity - during the pandemic & everyday.
#COVID19
#onpoli
Hey Premier, why is it that Ontario invests the LEAST of all provinces in health care, per capita? YOU. You won't fund it, & now are hoping to sell it off for parts... Read this solid piece by
@LindaMcQuaig
#healthcare
What a journey to get here! The wetland will stay a wetland for now because of environmental defenders & community water protectors. We must still fight anti-environment
#Bill257
, because Ford & friends won't stop when there's money to be made.
#SaveDuffinsCreek
#yourstoprotect
This galls me. We said this bill would protect the big for-profit LTC companies & this Govt shot back everyday about "the little guy". It has always been about profit margins over care. And
@fordnation
wanted it that way.
NEW: Senior exec at Chartwell long-term care tells investors that new legislation from the Ford govt "mitigates the risk" from lawsuits against the company, and makes the threshold for proving damages "very high," reports
@jessiecatherine
of
@QPbriefing
A brilliant day w great energy & hope! Today
@AndreaHorwath
& the
@OntarioNDP
unveiled the plan for
#mentalhealth
coverage for all Ontarians. Mental health IS health. We will build a system of hope for everyone. June 2nd, vote for a Premier & team ready to govern!
#voteNDP
There is so much at stake in the next provincial election! I hope to continue the work on behalf of
#Oshawa
. Do I have your support to head back to Queen's Park? RSVP to join us Wed May 12th at our nomination meeting. Click:
@OshawaNDP
@OntarioNDP
Discharged & home! Grandma is much better, well-rested & was in good spirits w a hankering for chicken McNuggets when I picked her up. We appreciated the caring staff at
@LakeridgeHealth
& the well-wishes on Twitter. Grandma says thank you.
#HealthcareHeroes
#community
Thank you to the nurses & medical care team at
@LakeridgeHealth
for looking after my little Grandma. She is getting better & we hope she can come home soon. Being 100 is pretty tough sometimes.
#HealthcareHeroes
#family
Here at Queen's Park to vote against this Premier's brutal over-reach & high-handed
#Bill307
. Voting against the bill, & supporting the attempts of the Official Opposition to slow down the passage of this unprecedented power grab.
#onpoli
Minister
@DrFullertonMPP
, *DO YOUR JOB* Just cuz you don't wanna, does not mean it isn't your responsibility. You are the literal Minister of the Ministry of Long Term Care... Not the Ministry of Somebody else's problems. Rise to the occasion, don't run from it.
#onpoli
This is a shift - minister of Long Term Care now says it is up to local medical officers of health to add further measures to protect vulnerable residents, saying they can act more swiftly. NDP leader Andrea Horwath says they are downloading responsibility and its "disgusting"
Proud to introduce legislation to remove the unfair tolls from Highway 412 & keep them off of the 418. The 412 often sits empty while our neighbours sit in traffic. Folks across Durham Region have been calling to
#Freethe412
- I support our communities & so should this Gov't!
Thank God for whistleblowers. This is supposed to be a caring home, NOT A JAIL. What if there had been a fire? Imagine being sick & literally *locked away. I don't believe for 1 second that an internal review is enough. Families: please email me jfrench-co
@ndp
.on.ca
#onpoli
Parents have been writing to MPPs - sharing concerns about September & the return to school for children. The 1st day back at Queen's Park - I wanted to bring the voices of families calling for the Government to have a better plan so students are safe & can be successful.
#onted
Moving day!!! Today has been a very busy day for Grandma. After 3 months in the hospital, we were finally able to hit the road & get her moved into her new home. Big changes for my little Grandma. Thank you to the GRU nursing staff at
@LakeridgeHealth
- She loved you.
#Family
I will always defend public education & students. If the Gov't can't accept my words because of my "tone", that's on them. When students are shortchanged & not prepared for the future due to Gov't cuts & chaos, that will *also be on them.
#onted
#onpoli
I asked about a planning grant for the proposed hospital - as promised by the Premier... I'm not entirely sure his response qualified as an answer. Is the Premier flip-flopping on the Whitby hospital?
Small blessings with my little Grandma. Grateful to be her essential caregiver, and live nearby. Glad to check in with her at the end of this challenging week. Hope you and your loved ones are healthy.
Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas from a safe distance. Hope that you and your loved ones are healthy & looking forward to a year ahead filled with only happy moments. Thank you to our frontline workers in healthcare & emergency services who keep all of us safe & well.
I am glad that
@UniforTheUnion
&
@GM
we were able to hammer out a tentative agreement to again build the future here in
#Oshawa
. I am proud to have always believed in local autoworkers, & proud to have stood alongside them & their families.
#goodjobs
#canlab
#onpoli
#222
The Premier's LTC Commission: The guy running it was the lawyer for Harris during Walkerton. (Harris is now the Chair of the Board for Chartwell...) No accountability, restricted to COVID & not before it... no requirement to hear from grieving families...
This Tuesday at Queen's Park, we debate an
@OntarioNDP
motion for the province to hold a public, independent inquiry into Long Term Care - especially considering this time of
#COVID19
. Please send letters to the Premier & me @ jfrench-co
@ndp
.on.ca to share your voice.
#onpoli
This is heartbreaking.
#Onpoli
#Cutshurtkids
@fordnation
@Sflecce
Local Parent writes powerful letter to Premier Ford - published in Wednesday's Orono Weekly Times.
_____________________
Wed, Feb 5,2020 Open Letter to Premier Ford