A Return to Action at Queens Park
Covering Ontario’s Provincial Parliament
On Monday October 21 I took a trip to Toronto to attend the first provincial legislative session of the 2024-25 year, in what was promised by media outlets to be an eventful parliamentary sitting. Reality did not depart from these expectations.
Upon entering the house, it becomes clear that a defining feature is ritual. Even after profound societal change since the days of Confederation, Parliament remains steeped in tradition. The architectural and artistic design is one aspect - spiral patterns and grandiose portraits on every wall and rooftop. But greater are the actions - the bowing, the regalia, the lord's prayer. In this sense Ontario is still very much British in character.
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Following a rendition of ‘God Save the King’ sung collectively by MPP’s, various visitors were introduced by members, most prominently, professionals from the Ontario Medical Association (OMA). This gave way to discussion about the state of the healthcare system, and scrutiny from the leader of the opposition, NDP leader Marit Stiles. One physician told me she spends “20 hours a week” on administrative work, eroding energy she could otherwise put towards her patients. When asked directly, Premier Doug Ford assured the house that his government has made large investments into the healthcare system, supposedly increasing beds and overall capacity.
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Entering the question period, topics changed rapidly, and banter ran wild. Stiles scrutinized Ford’s government for what she claimed were a series of scandals his government is currently engulfed in.
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“They’ve lost the plot” she said, in specific reference to the destruction of Ontario’s Science Centre.
The NDP’s priorities, said MPP Terence Kernaghan, are healthcare, housing, education and affordability, unconvinced the Conservative government shares in their conviction.
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In an instant, the Conservatives jumped on the offense.
“The Federal Carbon Tax!” exclaimed MPP Matthew Rae; the whole chamber paused before one side rang out in cheer.
Referring to it as the ‘Trudeau-Crombie Tax’, Minister of Energy Stephen Lecce said the government believes in “technology over tax”, arguing for investment into clean energy sectors rather than charging consumers. To combat rising gas costs, the NDP suggested Ontario should regulate maximum prices “like other jurisdictions in North America”.
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Another hot topic was housing. The three opposition parties - NDP, Liberals and Greens - each took turns scrutinizing the government from different angles, calling out corruption over contracts while also accusing the Conservatives of not meeting their home targets. Over the latter critique, Ford became animated.
“No. No. No!”, he said, imitating the opposition party’s unwillingness to approve building projects.
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Several topics pertaining to the North arose in the house throughout the day. MPP Lise Vaugeois from Thunder Bay - Superior North brought to the house’s attention what she believed to be a chronic shortage of driving education in Northern Ontario, partly due to short-staffage and under funding. Consequently, she argued roads are much less safe.
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Minister of Mines George Pirie gave an update on the ‘Ring of Fire’ region and its development, articulating broad plans for funding and industry support. His comments were without scrutiny by the opposition.
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Later on, Bill 197 titled “Safer Roads and Communities Act” was debated. Conservative MP Hardeep Singh Grewal said the bill was “tough on crime”, and that it would work to prevent auto theft and impaired driving by increasing punishments.
In response, the NDP said it was “shoddy” legalization, arguing provisions accounting for other concerns such as distracted driving ought to be included. Interestingly, there was cross-partisan agreement that newer cars with push button ignition are at a much higher likelihood of theft than their traditional key-ignition counterparts, and that the automobile industry ought to address this.
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MPP Kernaghan took issue with what he perceived to be contradictory policy objectives within the conservative agenda - on the one hand fighting against impaired driving, and on the other, liberalizing liquor sales in convenient stores, which he implied would increase the likelihood of drunkenness on the road.
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In the midst of argument, rhetoric throughout the day was very partisan. From this it might be assumed there is mass polarization between parties, unable to properly communicate with each other. But while bad blood flew in the foreground, from all sides of the floor members from opposite sides could be seen coming together and engaging in quiet conversations,
often with very cordial demeanor. Even members who had just faced off in the question period could sit down for a chat.
So, as the provincial Parliament saw an abundance of issues fought over the opening day of the legislator - housing, healthcare, energy, road safety - there still perhaps remains enough mutual respect for effective cross-partisan collaboration.