Mike Schreiner reflects on his first year as Leader of the Green Party of Ontario:
The Green Party of Ontario is stronger than ever and we are preparing to change politics in Ontario forever. You can sign up online in order to receive regular updates on the local campaign in Ottawa Centre.
A year ago Mike Schreiner stepped in to the role of Leader of the Green Party of Ontario. Mike is our second leader and first to lead full time.
In his first year, the GPO has opened an office and hired an executive director and director for the leader’s office. More recently Craig Cantin, former ED of the Green Party of Canada, has joined the provincial team as our director of fundraising.
There has simply been more activity and more engagement within the GPO than ever before. The Ottawa platform round table was a smashing success, and from what I’ve heard so were the other stops on the tour.
We have begun nominating candidates for the next election and we are getting campaign teams in place. With enough support, both in terms of volunteers and donations, in 2011 we can become the third party in Ontario in terms of popular vote.
Dave Bagler, left, who lives in the Conservation Coop on Mann Ave., has been selected Green Party candidate for Ottawa-Vanier. Bagler joined the Green Party in late 2005 and has served as the party's riding president in Ottawa-Vanier for the past 2 years. Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner (right) says, "People in Ottawa-Vanier, like those in the rest of Ontario, are working hard to live green, and I look forward to working with Dave Bagler to share ideas and policies to help them." In 2008 Bagler started the Sandy Hill Holiday Food Drive and subsequently was named a Volunteer of the Year by Action Sandy Hill. (Photo by Bill Blackstone)
It probably won't come as much of a surprise to find out that I read (alright, skim) the press releases of two opposition parties at Queen’s Park. It certainly isn’t something I enjoy doing as the constant negativity is not healthy. Not healthy for the reader, not healthy for the author and certainly not healthy for Ontario.
I speak to many voters who believe the McGuinty government does not represent them; many voters have told me, the Liberals have overreached and ignore of the will of communities. Voters normally give the government credit for various policies and programs but by-and-large they are unsatisfied with the status and direction of our province. Perhaps more telling however is that few of these voters think the current Opposition parties would do any better.
Hello everyone! Here’s the November calendar of events taking place in our community. Get ready for the snow to fly!
Please remember that the Green Party does not officially endorse any of these events unless otherwise indicated. We believe that community organization is essential to grassroots democracy and community events are just plain fun too!
Cheers,
Judy Field, Ottawa Centre Greens
Events listing compiled by Judy Field for the Ottawa Centre Greens
Tuesday, November 2
7:00 pm
Film: Powerful: Energy for Everyone
Where: The Mayfair Theatre, 1074 Bank Street
What: Official premiere screening to be hosted by David Chernushenko and special guests. Green economy educator David Chernushenko explores where our energy comes from, who controls and profits from it, and what it will take to ensure a safe, reliable energy future – and to his surprise discovers that we really do have the “power” to make a difference.
Cost: Mayfair Theatre members $6.00; Non-members $10.00; Seniors $7.00; Children $5.00
NOTE: Also showing on Wednesday, November 3 at 7:00 pm at the Mayfair Theatre.
More info: http://www.livinglightly.ca/films and http://www.powerfulthemovie.com/
Wednesday, November 3
7:00 pm
Film: Bananas!*
Where: Mackenzie (ME) 3380 – Carleton University
What: The film Dole Food Co. doesn’t want you to see! Juan “Accidentes” Dominguez is on his biggest case ever. On behalf of 12 Nicaraguan banana workers he is tackling Dole Food in a ground-breaking legal battle for their use of a banned pesticide that was known by the company to cause sterility. Can he beat the giant, or will the corporation get away with it? In the suspenseful documentary BANANAS!*, filmmaker Fredrik Gertten sheds new light on the global politics of food.
Cost: By donation (all screenings are pay-what-you-can)
More info: carleton@cinemapolitica.org or http://www.cinemapolitica.org/node/1922
Monday, November 8
7:00 pm
Green Party of Ontario Platform Roundtable.
Where: Conservation Coop, 140 Mann Ave.
What: When is the last time a leader of a political party asked you your opinion on their election Platform? Mike Schreiner, Leader of the Green Party of Ontario is doing just that. Please join Mike Schreiner and let him know what YOU think about the proposed Green Party Platform.
More info or RSVP: Kevin O’Donnell, kevin@kodonnell.ca, 613-454-5306
November 12 – 14
Film Festival: First Annual Free Thinking Film Festival 2010
Where: Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington St.
What: Three days of films, speakers and panel discussions including Free Thinking Alley where attendees can purchase books, DVDs and enjoy food.
Cost: Full festival pass $68; Gala tickets incl private reception $22.60; Film tickets $17.
More info: www.freethinkingfilmfest.ca
Saturday, November 13
4:00 pm
Debate: Elizabeth May to debate Ezra Levant (part of the First Annual Free Thinking Film Festival 2010)
Where: Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington St.
What: Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada, will be debating Ezra Levant, author of “Ethical Oil: The Case for Canada’s Oil Sands.”
More info: www.freethinkingfilmfest.ca Note: Seating precedence will be given to Festival Pass Holders.
Sunday, November 14
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Sustainabili-TEA with the Natural Step
Where: St. Joseph’s Parish Hall, 151 Laurier Avenue East
What: Join Kevin O’Donnell for tea and refreshments at The Natural Step’s first ever Sustainabili-TEA event. This one-hour event aims to raise awareness of the charitable work The Natural Step does and to generate support for their programs. Hear from sustainability expert Bob Willard–the author of The Sustainability Champions Guidebook and other best-selling sustainability books–as well as other inspiring speakers.
Cost: Free
More info: Kevin O’Donnell, kevin@kodonnell.ca, 613-454-5306, http://bit.ly/sustainabili-TEA-nov14
Thursday, November 18
8:00 am to 3:30 pm
Seminar: Rideau Innovative Greenbuild
Where: Alfred Taylor Rec. Centre, 2300 Community Way, North Gower
What: A full day seminar covering holistic design, building with ICF blocks, Green ready roof design, solar hot water systems, solar air space heating, Energy Star windows, and a tour of the Minto Net Zero home in Manotick, Ontario.
Cost: $20.00 per person in advance–all persons attending receive a Home Hardware gift certificate for $25.00– and lunch is provided at the hall.
More info: jim@rideaulumber.com or 613-223-6565
Monday, November 22
6:30 pm to 8:00
Seminar: Ecological Home Renovations
Where: Carbon Computing, 1065 Wellington St. W.
What: This seminar explains how to renovate your home to reduce your energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions. It covers how to get the best return from your renovations and how to access grants available from the Ontario Home Energy Savings Program
Cost: Free
More info: www.SLOWest.ca
You're invited to join me for tea and refreshments at The Natural Step's first ever Sustainabili-TEA event on November 14th at 3pm.
This one-hour event aims to raise awareness of the charitable work The Natural Step does and to generate support for their programs. We will hear from sustainability expert Bob Willard--the author of The Sustainability Champions Guidebook and other best-selling sustainability books--as well as other inspiring speakers.
I've volunteered to host a table. Get in touch to join me for this great opportunity to meet other people who are dedicated to working and living sustainably.
What: Sustainabili-TEA
When: November 14, 3:00 to 4:00pm
Where: St. Joseph's Parish Hall (151 Laurier Avenue East)
The event is free to attend and is open to the public. Get in touch with me (kevin@kevino.ca, 613-454-5306) to RSVP or if you would like more information. Looking forward to seeing you there!
By Mike Schreiner, GPO Leader:
Over the coming decades, the success of Ontario’s health-care strategy will depend on providing cost effective and dignified care for our seniors. In my consultations with citizens and frontline health care providers, it is clear that professional home care services are an important part of enriching the quality of life and the health and well-being of our seniors.
Yet, funding for home care services is not keeping up with demand for service. According to the Ontario Home Care Association in a recent report, Home Care in 2010 – Essential for an Aging Population, “Over the past five years the number of individuals receiving home care has increased at 1.5 times the rate of funding.”
Since funding is not keeping up with the number of people in need of home care, the time available for personal support and professional visits evaporates. This has serious cost implications for the health care system since home care visits reduce the number of expensive, non-emergency visits to our already busy ERs . Home care also has quality of life implications because seniors are left without an important service, which also affects family members struggling to balance competing demands. In short our seniors in need of home care are losing their independence and not receiving the quality care they deserve.
The Green Party of Ontario supports increased investment in home care services, which includes seeking models that compliment the EI program for family members caring for seniors.
Currently, fourteen Community Care Access Centres (CCACs) are responsible for administering local home care services. CCACs receive their funding from Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs). What this means is that the dollars for home care compete against many other demands on our system – hospitals, doctors, etc. These are tough decisions that truly have an impact on the type of care we can receive in our communities!
A review of the LHINs (as promised by the McGuinty government when the legislation creating them was introduced) is long past due. It’s time for funding models that provide our seniors with more choices for receiving appropriate care, at the appropriate time and place.
It’s time to invest in frontline care, not high priced consultants. Last week’s Auditor General’s report reveals that the McGuinty Liberal’s use of high priced health consultants is taking money out of front line care. The Green Party of Ontario will prioritize investments in health promotion and preventing illness, which are financially responsible and improve quality of life. Quality home care is an important part of this strategy.
It’s time to honour our seniors. It’s time to invest in home care now.
I carved this last night at a pumpkin carving party.
Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner’s Question Period Blog for October 20, 2010
Each month when it comes time to prepare this newsletter I try to strike a balance between discussing the Green issues that bring all of us together vs. talking about the meat & potatoes (um: protein and potatoes?) topics that are directly related to building a political party. This month there is simply so much going on in the politics front that I need to ask for your indulgence: get ready!
First up – the municipal election. Our riding spans Capital, Somerset and Kitchissippi wards and this is a golden opportunity to see our Green values represented on Council.
Please vote on Monday – your vote means the most at the municipal level.
Next up – Green Soirée Verte. On November 12th the local Green Party ridings are getting together to host the first (of many) Green Soirée gala dinners. All of the federal leaders will be there (Elizabeth, Adriane and Georges) along with Richard Patten, Christopher Henderson and local entertainers. Come enjoy a three-course 100-mile dinner and celebrate our local achievements. Details and tickets can be purchased on ottawagreens.ca. After purchasing a ticket you can help advertise the event by RSVPing on the Facebook event.
Ramping for next year: GPO Platform Roundtable. When was the last time the leader of a political party asked you your opinion on an election platform? Mike Schreiner, leader of the Green Party of Ontario is doing just that on November 8th at 7pm at our platform roundtable meeting. We will be covering policies on topics such as the Economy, Education and Health Care. Your input is invaluable. Don’t miss your turn to have your voice heard. Contact Kevin O’Donnell (kevin@kevino.ca) for information.
Almost done: Ottawa Centre GPC Annual General Meeting. The last order of business is for the federal members in Ottawa Centre to hold an annual general meeting of the Electoral District Association (EDA). The EDA is a very important component in party politics: it raises funds, organizes events (like Earth Hour on Parliament Hill) and is working hard to give Jen a big boost when the next campaign starts. Join us on November 17th, 7pm, at the Old Town Hall for the AGM. The meeting is open to the public but you need to be a member to vote.
Thank you so much for your indulgence and continuing support.
Kevin O’Donnell
Do voters want a breath of fresh Green air?
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May’s unscientific view of her party’s recent climb in the opinion polls is that Canadians are “turned off by old style politics. I keep hearing the same phrase from people who stop me on the street or in airports to say they support us – ‘breath of fresh air’,” she told The Globe, reacting to a new Angus Reid poll. “I think that means they find the stale air of mainstream hyper-partisan politics unpleasant.”
Read more…
Green party picks Ottawa-Centre candidate
Kevin O’Donnell will be the Green party candidate for Ottawa-Centre in the next provincial election, after winning an uncontested ballot. Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner attended the packed nomination meeting at the Blue Nile restaurant and endorsed O’Donnell as a driver in the campaign against the Liberal proposal to cut the solar microFit program.
Read more…