Issues that affect our government and province
Ontario issues

Premier says fairness to Ontario a federal election issue

Ontario's unemployed workers receive fewer benefits than those in the rest of Canada. Ontarians receive less of their own tax money in federal health transfers than do other Canadians. Southern Ontario needs a separate economic development strategy and resources. These are federal election issues. Read the Premier's own words.

Legislative Prayer: the whole truth

TV's Fred Tupper, from Little Mosque on the Prairie would love this issue. Check out the hidden truth. Sorry, nobody's proposing banning prayer.

Progress on Ontario's Campaign for Fairness

For more than three years, Premier McGuinty has doggedly pursued a fair solution to Ontario's "fiscal gap," the difference between what we send to the other provinces, and what we receive back in transfers and services. We've made some progress, and here is a report.

Ontario's minimum wage: a sobering reality check

The NDP loves to spend other people's money. The pressure to raise Ontario's minimum wage from $8 to $10 per hour at a stroke just doesn't pass a reality check.

John and the Tories are still stuck in the past

John and the Tories are still the same tired Conservative party that wants to cut money dedicated to public health care and divert public money to private schools. Details here.

National Non-Smoking Week: January 2007

Still need a reason to quit? Peers saying it's okay? Don't even think twice! Smoking is lethal, even if you are inhaling tobacco smoke from others. Read about the risks.

Little things that make your life a bit easier

From birth certificates to HOV lanes to wait time lists and a higher minimum wage, read the ways the Government of Ontario is making your life easier.

Real Estate Title Fraud: What is Ontario doing?

One of a homeowner's worst nightmares is to suddenly find that your family no longer owns your own home. That's what fraud artists are doing: stealing your identity, assuming ownership of your home and trying to sell it, or mortgage it, from under you. Here is what Ontario is doing about it.

Quest for Gold: Support for Ontario's elite amateur athletes

It's hard enough to train to be a serious amateur athlete. What's really tough is keeping your life together en route to your peak years as a competitor. Ontario established the Quest for Gold lottery product within the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. Its net revenues support Ontario's elite amateur athletes. Read the details.

Tobacco taxes up effective February 2006 as use keeps dropping

It costs taxpayers an estimated $1.7 billion in health care spending to treat diseases directly caused by tobacco. Higher tobacco taxes are keeping young people from starting smoking. Check the details.

Ontario's energy future

Ontario's electricity demand peaked at just above 26,000 megawatts of power in summer, 2006. Ontario will soon make some decisions about its long-term electricity supply. Renewable sources are finally playing a role in Ontario's energy mix. Here is a short video that Bob took on North Cape, Prince Edward Island of PEI's wind farm, which (when the wind blows) can generate about five percent of the Island's electricity.

Ontario's $23 billion gap in the Canadian Confederation

Each year, Ontario sends $23 billion more to the federal government than it receives back in transfer payments. Premier Dalton McGuinty has called for the more fairness in what Ontario contributes compared to what it gets back. Read the complete text of the Premier's speech to the Ontario Legislative Assembly on February 17, 2005.

New Greenbelt plan preserves Oak Ridges Moraine, Niagara Escarpment

An area larger than the province of Prince Edward Island has been protected from development and urban sprawl. Hundreds of individuals, municipalities, more than a thousand written submissions and the advice of more than sixty stakeholder groups, helped the Government of Ontario developed a draft Greenbelt plan.

Ontario's economy is on track to balance the budget and create sustainable growth

The Government of Ontario's 2005-06 budget laid out a path to a balanced budget. Read Finance Minister Greg Sorbara's remarks on the Finance Ministry web page.