November 2022 Newsletter
I hope you and your family are staying warm as the weather gets colder. I am pleased to be sharing news as your Member of Provincial Parliament for Don Valley West from October and November, following our update on November 3rd, which described the disturbing moves by this government with Bill 28 and their use of the notwithstanding clause.
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The House was adjourned on September 5th and returned on Tuesday, October 25th. October and November have been busy months for me and my team, with many bills to debate, events to attend and constituency meetings. If you scroll below, you can read more about my activities in Don Valley West and at Queen's Park!
On the first day back at Legislature, our Caucus outlined our priorities for this session. Our team is committed to prioritizing solutions to Ontario's healthcare crisis, ensuring the availability of safe and affordable places to live, and addressing affordability and the rising cost of living.
Back-to-work Legislation
As you are aware, this government passed back-to-work legislation that compelled education workers to enter into a collective bargaining agreement by using the Notwithstanding clause to override their constitutionally protected bargaining rights. After major backlash, the government quickly backtracked and repealed the legislation. I was happy to meet with teacher and union leader, Amber Bowen, the 2022 OLP Candidate from Ajax, and our Ward 11 School Trustee (and new TDSB Chair – congrats Rachel!) to discuss the impact of this legislation on workers, students, and families.
We urged the government to use the surplus in the budget and available contingency funds to negotiate a fair and respectful agreement with our education workers, enhance the standard of living for these workers, and keep our children in school. They have reached a tentative deal with the union’s leadership, which still needs to be ratified by the union’s membership. The results of the vote are expected to be revealed on December 5th.
Ontario's Finances
On Thursday, October 27th, the Financial Accountability Office (FAO), an independent body, released its Fall Economic and Budget outlook. This report shows a very different picture from the province’s outlook. On November 14, the government tabled their Fall Economic Statement. I was disappointed to see no new funding for our healthcare system, which is in collapse, nor for our education system.
I will continue to work hard to review the province’s finances and challenge the narrative that we do not have the financial resources to manage the crises we are currently in.
Ontario's Greenbelt
My colleague, Mary-Margaret McMahon, recently organized a rally against developing the Greenbelt, which I was happy to attend. Many of you have sent me emails with your concerns about this bill – thank you for those. I encourage others to do that as well, to sign petitions, and to write to Premier Ford and Minister Clark to show your concern.
Finally, I am glad to share that I have put forward my first private member's bill this past week. I will share more information about that in a special update soon.
I appreciate all the thoughts and ideas you continue to share with me to make Don Valley West and Ontario a better place to live and thrive in. We are working to respond to each piece of correspondence we get, and I encourage you to keep writing to me. It helps me to know what my constituents are concerned about and gives me a better understanding of how to amplify your voices.
We can meet in person by appointment when needed. You can get in touch with my constituency office by calling 416-425-6777 or by emailing sbowman.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org. I wish you and your loved one’s good health and a wonderful winter season.
Warm regards,
Stephanie Bowman