By MPP Bobbi Ann Brady
What a wild ride 2025 has been. Another year where I am filled with gratitude that the people of Haldimand-Norfolk once again entrusted me to represent the riding at Queen’s Park. Your support means everything, and I remain committed to being your voice – independent, strong, and unwavering. With that in mind, I’d like to use this column to highlight some of my key activities during the first half of 2025, next week I’ll cover the second half.
As many are aware, the year began with a snap election, an unnecessary and costly exercise for taxpayers built upon the guise of securing voter consent to spend colossal amounts of your tax dollars to combat U.S. tariffs. Premier Ford had already secured consent to govern in 2022; he simply wanted to tack on extra years regardless of the financial cost to you.
What cannot be debated is global trade and tariffs dominated headlines. These disputes continue to play out like a ping-pong match, with ripple effects felt right here at home. We have witnessed farmers faced with uncertainty over agricultural exports, and local manufacturers caught in the crossfire of steel and aluminum tariffs. I’ve been working tirelessly to advocate for fair trade policies that safeguard our rural economy and ensure Ontario remains competitive on the global stage.
Safeguarding our rural economy leads me to a joint Private Member’s Bill from Green Party leader MPP Mike Schreiner and me. We introduced Bill 21, Protect Our Food Act, 2025. A.K.A the Foodbelt Legislation, which is aimed at protecting prime agricultural land from unchecked development. The bill has received continued support at a growing number of municipalities across the province; it’s having a positive impact and is still gaining traction.
“No to the MZO” has been my refrain regarding the Minster’s Zoning Order to build a city of 40,000 on the Nanticoke Industrial Park. And it rang loudly in the first session of the 44th Ontario Legislature as I asked the premier for the status of the MZO and implored him and his cabinet to see the folly of building homes on land perfectly suited for preserving and growing hundreds, perhaps thousands, more jobs.
Protecting democracy is also one of my tenets. And sadly, democracy seems to be under attack these days. Even in PC Party-governed Ontario, where centralized decision-making seems to be the goal. That’s why I voiced my concerns about Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025. I stood to tell my colleagues Bill 5 gives the premier and his cabinet unprecedented power over the province, plus the ability to exempt individuals and corporations from provincial and municipal laws, as well as bypass consultation with Indigenous groups. I’m also concerned with the Special Economic Zones section in the act—I can see this synching with the government’s designs on the Nanticoke Industrial Lands.
Continuing the “democracy under attack” theme I was upset the Ford government forced strong mayor powers on 169 additional municipalities. Once optional, Premier Ford has made them mandatory and will only increase the abilities of his strong mayors when he wants them to get a job done for him. I don’t believe in strong mayor powers. They are undemocratic and a dangerous precedent. Stemming from the Ford Government legislation, Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, which was designed to ensure home building would be made easier in the face of the enormous housing crisis.
Something I feel is often overlooked by our healthcare system is post-partum depression and perinatal mental health, so during Mental Health Week I brought forward a perinatal mental health motion proposing the government require that perinatal practitioners provide education to spouses, partners, and family members in the close circle of those with a newborn. I remain hopeful the Ford government will implement it.
I am writing within the confines of a limited word count, so I will leave the highlights at that. But there was plenty more and I invite you to read or view the action at bobbiannbrady.com and stay tuned to part two next week.
I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy New Year.
Bobbi Ann Brady is the MPP For Haldimand-Norfolk