By MPP Bobbi Ann Brady
Better late than never. This Ontario provincial legislative session started October 20th similar to last year, which started on October 21st. In the previous two years, 2022 and 2023, we got down to legislative work in August and September respectively. Not sure why the government wanted another protracted gap between sessions, but it is what it is.
Not that there wasn’t a ton of work for me in Haldimand-Norfolk since the House rose in early June. Most of a member of provincial parliament’s workload is in the riding, comprised of multiple daily meetings and phone calls with constituents, local businesses, stakeholders of all kinds, events, and travel time. And that important work in the riding will inform my work at Queen’s Park. With the abridged timeframe, I’ll have to pack a lot in because there are so many issues facing all of you.
I’ll be asking tough questions of Premier Ford and his cabinet ministers relating to the top issues you have all conveyed to me over the past several months. Items including but not limited to the far beyond long-overdue Argyle Street Bridge reconstruction; traffic light installation at Highway 6 and Haldibrook Road; local education spending and controversies; Bill 9, Municipal Accountability Act; Bill 33, Supporting Children and Students Act; the MZO and the proposed city of 40,000 at the Nanticoke Industrial Park; and as much as I can lay on them.
Friday, I loaded my vehicle with stacks of petitions, many of the names collected at local county fairs and I will read those petitions into public record over the coming weeks – I want to thank all of you who stopped at my booth both in Caledonia and at the Norfolk County Fair to affix your name. Issues covered in the previous paragraph plus others such as opposition to the federal government’s flawed gun buy-back program; the Canadian Federation of Independent Business’ call for the government to immediately increase the Ontario small business tax rate deduction, index it to inflation annually, and reduce Ontario’s small business tax rate from 3.2 per cent, beginning with an immediate reduction to at least 2 per cent with a goal of reaching zero; and I said it above, but I can’t emphasize it enough, my “No to the MZO” petition. There are also the petitions with respect to Haldibrook Road and Highway 6, as well as the Argyle Street bridge.
Because our time is limited between now and the Christmas break, I will have to be creative so I can maximize my productivity. I have discovered that tabling Private Members Motions is a good way to put forward policy ideas, and those motions remain on the Order Paper for quite some time. Members Statements and Members Questions are also the highlight of legislative work, and I am always sure to post those on my Bobbi Ann Brady YouTube page.
Between now and Christmas I will do my best to get back and forth between Toronto and the riding. Often, I arrive home just in time to get to a meeting or evening dinner but that of course depends on traffic. If I cannot make your function, we can always send a representative on my behalf if you so choose. Another factor in getting home for evening events is my role on the government’s Finance and Economic Affairs Standing Committee. It is interesting work but demands a great deal of time as we head into pre-budget consultations.
I will always keep you apprised of my work, and I am open to your advice and thoughts. My office can be reached by emailing [email protected]. Godspeed.
Bobbi Ann Brady is the MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk