FINANCE

As the NDP Finance Critic I am responsible for monitoring and criticizing the Ontario government’s activities in budgeting and spending its revenue. I speak up on your behalf for strong economic policies that will result in good, green jobs to employ people, and for budgets that allow our school boards, universities, hospitals and other public sector institutions to provide the services we all rely on.

REVENUE

As the NDP Revenue Critic I am responsible for monitoring and criticizing the government’s activities in raising revenue and collecting taxes.

ENVIRONMENT

As the NDP Environment Critic, I work closely with environmental and health groups to put Ontario on the path to sustainability. From toxic reduction to smog, landfills to water, an awful lot of work has to be done to make our province cleaner and healthier. Common sense ideas that offer solutions do work in jurisdictions around the world, and with political will they could be put into action here in Ontario.

These solutions often create jobs and reduce costs for families. But even as American states like Michigan and Ohio forge ahead with electric cars or industrial-scale solar, Ontario lags in making the transformation to a 21st century, sustainable economy. Fortunately, the choice between jobs and protecting the environment is false. Ontarians understand this even if their government too often does not.

ENERGY

As the NDP Energy Critic, most of my focus is on the sad state of Ontario’s electricity generation and efficiency rules. Or, more accurately, lack of rules. We know we need to use less power, and that buildings are responsible for much of Ontario’s emissions growth. All the same, Ontario does not have strong efficiency standards or a plan to create construction jobs by retrofitting the buildings we do have.

While slow progress is being made on renewable energy, the big picture remains rotten. Ontario is addicted to nuclear power it can’t afford, and along the way is missing opportunities to generate more renewable energy here, creating jobs and new industries as we do. So I work hard with energy experts, environmental groups and small businesses to try and push Ontario in the right direction because tomorrow’s economy depends on it.

ARTS & CULTURE

Ontario’s arts community is one of our province’s jewels. It entertains and informs us, makes us think and helps us appreciate each other’s experiences and backgrounds. It’s also a major industry, contributing $16 billion to Ontario’s economy each year and bringing visitors to our province to see everything from Shakespeare to galleries to folk festivals. Our significant film and television sector provides employment for thousands of people, from actors to writers to carpenters and computer animation.

But despite its contribution to our quality of life and economy, Ontario’s arts don’t enjoy the support of those elsewhere, like Quebec. As the NDP Arts and Culture Critic, I work with a wide range of people within the industry—from venue owners to artists’ unions—to help make working in the arts more viable, and to ensure the arts enjoy the support and stature they deserve.