In this issue:

• Provincial budget released
• Teach-the-Reach passes second reading
• Tenant Speak Outs
• Standing up against Education Cuts
• Metrolinx update
• Public Health Cuts

Provincial Budget Released

On April 11, Doug Ford introduced his first budget and unsurprisingly, it targets some of Ontario’s most vulnerable people with cuts that can only be described as cruel. 1 billion dollars is being cut from programs in the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, while health and education are being squeezed with funding that doesn’t even meet inflation.

The Ministry of Indigenous Affairs has had its funding cut in half, and colleges and universities will be cut by three-quarters of a billion dollars.

Funding for the arts, culture and public libraries will also see deep cuts under the Conservative fiscal plan.

As the Official Opposition, my colleagues and I will continue to stand up for Ontarians and against Doug Ford’s attempts to drag the province backwards.

Take part in the budget process:

You can have your say on the provincial budget as it moves to the committee stage. Submissions can be sent directly to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs at comm-financeaffairs@ola.org. Be sure to copy my Queen’s Park office at MStiles-QP@ndp.on.ca so I can help amplify your voice. The deadline for submissions is Thursday, May 9.

Provincial Budget Released

On April 11, Doug Ford introduced his first budget and unsurprisingly, it targets some of Ontario’s most vulnerable people with cuts that can only be described as cruel. 1 billion dollars is being cut from programs in the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, while health and education are being squeezed with funding that doesn’t even meet inflation.

The Ministry of Indigenous Affairs has had its funding cut in half, and colleges and universities will be cut by three-quarters of a billion dollars.

Funding for the arts, culture and public libraries will also see deep cuts under the Conservative fiscal plan.

As the Official Opposition, my colleagues and I will continue to stand up for Ontarians and against Doug Ford’s attempts to drag the province backwards.

Take part in the budget process:

You can have your say on the provincial budget as it moves to the committee stage. Submissions can be sent directly to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs at comm-financeaffairs@ola.org. Be sure to copy my Queen’s Park office at MStiles-QP@ndp.on.ca so I can help amplify your voice. The deadline for submissions is Thursday, May 9.

Teach-the-Reach Act Passes Second Reading

I am thrilled to report that my first private member’s bill, the Teach-the-Reach Act (Bill  89), passed 2nd reading on April 18. Bill 89 would would add the Dutch Reach method to driver’s education training in Ontario, helping to prevent injuries to cyclists by opening vehicle doors with the hand furthest from the door while exiting. The bill will now move to committee at a date to be determined, but I am calling on the government to act to see this common sense measure pass  as quickly as possible.

Learn more about my bill and sign the petition at maritstiles.ca/teachthereach

Read the May 2 Toronto Star editorial supporting the Teach-the-Reach Act.

Parents, Teachers and Students United Against Education Cuts

As Education Critic, I continue to focus on holding the government to account for their callous cuts to public education. Each day, I have asked Premier Ford and his Education Minister to halt their decision to increase class sizes to as many as 40 kids in a class while taking thousands of teachers out of the classroom.

Here are a few recent exchanges from Question Period:

VIDEO: Will the Premier apologise to students? (April 9)
VIDEO: Education cuts will hurt students in urban and rural communities (April 29)
VIDEO: Presenting petition: “Don’t Increase Class Sizes” (April 4)

I have also been inspired by parents, education workers and students in our community who have been organising against these cuts, staging demonstrations, walkouts and collecting signatures door-to-door. Together, we can protect public education.

If you would like to join me for a community canvass to collect petition signatures against the cuts, please contact my office at: 416-535-3158 or MStiles-CO@ndp.on.ca

Metrolinx - Davenport Diamond Update

At a March update meeting between my office and representatives from Metrolinx, it became clear that changes were underway to the plan for the Davenport Diamond project to build a new elevated transit corridor for the GO Barrie line (called a Guideway). Those changes include a separation of the public realm enhancements negotiated by the community.

I wrote Metrolinx’s CEO Phil Vester to flag these concerns and ask for clarification and received a response this week.
Read my letter and the response here.
I have also been in touch with Councillor Bailao to discuss municipal collaboration on this project.

Metrolinx plans to hold a community meeting in the late summer or early fall to discuss construction and planning for this major project, but I will be following up on some of the outstanding issues in my letter to ensure that the community’s hard fought gains are maintained as this project goes forward.

Cuts to Toronto Public Health

Just before the Easter long weekend, the Ford government quietly announced it would be cutting funding for Toronto Public Health by 1 Billion dollars over the next decade. I spoke to the media about how these cuts put lives at risk by jeopardizing public health programs ranging from immunization drives, responses to outbreaks and water safety. Read my comments in this CBC News article, and over at the Globe and Mail.