Reason # 37 McGuinty Must Go!

Dalton McGuinty's tuition fee hikes push fees to record highs for the third year in a row  TORONTO, Sept. 16, 2011 /CNW/ - Statistics Canada released its annual tuition fee report today which shows that under Dalton McGuinty's watch, tuition fees are the highest in Canada for the third year in a row. Undergraduate students pay an average of $6,640 and graduate students pay an average of $7,578. According to the report, graduate student fees increased by 5.5 per cent, exceeding the provincial government's regulations."It is unacceptable that the current government has forced Ontario students to pay the highest fees in Canada. As other provinces freeze and reduce tuition fees, the gap between Ontario and the second most expensive province widens," said Sandy Hudson, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario. "Students and their families are preparing to vote in the provincial election and they want to know which of the parties they can trust to reduce the cost of education."
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Reason # 36 McGuinty Must Go!

Dalton McGuinty's vocabulary is shrinking. His lies are compounding and he has reverted to a simple mantra. 

"It is a subject of continuing conversation." 

 

Dalton wants your dog dead

And the survey response proves it!

Ontario Liberal form response to our election survey

So far today we have received numerous responses from Liberal MPP's and candidates. All responses have been the same form letter. I am happy to report that we have needled enough to warrant a form response as opposed to each individual thoughtfully answering the questions from their own point of view. 

I usually wish each candidate good luck on October 6th however I am not going to extend regards to a form response. I would respect a personal opinion or a genuine response on behalf of ones riding but towing the party line sickens me and shows the disregard the McGuinty Liberals have for the tax paying citizens that put them in office!

Dog ownership and companionship is an incredibly rewarding, and enriching responsibility. Dogs help us connect with nature, increase our levels of physical activity, and reduce our stress.  I also know that dog ownership is, first and foremost, a responsibility. 

A few years ago, Ontario Liberals made the decision to restrict pit bulls.  After a series of horrific accidents around the province, we decided that the interests of public safety would be best-served by restricting that particular breed.  

At the same time, we also toughened the penalties for the owners of any dog that poses a danger to the public.

• ·         Fines for offences under the Dog Owners’ Liability Act were increased to a maximum of $10,000 and allow for jail sentences of up to six months for people who allow any kind of dog to bite, attack or pose a menace to the safety of a person or domestic animal.
• ·         Fines were increased up to a maximum of $60,000 for corporations owning such dogs.
• ·         Also, judges can now order restitution to be paid in relation to an offence under the Act.

Because of the new legislation, today there are fewer opportunities for serious pit bull attacks — ensuring that the people who are most vulnerable to these attacks are out of harm's way.

I believe we need to maintain our efforts, because the remaining restricted pit bulls continue to pose safety issues. For instance:

• ·         April 13, 2011 – Ottawa – An un-muzzled pit bull tore out the throat of a 3-year old Shih Tzu that was being walked by his teenaged owner.
• ·         April 27, 2011 – Orillia – a pit bull attacked and killed a small dog outside an Orillia apartment building. The pit bull was wearing a muzzle that came off during the attack.

Our position is that repealing this legislation would be a step backwards. We understand these changes may have presented challenges for some dog owners, but we are confident that all Ontarians want what is in the best interests of public safety.

I want to thank you for taking the opportunity to write to me and appreciate the opportunity to answer your questions.

Monte Kwinter Lib MPP York Centre

Tony Ryma candidate Nickle Belt

Eric Hoskins Lib MPP St. Paul's

Paul Watson Lib candidate Chatham-Kent-Essex

Jim Bradley Lib MPP St. Catharines

Maria VanBommel Lib MPP Lambton-Kent-Middlesex

Dave Levac Lib MPP Brant

 Karl Walsh Lib candidate Barrie

Tracy MacCharles Lib candidate Pickering/Scarborough East

 Indira Naidoo-Harris Lib candidate Halton

 Laurel Broten Lib MPP Etobicoke-Lakeshore

 Greg Crone Lib candidate Haldimand-Norfolk

 Glenn Murray Lib MPP Toronto Center

 Mike Cole Lib MPP Eglinton-Lawrence

Mark Cripps Lib Hamilton East - Stoney Creek

Reza Moridi Lib Richmond Hill

Christina Bisanz Lib Newmarket-Aurora

Yasir Naqvi Lib Ottawa Centre

Lou Rinaldi Lib Northunberland-Quinte West 

Lori Baldwin-Sands Lib candidate Elgin-Middlesex-London

NDP Party response to our election survey

On behalf of Ontario dog owners I wish to thank the Ontario NDP party for your ongoing support and common sense approach, to the breed discriminatory amendments that were made by the McGuinty Liberal's to the Dog Owners Liability Act.

Special thanks to Cheri DiNovo for making Hershey's Bill heard at Queen's Park. 

Wishing you all the best of luck October 6th.

Dog Legislation Council of Canada

Liberal policies on Animal Welfare

Response from candidate Jeffrey Buchanan London West NDP

1.  If the amended Dog Owners' Liability Act (2005) came up today for a free rather than a whipped vote as happened in 2005, would you vote in favour of banning breeds as an effective way to protect people from dog bites?  Please explain.

No, I would not vote in favour of banning breeds. I do not feel this is responsible legislation and I was pleased that the NDP actively opposed this legislation when it was originally proposed.

2. Please tell our readers why you think the 'pit bull' ban enacted by the McGuinty government has or has not been successful in protecting the public from dog bites.

Dogs of all breeds can bite if they are mistreated, threatened or under hostile circumstances. This legislation was simply a public relations exercise developed under the pressure of media sensationalism. The better way to protect the public is by dealing with cruel and negligent dog owners, not by targeting specific breeds.

3. Would you be willing, if elected,  to work to rescind the breed-specific regulations in Ontario's amended Dog Owners' Liability Act (2005) and replace them with an existing, easily implemented  Canadian system that has been effective in the control of negligent pet owners, that is supported by all responsible pet owners and that once established is fully funded by dog and cat owners rather than through general revenue taxation?  Please briefly explain your response.

 Yes. While I would not consider this an urgent priority, it is certainly something that I would be willing to support, provided it is self-funding and not onerously unfair to pet owners.

4.  Is there anything you'd like to add?

I love animals and want to strengthen laws and especially their enforcement to protect domestic animals and pets from cruelty, abuse and neglect.  My pet is an important part of our family and I am confident she is an NDP supporter. However, since animals can't vote, it's important for humans to show courage, compassion and leadership to stand up for animals.  

I trust this fully answers your questions, but if you require any further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch again.

best wishes

Jeff

Jeff Buchanan

London West provincial NDP candidate

Good Luck on October 6th!

Dog Legislation Council of Canada

Response from candidate Adam DeVita Richmond Hill NDP

1. If the amended Dog Owners' Liability Act (2005) came up today for a free rather than a whipped vote as happened in 2005, would you vote in favour of banning breeds as an effective way to protect people from dog bites? Please explain.

Before voting I would want to see any research or study reviewing the effectiveness of this act over the last 6 years, as well as the general trends. From what I have learned so far, some pet owners need training, and education in their choice of pet. I have seen vast improvements in behavior with proper training and care.

 2. Please tell our readers why you think the 'pit bull' ban enacted by the McGuinty government has or has not been successful in protecting the public from dog bites.

I think that politicians shouldn’t be legislating without doing thorough research and consultation. There were other requirements in that legislation, so separating out the effects of the breed ban versus the other things will represent a challenge.

 3. Would you be willing, if elected, to work to rescind the breed-specific regulations in Ontario's amended Dog Owners' Liability Act Act (2005) and replace them with an existing, easily implemented Canadian system that has been effective in the control of negligent pet owners, that is supported by all responsible pet owners and that once established is fully funded by dog and cat owners rather than through general revenue taxation? Please briefly explain your response.

I am open to learning how quality of life can be improved and public safety can be protected at the same time. If there is a better way to achieve this for our country, I look forward learning about it.

4.　 Is there anything you'd like to add?

My family inherited a dog named Max from my late father-in law. He was the type of dog that was good with kids and knew that I would rescue him from the affections of my toddler. My neighbors recognized me as the guy with the baby and very old dog. Max passed away from us this past summer.  I'm sorry but I don't have a nice picture for you publication.

Regards,

Adam

Good Luck on October 6th!

Dog Legislation Council of Canada

David Zimmer's Open House

David Zimmer (Liberal MPP Willowdale) was one of the major participants in pushing the breed ban here in Ontario. He said at a town hall meeting recently that the breed ban here in Ontario was "old news".


Well a few of my friends had a quite different message for him at his open house for the campaign this weekend.


Weird, he didn't have much to say... it is rare to see him speechless.

I can't live like this in Ontario and I'm NOT leaving!

In 8 years we have witnessed the erosion of civil rights, the decline of the economic engine of Canada to "have not" status, the most enormous debt load in history, and lobbyists and the Liberal "connected" move forward with agendas without rational or fact.

There have been an unprecedented number of constitutional cases against the McGuinty government. Knowing this from launching our own case against the McGuinty Liberals we quickly found we were certainly not alone! However that brought not comfort but concern to our plight against this incompetent McGuinty government.

This campaign has been strange to say the least, however I hope people show up in record numbers to vote even if it is to spoil the ballot if they do not like the choices. Exercise your right to vote because we owe it to ourselves and those who have gone before us allowing us the right to have our say. 

Remember,

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

Margaret Mead