“Last October Ontarians elected a minority government. They sent politicians a simple message: work together and focus on the challenges faced by everyday people. Instead, Dalton McGuinty has decided that working together is too much work and has forced a by-election in Kitchener Waterloo,” said NDP Party President Neethan Shan. “We are asking members, supporters, voters and anyone who wants to stop a McGuinty majority to take up this Moneyblitz challenge and raise $200,000 on May 31st.”

New Democrats launched Moneyblitz this week as a grassroots effort to put focus on the imminent by-election in Kitchener-Waterloo. “New Democrats have been the only ones at the table fighting for the priorities of Ontarians. With a by-election on the horizon we are sending a strong message that we want politicians to focus on challenges facing people, not power for themselves” said Shan.

“If people come together on May 31st, giving what we can, we can show them the Orange wave isn’t over,” said Darlene Lawson, the Party’s Provincial Secretary.

Today’s a day to honour the women whose love and support helped to make us the people we are today. Juggling careers and competing responsibilities is never easy but Moms do it every day and they deserve our thanks.

We can’t forget that from time to time mothers need a helping hand too. When New Democrats reached out for advice on how to make the budget fairer, mothers responded. You told us to protect daycare, to improve healthcare and education, and to make sure that the challenges of tough economic times are shared equally by all Ontarians.

So today I’m saying thank you to my Mom, reminding you to thank yours, and pledging to work hard for all the hardworking Moms over the next year.

“Ontario needs to do a better job of creating jobs. While other provinces are seeing real growth in jobs and more people going back to work, Ontario is lagging behind. We can do better,” said Prue. “With more job losses this month, there are now 575,000 people out of work in the province. We’re putting forward positive ideas to put them back to work. Our job creator tax credit would reward companies when they create jobs and put thousands back to work.”

This morning Statistics Canada reported that Ontario lost 7,700 jobs from March to April, and 30,000 more people are now unemployed. The unemployment rate went up from 7.4% to 7.8%. Meanwhile, Canada as a whole gained nearly 60,000 jobs. The province of Quebec gained 23,000 jobs.

Prue noted that the New Democrats’ proposed Job Creation Tax Credit – modeled after a similar initiative by President Obama – would reward employers with tax credit for all full-time new hires. The tax credit would be funded from the existing $2 billion Jobs and Prosperity Fund, so as not add a nickel to the provincial deficit. The New Democrats are also pushing to ensure that Ontario’s natural resources are used to create value-added jobs by ensuring that raw resources are not exported if they can be processed in Ontario.

“People are looking to their elected representatives to work together to find solutions to joblessness. We’re putting forwards constructive and reasonable ideas. Let’s get to work,” said Prue.

“Today’s announcement proves what New Democrats have been saying: Northern Ontario has the skilled workforce and the ability to process natural resources and create prosperity and good jobs right here in Ontario,” said Horwath. “Now we need a finalized deal that ensures sustainable jobs, a real partnership with First Nations and processing that happens here in Ontario, not overseas.”

Ontario’s Ring of Fire is rich in chromite which, when processed, is a key component in stainless steel. Cliffs and the province are still negotiating the deal and have several outstanding issues to resolve before they could reach a final agreement. Unresolved issues include whether the company will be granted an exemption to process some materials outside of Canada, and Ontario’s high electricity rates.

First Nations Leaders are also raising concerns about lack of consultation  despite government promises of putting First Nations “front and centre . ”

“If we want to bring prosperity to the north, it needs to be there for everyone,” said Horwath. “A relationship of respect is key if we’re going to see any real progress. Without meaningful consultation and full participation the jobs promised today could be lost to drawn-out disputes.”

We can never lose sight of the sacrifices made by people who organized to bring fairness to the workplace. Today is a day that we remember that the many rights we now take for granted were won through generations of hard-work and sacrifice by thousands of activists committed to a better, fairer world. People find it hard to believe that an eight-hour day or a five day week were things that had to be won through marches, demonstrations and strikes. It’s up to us to protect these achievements and to make them better.

In these challenging times it often seems that we’re falling behind. The economic recession has brought growing inequality and real challenges to people across Ontario and all over the world. We must always be ready to protect the rights we’ve worked so hard to win, but we can’t stop there. We need to constantly work towards a better world, for our children and theirs.

So let us join together today with family and friends to celebrate the successes and sacrifices of those who went before us. And let us draw inspiration from them as we recommit ourselves to the important work of building a better Ontario and a better world.

We all have a responsibility to make sure that when the workday ends, every worker makes it home safely. We must honour our obligations to injured workers who labour for the good of our province.

Any injury, any death in the workplace is one too many. This year we’ve seen tragic events on the construction site, on the factory floor, in the field and underground. Families in the north, across the industrial heartland, in rural areas and in our cities are left to pick up the pieces when loved ones are suddenly taken away on the job.

Every Ontarian has the right to earn a living safely. Every full-time, part-time, contract, or student worker is entitled to the same protection. Every family has the right to peace of mind. New Democrats are committed to strong safety regulations and enforcement. We’re committed to working across party lines, with unions and safety specialists, with the WSIB and employers to make the workplace safer for every Ontarian.

We can’t stop until workplace accidents stop.

Toronto, ON – Today, Equal Voice Toronto presented Andrea Horwath, the leader of the Ontario NDP, with the EVE Award, recognizing Women in Public Life.

“Across Canada we’re seeing signs that with hard work and determination real change is possible. I’m a big believer in change,” said Horwath. “Women are leading parties, and governments, from coast-to-coast. I’m getting good at the former I hope to be working on the latter really soon.”

“I come from Steeltown, where girls learn how to swing a sledgehammer at glass ceilings,” she added.

On Tuesday, proposals forwarded by Horwath were incorporated into the 2012 Budget. These changes included adding support for the most vulnerable Ontarians, northern and local hospitals, getting action on a Job Creation Tax Credit, and asking the richest Ontarians to contribute fairly to the recovery of Ontario’s economy.

“Andrea has a fantastic mix of compassion and toughness. She brings a new dynamic to Ontario politics,” said Kathleen Monk, a member of Equal Voice and Executive Director of the Broadbent Institute. “She is showing a generation of women active in public life that you can be yourself and get things done.”

Equal Voice is non-partisan and has recognized women from all major parties in municipal, provincial and federal politics.

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Full speech text:

I don’t have to tell anyone that women have come up against bull-headed attitudes in private and public life.

Lucky for me I come from Steeltown, where girls learn how to swing a sledgehammer at glass ceilings, but attitudes are changing. More female candidates are running and winning across the province and the country. It was good to see Alison Redford elected Premier of Alberta earlier this week (although I was cheering for my NDP counterpart Brian Mason). That said, it’s good to see women leading parties, and governments from coast-to-coast. I’m getting good at the former and I plan to work on the latter real soon.

Over the last three years as leader of the Ontario NDP, I’ve learned a lot about building consensus. I’ve learned that toughness is an essential quality for any leader, but so is compassion, empathy and flexibility.

I’ve learned that being a woman in politics carries all the challenges of leadership and then some. I’ve learned not to dwell on double standards even when I’m asked about my outfits or my hair. It means walking a fine line, and speaking out even when some would prefer I stay in my place.

I’ve learned not to be intimidated by bullies in three-piece suits.

The floor of the legislature isn’t the best place for a shrinking violet, neither is a media scrum. I’ve never been a wallflower but chest-thumping and brow-beating isn’t my style and doesn’t inspire confidence.

Courage isn’t just charging headlong into a fight. Rather, it’s taking your responsibilities seriously. It’s listening to people, and hearing what they’re saying. It’s being yourself, even when our society is used to leaders who are louder, more belligerent, or frankly, male.

During the campaign I was clear: I didn’t want to spend four weeks scrapping for political points. Instead, I wanted to spend four years tackling the challenges facing people. That’s because I believe the challenges facing the everyday people who make Ontario work are the challenges that hold Ontario back.

There are challenges. Times are tough again in Ontario. And they’re getting tougher.

Ontario’s households are dealing with unprecedented levels of debt. Wages are falling. And unemployment remains stubbornly high.

Economists tell us that the crisis in Ontario’s economy isn’t in the corporate sector. Thanks to years of corporate tax reductions, Ontario’s corporations have unprecedented levels of cash in reserve.

Instead, it’s households that are falling behind.

Although some jobs have returned since the recession the recovery has been very, very slow. Our unemployment rate is above the national average. At the same time, the average paycheque in this province is actually shrinking — one of the only provinces where this is happening.

A few weeks ago, the people of Ontario were presented with a budget that left families falling further behind. And I, along with the incredible group of women and men in my caucus had a choice to make.

I knew we had to be responsible.

It seemed a basic courtesy to ask people for their opinion since the budget will have far-reaching consequences for each and every person in this province.

Critics accused me of stalling for time, but the thousands of people who wrote, emailed, called, and even stopped me at the grocery store were desperate to be heard. They were glad someone finally took the time to do it.

When I spoke to the press on budget day — March 27 — one journalist scratched his head and said reserving my judgment, taking my time, and asking people what they think seemed like a politician’s way of avoiding an issue.

I told him it was a woman’s way of confronting a problem.

That got a laugh. But I wasn’t completely joking.

It was because of what we heard from everyday Ontarians that we were able to get some real action on the 2012 budget.

We were instrumental in freezing the corporate tax rate to bring badly needed funds into the treasury.

We advocated for fairer taxation because Ontarians agree with the idea that the most fortunate among us can afford to pitch in a little extra for vital services.

In that same spirit of fairness we insisted on a cap on public sector CEO salaries and bonuses.

We got results.

Not everything we asked for.

Not everything that’s needed.

But real positive change that will make a difference in people’s lives.

Dalton McGuinty talked about a “marriage” yesterday, but I’m a single woman and I’m pretty happy that way. New Democrats feel the same. New Democrats definitely don’t need a husband who doesn’t listen, doesn’t share and generally puts himself first. Unfortunately, we’ve seen too much of that from the government over the past six months.

My team and I decided not to force people into an election they didn’t want. We decided to keep working in the legislature so we could deliver on the real results we worked so hard for.

I care about getting real results for the working mom who needs daycare, the nurse working in an under-resourced ER, or the family that’s coping with a lost job.

And I know I can get real results by rolling up our sleeves and working together.

New Democrats have serious concerns about the priorities of the government. And we’ll be offering positive alternatives and forcing the discussion when we need to. We’ll continue to hold this government to account. We’ll continue to bring the priorities of Ontarians to the floor of the legislature.

I believe in bringing fairness back to politics. I believe in putting people first.

New Democrats are leading the way by example.

Things are changing in Canada.

And I’m a big believer in change.

I couldn’t have reached my position without the love and support of family and friends people who are never afraid to give me the straight goods.

For me, mentorship starts with honesty.

And if I’m a mentor to anyone I’ll offer one piece of advice to all the young women who wonder if they can cut it in their chosen field: Of course you can. It will take hard work but you’re every bit as smart as your competition.

“Instead of throwing in the towel, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work. That approach is paying dividends for people in rural Ontario after we achieved a set of important concessions from the government, including new support for the horseracing industry,” said Natyshak.

New Democrats put forward a number of proposals aimed at making the budget better for people, like stabilizing the job-supporting horseracing sector.

After the government moved in key areas like fairness today, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath announced her caucus would not force an election over the budget. Natyshak noted that in response to NDP proposals, the government has announced a commitment to working with the industry and providing transition funding.

“The Liberal government decided to end the slots at racetracks program without consultation. This is not an NDP budget and we would not have made that decision. However, we have stepped in to secure additional funding that will help stabilize the horseracing industry and the jobs that depend on it,” added Natyshak.

“We’re showing the people of this province that we’re willing to make minority government work but we’re also showing them the sort of Ontario we want to build,” said Horwath. “Today we’ve made some progress.”

Horwath says the NDP brought positive changes to the Budget like a new tax on high income earners and new funding that will save childcare spaces protect healthcare and stabilize industries like horse racing. She also claims credit for stopping further corporate tax cuts and winning support for policies like a Job Creator Tax Credit.

Horwath noted that for everyday people the government’s plan still falls short – both in the Budget and beyond.

“The failure to provide any relief from the unfair HST will make life less affordable. The short-sighted plan to privatize Ontario Northland and to close tourism centres will hurt the North and Northerners who have been forgotten by the government time and time again. Instead of working with allies in the public sector the government has decided to embrace Mike Harris tactics of confrontation that just don’t work,” said Horwath. “This is not the Budget I would have introduced as Premier, but I feel we serve people better by getting to work here in the Legislature than by chasing votes in an election.”

“The Liberal budget didn’t address the challenges facing families, like helping people find a job or ensuring reliable health care. We put forward a number of responsible proposals aimed at making the budget fairer.

Our plan for a modest tax increase on those that earn more than
$500,000 would generate the revenue needed to protect services like healthcare. Budget cutbacks will erode health care services in communities across the province. It’s only fair that those most able to help fund our public health care system be asked to do a little more.

Our proposed tax credit to reward companies that create jobs would help thousands of people find work. Other proposals like stopping the selloff of Ontario Northland and stabilizing sectors like horseracing would help the province retain jobs in hard-hit communities in northern and rural Ontario.

Although we’re pleased that discussions have been ongoing throughout the weekend, the Premier must improve the budget on issues of fairness, healthcare, and jobs. I’m urging the Premier to take seriously these key priorities.