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Food & Organics Links
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Cycling Links
Political/Policy Links
Cobourg Area Links
Environment
Climate Change: Candidates respond to the issue
The candidates were asked about Climate Change at the All Candidates Meeting held on Sept. 28th, 2011. The following is the question presented and below are the candidates responses. (Note: A submission from Rob Milligan, PC, has not been received yet)
The UN’s International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has stated that developed countries like Canada need to reduce GHG emissions 25- 40% below 1990 levels by 2020. Ontario’s has set a target of only a 15% reduction below 1990 levels by 2020. Furthermore, according to Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner there is some doubt that even this inadequate target can be met with current Provincial policies and programs . If your party formed the next Provincial government, will it set Provincial GHG reduction targets to match IPCC targets , and put in place measures to meet these targets?
LOU RINALDI, Ontario Liberal Party (MPP)
Ontario Liberals introduced North America’s most comprehensive Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program in 2009. Thousands of contracts for renewable energy projects have been offered under the FIT program, that will create clean energy to power our homes and businesses. Continue reading
The Loss of Farmland and Natural Areas: Candidates respond to the issue
The candidates were asked about the loss of farmland and natural areas at the All Candidates Meeting held on Sept. 28th, 2011. The following is the question presented and below are the candidates responses. (Note: A submission from Rob Milligan, PC, has not been received yet)
Farmland and natural areas are being lost at an alarming rate in Ontario through urban development. This is in spite of the policy direction in Ontario’s plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (Places to Grow) to “identify natural systems and prime agricultural areas, and enhance the conservation of these valuable resources” If your party formed the next Provincial government, how would it address this issue?
JUDY SMITH TORRIE, Green Party of Ontario</strong>
The Green Party of Ontario plans to pay farmers and landowners for their environmental services managing natural areas, streams, forests and special ecosystems. We will protect natural systems such as the Oak Ridges Moraine, which is central to the drinking water quality of millions of Ontario residents in accordance with the Ontario Source Water Protection plan in accordance with the Clean Water Act. Continue reading
Posted in All News, News 2011, Sustainable planning, Uncategorized
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Support for New Entrant Farmers: Candidates respond to the Question
The candidates were asked about Support for New Entrant Farmers at the All Candidates Meeting held on Sept. 28th, 2011. The following is the question presented and below are the candidates responses. (Note: A submission from Rob Milligan, PC, has not been received yet)
The cost to purchase a farm includes a mandatory 20% down-payment, resulting in a prohibitive entry situation. There is a definite need to create purchase incentives for New Entrant Farmers. Small grants, start-up grants like the one Quebec has, Venture Capital programs or a financing program akin to the Registered Education Savings Plan – RESP, are a few ways to create fair financial incentives for New Entrant Farmers. If you are elected, will you champion any of these ideas? What will you do to support newly established local food and farm enterprises?
KIRA MEES, Ontario NDP
We will make it easier for young people to get started in farming. We will create a new apprenticeship program for young people to develop the skills they need for a successful farming career. Rural employers will be eligible for our training tax credit to help them invest in Ontario agricultural workers. Support is needed for young farmer organizations as they fulfill the important role of identifying challenges and developing solutions that work for young and beginning farmers. We will work with farmers’ organizations to develop incentives and programs to support succession planning of a farm between generations.
Investment in Local Food and Farming: Candidates respond to the Question
The candidates were asked about investing in the economic potential of local food and farming at the All Candidates Meeting held on Sept. 28th, 2011. The following is the question presented and below are the candidates responses. (Note: A submission from Rob Milligan, PC, has not been received yet)
Ontario Farmers generate $170 million annually in Farm Gate sales alone. There is no doubt that farming and food production and processing needs to be viewed as the profitable and viable business it is. If you are elected, will you fight for Provincial and Federal investment in the economic potential of local food and farming?
LOU RINALDI, Ontario Liberal Party (MPP)
Ontario Liberals believe in buying local, and we have supported that belief by investing more than $80 million in support of local food.
This has included:
- The Ontario Farmers’ Market Strategy — to help make it easier for people to buy food directly from Ontario farmers.
- The Ontario Market Investment Fund — giving 200 retailers, local food networks and processors the business tools they need to promote local food and capture a growing demand for Ontario products.
- The Foodland Ontario program — supporting ongoing collaboration with Ontario’s retail and food service sectors to promote Ontario producers and processors and their products.
Province-wide Cycling Policy: The Candidates respond to the Question
The candidates were asked about their position on a province-wide cycling policy at the All Candidates Meeting held on Sept. 28th, 2011. The following is the question presented and below are the candidates responses. (Note: A submission from Rob Milligan, PC, has not been received yet)
Quebec introduced its provincial Bicycle Policy in 2008. Ontario has yet to introduce a province-wide policy which promotes cycling. If your party formed the next Provincial government, what Provincial policies would it introduce to promote cycling across the Province?
JUDY SMITH TORRIE, Green Party of Ontario
The Green Party of Ontario would certainly consider a provincial Cycling Policy. We are putting over 400 million into a complete streets program to build in cycling and pedestrian needs into new and existing roads. It also forms part of our plan to encourage health promotion to stave off chronic diseases caused by inactivity.
Posted in All News, Cycling, News 2011, Sustainable planning, Uncategorized
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Cancer and the Environment: Candidates respond to the Issue
The candidates were asked about cancer and the environment at the All Candidates Meeting held on Sept. 28th, 2011. The following is the question presented and below are the candidates responses. (Note: A submission from Rob Milligan, PC, has not been received yet)
Cancer is a huge drain on our health budget. If we think of the causes of cancer as 3 tips in a triangle, we have genetics, lifestyle and environmental factors. The government does well promoting lifestyle changes through the health departments. Genetics research is ongoing. If your party formed the next Provincial government, what will it do to regulate the environmental factors (over which an individual has no control) that contribute to cancer, such as banning carcinogenic chemicals in our air, water and soil?
KIRA MEES, Ontario NDP
The Ontario NDP is dedicated to reducing Ontarians’ exposure to toxic substances and has worked closely with the Canadian Cancer Society to further this goal. New Democrats have introduced dozens of amendments to Bills such as the Toxic Reductions Act to strengthen regulation of toxics. Unfortunately, all of these constructive changes were voted down by the McGuinty government. We remain strong advocates for strengthened regulations surrounding cancer- causing substances. Continue reading
Posted in All News, Health, News 2011, Sustainable planning, Uncategorized
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