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Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Hardeman celebrates 30 years in provincial politics
The longest-serving current member of the Ontario Legislature recently reached three decades of public service. 'It's been quite an experience,' said Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman. 'Looking ahead, 30 years seems like a long time, but looking back, it seems like just the other day.' Hardeman was first elected in June of 1995, defeating NDP incumbent Kim Sutherland. He has since been re-elected nine more times, most recently earning 55 per cent of the vote in last year's provincial election. 'It had its ups and downs. I spent the first eight years in government and the next 15 years in the opposition and now back in government. What's most rewarding about it, it doesn't really matter if you are on the government side or the opposition, it's working with your local people that makes the job worthwhile.' Hardeman's longevity has earned him the official title of Dean of the Legislative Assembly and he explained being a sitting MPP has never felt like a job. 'It's always been something that I just do. If you enjoy what you're doing, it's never work, and for me, that's definitely true with politics. I guess that's what keeps me going, even when people suggested maybe I shouldn't do it anymore. I just can't think of a better way to spend my time.' Before the legislature shuttered for its summer break, Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott delivered an address praising Hardeman to non-partisan applause. 'This Sunday, June 8, marks his 30th anniversary as MPP for Oxford. 90 seconds just isn't enough time to list all his accomplishments, but I would like to highlight a few.' Hardeman spearheaded a private members' bill called the Hawkins-Gignac Act, which was passed in 2013. Officially called the Carbon Monoxide Safety Act, it is a groundbreaking Ontario law that mandates carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in all homes equipped with fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, or attached garages. It amends the Fire Protection and Prevention Act to include carbon monoxide safety, enabling enforcement through Ontario's Fire Code and proclaims the first week in November as Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week each year. The bill, which was first tabled in 2008, was inspired by the tragic 2008 death of OPP Const. Laurie Hawkins, her husband Richard, and their children Cassandra (14) and Jordan (12). A blocked chimney vent caused deadly carbon monoxide to seep into their Woodstock home, which had no CO detectors 'He had to introduce it five times but he got it passed and it has been saving lives in Ontario ever since,' proclaimed Scott. Hardeman said he is proud of passing the legislation and the fact it has made a difference. 'It is the one thing I can say, I did that at Queen's Park, I did that when I was a member and it wasn't just about supporting the government or the opposition. That was something we did that happened and we can actually measure when it saves lives.' The 77-year-old former owner and operator of Hardeman Feed Limited from 1966 to 1995 pointed to several other improvements in the riding during his tenure. 'Almost all schools have been rebuilt or replaced, we have a new hospital in Woodstock and almost a new hospital in Tillsonburg with all the additions and repairs. Oxford has been good to me and I think the government has been good for Oxford.' Hardeman also served as the associate Minister of Rural Municipal Affairs, where he launched the Rural Economic Development Program. 'It continues to this day and is responsible for thousands of jobs across rural Ontario. He served as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs twice. He introduced protections for farmers and animals by preventing trespassing. He introduced legislation to support farmers through the mental health challenges that a career in agriculture can present,' added Scott. Hardeman said the kind words from his fellow elected official were a pleasant surprise. 'I wasn't expecting that. She's been a great friend and if someone was going to do it, I wasn't surprised she did. At the same time, I wasn't expecting anybody to do it.' Scott is the second-longest-serving provincial politician among current MPPs in the province. Hardeman hosted a reception at Sally Creek on June 8 and invited his supporters, including those who were in his camp 30 long years ago. 'That was the best thing about having our little get-together, being able to thank all the people. Not the ones that helped the last time, but the people who were there the first time. I had the privilege of recognizing my first campaign manager from 1995.' Dennis Vollmerhausen was the campaign manager who Hardeman said was instrumental in his first election victory. As for whether Hardeman will participate in his tenth provincial election next time around, that remains to be seen. 'I always insisted that I didn't want to decide on how I should be judged on my performance for this term until we get near the end of it. The next election is always a report card on your last one.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Toronto Star
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Ontario environment minister apologizes for ‘confusion' over clean water bill letter
Ontario MPP Todd McCarthy attends Question Period at the Ontario Legislature in Toronto, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. Chris Young/ The Canadian Press flag wire: true flag sponsored: false article_type: : sWebsitePrimaryPublication : publications/toronto_star bHasMigratedAvatar : false :
Toronto Sun
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Ontario environment minister apologizes for 'confusion' over clean water bill letter
Published Jul 11, 2025 • 1 minute read MPP Todd McCarthy attends Question Period at the Ontario Legislature in Toronto, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. Photo by Chris Young / THE CANADIAN PRESS Ontario's environment minister has apologized to First Nation chiefs for any 'confusion' his letter caused when he asked the federal government to not reintroduce a bill that would enshrine clean drinking water rights in law. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account But many First Nations are not accepting what they call a meaningless apology and still want Todd McCarthy fired. Anishinabek Nation Grand Chief Linda Debassige says McCarthy's letter is insulting and the biggest issue is that he has not withdrawn his ask of the federal government. Last month, McCarthy and Alberta Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz wrote to federal Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin asking her to move away from legislation that they say would 'delay project development and undermine competitiveness.' They singled out Bill C-61, legislation introduced in the last Parliament that sought to ensure First Nations have access to clean drinking water and can protect fresh water sources on their territories. The bill faced a lengthy committee process but was not passed into law before Parliament was prorogued earlier this year, and Dabrusin said last week that her government plans to reintroduce it in the fall. McCarthy says the province has always supported the right to clean drinking water in all First Nations. Editorial Cartoons World Toronto & GTA Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto & GTA
Toronto Sun
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
'DIPLOMACY ENDS TODAY:' First Nations warn of protests over mining law
Published Jun 04, 2025 • 3 minute read Protesters and community members chant and wave signs as they listen to speakers during a demonstration opposing Bill 5, outside the Ontario Legislature at Queen's Park in Toronto, Monday, June 2, 2025. Photo by Cole Burston / THE CANADIAN PRESS Premier Doug Ford's government has given itself the power to suspend provincial and municipal laws for chosen projects in areas it deems to have economic importance, citing the need to speed up development of mines, but First Nations warn confrontation is brewing. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Known as Bill 5, the legislation sparked a firestorm of anger among First Nations communities, who say it tramples their rights and ignores their concerns. It may have passed in the legislature Wednesday, but Indigenous leaders say the fight is just beginning. 'Our diplomacy ends today,' said NDP deputy leader Sol Mamakwa, who represents the northern Ontario riding of Kiiwetinoong that is home to many First Nations and the mineral-rich Ring of Fire region. 'You cannot trample on the rights of the people that live on these homelands and get away with it.' Ford has said the bill is needed to speed up large projects, particularly mines, in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war. Jeers from dozens of First Nations members echoed in the legislature as the bill was passed into law. Ford was not there for the final vote. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler called the premier a 'coward. 'This fight is not over, but we will meet you on the ground,' Fiddler said. 'He did not even have the guts to show up for the vote.' Ford was on a call with a Republican congressman during the vote, his office said. Lake Huron Regional Chief Scott McLeod said that shows where the premier's priorities lie. 'His priorities are not with the Indigenous people in this province,' he said. 'They're with business people, and he wants the resources that are in our territories. He's selling our minerals and our resources to Americans, to the world, without our permission and that is what we're not going to stand for.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The government had tried to amend the bill to explicitly include duty to consult provisions, but delay tactics at the committee stage by the Liberals meant that the Progressive Conservatives passed the legislation without that. Ford said earlier in the day that they would consult with First Nations over the summer, but that may now be in question. From now on, Fiddler said, Nishnawbe Aski Nation will not take him or his government seriously, nor will they engage with Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford. Fiddler called for his resignation. 'He is supposed to be representing Indigenous affairs for our nation, but he failed at every turn, and we will not work with him,' Fiddler said. 'We will not engage with him at all moving forward.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The legislation will create so-called 'special economic zones,' where the province could suspend laws to speed up projects such as mines, and the government has said the Ring of Fire would be the first such zone. Chris Moonias, the former chief of Neskantaga First Nation, suggested action will begin by preventing mining companies and others' access to their lands. 'We're going to shut down the Ring of Fire,' he said. 'Whatever that means, whatever we can do, we're going to shut it down. I promise you that.' Earlier in the day, Ford said blockades wouldn't be 'very wise. 'You can't break the law,' Ford said. 'Simple as that. … They need to move on or they'll be dealt with appropriately.' When asked to clarify his comments, Ford said he doesn't direct the police and any enforcement would be up to the Ontario Provincial Police or local police services. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The premier wouldn't say if he would use the notwithstanding clause to save Bill 5 if it ends up being challenged and found unconstitutional in court. But he said that he would 'cross that bridge' when he comes to it. Civil liberty groups are livid at the prospect of effectively lawless zones, and unions have warned that labour laws would be under threat. The measure is part of an omnibus bill that makes a slew of other changes, including stripping protections for endangered and threatened species. Environmental groups and the Toronto Zoo have warned this will lead to extinctions. Farmers, who largely support the Progressive Conservative government, have also spoken out against the bill. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture said the broad powers 'could override vital protections for farmland and agricultural systems.' Celebrity Canada Columnists Canada Toronto & GTA
Toronto Sun
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Hundreds of First Nations members protest mining bill at Queen's Park
Published Jun 02, 2025 • Last updated 6 minutes ago • 5 minute read Protesters and community members chant and wave signs as they listen to speakers during a demonstration opposing Bill 5, outside the Ontario Legislature at Queen's Park in Toronto, Monday, June 2, 2025. Photo by Cole Burston / THE CANADIAN PRESS Premier Doug Ford's government is pushing through a controversial mining bill despite the protests of several hundred First Nations members who came from the far north to the front lawn of Queen's Park on Monday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 'Kill Bill 5, kill Bill 5,' the crowd chanted. The province moved to shut down debate on a mining law known as Bill 5 that would give the government power to suspend provincial and municipal laws for chosen projects in areas deemed to have economic importance — and remove some endangered species protections. The proposed legislation has sparked an angry backlash from First Nations who say the bill tramples their rights and ignores their concerns. They've asked the province to scrap the bill and to draft legislation alongside First Nations as partners. 'Our rights are not for sale,' said Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak at the rally. The government is speeding up the passage of a plethora of bills before the legislature rises later this week for a summer break. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, is designed to speed up the building of large projects, especially mines. The province will not kill the bill, said Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford. 'We're looking forward to passing the bill later this week and getting out and performing our duty to consult,' Rickford said. Read More Ford, Rickford and Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce are set to soon meet with the leadership council of the Chiefs of Ontario, and then the ministers plan to visit First Nations in northern Ontario throughout the summer as they try to sell them on the bill. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The province intends to designate the Ring of Fire, a region replete with critical minerals, as a so-called 'special economic zone' where it can pick and choose which laws to lift. Last week, under pressure from First Nations, the province made several amendments to the bill in an effort to appease them. But First Nations said it was too little, too late. The province will hold off on designating the Ring of Fire the first such zone until it completes consultations with affected First Nations. First Nations have threatened to form blockades of roads, railways and mines should the bill become law. 'Certainly we don't condone confrontation and as I said I have spoken with a number of First Nations leaders from across the province who've expressed that today is a rally, a peaceful reminder that they want to try to understand how the designation of an economic zone would affect their treaty rights,' Rickford said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We've assured them that they will in no way affect their treaties rights and that, further, the duty to consult is explicit in the bill.' A legislative committee heard from First Nations leaders and environmental groups, as well as mining groups, over two days and as the committee was considering amendments last week the NDP and Liberals used procedural tools to grind the process to a halt in protest. Government house leader Steve Clark has stepped in to limit further committee time and require the bill to go back to the house for third reading, with just one hour of debate, and a final vote that same day. While Bill 5 got two days of committee hearings, the six other pieces of legislation the government is speeding up have had no hearings, and will have as little as half an hour of third-reading debate, with just nine minutes each allotted to the two recognized opposition parties. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa, left, talks with AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse during a demonstration opposing Bill 5, outside the Ontario Legislature at Queen's Park in Toronto, Monday, June 2, 2025. Photo by Cole Burston / THE CANADIAN PRESS New Democrat Sol Mamakwa, the legislature's lone First Nations member, said in question period that Ford was 'telling untruths' about his people's approval of the mining bill. Speaker Donna Skelly asked him to withdraw the comment, which Mamakwa refused to do, so she booted him from question period. Thirty minutes later, Skelly and Mamakwa set aside their differences to feed politicians a 'Taste of the North' lunch. Mamakwa had several family and community members help gather food from northwestern Ontario, fly it to Toronto and cook it at Queen's Park. The politicians ate moose, goose, lake trout, pickerel and beaver. Mamakwa has twice packed a frozen goose and brought it to Queen's Park, where he plucked and cooked it — once on the front lawn. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The beaver was a last-minute addition,' Mamakwa said with a big smile on Monday. 'Food brings people together.' With a full belly, Mamakwa returned to his differences and set out for the protest. The opposition parties say pushing bills through without much public consultation or debate is undemocratic. The NDP's Opposition house leader, John Vanthof, spoke in a debate last week over the government limiting debate and bypassing committee for four bills — including the budget bill — in what's called a time allocation motion. 'What's happening now with the time allocation, specifically on four bills, is removing the right of the people to speak, and in many ways, the opposition to speak,' Vanthof said. 'You actually don't need a parliament. We're actually almost going back to where you have, like, a king. That's truly scary. I'm not opposed to the monarchy as a figurehead, but we came very far in our democracies to actually have parliaments. What the government is doing is basically making the premier the king.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Vanthof stressed the seriousness of the matter, though he had the opposition benches laughing while he was reading out quotes from Clark, upset about time allocation motions when he was in opposition. 'My party loves to hear from people,' Clark said in the waning days of the former Liberal government. 'If this government doesn't want to listen to people, I'll give them a guarantee. I'll give them, actually, the people's guarantee, because we will listen to them, and we will ensure that those Ontarians are being listened to.' Clark, who during that 2017 debate called such motions 'anti-democratic,' said last week that his younger self was 'maybe more brash and abrupt,' defending the current moves. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The government has decided that these four bills are very important for us,' he said. 'There needs to be certainty from the government's agenda…The government decides that they're going to prioritize certain things, the government is going to move forward with those legislations. That's my message.' However much the former Liberal government shut down debate, the Progressive Conservative government is a worse offender, Vanthof said. 'Two time allocation votes in a day was probably the previous record for the travesty to democracy, probably the previous record, and that was held by the Liberals,' he said. 'But this government is so efficient, including destroying the democratic process, that they put four bills, including a budget, in one time allocation motion.' Columnists Celebrity Olympics Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Raptors
