Tuesday, June 5
- 5:45-8:30am: Interviews on Toronto radio (680 News, CBC’s Metro Morning, 640 Global News)
- 9-10am: Media availability in Toronto
- 12-4pm : Talking with voters in Guelph
- 4-8pm: Door-knocking in Guelph
News
Schreiner: Ontario’s mental health crisis cannot be ignored
Share:
GUELPH, ON — Today, Mike Schreiner announced plans to make mental health a pillar of Ontario’s healthcare system with an historic $4.1 billion investment, more than any other party this election.
“Over the last four decades, there have been 17 government reports on how to address mental health and addictions, and yet successive NDP, Conservative and Liberal governments have failed to follow through. The time to act is now,” said the Green Party leader.
Guelph has seen a 50% increase in the number of emergency room admissions for mental health and addictions issues. A 2016 study showed that 95% of patients in mental distress who were admitted to Guelph General Hospital’s emergency room on a Saturday were still there on the Monday. Across Ontario, 12,000 children are on a mental health waiting list.
“Mental health is health and it should be treated as such. Our $4.1 billion dollar pledge is a down payment on making mental health covered under OHIP+,” said Schreiner.
Greens are also calling for the creation of Mental Health and Addictions Ontario, an umbrella organization to streamline the provision of services, and they want to see more people accessing services at the primary care level rather than waiting in hospitals in crisis.
“As Guelph’s MPP, I will be a champion for community based mental health services. People must receive the care they need in an affordable, accessible and timely way,” said Schreiner.
And the Greens don’t look at mental health in isolation. Greens also promise to introduce a basic income guarantee and additional funding for supportive housing for people in need.
“We need to ensure that no one falls through the cracks. We cannot ignore the social determinants of health and the role they play in our poverty and mental health crises,” he added.
Schreiner hosts ‘Ask Mike Anything’ town hall in Guelph
Last night, Mike Schreiner, Green Party of Ontario leader, took questions from citizens on the issues that matter most to Guelph – from jobs and transit to housing and health care. Highlights below:
Ask @MikeSchreiner Anything Town Hall. On why he got involved with the Green Party: “I’d rather get elected on the right road than the easy road.” #onpoli #ONelxn #MikeAtTheMic pic.twitter.com/9q6UH3AGvl
— Green Party Ontario (@OntarioGreens) June 3, 2018
It’s about people’s dignity and self-worth and I will fight to re-open the sheltered workshops in a way that works for people and their families. #onpoli #onelxn #MikeAtTheMic #AskMikeAnything #Guelph pic.twitter.com/R1gDMu68E9
— Mike Schreiner (@MikeSchreiner) June 3, 2018
The only wasted vote is a vote you don’t believe in. #onpoli #onelxn #peoplepoweredchange #letsmakehistory pic.twitter.com/5VDaEHBIAZ
— Mike Schreiner (@MikeSchreiner) June 3, 2018
One of my proudest accomplishments was leading the charge to get big money out of politics in Ontario #OnElxn #MikeAtTheMic #AskMikeAnything pic.twitter.com/ZCphm3XvZQ
— Mike Schreiner (@MikeSchreiner) June 3, 2018
The @OntarioGreens have the first costed plan to implement a Basic Income Guarantee so nobody has to live on $711 a month. #peoplepoweredchange #onpoli #onelxn #basicincome pic.twitter.com/v4C5EKqQLg
— Mike Schreiner (@MikeSchreiner) June 3, 2018
On healthcare: “Let’s get at the root of the problem with hospital overcrowding with more primary care centres, more money for mental health, and more beds for long term or alternative care” @MikeSchreiner #AskMikeAnything #MikeAtTheMic #OnElxn pic.twitter.com/pSJvNqpidx
— Green Party Ontario (@OntarioGreens) June 3, 2018
The @OntarioGreens wants to end the stigma of mental health and addictions by treating it as a health care issue. #endthestigma #onpoli #onelxn #peoplepowerdchange pic.twitter.com/48EeGepw3G
— Mike Schreiner (@MikeSchreiner) June 3, 2018
It’s not impossible to win over climate deniers. Listen to how @MikeSchreiner does it! #mikeatthemic #onElxn #AskMikeAnything pic.twitter.com/yNccEJBvBb
— Green Party Ontario (@OntarioGreens) June 4, 2018
“I will have the courage to stand up to the nuclear lobby and say no to the 180% rate increase to finance the rebuilding of Darlington. I will say yes to water power from Quebec at 1/3 the price,” @MikeSchreiner #OnElxn #MikeAtTheMic #AskMikeAnything pic.twitter.com/6wM6ozjEli
— Green Party Ontario (@OntarioGreens) June 3, 2018
Schreiner continues to lead in Guelph according to latest poll
GUELPH, ON — According to the latest Mainstreet Research polls released today, the Green Party of Ontario leader has extended his lead in Guelph to 32.3%.
If the trends continue in this very tight race, this would be the first election since 1948 in which four different parties are elected to the provincial legislature.
“The success of this campaign is due to people power. Volunteers are pouring into our offices to knock on doors, make calls, put up lawn signs and do everything possible to bring the Green Wave to Guelph on June 7,” said Schreiner.
“We know that it’s a tight race and the only poll that matters is on Election Day. But we’re ready to make history and be a strong voice at Queen’s Park,” said Schreiner.
This poll was produced by Mainstreet Research as part of its public opinion research for the 2018 Ontario Election. Released on June 3rd, the results are part of a rolling survey conducted between May 31st-June 2nd across Ontario, with a sample of 783 people in Guelph and with a margin of error of +/- 3.48%. The poll details can be found on the Mainstreet Ontario Daily Tracker.
Green MPPs will hold an NDP or PC government accountable
“I want to thank Kathleen Wynne, who has worked hard for Ontarians for the past 5 years as Premier. I thank her for her public service.
She is right; an NDP or PC government needs to be held accountable.
The best way to hold the government to account is to elect Green MPPs. We are not saddled with 15 years of a tired government bereft of new ideas or being part of the status quo at Queen’s Park.
A progressive minority government with at least one Green MPP would be best for Ontario.
We are the only party thinking about the next seven generations, instead of looking a few years down the road to the next election. Greens will put people first, ahead of political self-interest or ideology.
A Green victory in Guelph, and other communities, will ensure that there is a strong, independent voice at Queen’s Park for jobs, people and planet.
In this election, you have a clear choice on who you want to serve as your champion at Queen’s Park. And a clear choice to hold the government to account. That choice is the Green Party.
We encourage everyone in Ontario to vote, and vote for what you believe in.”
Mike Schreiner Itinerary – June 2 & 3
Share:Saturday, June 2
- 7:45-8:45am: Sign-waving with volunteers in Guelph
- 9:00-6:00pm: Super Saturday Campaigning and door-knocking in Guelph
- 12:00-1:00pm: Attending community events in Guelph
- 7:00-8:30pm: Attending community BBQs in Guelph
- 8:30-9:30: Meeting with volunteers and supporters at campaign office in Guelph
Sunday, June 3
- 10:30-11:30am: Sign-waving with volunteers in Guelph
- 12:15-1:30pm: Speaking at the Guelph Gurdwara (Guelph Sikh Society), 70 Stevenson St S, Guelph
- 1:30-4:00pm: Campaigning and door-knocking in Guelph
- 6:00-8:00pm: Ask Mike Anything – Guelph Town Hall, location to be confirmed
Schreiner will be a champion for Guelph on affordable housing
Share:
GUELPH, ON — Everyone deserves an affordable place to call home, and today the Green Party of Ontario announced its four-point plan for unlocking affordable housing to put seniors, families and first-time buyers, as well as our precious green space first.
“The housing situation is getting out of hand for people in southwestern Ontario, who are being locked out of the market. Here in Guelph, we are seeing rising housing prices, a shortage of small housing units and a vacancy rate of just 0.6%,” said Green Party Leader, Mike Schreiner.
The Green Party leader would require one in five new housing units to be below market rate. He made the announcement at the edge of one of Guelph’s last greenfield spaces, currently being planned.
“I will fight for Guelph and I will fight at Queen’s Park so that any new developments like this – whether it’s rental or subdivision – have a minimum of 20% affordable homes,” said Schreiner.
He will also work with municipalities to remove barriers that stand in the way of making better use of our built environment with creative solutions that don’t worsen urban sprawl.
“I talk to so many young people who want access to tiny homes, laneway houses, secondary suites – affordable options so we don’t always have to build out or up. We can solve the housing crisis and protect the Greenbelt, unlike what the Conservatives have said,” said Schreiner.
Greens would extend the non-resident Housing Speculation Tax to include domestic buyers who simply purchase a home to leave it vacant, and would invest an additional $200 million over the Liberals’ budget towards supportive housing, social housing, co-op housing and shelters.
“Homes are for people, not speculators. That’s why we’re acting and that’s why I’ll be a champion for Guelph to ensure everyone has an affordable place to call home,” said Schreiner.
Greens pledge to tackle poverty with a BIG idea
GUELPH, ON — On the steps of the West Willow Village Neighbourhood Group, Green Party of Ontario Leader, Mike Schreiner, outlined a vision for a giant leap forward to tackle poverty in the province.
“Our world is changing and our social safety net programs need to adjust to new realities, where upwards of 32% of Ontarians are in situations of precarious labour. I am here to announce our plan for a Basic Income Guarantee – the most effective and efficient way to eliminate poverty,” said Schreiner.
The governing Liberals introduced a BIG pilot last year for 4,000 Ontarians, but left everyone else on inadequate social assistance programs that see them living well below the poverty line. We need action now. The Green Party would immediately increase social assistance rates to 75% of the low-income measure in the first year, and 100% within four years.
“In the last 15 years, we’ve seen a 26% increase in the number of Ontarians living on a low income. That tells me we need to do better. But research shows an assured income like our Basic Income Guarantee also saves money in healthcare and decreases the burden on our criminal justice system. It’s part of our preventative approach towards building healthy, inclusive communities” said Schreiner.
The program gives economic security to young people, entrepreneurs, and the middle class who are starting a business or upgrading their skills. It also eliminates the onerous bureaucracy that disadvantaged people are faced with to qualify for benefits. It’s time to cut red tape for those who need real support, not more paperwork, just to get by.
“The people in society drowning in the most red tape are those in poverty. This is about respecting their self-worth with a guaranteed income so they can participate with dignity in our economy,” said Schreiner.
Mike Schreiner Itinerary – May 31
Share:Thursday, May 31
- 10:00-11:00 – CJOY All Candidates Debate, War Memorial Hall, Guelph
- 12:30-1:30 – Announcement on Basic Income at West Willow Woods Neighbourhood Group, 495 Willow Rd, Guelph
- 2:00-4:00 – All Candidates Debate, Village by the Arboretum, Guelph
- 5:00-8:00 – Door-knocking and meeting voters in Guelph
Ford’s ‘plan’ is a blueprint for dismantling progress
QUEEN’S PARK — Ontarians won’t be surprised when they read Doug Ford’s regressive platform, which promises to take the province back doing significant damage to our economy, environment and public services.
“This is a complete rush job, a toxic collection of back-of-the-napkin ideas cobbled together to look like a platform. From Bay Street to Hudson’s Bay, Ford is abandoning the people of Ontario,” said Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner.
“This plan denies that we are facing a climate crisis,” added Schreiner. “This platform confirms that Ford intends to ignore the clean economy, costing us jobs and prosperity. It is a direct threat to our air and water.”
Ford’s plan is reckless, leaving Ontarians to fend for themselves in the face of dramatic increases in fires, storms and floods. His dogged commitment to killing a price on carbon pollution ignores the urgency of climate change, which cost Canada $5 billion in insured losses in 2016.
It’s also irresponsible, with no fiscal plan, just numbers attached to programs and cuts.
“It would seem the PC party under Ford is trying to jettison its image of fiscal responsibility judging by the leader’s continuous refusal to share a coherent plan with real numbers or answers,” said Schreiner.
The PCs are tossing pennies at social crises like mental health and housing, promising a paltry $380 million combined per year on those massive issues. The plan also brings back the racialized guns and gangs police unit and the old sex-ed curriculum that is silent on consent and gender diversity.