With the introduction of MPP Jonah Schein’s private members bill to electrify the air rail link, the campaign for clean trains is getting a lot of attention again. To help put pressure on the government please take a clean train sign for your lawn. E-mail info@cheridinovo.ca to request one.

Cheri Hosts Girls Government Press Conference At Queen’s Park

Cheri Questioning the Health Minister over the ORNGE Scandal

LGBTQ Catholic students on the importance of GSAs and limitations of Respecting Difference

DIRECT ENERGY DROPS WATER-HEATER PENALTY CHARGE

Many people have been calling and emailing our office in anger and frustration about Direct Energy’s recent plans to start charging customers exorbitant cancellation fees for hot water heater rentals if they did not opt-out by a certain date.

We agreed with you– this certainly felt like borderline negative-option billing, and we spoke out about it, as did you.  Direct Energy was flooded with phone calls and emails about this issue, and media outlets across the country reflected your –and our– frustration.

Congratulations!  Yesterday, Direct Energy backed down from their plans and have withdrawn the new contract terms.

It was your activism that led to this triumph, and Cheri and her staff were so glad to help out.

Direct drops water-heater penalty charge

TAX CHANGES — Ontario Trillium Tax Credit

Due to the pressure put by MPP Cheri DiNovo and other NDP MPPs on the government regarding the new rules to the Ontario Tax Credits, which have taken many Ontarians by surprise. Minister Duncan in an answer during Question Period indicated that the government will bring forward regulatory changes to the legislation. This legislation would order to give people the choice to either have their Ontario tax credits in a lump sum payment or in the proposed 12-month installments.

Community Office: 2849 Dundas Street West | 416 763-5630 | Email: dinovoc-co@ndp.on.ca

Drummond Report Hits Ontario

The Drummond Report on public service came out this week, and the results are in:  the report ignores the full picture when it comes to balancing Ontario’s books.

Proposals unveiled include abandoning full-day kindergarten, raising hydro bills by 10% and putting less focus on creating jobs.

There are a lot of areas in this report that trouble me, and I’m sure they trouble you, too.  For example:

• Poverty costs Ontario $13 Billion per year, and accounts for 20% of health care costs, yet this is not addressed.
• Child care was largely not addressed, yet returns for governments that have invested in a provincial affordable child-care program (such as Quebec) have seen returns that have exceeded the initial investment, making the programs self-investing.
• Ontario’s affordable housing crisis was ignored, yet every $1.00 invested in housing sees returns of $1.50.

I urge you to contact Premier Dalton McGuinty and Finance Minister Dwight Duncan and let them know how you feel about the Drummond report.

Cheri, Councillor Mike Layton and Councillor Gord Perks at the MUZIK event for the Parkdale Community Food Bank.

Cheri reads to children for Literacy Day 2012.

Cheri attends a meeting at White Eagle Seniors Residence.

Upcoming Events

DID YOU KNOW?

Cheri DiNovo has a Facebook fan page!  I’ve reached my friend limit on my “friend” page, but you can join me on my fan page here:  https://www.facebook.com/CheriDiNovoParkdaleHighPark
Same updates and content, no friend limits.

I look forward to seeing you there!

ALSO:  Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter:  @CheriDiNovo

February 1, 2012
Privatization, casino are no future for Ontario Place: NDP

Queen’s Park – NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo said the McGuinty government’s lack of clarity about the future of Ontario Place raises serious questions, amid concerns that the historic landmark could be turned into a downtown casino or condo development.

“Ontarians want an affordable and fun place for the whole family to visit,” said DiNovo. “Let’s focus on the safe bets, like rewarding businesses that create jobs, making life more affordable, and strengthening health care.”

“What the government should be focusing on is working with the other parties to find ways to manage the provincial budget. Not shut down a historic landmark,” said DiNovo.

At a press conference today, Finance Minister Dwight Duncan and Tourism Minister Michael Chan would not rule out options for Ontario Place, such as a casino or selling the land and condo development.

“There’s little question that the aging Ontario Place needs our attention,” said DiNovo. “But the site should be a place for families to spend time together. The Liberals need to come clean with the public on what they’re up to.”

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Hon. John Gerretsen MPP

Ministry of the Attorney General
McMurtry-Scott Building
720 Bay Street, 11th Floor
Toronto, ON
M7A 2S9                                                                                                                       January 23, 2012

Dear Hon. Minister Gerretsen,

Ontario Human Rights Review

In late August of last year, theOntariogovernment appointed Mr. Andrew Pinto to conduct the review of the human rights system in this province as mandated by the Human Rights Code Amendment Act.

It has come to my attention that concerns about the scope and process of the review have been communicated in writing to Mr. Pinto by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance (AODAA) and the Metro Toronto Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal Clinic.

They are concerned that the review, as currently designed is not abiding by the Terms of Reference set out in Section 57 of the Human Rights Code Amendment Act.

Specifically, they argue that the questions being posed in the consultation paper for the Review will not solicit the necessary information to fully explore “the implementation and effectiveness” of reforms, as the Review is mandated to do. The current questions solicit input only from individuals and fail to adequately consider and explore issues of systemic discrimination.

Second, these groups are concerned that there are significant barriers to participation in the review by individuals who first language is neither English nor French. They urge Mr. Pinto to post a translation of the consultation paper in languages other than English and French, and to provide interpretation services for the public hearings.

As Minister responsible, I ask that you look in to this matter, and make a determination as to whether the consultation design, as proposed by Mr. Pinto, does in fact fulfill the requirements under the Terms of Reference for the review.

I urge you not to allow public consultations to begin until these outstanding concerns have been explored and resolved.

I have attached copies of the letters with my letter. I am urging you to carefully consider their letters and respond to their concerns in order to make the review fair and inclusive.

Regards,

Cheri DiNovo MPP

MPP for Parkdale-High Park

Cheri recently participated in Literacy Day activities at 4 different centres across the riding.

The Real Answer to TTC problems is Provincial Funding

December 8, 2011 

QUEEN’S PARK – Parkdale High Park MPP Cheri DiNovo is calling for the provincial government to step up for Toronto and fund the TTC.

“The real answer to problem of TTC is provincial government funding” says DiNovo. Ontario ended the 50-50 share of transit operating costs in 1998. This has left many transit riders paying more for transit than those in other jurisdictions.

“Providing reliable support for transit by uploading 50% of the operating costs in exchange for freezing fares makes transit more affordable” DiNovo continued.

Good public transit is vital for a healthy city. To ensure Toronto has a good transit system, the TTC must be kept affordable and properly funded and the Province must pay its fair share.

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