Milton NDP Blog

This week we were astounded to read that Canada’s billionaires have seen their income grow by $53 billion since the start of the pandemic! By 2018 Canadian Corporations had already amassed a hoard of over $700 billion in cash that they are not reinvesting in the economy. Studies have shown that the rate of business development in Canada actually followed the corporate tax rate - downward, slowing productivity growth in Canada. We hear that raising corporate taxes will cause jobs to leave Canada. Yet despite low tax rates and even free government loans we see car plants closing, stores shuttering and manufacturing jobs going south. In the first 2 decades of this century the percentage of Canadian men who were employed full time dropped from 64 to 59%. Everything we read lately seems to dispel the notion of “trickle down economics”. To make our tax system fairer and ensure that the wealthiest individuals are paying their fair share, the NDP will increase the capital gains inclusion rate ...

This week the election south of the border has got us thinking about our own system in Canada. What struck us is that people are talking about “winning” the election - as if an election is some sort of contest where the winner gets the prize. Is it more accurate to say that gaining more votes than any other candidate means that you have gained enough confidence to form the government? There is no prize - just hard work. You have been selected by the people to represent the people in parliament. There has also been a lot of rhetoric about how the US democratic system is the best in the world. That is another debate. Our own system in Canada is in fact pretty good. But it is not perfect. We see over and over that the number of representatives from any one political party does not match their popular vote. And we see over and over again that governments are formed, either majority or minority, with less than 50% of the popular vote. If you call it “winning”, well less than 50% is not a w...

November is Women Abuse Prevention Month in Ontario. In London Ontario the Abused Women’s Centre started the Shine the Light campaign focused on building awareness, engaging people in breaking the silence and encouraging all communities to speak out against violence against women. This month, purple becomes a symbol of courage, survival and honour, representing the fight to end woman abuse. Gender equity is a fundamental value for New Democrats, and we’re committed to building a Canada where no one is left behind. A New Democrat government will prioritize pay equity and develop a National Action Plan to end gender-based violence. In Milton the NDP riding association is committed to gender parity in all of our committees. We recognize that violence against women happens in all communities and that local supports such as shelter services like Halton Womens’ Place and other programs must be backed by funding to insure that everyone can be safe and supported.

Did you know that this past week was Treaties Recognition Week? Introduced in 2016, Treaties Recognition Week acknowledges that First Nations were the original occupants of this land we call Ontario, and educates residents about treaty rights and treaty relationships. The NDP is committed to true and meaningful reconciliation, which demands a lot more than symbolic gestures on behalf of governments. It demands good faith — and it demands action. As we transition to a net-zero economy, our actions must be informed by traditional Indigenous knowledge, respect our solemn treaty responsibilities and be rooted in true government-to-government relationships. The Milton NDP Riding Association stands with Indigenous peoples as their daily struggle for justice continues, and condemns all acts of racism, discrimination, intimidation, violence and all forms of hatred. We call on First Nations members residing in Milton to join us and help us to form a government that will, finally, take actio...

In an ongoing effort to ensure each riding has their individual needs met, local NDP teams meet at a provincial council. The importance of these councils remain a pillar, even during these difficult times. The individual riding associations are able to express their concerns. Discussions offer better understanding which allows for more detailed policies. “Having had the opportunity to attend many Councils and Conventions”, says Milton riding association VP Brendan Smyth,  “I can't stress how educational they are.”  This Monday Message is a reminder of the ongoing work that goes on between election cycles, to ensure a successful platform that represents members’ concerns. Join your local ONDP team and see for yourself.