As an elected official during the COVID crisis and the third Ontario lockdown, my office’s primary focus remains on stopping the spread of COVID and protecting our community — efforts which I have written about previously. However, despite the pandemic, the original duties of being an MPP have not changed, and chief among these has been exploring legislation to support our … [Read more...] about We can do better in supporting wine industry
Opinion
Future of rare salamander looks bleak in Niagara
The bright, yellow spots of this spectacular creature leap off its slimy skin. As I rolled the log over, a large black salamander riddled with yellow polka dots lays squat. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve come across this memorable species of mole salamander, simply named the spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum). This was last weekend, out on another … [Read more...] about Future of rare salamander looks bleak in Niagara
Vaccinations for educators, closing schools both good decisions
With the third wave of the pandemic pushing COVID-19 numbers higher than ever before, it’s now more important than ever that people get vaccinated to control the spread. I couldn’t be happier to be receiving my Pfizer vaccination this week at the Seymour-Hannah Sports Centre in St. Catharines. Along with thousands working in education for both Niagara school … [Read more...] about Vaccinations for educators, closing schools both good decisions
Gates calls on province to fix glitches, pay for sick days
The news of the newest round of lockdowns has exasperated us all. Despite Premier Doug Ford’s misplaced hopes that the vaccination process would outpace rising infections, we have returned to an untenable cycle of infection and lockdown. On April 1, we had more residents of Ontario in hospitals on ventilators than at any time before in this pandemic – the vaccine rollout has … [Read more...] about Gates calls on province to fix glitches, pay for sick days
Trying to get home as word of pandemic hit
Just prior to the announcement of the global pandemic a year ago, my wife Renate and I had arrived in Uruguay for a family visit. Her parents had also travelled there, where they had spent the early part of their young adult life. Motivation for us making the trip was to meet with Uruguayan relatives, and to hear stories of Renate’s grandfather. Before he died, he had written … [Read more...] about Trying to get home as word of pandemic hit