Exhorts Algoma-Manitoulin MPP to defend the honour of Northern Ontario
To the Expositor:
‘No man’s land’ was how Wynne-Liberal MPP Lou Rinaldi was heard heckling about Northern Ontario to one of its MPPs in the Legislature on Thursday, September 21. His comments were directed to MPP Vic Fedeli, the Ontario PC Party MPP for Nipissing, in Northern Ontario. When questioned about his statement, Rinaldi suggested the matter “be taken outside” the Legislature, where what is said is not protected as it is inside Queen’s Park.
There has been a longstanding notion that the Wynne Liberals are out of touch with Northern Ontario. She continues to fail the North. Her approval ratings continue to be the lowest of any Ontario Premier. Her party is struggling to stay afloat. The Ontario Liberal Party continues to make headlines, especially as it relates to criminal trials that are ongoing—one of which her party is involved with as it relates to Energy Minister Glen Thibeault’s nomination and the Sudbury by-election fiasco. Further, Wynne continues to only seldom visit the North; a far cry from the over 30 visits Patrick Brown has made since leading the Ontario PCs.
Without question, Kathleen Wynne and the Ontario Liberal Party continue to back themselves into a corner!
Notwithstanding the Ontario Liberal Party downfalls, the constituents of the Algoma-Manitoulin riding are left wondering why their local NDP MPP, Michael Mantha, has not voiced his concerns about MPP Rinaldi’s comments? After all, were these comments not directed to Northern Ontario? Ross Romano, Ontario PC Party MPP for Sault Ste. Marie, was quick to defend his constituents in Sault Ste. Marie? Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli, also with the Ontario PC Party, immediately demanded an apology from the Liberal government (which they refused) for the inappropriate comments.
Why has NDP MPP Michael Mantha been silent about this issue? Do the constituents in the riding of Algoma-Manitoulin not deserve to be represented by their elected MPP, or at the very least, hear from him? This is an important issue affecting all of Northern Ontario. NDP MPP Michael Mantha has a responsibility to stand and support all of his constituents, regardless of political stripe. Algoma-Manitoulin is an important riding in Northern Ontario and NDP MPP Michael Mantha has clearly failed in the simplest of tasks—to fairly represent and defend the constituents who elected him to Queen’s Park.
The Ontario PC Party Algoma-Manitoulin Riding Association Executive is asking NDP MPP Michael Mantha to speak publicly on this issue, no differently then Ontario PC Party MPPs from Northern Ontario have done.
They clearly realized the importance of supporting their ridings and we believe it’s time for our NDP MPP Michael Mantha to follow suit!
Sincerely.
Robert Sinclair
President and Spokesperson
Algoma-Manitoulin Ontario PC Party Association
