Peggy Sattler MPP, London West

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Dear Neighbour,


Since the return of the Ontario Legislature on February 19, several high-profile issues have dominated the public agenda:
  • the Conservative government's devastating changes to the autism program
  • Doug Ford's indefensible attempt to appoint longtime family friend Ron Taverner as the new OPP Commissioner
  • an education announcement that will mean thousands fewer teachers, bigger class sizes, and less help for kids, with significant class increases from Grades 4 to 12 that will cut $1 billion from public education
  • a massive healthcare restructuring scheme that was drafted in secret behind closed doors, will do nothing to fix hallway healthcare, and opens the door to unprecedented levels of for-profit involvement in our healthcare system 
From the beginning, New Democrats have stood with families of children with autism in their fight against the cruel and callous Ontario Autism Program (OAP). When the program takes effect on April 1, it will rip services away from children with the highest needs and deny many children on the waitlist from ever getting the supports they require. Despite the government's recent "enhancements", the new OAP continues to allocate funding on the basis of age rather than needs or evidence, and imposes a lifetime cap on funding that is woefully inadequate to cover the intensive therapy required by many children with severe autism. On February 21, London West parents Brandi Tapp and Sarah Farrants joined me at Queen's Park to advocate on behalf of their sons Henry and Mason, both of whom have autism. Watch here as Brandi and Sarah describe how it felt to be told by Minister Lisa MacLeod that their children don't matter.   

On March 6, after weeks of unrelenting pressure from the Official Opposition and the sudden firing of Deputy OPP Commissioner (and whistle-blower) Brad Blair, Ron Taverner finally withdrew his name from consideration as the new OPP Commissioner. The Integrity Commissioner's report on the flawed hiring process reveals a troubling campaign by Doug Ford and his inner circle to install Ron Taverner as commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police. New Democrats will continue to demand a full public inquiry into the Taverner affair. We must ensure that appropriate checks and balances are put in place to prevent this kind of meddling from ever happening again. 
 
Finally, a big thank you to everyone who attended my February and March townhalls, to learn more about what is happening at Queen's Park and to share your concerns and priorities. Watch for details about my next neighbourhood townhall in my April newsletter! 

Sincerely,
 

Health Care Town Hall

Years of underfunding and hospital budget freezes have eroded our healthcare system and left patients languishing in hospital hallways and front-line staff run off their feet. Instead of listening to families and healthcare providers and investing in front-line care, the Conservative government has cooked up a secret scheme in their back rooms to reorganize the healthcare system.
 
People didn’t vote for their health care dollars to be siphoned off for corporate profits. Ontario already spends less per person on health care than any other province. We believe people deserve more from their government, not less.
 
On Wednesday, April 3, I am excited to welcome Andrea Horwath to London for a healthcare townhall along with my NDP MPP colleagues Terence Kernaghan, and Teresa Armstrong.  Please join us to share your thoughts! This is a free event and the venue is accessible.
 
London Healthcare Town Hall with Andrea Horwath & London NDP MPPs
Wednesday, April 3
6:30-8:00 PM
Goodwill Centre
255 Horton Street East
London, ON
RSVP
 

Leading Women Leading Girls

On International Women's Day, MPP Teresa Armstrong, Terence Kernaghan and I announced that we will be continuing the Leading Women, Leading Girls, Building Communities recognition program in London, after the cancellation of the program by the Doug Ford government.

For the past three years, this provincial program has allowed Teresa and I to recognize 56 amazing London women and girls for their efforts to improve the lives of others. As London MPPs, Teresa, Terence and I believe that the leadership, success, and impact of women and girls is worth celebrating, even if Doug Ford does not.

We all know exceptional women and girls who are making a difference for Londoners.This is your opportunity to let others know about them too!

The deadline to nominate a Leading Woman or Leading Girl is April 5, nomination forms are available on my website.  

On Thursday, April 25 please join us for the presentation of the 2019 Leading Women, Leading Girls, Building Communities awards!

Thursday, April 25
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Goodwill Centre
255 Horton Street East
London
RSVP
 

Annual Tax Clinic
 

At Queen's Park
On Tuesday March 19, I spoke to a clinic run by the new PC federal candidate for London West, and their request that the Ford government create a private operating room.
On March 7, I shared a story of Lindsay Frechette, who is terrified about what will happen to her son Felix when he goes into a school system completely unprepared to manage the influx of children with autism.
On Thursday February 21, I shared two stories from parents of London West who are struggling to pay out of pocket for the autism therapy their sons need.
On Monday February 25, I spoke to the lack of government funding for mental health & addictions, forcing cutbacks to services and closure of 21 crash beds at Mission Services London.
 

In the Media
 

Around London
Celebrating launch of Black History Month
Visiting Western Daycare Centre  
With Lindsay Frechette at Victoria Park autism rally 
Touring Leads Employment Services
Many thanks to YOU for meeting with my 2019 Girls' Government
Queen's Park meeting with Farnaz Michalski and Janet Hunt from RNAO
At Give London Community Building Group with Imam Twakkal and MP Irene Mathyssen
Friends of the Coves AGM
 

New and Noteworthy

  • Help spread the word! The Ontario Legislature Speaker’s Book Award recognizes works by Ontario authors covering historical and cultural aspects of the province with special consideration given to works focusing on Ontario’s parliamentary heritage and on provincial political discourse. Online applications for the Speaker’s Book Award are accepted from March 1 to May 15, 2019. The winning book will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Legislative Building.
  • The 2019 application process for the London Police Service PEACE team is now open! The Police Ethnic and Cultural Exchange (PEACE) is a summer job program for high school students from all cultures and backgrounds. Applications are due March 31, 2019. Apply here.
  • Interested in litter and waste reduction? Read the Environmental Registry of Ontario's Discussion Paper on reducing litter and waste in our communities, and add your voice by submitting your comments here.
  • The free Adaptive Cooking Program is about to begin another session of 6 weekly classes in their healthy eating and cooking program. This program is for people with disabilities who would benefit from learning how to prepare healthy, affordable meals. Learn more here.
 
Community Office
240 Commissioners Rd W, Unit 106
London, ON N6J 1Y1
Tel: 519-657-3120
Queen's Park Office
Room 359, Main Legislative Building, Queen's Park
Toronto, ON M7A 1A5
Tel: 416-325-6908
Email: psattler-qp@ndp.on.ca
 
Copyright © 2019 Peggy Sattler, All rights reserved. 

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Sent on March 27, 2019
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