Peter in the Media

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Un mese dedicato alla valorizzazione del patrimonio italiano

Da: Corriere.com

È la proposta di legge dell’Mpp Mario Sergio, appoggiata anche dai colleghi Peter Shurman e Rosario Marchese

TORONTO - Dedicare un mese, quello di giugno, agli italiani immigrati in Canada per valorizzare l’importante contributo che hanno reso al Paese con il loro lavoro. È un’idea del parlamentare provinciale Mario Sergio, che si è tradotta in una proposta di legge, presentata ieri, col sostegno del collega conservatore Peter Shurman e dell’ndippino Rosario Marchese, e che ha già riscosso l’entusiastico sostegno della comunità italiana di tutto l’Ontario.

“The Italian Heritage Act”, questo il titolo dato alla proposta di legge, chiede che giugno sia riconosciuto a livello provinciale come il mese dedicato alla valorizzazione e alla promozione del patrimonio culturale italiano per sottolineare l’importante contributo dato da tutti gli italo-canadesi all’Ontario.

«La nostra Provincia è la casa di circa un milione 350 mila italo-canadesi. Riconoscendo giugno come il mese del patrimonio italiano - ha dichiarato ieri l’onorevole Mario Sergio - la Provincia non solo riconoscerebbe i traguardi raggiunti in più campi dagli italo-canadesi, ma offrirebbe anche ai residenti dell’Ontario, che hanno un diverso background, l’opportunità di saperne di più sulla storia e le origini dei nostri immigrati». Alle parole di Mario Sergio hanno fatto eco quelle dell’onorevole Peter Shurman: «Gli italo-canadesi hanno costruito le nostre città e la nostra provincia con le loro mani. E ancora oggi la comunità italo-canadese dell’Ontario e in particolare quella della mia circoscrizione di Thornhill continuano a dare un contributo significativo alla nostra economia con le loro idee e il grande spirito d’impresa che li contraddistingue».

«È stato il duro lavoro delle nostre comunità d’immigrati a far sì che l’Ontario diventasse una delle più ricche province del Canada - ha sottolineato l’onorevole Rosario Marchese del distretto di Trinity-Spadina - Per decenni l’impagabile contributo degli immigrati italiani, come mio padre, non è stato né riconosciuto né valorizzato. Per questo ho deciso di sponsorizzare con grande piacere questa proposta di legge. Credo sia il modo giusto - ha concluso l’onorevole Marchese - non solo per rendere omaggio al grande contributo culturale dato dagli italo-canadesi alla nostra provincia, ma anche al lavoro delle persone che hanno letteralmente costruito le nostre case e i nostri ospedali dal niente».

Il valore e l’importanza della proposta di legge sono state sottolineate anche da Michael Tibollo, presidente del distretto di Toronto del National Congress of Italian-Canadians, secondo il quale è giusto e opportuno che l’Ontario riconosca e valorizzi l’immenso contributo che gli italo-canadesi hanno dato alla crescita della nostra provincia. «Non sono mai stato più orgoglioso di essere un canadese di origine italiana che vive nella provincia dell’Ontario di ora», ha detto Michael Tibollo.

L’obiettivo in particolare della proposta di legge è quello di valorizzare e di festeggiare la ricchezza della storia e la validità del contributo reso dagli italo-canadesi all’Ontario, soprattutto sotto il profilo della crescita socio-economica della nostra provincia a partire dal momento in cui sono arrivati i primi immigrati italiani e cioè il 1880.

Shurman and PC Caucus ready to take on McGuinty Government

Premier says he's running despite anaemic economic growth

By ANTONELLA ARTUSO, QUEEN'S PARK BUREAU CHIEF

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty’s going for the three-peat.

One year before provincial voters head to the polls again, McGuinty tossed aside rumours he might step down and reaffirmed he’ll seek a third mandate to govern despite difficult economic times and disappointing polling results for his party.

”I have the same sense of enthusiasm and energy and, I think, most importantly idealism that I had when I first got the job in 1990,” McGuinty said of his leadership. ”It’s not about tempting fate. It’s about continuing to assume responsibility.”

His comments came Tuesday just hours before the government released second quarter economic results that show the province experienced anaemic growth of 0.6%, and the forecast points to a very modest recovery over a number of years.

“We have to a very large extent historically hitched our economic wagon to the American star,” McGuinty said. “They have remained our single most important export market. Their economy continues to grow at a very moderate pace. And we cannot entirely unhitch our wagon from that.”

According to Ontario Economic Accounts, the province saw a modest bump in consumer spending, a slight decline in residential construction and a 0.8% increase in GDP.

Tory Finance Critic Peter Shurman said Ontario lags the country in GDP growth while the price of consumer goods rises at a faster rate than elsewhere in Canada.

“We’re on the wrong track. We’re trending the wrong way on pretty well every economic indicator at this point,” Shurman said.

PC Leader Tim Hudak said voters can opt for the Conservative party when they head to the polls on Oct. 6, 2011, and keep more of their money.

“Or a Dalton McGuinty government that’s increasingly tired and out of gas and focused on a bizarre set of priorities like putting cell phones in our classrooms or banning chocolate milk,” Hudak said.

McGuinty said his focus remains firmly on the health and education files, health because it helps provide stability for families and education because it gives people hope for a better life.

Increasing the percentage of Ontarians who graduate from high school and attain a post secondary education will also help the economy rebound in the long run, he said.

Peter Shurman, MPP - Thornhill is up for the challenge

680News staff 2010/10/05

TORONTO, Ont. - Despite recent polls showing 76% of voters in favour of a change in government, Premier Dalton McGuinty said he will seek a third term on the next provincial election day - October 6, 2011.

"This is a really exciting time, and it's a challenging time. That's one of the things that makes it exciting," McGuinty told reporters on Tuesday.

"There are some new political and policy challenges that I'm very much looking forward to grappling with," he added.

Meanwhile, the opposition Tories have characterized McGuinty as tired, and completely out of ideas as he comes to the end of his second term in office, and do not see voters supporting him next fall.

"He looks back on his idealism of seven years ago, and we look at a very tired, out of touch premier, and a very tired, out of touch government, a third of which somedays doesn't even bother to show up for question period," said Progressive Conservative critic Peter Shurman.

Regardless of what his opponents have stated, McGuinty said he still has the enthusiasm, energy and idealism from when he was first elected in 1990, and now has two terms of experience to offer Ontario's voters.

Thornhill MPP Shurman 'does the math'

By: Chris Traber - YorkRegion.com

York Region community leaders will walk in the shoes of our poor for five days this week in the hope they’ll talk up support for a provincial healthy food supplement, Poverty Action for Change Coalition chairperson Tom Pearson said.

Interfaith and community leaders will be joined by families in the Do The Math Challenge, part of the provincewide Put Food in the Budget campaign launching yesterday.

The goal is to have participants experience first-hand how difficult it is to stretch the $585 maximum a single person on social assistance receives monthly.

Participants will pick up a food hamper, a typical food bank ration, a $10 food voucher and an additional four food pantry items.

They will experience a low-budget diet for five days and will share their stories at Fairy Lake Park in Newmarket as part of International Day for the Eradication of
Poverty, Oct. 17.

The $100-a-month healthy food supplement would make a significant difference for York’s marginalized residents, particularly when Ontario is phasing out an existing $100 special diet supplement, Mr. Pearson said.

“We want to show how the poor do it by relying on food banks and vouchers,” he said. “Some don’t and that’s the shame of it all.

“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to tell us something is out of whack. The average apartment rent in the region is $960. The maximum a single person gets is $585.”

Many at-risk residents are forced to share facilities, some of which are unsafe, as a result of the shortfall, Mr. Pearson said.

York Region Food Network co-ordinator Yvonne Kelly hopes the exercise garners support for those who can’t eat healthy.
“The challenges people have on low income to access just the basics, like food, are not easy,” she said. “Impossible choices, we call it.”

The week-long experiment follows a recently completed series of surveys by York Region MPPs. Politicians were asked to fill out a Do The Math questionnaire. The exercise highlights the difficulties of surviving on social assistance.

Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees’ monthly tally was $1,350. York-Simcoe MPP Julia Munro’s total was $1,042. Thornhill MPP Peter Shurman reported he’d need $1,450 a month and Oak Ridges-Markham MPP Helena Jaczek’s survey indicated she’d require $1,324.

To maintain your health, home and dignity, a monthly minimum of $1,400 is needed, Mr. Pearson said.

McGuinty insults Jewish community by insisting on breaking the Sabbath

By Kim Zarzour

October 1, 2010

Premier Dalton McGuinty insulted Jewish residents of Thornhill when he suggested anyone looking to save money on hydro could do laundry Saturdays, according to Tory MPP Peter Shurman.

In Question Period this week, the Thornhill MPP and PC critic for economic development called on Premier McGuinty to explain his comment.

“Can the premier tell my constituents whether to do laundry before or after synagogue on the Sabbath?”

The comment showed a lack of understanding of the struggles of Thornhill families, Mr. Shurman said, and was an affront to Jews, who comprise 40 per cent of the riding — many of whom are observant and do not use hot water or laundry machines on the Sabbath.

“It was flippant and insensitive and the premier owes the Jewish community of Ontario a sincere apology.”

The premier, meanwhile, had formally communicated his best wishes on behalf of the Government of Ontario to members of the Jewish community as they marked the recent Yom Kippur — Day of Atonement — the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.

“I would like to commend the Jewish community for its many contributions — social, cultural and economic — to the rich fabric of our province,” he said.

Shurman stands up for Jewish community in Thornhill

Written by - Jewish Tribune

Tuesday, 28 September 2010

TORONTO – In Question Period on Monday, Thornhill MPP Peter Shurman, PC critic for economic development, called on Premier McGuinty to explain his recent comment that anyone looking for a break on their hydro bills should do their laundry on Saturdays.

Shurman asked, “Can the premier tell my constituents whether to do laundry before or after synagogue on the Sabbath?”

Between a 12 per cent increase in hydro rates in May, the implementation of the 8 per cent HST in July and Smart Meter increases, Thornhill families, like those across Ontario, are seeing increasingly unaffordable hydro bills that threaten their ability to maintain ownership of their homes.

In response to this growing crisis, Dalton McGuinty suggested that Ontarians should simply start doing their laundry on Saturdays. McGuinty refused to answer Shurman’s question and passed it off to Brad Duguid, the energy minister, who gave no response.

“Dalton McGuinty’s comment showed not only a lack of understanding of the struggles of Thornhill families, it was an insult to observant Jews who make up 40 per cent of my riding. It was flippant and insensitive and the premier owes the Jewish community of Ontario a sincere apology,” Shurman stated.

A look back

Written by -- Jewish Tribune

Tuesday, 07 September 2010

The following is a review of the Canadian news highlights of the Jewish year 5770.

OCTOBER

• In the wake of a pre-Rosh Hashanah act of vandalism at Congregation Petah Tikvah in the Montreal suburb of St. Laurent, in which stained glass windows valued at $30,000 were destroyed, three more synagogues in the community of Cote Saint Luc had rocks thrown through their windows.

• An Ottawa Jewish cemetery was vandalized with swastikas and antisemitic slogans. Eight headstones were desecrated.

NOVEMBER

• The Canadian Parliamentary Coalition to Combat Antisemitism (CPCCA) has invited Canadian university presidents to testify about the problem

DECEMBER

• The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) approved a license for Al Jazeera’s English language news network to be broadcast by digital cable satellite providers.

• Ted Greenfield of Montreal was elected senior vice-president of B’nai B’rith International at the organization’s annual Board of Governors meeting in Washington.

JANUARY

• Al-Ameen Post, an Islamic community newspaper, which ran an article accusing Jews of bringing into Israel “some 25,000 Ukrainian children” to harvest their organs, issued a public statement of apology directed to B’nai Brith Canada.

FEBUARY

• Liberal MP?Borys Wrzesnewskyj’s criticism of Cabinet Minister Jason Kenney for travelling to Poland created an uproar that resulted in the Liberal politician’s expression of regret for his statement, although it was not accepted by Kenney’s office as a sincere apology. Wrzesnewskyj had called Kenney’s visit a “jaunt” and suggested he should have been visiting Haiti instead, which is still in crisis following a devastating earthquake. In fact, Kenney had gone to Poland to present Canada at the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and the trip had been on his itinerary for some time.

• David Matas, honourary senior legal counsel for B’nai Brith Canada and a member of the Order of Canada, and former Canadian cabinet minister and crown prosecutor David Kilgour were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for their intensive probe over a four-year period into the organ harvesting of Falun Gong practitioners in China.

MARCH

• Thornhill MPP Peter Shurman introduced a private member’s resolution to the Ontario Legislature to condemn Israeli Apartheid Week. The resolution, which read in part, “the term Israeli Apartheid Week is condemned as it serves to incite hatred against Israel,” passed unanimously.

• The Bloc Quebecois decided to pull its two MP representatives out of the Canadian Parliamentary Coalition to Combat Antisemitism (CPCCA), which seemed highly incongruous, given that the CPCCA’s final report was to be based on a consensus of the members of the formerly all-party coalition.

• A $6 million capital fund campaign, co-chaired by CFRB talk-show host John Tory and community leader and philanthropist Judy Bronfman, was launched for the construction of a new B’nai Brith Canada Alzheimer’s health-care facility.

APRIL

• Recognized as a Book of the Year for children by the Canadian Library Association and nominated for the presigious Red Maple Award of the Ontario Library Association, The Shepherd’s Granddaughter was highly recommended by Toronto District School Board teachers and librarians. Brian Henry, a frequent writer for the Jewish Tribune and a parent of a child who attends public school, brought this book to the board’s and Tribune’s attention. Based on a reading of the book, it appeared to be a completely one-sided, pro-Palestinian, anti-Israeli view with absolutely no balance or background information.

MAY

• B’nai Brith Canada contacted organizers of Toronto’s Pride Parade to urge them to ensure that the agenda of the annual parade was not allowed to be hijacked by the propaganda of anti-Israel agitators. B’nai Brith also contacted the prime minister, the Ontario premier and the mayor of Toronto – all contributors to the parade – asking for a review of the funding in light of the stated agenda of Queers Against Israeli Apartheid. Toronto Pride at first decided not to allow QuAIA not to march in the parade, but ultimately allowed them to march, putting future public funding at risk.

JUNE

• Eric Bissell was elected national president of B’nai Brith Canada at its policy conference.

• About 150 university students rallied outside the Israeli consulate to show their support for Israel in response to the condemnation the country had received from its detractors due to its defensive actions aboard the Mavi Marmara, one of the ships in the ‘Free Gaza Flotilla.’

• The NDP has been urged to strip MP?Libby Davies of her leadership roles in the party following remarks she made at an anti-Israel rally stating that the “occupation of Palestine” began in 1948 and that she supported a boycott of the Jewish state. Davies, who has a long record of anti-Israel activism, is the deputy leader of the NDP and its leader in the House of Commons.

JULY

• The teachers’ union at Dawson College, Quebec’s largest CEGEP, voted in favour of the Fédération nationale des enseignantes et des enseignants du Quebec’s decision to support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel.

AUGUST

• Jewish candidates running in the October municipal election were at a disadvantage if they wished to observe religious law. The first day a candidate could legally erect an election lawn sign is Sept. 30, which this year marks the beginning of the two-day Jewish festival of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, followed immediately by Shabbat. An observant candidate would have to wait an additional three days before posting his election signs.

• The reason Israel is not delivering mail to Gaza is a security issue, one Israeli spokesman said. There had been negative publicity in Canada, led by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), regarding a Canada Post announcement that it cannot accept mail destined for Gaza because Israel was not willing to forward it. Israel Post explained that the “mail transferring between Israel and Gaza requires coordination between the Israel Postal Authority and the Palestinian Postal Authority. The transferring is delayed because the Palestinian Postal Authority has not yet appointed a replacement for the chief of mail, who was arrested.”

SEPTEMBER

• Toronto City Council approved an amendment to the city bylaw to accommodate religious Jewish candidates in the October municipal election.

McGuinty government's 'failed economic policies' hurt Thornhill

By Kim Zarzour -YorkRegion.com

August 25, 2010

Nearly 50 employees at plants in Richmond Hill and Thornhill will soon be out of work thanks to plant closures announced last week at Eastern Wire & Conduit.

The company, which provides custom flexible conduit and armuoring services, announced Aug. 19 that it will close two Canadian locations due to company restructuring.

Cong Doan, vice-president of operations, said the move will affect about 23 employees in Concord and 24 in Richmond Hill.

Eastern Wire, part of Tyco International Ltd., decided to close the York Region plants as part of a company consolidation, Mr. Doan said.

About 50 per cent of the company products are sold to the United States, he said, adding the plants will be moved closer to their customers.

The closure begins Sept. 17, he said, with the last phase of lay-offs tentatively set for the end of March 2011.

Thornhill MPP Peter Shurman blamed the closures on the McGuinty government’s “failed economic policies”.

The Tory MPP pointed to other recent lay-offs in Thornhill — the 2008 closures of Canac Kitchens and Progressive Moulded that threw 3,000 people out of work and Crown Metal Packaging’s announcement this spring that its Concord plant was closing in December, leaving another 159 people without jobs.

“Strangled by the McGuinty government’s red tape and uncompetitive taxes and now facing sky-rocketing energy costs, is it any wonder that companies like Eastern Wire are shutting their doors?” he said.

But Eastern Wire did not place all the blame on province.

“Indirectly, that might have been part of it,” Mr. Doan said, “but there are so many other factors involved in this decision.”

Cabinet shuffle failed to provide representation for Northumberland-Quinte West

August 27, 2010

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY -- Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty's Aug. 19 cabinet shuffle didn't change much for Northumberland-Quinte West MPP Lou Rinaldi.

For the past seven years, Mr. Rinaldi has represented the citizens of Northumberland-Quinte West at Queen's Park, and according to him, he has always done his best to make decisions based on what he believes the citizens in his riding would want.

Although Mr. Rinaldi was passed over for a cabinet position in last week's shuffle, Mr. Rinaldi says he never got involved in provincial politics for that reason.

"When I first ran for office, I made the decision to represent Northumberland County and Quinte West without any other aspirations in mind," said Mr. Rinaldi. "Whatever the Premier needs of me, I will be there to do it.

"It is a privilege the Premier has to choose his own cabinet and I fully respect that."

Currently, Mr. Rinaldi is parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, MPP Rick Bartolucci.

"My daily responsibilities and issues are to my riding," said Mr. Rinaldi. "My role as parliamentary assistant is an honour and is a great opportunity for me and I look forward to working with Rick and being part of that team."

Premier McGuinty's moves, the seventh cabinet shuffle in the past 15 months, saw the replacement of Kingston MPP John Gerretsen as Environment Minister. He was replaced with Revenue Minister John Wilkinson. Former Ottawa mayor Bob Chiarelli, and former Winnipeg mayor Glen Murray were also promoted to ministerial portfolios.

Thornhill Progressive Conservative MPP Peter Shurman said the Premier's cabinet shuffle failed to provide representation for Northumberland-Quinte West, opting instead to appoint two MPPs with what he calls, "a track record of tax-grabs and wasteful spending.

"We can expect the eco-tax to come roaring back as John Wilkinson, who introduced the HST as Minister of Revenue," said Mr. Shurman. "Now, as Environment Minister, will slam the eco-tax through."

Ontario families need the fresh leadership and new ideas proclaims Shurman

By: Ontario PC Party
Northumberlandview.ca

Dalton McGuinty’s cabinet shuffle signalled more of the same bad news for Northumberland - Quinte West. Instead, he chose to ignore Northumberland - Quinte West’s families who are in need of real relief by demonstrating his commitment to continuing with tired and directionless cabinet.

MPP Lou Rinaldi who has been an MPP for 7 years, was once again passed over for cabinet by MPPs elected less than one year ago. McGuinty’s cabinet shuffle sends the message that he doesn’t respect the families of Northumberland - Quinte West and his own Liberal caucus.

McGuinty made government bigger by adding two more tax-and-spend Liberals to his inner circle and shutting out Northumberland - Quinte West The only job creation offered by McGuinty is an expanded cabinet that does nothing for Northumberland - Quinte West families.

QUOTES:

“Ontario families need the fresh leadership and new ideas of Tim Hudak and the Ontario PC Party. Instead all Dalton McGuinty offers after 7 years is directionless government, more of the same tax-grabs, secrecy and backtracking that defined this summer.” - MPP Peter Shurman

“We can expect the Eco-Tax to come roaring back as John Wilkinson, who introduced the HST as Minister of Revenue now, as Environment Minister, will slam the Eco-Tax through. With the leadership of Tim Hudak and the PC Caucus, the Ontario PC Party is offering fresh new ideas to create private sector jobs and give Ontario families some real relief.” - MPP Peter Shurman

QUICK FACTS:

This is Dalton McGuinty’s seventh cabinet shuffle in the past 15 months. McGuinty’s expansion failed to provide cabinet representation for Northumberland - Quinte West, opting instead to appoint two MPPs with a track record of tax-grabs and wasteful spending.

McGuinty’s new Research and Innovation Minister, Glen Murray, was awarded a waste award (Teddy Award) by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation for spending $1 million for a toilet on the Provencher footbridge while he was Mayor of Winnipeg. Murray is also one of Canada’s leading proponents of forcing families to pay a new carbon tax saying that “it is time for all of us to start to get comfortable with two words: Carbon tax.” (Toronto Star, December 9, 2007)

McGuinty’s new Infrastructure Minister, Bob Chiarelli, imposed property tax increases of 3.9% and 2.9% as Ottawa’s Mayor. Despite these tax grabs, Chiarelli still left Ottawa with a $250 million infrastructure deficit.