In his own words: a Q-and-A with Green Leader Mike Schreiner
The Spectator reached out to major political party leaders ahead of the June 2 provincial election vote to get their thoughts on major issues and local questions ranging from pandemic lessons to the future of LRT. Only Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford did not respond to the invitation.
We've condensed answers and edited for clarity. Here's what Green Leader Mike Schreiner had to say:
What would your party do to address overcrowded hospitals and hallway medicine" in Hamilton?
In a nutshellHire 33,000 new nurses, fast-track internationally accredited nurses, invest in home care, double social assistance rates.
We're prioritizing expanding health-care capacity by investing in the people who deliver that care ... we're also addressing issues like poverty and homelessness. One of the biggest drivers putting pressure on our health-care system are people who don't have stable housing. That's why so many health-care experts are saying, you know, we should be writing prescriptions for people to get housing."
What is the most important lesson for the province coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic?
The pandemic has really revealed the severe cracks in our systems of care, especially health care, mental-health care and long-term care. We have to fix that foundation ... that's why we're calling for the phasing out of for-profit long-term care. I think it's outrageous the Ford government is literally spending billions of our tax dollars expanding the models of care that had the highest number of deaths, tragically, during the pandemic."
Should the province allow the HSR to run Hamilton's new LRT, or a private operator?
First of all, we fully support construction of the Hamilton LRT and we have that funded in our costed platform. Secondly, we think history has shown it is more fiscally responsible to have it publicly operated ... Public-private partnerships end up costing more."
What should or could the province do to ensure there is affordable housing along Hamilton's LRT line?
In a nutshellPre-zone transit corridors for missing middle"-type housing, require inclusionary zoning requirements for private developers along the route, partner with non-profit sector.
We especially need to make sure lower-income folks can afford to live along that transit corridor ... The province (should) partner with non-profit and co-op developers, particularly on provincially owned land, to make sure we are developing affordable and deeply affordable housing, including permanent supportive housing with wraparound mental health and addictions support."
Are you worried about vote-splitting? Would you work with the other parties?
I've said to people, vote for the Ontario you want and vote for the party you think is going to deliver that. I think it is arrogant for politicians to suggest you should vote strategically ... I do think it highlights the need for electoral reform in this province so we get past this debate."
Do you support Hamilton's decision against expanding its urban boundary?
In a nutshellYes. The Greens would reverse provincial changes to Ontario's growth plan that incentivize sprawl development" and make transit more affordable and cities more walkable.
Cities like Hamilton are pushing back against (the PC government's) pro-sprawl, anti-climate expensive agenda ... We are in a climate emergency. It is now or never to address the climate crisis. Transportation is the highest source of climate and air pollution in this province and the best way to tackle it is to build livable, affordable, connected communities."
Matthew Van Dongen is a reporter at The Spectator. mvandongen@thespec.com