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Haldimand-Norfolk
The Liberal Gazette
Editor: Dan Matten ________________________________________________________________
The Provincial Liberals of Haldimand – Norfolk October 2017 Volume 4
Our H-N Federal and Provincial Liberal Association at the Caledonia and Norfolk County Fair
On September 28th the Caledonia Fair opened the gates for it’s 145th fair season. The Provincial Liberal Association and the Federal Liberal Association of Haldimand-Norfolk had a joint venture booth once more as we did many years now.
For this year we had a indoor booth in the Exhibition hall!
I would like to thank Elsie Eubank for working persistently on getting us an indoor booth. Also not a large spot, our position in the hall was excellent: second booth on the right hand side right after the entrance.
Thanks to the many Federal and Provincial volunteers our booth was well represented at all times. We had attractions like our button maker, helium balloons, apples and a draw for a wonderful food basket and our booth was very busy.
This gave us the opportunity to collect many comments on the ballots as well as contacts of people who were willing to provide it. We talked to many people and and I was grateful to have the opportunity to tell people that I would like to be the Provincial Liberal Candidate for Haldimand-Norfolk. This lead to numerous further conversations about concerns, wishes and good things in our riding and about our Liberal Government.
The Fair came to it’s close on Oct. 1st and was a full success.
The Norfolk County Fair in Simcoe opened Oct. 3rd very shortly after the Caledonia Fair closed on Oct. 1rd. This was the 177th edition of the Norfolk County Fair – one of the longest still running fairs.
We had our usual booth inside building #4 – the first booth slightly to the right. As people entered the booth they saw us right away, no doubt.
Volunteers Janet Hoert & Doug Campbell
Together with the apples we handed out, the ‘make your own button’ activity, the slide show, information on the show boards and the draw for another basket of goodies drew much attention. Justin Trudeau was our best seller button and the 150 Canada button was 2nd.
This created a tremendous amount of traffic and opened up the opportunity to tell people about my quest to be the next Provincial Liberal Candidate. I’m very happy to tell you that very many people agreed that Haldimand-Norfolk needs a change and that we need a Liberal voice at Queens Park.
Contestant Dan Matten & wife Barb
I literally talked to hundreds of people and I’m exited that there is so much support out there.
On Oct 9th the fair drew to a close after 7 days busyness and activities.
We had exceptional good weather at both fairs which resulted in record attendance of people visiting the fairs.
Again I have to thank all the volunteers who spend many hours on many days volunteering at our booth.
Minimum Wage increase: there is more than the $15 in this bill!
Equal Pay for Equal Work Provisions: Casual, Part-time, Temporary & Seasonal Employees
The proposed legislation would ensure that casual, part-time, temporary and seasonal employees are paid equally to full-time employees when performing the same job for the same employer.
Temporary Help Agency Employees
The proposed legislation would ensure Temporary Help Agency (THA) employees (assignment workers) are paid equally to permanent employees of the THA client when performing the same job.
Termination of Assignment
The legislation would require a THA to provide an assignment employee with at least one week’s notice when an assignment scheduled to last longer than three months will be terminated early.
Scheduling
The proposed legislation would set out new scheduling rules:
- Employees would have the right to request schedule or location changes after having been employed for three months, without fear of reprisal.
- Employees who regularly work more than three hours per day, but upon reporting to work are given less than three hours, must be paid three hours at their regular rate of pay.
- Employees can refuse to accept shifts without repercussion if their employer asks them to work with less than four days’ notice.
- If a shift is canceled within 48 hours of its start, employees must be paid three hours at their regular rate of pay.
- When employees are “on-call” and not called in to work, they must be paid three hours at their regular rate of pay. This would be required for each 24 hour period that employees are on-call.
- If a collective agreement is made between an employer and a union, the agreement would prevail in place of some of these new rules.
These are some highlight of Bill 148 that will have a great impact and will indeed help to create a better and more fair work environment.
Hon Kevin Flynn, MPP (Oakville)Minister of Labour
Liberal Party of Ontario |
Meet our Provincial Minister of Labour
Ontario is moving forward with a plan to create more opportunity and security for workers. This includes hiking the minimum wage, ensuring part-time workers are paid the same hourly wage as full-time workers, introducing paid sick days for every worker, enabling at least three weeks’ vacation after five years with the same employer and stepping up enforcement of employment laws.
The Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs is completing its public hearings on the proposed Bill 148, also known as the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017. The committee travelled to 10 communities across the province over two weeks and heard approximately 190 presentations from members of the public, businesses, labour organizations and advocacy groups.
Studies show that a higher minimum wage results in less employee turnover, which increases business productivity. It also boosts the economy through the improved purchasing power of thousands of workers.
Ontario Seeking Input on Employment and Labour Law Rules
Province Reviewing Exemptions and Exclusions Under the Employment Standards Act
October 18, 2017 2:00 P.M.
Ontario is seeking public input to help make workplaces fairer for workers in industries that currently have exemptions, special rules or exclusions.
Starting today, people across the province can have their say on important decisions related to employment standards such as wages, hours of work and public holidays. The first phase of consultations focuses on eight occupations currently exempt from minimum employment standards:
- Architects
- Domestic Workers
- Homemakers
- IT Professionals
- Managerial and Supervisory Employees
- Pharmacists
- Residential Building Superintendents, Janitors and Caretakers
- Residential Care Workers
Dan Matten (Hagersville)Contestant to be the Provincial Liberal Candidate Haldimand-Norfolk |
As a contestant to be the Provincial Liberal Candidate for Haldimand-Norfolk I (Dan Matten) am concerned about any possible challenges Bill 148 might create for some small companies.
I talked to Deputy Premier Deb Matthews about this not long ago. I told her that there is a concern that the pace is too fast to some work sectors like agriculture, food industry and small businesses. She ensured that the government is realizing this and is holding many meetings to get input from all different industries and areas. The Government is working on a help program to assist with easing into the new minimum wage and employment reality.
Dates to Remember:
Oct 26th, 2017
Provincial Liberal General Meeting
Hagersville Community Center
Upcoming events:
Provincial Liberal Nomination Meeting – November
Provincial Liberal Annual General Meeting – November
Ontario Launched New Program to Help Reduce Electricity Cost
Glenn Thibeault, Minister of Energy, was joined by Ted McMeekin, MPP for Ancaster–Dundas–Flamborough–Westdale in Hamilton today to launch the Affordability Fund. Part of the province’s Fair Hydro Plan, the new $100 million fund will support the free installation of energy-saving LED light bulbs, power bars, improved insulation and energy-efficient air conditioners and refrigerators. The program is designed to help people who do not qualify for low-income conservation programs and who are unable to undertake energy efficiency improvements without support.
Hon Glenn Thibeault, MPP (Sudbury)Minister of Energy
Liberal Party of Ontario |
Meet our Provincial Minister of Energy
Five Funny Political Shorts
- Four years ago, my brother ran for office.
What does he do now?
Nothing. He got elected. - Statesmen tell you what is true even though it may be unpopular. Politicians will tell you what is popular, even though it may be untrue.
- Mum: What makes you think our son will be a politician?
Dad: He says more things that sound good and mean nothing than any other boy on the block. - A political pollster knocked on the door and a sour-faced lady answered. ‘What party does your husband belong to?’ he asked.
The lady responded curtly, ‘I sir,am the party he belongs to.’ - Now and then an innocent man is sent to the legislature.
Thank you to the volunteers that helped to make the fairs a success:
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Elsie Eubank Herb Ibbotson Tyler Nicholson Adriaan Sloot Joan Dailey Chris Burtch Doug Campbell Janet Hoerdt Marion Dowds Lisa Bishop Liz MacDonald Beverly Robertson |
Barb Cave Shari Cann Kathryn Yager Brent Powers Alison McKenzie Doug Miller Goodie baskets prepared by Kathryn Yager Sandra Salerno Alister Robertson |
And all that I didn’t mention.
By Dan Matten
Contestant to be the Provincial Liberal Candidate