MPP slams ‘lame duck’ government
Wellington MPP Ted Arnott has told Ontario Premier Bob Rae that he should either call the legislature back into session immediately or call a provincial election.
“Premier, it is not in the public interest to delay the work of the legislature,” Arnott stated in a letter of March 9. The legislature met for only 20 days last fall, half the normal sitting.
Arnott said the NDP government is “devoid of any new ideas or initiatives” and is trying to avoid scrutiny.
“The provincial debt has more than doubled from $40 billion to about $90 billion since the NDP took power in 1990 and this situation must be addressed,” he said. “We have a lame duck government with a provincial mandate that has virtually lapsed. It’s time for a provincial election.”
Arnott seeks nomination again
The Wellington Provincial Progressive Conservative Association will celebrate the arrival of spring by meeting on March 21, to choose a candidate for the coming provincial election.
All interested residents are invited to attend the nomination meeting at the Fergus Legion, 500 Blair Street, starting at 7:30pm, said association president Geoff Lind.
“We need the active support of everyone who believes in our values and objectives, to help us maintain our strong and effective representation at Queen’s Park,” he said.
Incumbent MPP Ted Arnott previously announced that he would seek the nomination again.
He was born in Fergus, grew up in Arthur and was first elected at age 27 in 1990 – the youngest MPP in the Progressive Conservative caucus. He is the party’s advocate for small business and the critic for culture, tourism and recreation.
Health unit concerned about flu outbreak
The Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health Unit is reporting an outbreak of influenza A virus in one long term care facility and in two schools.
“With the many cases being reported, we suspect the current level of influenza A virus in the community is high.” Dr. D.C. Kittle, medical officer of health.
There is concern for people in high-risk categories who have not received their influenza immunization.
OPP not amused by fake gun
Guelph OPP investigated a disturbing incident on March 4 in Elora where a teenage girl walking along Geddes Street in Elora spotted a gun in a car filled with teenagers. She told her parents, who called police.
When the vehicle was pulled over, police discovered the teens were only joking around with a fake gun.
The incident raises great concern. “Once the police are called, they do not know if the gun is real or not,” explains constable Charlie Hunter. The incident can have fatal results, especially in the dark, he said, since a fake gun can easily be mistaken as real.
