Last night, Chatham-Kent Council adopted an important motion.
It was about the need for median barriers along the 401 Highway between London and Tilbury.
This is a very dangerous road known as “carnage alley” because of the frequent collisions and fatalities there.
MPP Rick Nicholls has often reminded his colleagues at all levels of government of the need for a median barrier in that dangerous stretch of the 401. In fact, he has mentioned it frequently in the Ontario Parliament since he became an MPP in 2011.
“As I have often said, a median barrier would do a lot to prevent needless deaths and accidents,” said Nicholls. “I am extremely pleased to see some progress on this matter after years of advocacy and petitioning,” he continued.
Two weeks ago, Nicholls started another petition in response to the two most recent deaths on that dangerous part of the 401.
The petition has already gained more than 500 signatures.
“I hope that the Provincial Government will respond immediately, and install the median barrier,” said Nicholls.
Rick Nicholls, MPP
Chatham-Kent-Essex

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Rick Nicholls, MPP Chatham-Kent-Essex
Phone: 519 351-0510
Email: [email protected]

Opinion Editorial
July 10, 2017

Chatham – In eleven months, Ontarians will go to the polls to elect which Party they want to govern Ontario.
While the Liberal government gives millions of dollars away on the backs of future generations, their energy file remains in shambles. How so you might ask?
The Ontario Society of Professional Engineers did their own calculation of the government’s electricity statistics and found $1 billion worth of clean electricity was wasted in 2016. This equates to 7.6 terawatt-hours, or enough to power 760,000 homes for a year. The number is a 58 per cent increase in the amount wasted in 2015.
The calculation looks at the potential power that could be generated, but is not. This results in hydroelectric dams letting water spill over the top, and nuclear plants releasing steam instead of using it to power turbines. The calculation also takes into account the electricity sold at less than the cost of production.
Now, in addition to the auditor general, we have an independent source verifying how much the government’s mismanagement has cost Ontario electricity users.
Plain and simple, the Liberals have created yet another billion dollar boondoggle! What could Ontarians have with an extra billion dollars? Lower electricity rates? Improved infrastructure for bridges and roads? Improved health care for seniors and families? More long-term care beds? Breakfasts for school children? Better housing facilities for those in need?
Interesting how one can always tell when an election is looming. This current Liberal government and Premier Kathleen Wynne are giving away millions of dollars in a feeble attempt to regain the confidence of voters. I call it “buying votes” but let’s hope for the upcoming election, voters will not be fooled by Liberal promises. In just 14 years, they have increased the provincial debt from $130 Billion to now over $325 Billion. And they are doing it on the backs of current and future generations.
Hold fast friends. With less than 11 months before the next election, a change in government is drastically needed as I fear the worst is yet to come before the election. Don’t be fooled by Liberal “feel good” empty promises.
Rick Nicholls, MPP

Chatham-Kent-Essex

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Rick Nicholls, MPP Chatham-Kent-Essex
Phone: 519 351-0510
Email: [email protected]

Opinion Editorial:

MPP Nicholls Concerned over the Unintended Consequences of Bill 148

Kathleen Wynne promises to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2019.

This worries me, and my offices have been inundated with calls from worried business-owners and worried employees.

Now, don’t get me wrong. Life has become much less affordable under the present government. So I’m all for higher wages. Wages should never be allowed to stagnate. There is a need for the minimum wage to increase.

But a 32% rise in only 18 months is much too fast, much too soon.

Here’s why.

If the minimum wage goes up by 32% in 18 months, that will be a massive burden on business. Many will not be able to afford it. Many (especially small businesses) will have to stop hiring, and they may reduce work hours, or lay off employees. Anyone thinking of starting a business may think twice about the rapidly escalating costs over the next two years.

I heard this while I attended a committee hearing in Windsor on Bill 148. I heard that small and medium-sized businesses employ 87% of the Ontario workforce. That’s just under 4 million people! Those employees and bosses are the backbone of our economy.

I also heard that many businesses will have to raise their prices to offset those increased costs. Higher prices will have other unintended consequences. Ontarians with low or fixed incomes may suddenly find their grocery bills become less affordable.

These businesses reported that the more they pay in wages, the more they pay in taxes. Higher wages mean higher payments to the Canada Pension Plan, the Employment Health Tax, and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, and higher payroll taxes all round. These added costs mean more money off a business’s bottom line, less in your pocket, and more for the government.

One of government’s main tasks should be to make it easier to work and make it easier for business to employ people. We need to keep regulations and payroll taxes reasonable and manageable. We need to let the common sense inform good policy.

The Ontario PC Party understands that a heavy regulatory burden makes it harder to do business and harder to employ people. When changes are sudden and dictated by an out-of-touch government, the problem is even harder to deal with.

What was also concerning in this hearing was that it became obvious that the government’s limited consultation process of a mere two weeks was not enough time to hear from all relevant stakeholders.

In addition to this, the Liberal government has ignored our Ontario PC Party requests for a cost-benefit analysis to be completed. This government has not done one.

By contrast, a group that has completed a recent study – the Keep Ontario Working Coalition – reported that up to 185,000 Ontario jobs will be put at risk in the first two years because of new upcoming Wynne Liberal labour reforms. The study also found Ontario’s most vulnerable workers will be the most impacted.

This is shocking. It’s not right.

Will the Liberals do the right thing and properly consult and inform Ontarians?

Rick Nicholls, MPP
Chatham-Kent-Essex

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Rick Nicholls, MPP Chatham-Kent-Essex
Phone: 519 351-0510
Email: [email protected]

Happy Canada Day, Ontario! Now Give Us More Money

(CHATHAM-KENT-ESSEX)– Rick Nicholls (MPP for Chatham-Kent-Essex) has learned that the Wynne Liberal government quietly introduced a regulation that will result in higher fees for Ontario drivers. These fees will take effect on July 1, 2017, which happens to be the 150th anniversary of Canada Day.
Now as of July 1st, written tests for all drivers will climb to $23.25 (an increase of 133% since 2013) while road tests for Class A-F drivers will climb to $96.75 (an increase of 29% since 2013). This is the second time in less than 4 years that both fees have escalated.
Ontario already pays the highest insurance rates in all of Canada and in September of 2016 fees to renew your license plate stickers increased 62%. In 2011 when Wynne was first elected, drivers paid $74 to renew their sticker for the year. Today drivers pay $120 a year.
“After 13 years of unprecedented waste, scandal, and mismanagement, Ontario desperately needs to get back on track. The cost of living and working in this province compared to other provinces is unacceptable. This government is completely out of touch with Ontarians. It’s clear that life is harder under the Liberals.” Nicholls concluded.
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Contact:
Nicole da Silva
Special Assistant