Hampton charged up for spring election

Ken Johnston

Kenora-Rainy River Member of Provincial Parliament and leader of the New Democratic Party, Howard Hampton started campaigning for a spring election in Rainy River Friday.
Hampton, a veteran politician who has served the riding since the late 1980s as MPP, has both served in opposition and government. His gut feeling is that the current Progressive Conservative government will likely call an election in April for May.
A politically charged Hampton feels that electricity will not only be a big election issue but could very well be the reason the PCs call a spring election. “If they do not feel they will have enough electricity (supply) to get through the summer without having brownouts, they will call it this spring.”
Hampton contends that the PCs are, “Doing all they can to cover up the high costs of electricity (privatization efforts).”
When power went on the open market last May Ontario electric users experienced some dramatic price increases when supply dropped and demand increased. The PCs then intervened and froze rates at 4.3¢/kwh. Hampton said that the cold winter has seen a huge demand for electricity and the government has had to absorb about $400 million over the past three months in costs exceeding the 4.3¢/kwh rate.
“After the election, if they get reelected, the costs will show up on people’s bills,” said Hampton.
If elected to government, Hampton said the NDP would end Hydro privatization; something that the PCs have not completely done. Hampton said that the law to privatize Hydro is still on the books and he feels that if reelected the PCs would reenergize that plan.
Healing health care
Hampton said that his party would put money into, “dramatically expanding Ontario’s system of Community Health Centres.” He explained that at CHCs doctors are salaried rather than fee for service and Nurse Practioners are used more and more for simpler tasks so that doctors can focus on the more complex cases. “Where CHCs are in place it is proven to save money.”
Education
The NDP proposes creating a new fund called Education Excellence Fund which would be funded by increasing taxes for those making more than $100,000. “Three percent of the population makes more than $100,000 per year. Taxing them 3% more would raise the $1.5 billion needed to properly fund the money needed in the education system.” Hampton said a total of $2 billion is needed in the public education system. He said the other $500 million would come from money that is already collected in taxes but in his opinion wrongly allocated to private schools.
First Nations
Hampton said that there is a huge wood supply gap in Northwestern Ontario. Which means that forests planted decades ago are not ready to be harvested. To keep the supply flowing much of the needed wood is on First Nations lands. Hampton wants to ensure that the First Nations are getting their fair share of the value of the wood resources harvested from their land. “Manitoba and Quebec already have similar agreements. The PCs will not sit down and negotiate with First Nations.”
Water
Hampton also said that the government’s track record on ensuring that Ontarions have a safe and affordable water supply speaks for itself. “We would keep water in public hands rather than privatize it.”
“Your vote will determine your direction on these very important things,” concluded Hampton.