So, what has happened to the Global Warming Parade?

Nice Weather Tends To Make People Forget

It would appear as though many of Ontarios' parties have forgotten about the issue of global warming, pollution and the environment.

One of the most pressing concerns we have in Ontario is that of water quality and the growing mountain of garbage that we citizens of this province produce on a daily basis. On a worldwide level, global warming is an issue that all provinces need to look at.

Ontario at present is suffering from a shortage of landfill sites. Perhaps instead of building new landfills, we should be looking at having manufacturers reduce the amount of packaging that is used to wrap merchandise.

Some things are ridiculous when we look at them.

Toys: Kids toys are routinely wrapped in several layers of protection. 1/ The cardboard box that is the focus of attention when you spy a new toy in a shop. It carries an attractive message like"Mattel" or "Fischer- Price". Inside of the box you will find a cheap toy surrounded by clear plastic, bubble-shrink wrapped for your safety.

After removing the toy from it's box, and plastic wrap, you will discover the need for a philips screwdriver to remove the 4 screws in the bottom of the toy that keep it "fixed" tightly to the box base. Then you will need a wire cutters to cut the wire that is wrapped around the axle of your toy firetruck. After half an hour of extensive physical labour and a pile of frustration you are ready to present your kid with his new lead coated chinese slave labour made fire truck...from Mattel, or Fischer-Price.

Your kids are totally ecstatic, and you are disgusted.

Now you have 4 screws, some wire, a cardboard box, and a bunch of clear plastic to dispose of. All straight to the landfill. And if that box is painted with lead based paint...it will end up in your water supply in say 25 years from now after it breaks down.

Eliminating some of the packaging on items such as this would go a huge way towards reducing the amount of garbage headed to the landfill. Asking manufacturers to play some part in this reduction is a great idea...and it doesn't take a tax break to get it done...just a government with a backbone and the will to see it happen.

A Comparison of Platforms As Stated By The Big Three

HOW MANY OF THESE PROMISES CAN WE EXPECT THEM TO KEEP?

There sure seem to be a lot of promises...and not that much money. One thing is that many of these promises were made in the past and simply not kept.

It seems almost miserable to have to choose between having your balls slammed in a door, or having them sliced with a tin can lid.

CONservative Promises
POLICY UPDATESREVIVE NATURAL RESOURCESAug 2, 2007 – A PC Government will reverse years of McGuinty Liberal neglect and restore necessary funds to the Ministry of Natural Resources Fish and Wildlife Program.[more]

POLICY UPDATESIMPROVING E-HEALTHJul 31, 2007 – John Tory says Ontario should use technology to improve patient care in Ontario and better manage health care costs with an improved electronic health records system. [more]

POLICY UPDATESINVEST IN EDUCATIONJul 23, 2007 – John Tory says he would appoint the Hon. Bill Davis to head a Public Education Fairness Implementation Commission to ensure Ontario’s public school system is more inclusive of faith-based schools.[more]

POLICY UPDATESINVEST GAS TAXJul 9, 2007 – John Tory says a PC government will reduce gridlock by investing every penny of the gas tax into improving roads and transit in Ontario.[more]

POLICY UPDATESFIX DOCTOR SHORTAGEJul 6, 2007 – John Tory said a PC Government will take real action and deliver solutions for the many Ontarians without a doctor. This includes increasing the number of doctors in the province and introducing electronic health records.[more]

POLICY UPDATESACCESS TO PENSIONSJul 5, 2007 – John Tory says a PC Government will unlock pensions for seniors and retirees so they can access and manage their own money as they see fit.[more]

POLICY UPDATESENHANCE ARTS & CULTUREJun 28, 2007 – John Tory announces the PC plan “Ontario’s Arts and Culture - A Time For Action” to enhance arts and culture in order to improve Ontario’s economy and quality of life. [more]

POLICY UPDATESFAIRNESS FOR FARMERSJun 5, 2007 – John Tory says farmers are an integral part of our province and announces that the new PC Party plan for agriculture will see increased financial and organizational support for farmers and their products.[more]

POLICY UPDATESIMPROVING HEALTHCAREMay 24, 2007 – John Tory outlines four key principles in the PC Party plan to improve healthcare and commits to supporting a universally accessible, publicly funded healthcare system in Ontario.[more]

POLICY UPDATESONE LAW FOR ALLMay 4, 2007 – In a new PC Party policy announcement, John Tory announced that under his government no one will be beneath the law, above the law or beyond the law.[more]

POLICY UPDATESREDUCE TOXINSApr 20, 2007 – John Tory announces a made-in-Ontario plan to reduce toxins by working with the federal government and businesses across the Province.[more]

POLICY UPDATESQUALITY LONG-TERM CAREApr 17, 2007 – John Tory commits to providing quality long-term care by announcing a plan to upgrade care spaces, provide better incentives for doctors to work in the field and free front-line care from imposing regulations.[more]

POLICY UPDATESPROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENTApr 16, 2007 – The first goal in the Ontario PC Party Plan for the Environment is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 10 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020 and to form a government that will lead by example.[more]

POLICY UPDATESPROTECTING HOMEOWNERSMar 9, 2007 – The Ontario PC Party plan to protect homeowners from skyrocketing property assessment increases includes a five percent annual cap.[more]

POLICY UPDATESHELPING CHILDREN WITH AUTISMFeb 23, 2007 – John Tory announced a plan to help children with autism by getting families the services they need and clearing waiting lists for treatment.[more]

NDP Promises...

these links will open in another window...i hope.

(i think they forgot to note the decrease in electricity rates to manufacturers...or maybe they just want to forget about that corporate subsidy...)

Better Health Care
Affordable Education

Clean Green Energy
Job Protection
Fair Property Taxes
Pump Shock
Fairness for New Ontarians
Help for the Vulnerable

And....The Liberals Promises...

Success for Students: We are committed to all levels of education. Student success in the early grades is laying the foundation for higher achievements, while excellence in postsecondary education is creating a new generation of leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs that will give Ontario an edge.
Better Health: A solid health care system is crucial and more doctors and nurses in our system means all Ontarians will have better access to health care and healthier lives.
Strong People, Strong Economy: We are focused on strengthening Ontario by building a stronger economy and making new investments that will increase opportunities in our communities.

And of Course...The Green Party

SustainabilityOur activities are sustainable only if they can be continued without diminishing the opportunities and resources available to future generations. We have only one planet to live on, and we must treat it as if we mean to stay here.
Social JusticeWith justice comes liberty, stability and lasting progress. We must act locally and globally to secure basic human rights and build a just society.
Grassroots DemocracyTrue democracy exists when citizens meet as equals to resolve problems and make decisions that are important to their community and nation. Citizens must be encouraged to participate in the environmental, economic and political decisions that affect them.
NonviolenceEvery act of violence delays our progress toward a just society. Anger closes the open mind. Fear precludes constructive change.
DecentralizationThe people most affected by a problem must have the authority to solve it. Distant administrations cannot be responsive. Individuals, cities and municipalities need more freedom to shape their destinies.
Community-Based EconomicsBusinesses must contribute to the communities and nations in which they operate. Our economy must build communities, rather than extract profits from them.
Gender Equality/FeminismThe Green Party supports the belief that a feminist perspective emphasizes cooperation instead of competition and nurturing instead of aggression. This perspective must be applied to the governing of our society.
DiversityWe honour the diversity of life on our planet. Every plant and animal has intrinsic value and the right to exist, independent of human needs. All cultural, sexual and spiritual diversity of the Earth's people has intrinsic value.
Personal and Global ResponsibilityWe must learn to take responsibility for ourselves, our families, our communities and ultimately for our planet. As we learn to be responsible, we will give others the means and incentive to do the same.
Ecological WisdomHuman beings are part of nature, not separate from it. We cannot recklessly endanger whole ecosystems and remain unaffected. When we damage the web of life, we damage ourselves.