Hello, and welcome to michaelprue.com. As the MPP for Beaches-East York, I have the privilege of being the representative for one of the most diverse and vibrant communities in the province. Our concerns span the broad interests of the people of Ontario and you require representation that brings the voice of Beaches-East York to Queen’s Park.

In order to be an effective voice for our community, I have developed this website as another means to engage the people of our riding. Here, you can find information about government services, local agencies and other happenings at Queen’s Park. Additionally, the site has been designed to garner feedback from you on the issues that matter to you, so don’t hesitate to send an e-mail, give us a phone call or visit the constituency office with your comments and insight.

I hope that you find the site useful, and please feel free to contact me with any concerns or recommendations that you may have. Thanks for visiting michaelprue.com, and please come back often to check out what’s happening in our community and at Queen’s Park.
Sincerely,
Michael Prue, MPP
Beaches-East York

Queen’s Park – New Democrat Leader Andrea Horwath says all parties in Ontario’s first minority government in over twenty years has to listen to everyday families when setting priorities for the upcoming Budget and work together to meet their challenges.

“In a minority parliament it’s even more important for politicians of all stripes to close our mouths and open our ears,” said Horwath. “Our province is facing tough times and we have difficult choices to make in the upcoming Budget. It’s time to hear from the people who elected us.”

Joined by NDP Finance Critic Michael Prue, Horwath announced her plan to visit communities across the province over the next few weeks to discuss ideas New Democrats have already put forward: like taking the HST off home heating bills and replacing reckless corporate tax giveaways with smart tax investments that reward companies creating jobs. Horwath and Prue want to hear more about solutions to help people find good jobs, improve healthcare and make life affordable.

“The minority Liberals promised to work with opposition parties and respond to the needs of Ontarians. Now we need to see whether they’ll back up those words or if they’re more interested in the sound of their own voices.”

Horwath insisted that Ontarians should be setting the agenda for government, not the other way around.

“Ontario families are hurting and they want to be heard. They want to talk about good-paying jobs and health care and the NDP is ready to have a conversation about the spring budget. We’re ready to listen.”

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Media Contact: Sam Pane, 416 325-2765

The McGuinty government continues to undermine the will of Ontarians by failing to establish committees.

As Ontarians await the 2012 budget and the recommendations of the Drummond Report, the opposition and the public is being left out of the consultation process.

The government insists on proposing a committee structure that would give them a de facto majority on most committees by appointing opposition members to non-voting Committee Chair positions, and failing to add an additional opposition vote. The opposition parties, however, urge the government to respect Ontario’s democratic tradition by using the committee structure that has been used under other minority governments in which committee seats and votes are reflective of the seats each party has in the legislature.

Our Caucus has proposed a structure that respects the wishes of Ontarians. Committees must be transparent and fair.

Committees are at the heart of the legislative process. They are comprised of members from all parties and are responsible for studying and establishing the direction of a particular area of jurisdiction. They allow for debate, negotiation and public consultation. We expected that the government would establish these committees before the chamber adjourned for Christmas break, but to date no committees have been established.

As the government continues to move forward with its budget for this year, it has left the opposition in the dark, and excluded the public from pre budget consultations. Traditionally, the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs has traveled across the province in late January and early February, to date, no such consultations have been scheduled. In these economically turbulent times, when Ontarians are worried about their jobs, the economy, and their social services it is disgraceful that the government not listen to their concerns or allow for their input. New Democrats feel Ontario deserves better. We want to get down to business and do what is best for Ontario families.

Queen’s Park – This week, Beaches-East York MPP Michael Prue and NDP Leader, Andrea Horwath joined an East York family that needed help fighting excessive hospital charges. The family was threatened with having to pay $1,300 a day to keep their 86 year old mother in hospital while she awaited a long term care bed.

Ruth Woodside is receiving care in hospital after suffering a stroke. Her daughter, Carol McMurray, was asked to select three short-term care facilities for her mother. Ms. McMurray only listed two, as the travel distance for the others would make it difficult for her mother’s support network of family and friends to visit on a regular basis.

“It’s wrong that families are being threatened with these illegal fees or face being separated from their loved ones. The government promised to take action to ensure that seniors get the services they deserve and are treated with dignity. This letter should never have been sent”, said Prue.

The Minister of Health has since sent a letter to hospitals reminding them that they cannot legally charge patients waiting for long-term care beds more than $53.23 a day. The hospital has also issued a statement of apology as a result of Prue’s intervention.

“Seniors find themselves in hospital beds because there are no beds in long-term care facilities. This government must immediately end the waiting list for long term care patients.” said Prue.

Prue and the Ontario New Democrats are urging families who may be experiencing a similar experience to step forward and make their voices heard.

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Media Inquiries:  Laurie Orrett – 416-325-1303

Queen’s Park – NDP MPP Michael Prue was appointed to the finance and citizenship and immigration critic portfolios as the party unveiled its new shadow cabinet.

“Ontario is facing challenging economic times and I’m looking forward to putting forward constructive solutions to the problems in my role as finance critic,” said Prue. “With many families worried about jobs and ongoing concerns about the deficit, people are looking to legislators to work together on solutions. I hope to do just that.”

Prue said he is excited about the prospect of addressing issues facing new Canadians in his role as Citizenship and Immigration critic.

“Credential recognition, training opportunities, and good jobs are among the issues that need the focus of the legislature, and I intend to make that happen,” said Prue.

After years of stalling, the McGuinty government is finally listening to Michael Prue and the NDP’s calls for the implementation of a new photo identification card that will make it easier for people who do not have a driver’s licence to travel, open a bank account, and perform any other activities that require official ID.

Prue and the NDP have long been asking the Province to introduce such a card.

The new, secure card will be recognized as government-issued identification for Ontarians 16 and over who do not drive.

Ontarians will be able to apply for the photo card at about 20 selected ServiceOntario centres across the province by the end of July, and at all 300 locations by 2012.

Ontarians with disabilities, seniors and other advocacy groups provided input on the design and availability of the card.

The new photo ID card, part of the Province’s Open Ontario plan, is sorely overdue, says Prue. The MPP commends the McGuinty government for finally recognizing that the NDP has been at the forefront of this issue for years.

• The photo card will cost $35 and is valid for five years.
• Approximately 1.5 million Ontarians aged 16 years and over do not have a valid driver’s licence.
• Ontario joins eight other provinces that offer a government-issued photo ID card.
• The Ontario photo card mirrors the same security features as the driver’s licence to help prevent fraud and identity theft.

“This card will benefit many citizens who do not drive, including nearly 380,000 blind or partially sighted people living in Ontario.” – Paul Ting
Executive Director, Canadian National Institute for the Blind Ontario

“CARP members will welcome the new photo ID card. It will help them access services and protect their identity. Needing government issued ID for bank accounts and other services is a frequent complaint from our members and they will be thrilled with this announcement.” – Susan Eng
Vice President, Advocacy, CARP

“With the new Ontario photo identification card, more Ontarians will now have the identification they need to open a bank account and access banking services.” – Terry Campbell, 
President and CEO, Canadian Bankers Association

LEARN MORE

• Find out more about the Ontario Photo Card
• Learn more about how to access government services
• Learn how to protect yourself from identity theft and fraud