Dr. Marlene Spruyt and some volunteers participated in the Lanark County edition of the Coldest Night of the Year walk. The event raises money for local charities supporting people experiencing homelessness, displacement and hunger.
Author: Jesse Pauley
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David Suzuki endorses Ontario Greens’ Schreiner, Clancy, & Richter
TORONTO— Canadian environmental champion, scientist, and broadcaster David Suzuki is calling on voters in Guelph, Kitchener Centre, and Parry Sound–Muskoka to support the Ontario Greens’ Leader Mike Schreiner and Deputy Leaders Aislinn Clancy and Matt Richter in the February 27th provincial election.
“Ontario’s upcoming provincial election will be a consequential one for the province and for Canada’s fight against climate change,” said Suzuki.
“I encourage voters in Guelph to vote for real climate action and to re-elect Ontario Greens’ leader Mike Schreiner as your local MPP in Guelph,” said Suzuki. “During his 2 terms in office, he has proven himself to be a fearless advocate for policies that address the climate crisis while meeting the needs of people in his community.”
“Matt Richter is a strong environmental advocate and has repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to protecting the people in his community by standing up for the water and forests that make Parry Sound–Muskoka so special,” said Suzuki. “I urge voters in Parry Sound–Muskoka to protect the places they love by voting for him in this election.”
“Aislinn Clancy understands the critical role cities have to play in protecting our environment and tackling the worsening climate crisis,” said Suzuki. “Every day, she fights for her community by advocating for climate solutions that make it easier to get around, make the air cleaner, and protect nature. That’s why she has my support in this election and I urge voters in Kitchener Centre to support her in the upcoming election.”
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CBC – Ontario’s major party leaders debate
Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford, NDP Leader Marit Stiles, Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, and Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner, took the stage for a final debate before the February 27th election. CBC’s David Common moderated, while Global’s Colin D’Mello and CTV’s Siobahn Morris also posed questions to the leaders.
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Green Party of Ontario Release Platform
Today, Ontario Greens released their fully costed 2025 platform which is focused on restoring fairness to the people of Ontario after seven years of Doug Ford’s failures.
“Since Doug Ford took office seven years ago, life has only gotten harder,” said Deputy Leader and candidate for Kitchener Centre Aislinn Clancy.
“Housing costs are higher than ever, our healthcare system in shambles and our kids are learning in overcrowded classrooms. Meanwhile, the Ford government is doing more for big corporations and billionaires than for the everyday people who work hard every day.”
“Doug Ford has abandoned the people of this province, especially those of us outside the GTA,” said Deputy Leader and candidate for Parry Sound-Muskoka Matt Richter. “People are struggling to find a family doctor while the PCs are talking about digging a tunnel under the 401.”
“Ontario Greens’ platform fights for a fairer future for all of us,” said Party Leader Mike Schreiner. “Our plan builds affordable homes and ends renovictions, restores fairness to our healthcare and education systems, protects prime farmland and lowers your energy bills.
“We know that we can build a better Ontario together. But it means getting to work today—and that’s what Greens are committed to do.
Ontario Greens’ Plan for Fairness would:
- Build 2 million homes using a range of housing types including missing middle homes and midrises in large urban areas
- Remove fees for first-time homebuyers by waiving the Land Transfer Tax and removing Development Charges on homes under 2,000 sq ft built within urban boundaries
- Cut taxes for low- and middle-income earners under $65,000 and households making under $100,000, saving people up to $1700 per year
- Double ODSP and OW rates and remove aggressive and unfair clawbacks
- End taxpayer subsidies to fossil fuel companies
- Reduce energy bills by providing a free heat pump for households with incomes under $100,000 and zero-interest loans for households over $100,000
- Create an Ontario Foodbelt to permanently protect prime farmland
- Recruit 3,500 more doctors so that every person has a primary care provider within 3-4 years
- Increase provincial funding for rural hospitals and cut their local cost share for funding new hospitals in half
“All the things that a provincial government should do – build affordable homes, attract healthcare workers, support our neighbours struggling with their mental health, fund reliable public transit – Doug Ford has walked away from,” said Schreiner.
“It doesn’t have to be this way. Ontario Greens will fight for fairness so you can live in a province with a future you can believe in.”
Watch the 2025 platform launch below
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Global News Candidate Profiles
Marlene Spruyt and the other candidates from Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston were recently interviewed by Jesse Reynolds at Global News for their local riding candidate profiles. Many issues were discussed, but all candidates agree that health care is a top priority for voters.
Marlene highlights the need to keep health care public, including administration and delivery. “We put people before profits”, says Dr. Spruyt, highlighting the need to prevent the privatization of health care and keep it accessible for all.
She also raises the issue of per capita spending on health care. “Per each individual resident of the province, [health care spending] is less than it used to be”. She highlights how other candidates continue to reference spending increases, but are not transparent about the per person budget for health care in Ontario.
Check out the story here:
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Marlene Spruyt has been nominated as the Ontario Greens’ candidate in Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston
Spruyt is a retired family and public health physician who is alarmed by how access to primary care in Ontario has progressively worsened over the past decade. She serves as the Ontario Greens’ Health Critic and was the party’s candidate in the 2022 election.
“Every person in Ontario, regardless of where they live, should have access to quality health care,” said Spruyt.
“The current crisis of caring facing our province is due to Doug Ford’s failure to invest in our healthcare system. With the Ontario Greens, I’m fighting to take better care of the people we love.”
“Marlene brings a wealth of first-hand medical experience to the Ontario Greens,” said Ontario Greens’ leader Mike Schreiner. “I know she’ll be a strong advocate for better health care in her community and across Ontario.”
Spruyt has lived most of her life in small rural communities around the province.