Dear Jennie Stevens
February 22, 2024
Dear Jennie Stevens:
Thank you so much for your letter. It’s so good to see elected officials like you keeping us informed and seeking feedback. Even from right-wing conspiracy theorists like me who would sooner gargle with used motor oil than vote NDP. In fact, one of the more significant reasons I left Manitoba is to get away from a province whose voters have a fatal attraction to the NDP. But I digress.
I’m so pleased to hear that you helped secure vital funding for sexual assault survivors. Yet, despite this funding, I was troubled to read the story on your website about sexual assault victims being turned away from hospital. Please know how deeply I share your concern. In a country like ours that prides itself in having universal access to health care, no one should be left behind, especially when they need help the most. In keeping with that theme, I trust your party has reversed its stance on turning away those who need life-saving organ transplants for not taking the death shots. I think just about every one of us, myself included, know several people personally who have either died or suffered serious effects from those injections. If you’ll pardon me for speaking frankly, your party’s position on these issues was savagely cruel in a way no words can properly express. Same goes for the position on making front-line doctors and nurses choose between their income and their health. And sadly, so many of those who chose the former ended up with neither. It’s why I’m so thankful I’m not living in B.C., where Bonnie Henry’s NDP government is still doggedly pursuing a death wish against its own people.
Moving on, I noticed that you expressed how concerned you are about affordability. Once again, I share your concern. Housing, gasoline and food prices are way too high. All, of course, the result of ruinous inflation and taxes. And yet two of the largest taxes are the federal carbon tax, which your party adamantly supports, and the gas tax, which, had your party been elected in 2022, your then-leader pledged to increase. I’m sure you’ll agree that eliminating the gas tax and following Saskatchewan’s lead in no longer collecting the carbon tax on heating fuels is the only solution. More taxes only cripple the economy and make life unaffordable. I look forward to seeing you tackle this problem head-on in 2024.
I’d like to thank you for the invitation to your second annual community appreciation BBQ. I’ll have to check my schedule, but I would love to partake in the complimentary food and enjoy some good conversation. I’m glad you made sure to mention that all are welcome. I’m sure it was just an oversight that it’s scheduled for a Thursday afternoon, when many people who work for a living (ie. those least likely to support your party) would be unable to attend. Perhaps you’ll schedule another similar event later in the year on a day of the week when more of your constituents would be available.
Finally, at your suggestion, I will make sure to get out there and support our local businesses. Businesses which, had your party been in power, would have been further decimated over the last four years with even more stringent lockdowns and punitive taxes and regulations designed only to destroy the entrepreneurial spirit that built this country and make the masses utterly dependent on government. I’m glad to see that your party is changing course and throwing some limited support behind the private sector.
Sincerely,
Your humble constituent
--- Original message ---
From: Jennie Stevens, MPP
To: Me
Subject: Winter 2024 Update
Dear Neighbors,
As we look forward to 2024, I’m reminded of the incredible strides we’ve made together in Niagara this past year. Faced with an affordability and healthcare crisis, I committed to collaborate widely to fill gaps – a commitment we’ve proudly upheld.
From overturning the greenbelt decision, to boosting support for our most vulnerable, it’s clear: when we raise our voices together, we achieve great things.
I am proud to report that we were able to work across party lines and secure healthcare and school funding for our Region. I’m particularly proud of our united efforts in securing vital funding for sexual assault survivors in the 2023 budget and enhancing our school nutrition programs.
Yet, our work isn’t done. Affordability continues to be a concern – simply put, housing, gasoline and food prices in St. Catharines are too high. As the session resumes, we will focus on legislation to reduce these essentials.
I’m committed to tackling this head-on in 2024, starting with tabling an Affordability Bill for On-Bill Heating Relief. We’ve all seen our Enbridge Bills skyrocket, so this is more than policy – if passed, it would make like a bit easier for every family in Niagara.
As always, our team continues our efforts to ensure that seniors get the respect they deserve. They built this province and they cannot be abandoned now. I will be sending out a senior guide in the coming months and want to hear from our older adults on what should be included.
Our work continues around the clock and your feedback is invaluable. I hope if you have any suggestions, you won’t hesitate to give me a call. Also, make sure to get out there and support our local businesses!
Sincerely,
Jennie Stevens, MPP
| Previous post | Next post |