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STRATFORD VOLUME 4 • ISSUE 13
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Perth-Wellington heads to the ballot Feb. 27 CONNOR LUCZKA
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Ontario will be heading to a cold ballot box this month, after Premier Doug Ford announced a snap election for Feb. 27. In an op-ed written to the National Post on Jan. 28, the day his government announced the election, Ford said that the threat of American President Donald Trump’s blanket trade tariffs would put 450,000 Ontario jobs on the line. Although the 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods and a 10 per cent tariff on Canadian energy was paused for 30 days the Monday after they were to be enacted, Ford warned that the threat is not going away and that the province needs a stronger mandate to properly fight this trade war, a justification that has been criticized by Ford’s critics. There are three other party leaders to watch for this election, Bonnie Crombie, leader of the Ontario Liberals, Marit Stiles of the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP), and Mike Schreiner of the Ontario Green Party. Locally, the major four parties are represented by Matthew Rae for the PC Party of Ontario (incumbent), Ashley Fox for the Liberals, Jason Davis for the NDP, and Ian Morton for the Greens. Voting locations have not been released yet. Information will be available after Feb. 14. The local election office is located at the rear of 107 Erie St. Ontario residents can also vote by mail. Residents may apply on the Elections Ontario website (votebymail.elections.on.ca) and apply by 6 p.m. on Feb. 21. Elections Ontario must receive a completed voting kit by 6 p.m. on Feb. 27 to be counted. As of publication, only those four candidates have declared for Perth-Wellington, though candidate nominations close on Feb. 13 and a full list will be available on the Elections Ontario website. To meet your candidates, see our stories on page 10 & 11.
FUN IN THE SNOW
(CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO)
Janine and Thomas skid through the snow down the hill behind the Stratford Festival Theatre. They were one of many families at Winterfest on Jan. 25 this year.
New integrity commissioner gives Stratford a visit
CONNOR LUCZKA
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
While presenting to Stratford city council on who he was, newly appointed integrity commissioner David Boghosian went through a number of exceptions to having a meeting open with the public. “One thing that could have been in camera, but I'm glad it isn't, is this very meeting where I'm giving you education,” Boghosian said. “This could be done in
camera. A lot of the municipalities … choose to do it in camera, but I think it's good for the public to hear and appreciate the role of the integrity commissioner.” Hearing about what the integrity commissioner does, and perhaps appreciating what the integrity commissioner does, were the reasons for Boghosian’s presentation to council on Jan. 27. He gave a run down of his services and councillors’ responsibilities, under the provincial direction they currently have. CONTINUED TO PAGE 2
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