Article provided by Mike Schreiner, Ontario Greens Leader, MPP for Guelph
Growing up on a farm, you learn the value of community. You understand that success depends on factors outside of your control, like unpredictable weather and short growing seasons, and a dependence on natural cycles. This can foster a sense of humility, resilience and empathy for others facing hardship, leading to a more compassionate and fair-minded approach.
Mike Schreiner grew up on the family’s grain farm. He knew what it was like to feel the sense of responsibility for taking care of the land and its resources, to feel the direct results of his hard work, and the values and diligence required in often challenging situations. Although the farm is where Mike’s interest in food, agriculture and the environment began, it’s also what contributes to his strong sense of fairness that guides his actions and decisions. Fairness is a practical necessity for maintaining a healthy and thriving community, province and nation as we navigate these uncertain times.
You see Mike’s sense of fairness in the way he leads the way at Queen’s Park. He fosters open communication by creating a safe space for people to speak their minds. He encourages collaboration through a sense of shared purpose. When people feel they have a fair stake and opportunity, they work together towards common goals. And when someone feels fairly treated, they earn trust. This thoughtful, balanced approach to leadership has offered Mike the benefit of diverse perspectives and allowed him to weigh potential consequences before taking action. Just as a farmer plans for future harvests, Mike’s leadership in Guelph and for the province considers sustainability and creating a positive legacy for the future. He leads with integrity, empathy, and a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of people and their environment.
Here we are in a winter election that did not need to be called, the cost of which is pegged at $189 Million and the first winter election since 1883. The Guelph Green campaign team was pulled together and looking for office space in November 2024. It was clear that Doug Ford was going to find any possible reason to call for a vote before a federal election and before the release of the RCMP report on the Ford government’s decision to open up protected Greenbelt lands for development.
But here we are and so we take this opportunity to address the issues that are so important to our future. Mike stands strongly on the climate crisis and he also asserts that we have a deep crisis, and it is a crisis of care. A lack of affordable housing, homelessness, burnt out and disrespected education and healthcare workers because of underfunding, and no climate preparedness plan in the midst of historical floods irks Mike’s sense of fairness and justice.
It's simply not fair that a whole generation of young people are wondering if they'll ever be able to own a home. We need a plan for housing affordability and it starts with Mike’s bill to legalize more housing types. And he seeks to build stronger protections for tenants and get the province back into supporting deeply affordable, non-profit, co-op and supportive housing.
We need to invest in caring for each other. It's unacceptable that 2.5 Million Ontarians don't have access to a family doctor, nurse practitioner or primary health care provider. Hallway medicine has doubled to 2,000 people a day, and 100,000 children are on a waitlist to access mental health services. And our teachers lack the support to help students who are struggling, while violence is on the rise in our schools. We need to address overcrowded classrooms and improve access to educational assistance.
We also have opportunities and we can build a prosperous Green economy to create good jobs in manufacturing, supply the world with innovative products, and build a green hydrogen economy. We can save people up to between $500 and $770 a month by supporting EVs, solar panels and heat pumps. Those are the kinds of savings that will save money and the planet.
In these times of uncertainty, with possible tariffs on the horizon, we need to bring people and governments together. A strong and resilient Ontario is more than a slogan, it means an economy that is built to protect our future with an investment tax credit to unlock business investments in Ontario, a Protect Ontario Fund for businesses disproportionately impacted by tariffs and make the investments needed to build new supply chains.
And while Mr. Ford says Canada is not for sale, he hasn’t been afraid to sell off parts of our province. Highway 413 would run through Ontario’s Greenbelt, prime farmland, wetlands, woodlands, and waterways, eliminating 2,000 acres of farmland. The very land that could help with food security for Ontario. He has also sold off Ontario Place, displaced the Science Centre, ripped up bike lanes, and cost us billions by ripping up LCBO and Beer Store contracts. These funds are needed for our health care, education and housing initiatives and to prepare for a new economy.
Mike's leadership approach, rooted in fairness and empathy, offers a path forward for Ontario during uncertain times. His commitment to fostering open communication, encouraging collaboration, and prioritizing the well-being of all Ontarians sets an example for what our leaders need to be.
By working together, creating a fair and just society, and investing in a sustainable future, we can navigate the current era of uncertainty and build a better province for all.