Op-Ed, Stoney Creek News, December 2014
This holiday season, I would like to thank each one of you who has lent a hand and given back to our community over the past year. So many of you help our young people with their studies, sports and activities; our seniors with meals, housework and friendly visits; our charities with hard work and fundraising; and our neighbours in so many other ways that I could be writing until next December.
Please take the time this month to do a little or a lot for those less fortunate. A few of the many worthy organizations that need your support are: The Good Shepherd Venture Centre, 155 Cannon Street East; Hamilton Food Share, 339 Barton Street; and CityKidz, 601 Burlington Street East, Unit A. The Hamilton Fire Department is running “Operation Santa Claus Toy Drive” to collect new, unwrapped toys for children who range in age from infants to young teens. Toys can be dropped off at any Hamilton fire station until December 12th.
You may remember that I have previously written about my bill to protect child performers. This is the one industry in Ontario in which young children work, and too many of them have no legal protection. Earlier in the year, the Government played games with my original bill, which had enjoyed all-party support in committee. It killed the bill. So in July, I re-introduced Bill 17, the Protecting Child Performers Act, 2014. At the end of October, it passed second reading and was referred to the committee on social policy. I am determined to ensure that child performers have legal protection for their working conditions, that their schooling comes first, and that they are treated as children first and performers second.
Next year will be an exciting one with the Pan Am and Parapan Games coming to Hamilton and Ontario. I’m as excited as anyone to see the best athletes from Canada and the Americas in our hometown, and I know you’ll give them a typically warm Hamilton welcome. I want the Games to be a triumph for the athletes, the volunteers, and the spectators. But I’m also looking out for each of you who have been asked to dig deep into your pockets to host these Games. I’ll keep fighting at Queen’s Park to put a lid on the never-ending fountain of spending. If this Government doesn’t get a grip on costs, it will be paying the bill with your tax dollars for years to come.
Last but certainly not least, I congratulate the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for another stellar season and for coming ever closer to bringing the Grey Cup home. It’s been a thrill to watch.
On behalf of my wife Carole and my staff Todd, Dave, Margo and Martin, I wish you the very best this holiday season and in the coming New Year. I hope to see many of you at the Santa Claus Parade this coming Saturday.
Paul Miller
A creative touch by