Kathleen Wynne hasn’t even been sworn it yet, but the newly crowned premier-designate is already being pulled in all directions.
Teachers
Still angry over contracts imposed by Bill 115, Ontario’s teachers’ unions met on Jan. 29 with Wynne in order to discuss labour disputes.
“It was the first meeting I’ve had with government representatives in over a year that were positive in tone and approach,” Sam Hammond, president of the Elementary Teachers’Federation of Ontario told the Toronto Star. “It was a pleasant change.”
Transit
Meanwhile, Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion is increasing pressure on the province to help fund light rail transit through her city. McCallion, who was influential in obtaining seats for Dalton McGuinty in previous elections, threw her support behind Wynne this past week.
Wynne made it clear in her leadership bid that transportation is a key to economic growth and will be a priority for her.
Gas Plants
On Jan. 30, opposition parties demanded formal hearings into the cancelled gas plants in Oakville and Mississauga that cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.
The Conservatives and New Democrats want Wynne to answer for her role in killing the plants, which some argue stemmed from a political motivation to save Liberal seats in four ridings that would be negatively impacted by the plants. Thus far, Wynne has refused to address the gas plant issue directly.
