Gates proud of 2017, sets sights on victories in 2018
Niagara Falls NDP MPP Wayne Gates says he looks forward to continuing to work with the provincial government to achieve more success in the coming year, but also be critical of the Liberals if he feels they’re letting his constituents down.
Gates reflected on 2017, and discussed some of his plans for 2018.
“A lot of things that got done this year … we worked with a lot of people, I’m not just saying it was us,” he said.
“We worked with different levels of government, and a lot of these have been issues that have been going on for a while — they weren’t just one year trying to get the government to listen to us, and get us recognized down in Niagara. It took time.”
He said a new hospital for Niagara Falls is moving closer, and there’s “serious” talk in Ontario about creating a Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions to properly deal with the “mental-health crisis.”
“We’ve secured more money to run more MRIs and ensure there’s no backlog. We’ve secured provincial investment in the new (Niagara Falls) entertainment complex which is going to put local workers to work and expand our tourism industry. We’re also building on our successful bid to get the GO train service extended to Niagara Falls. We’ve secured the service, now we just need to move the timeline forward (from 2023) and get that line open quicker.”
Gates, who was elected MPP in a 2014 byelection, said with all the new projects and investment coming to Niagara Falls, one of his main priorities will be to “make sure those jobs go to local workers who can support their families in our communities.”
“We’re going to continue to fight to protect the jobs of the casino employees. We’re gaining jobs now and we absolutely can’t go backwards.”
In Fort Erie, Gates said the government needs to make sure seniors have needed services available, “and I’m happy to see expanded long-term care options there.”
“The additional builds they’re building for long-term care are good, but we need more care beds to meet the demand that’s coming. Our seniors built our communities and they need our support.”
Gates said he was happy to see the province play a “major” role in building a new school and theatre in Fort Erie.
He said the NDP regularly talks about the importance of the Fort Erie Race Track, which after several years of uncertainty has become more stable.
“There’s more work to be done to make sure the track thrives again and creates even more jobs, but we’re proud that the community came together and that the track was saved and is still operating.”
In Niagara-on-the-Lake, Gates said large investments continue to be made by the province in new industries and infrastructure, including “the millions given from the province to Niagara College, and the funds given to the library to make sure the events there are accessible, which is also creating and sustaining jobs.”
“We’re seeing record investment in the wine industry and renewed support for buying local produce made by the tender fruit industry.”
Gates said support was also brought in from around the province to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary and the 225th anniversary of the sitting of Ontario’s first parliament.
“The province may have given a portion of the funding, but the events never would’ve happened without the community and the volunteers. I was proud to work with them and ensure these events were memorable and open to everyone.”
Gates said one of his priorities for Niagara-on-the-Lake in 2018 will be to keep Parliament Oak in the hands of the residents.
“I think the key that you have to realize is that you have to work with all parties, and all levels of government,” he said.
“You can always be critical of everything, and get nothing done, or you can be critical in a very professional manner — make sure the issues that you’re bringing forward are real issues, particularly in your riding. I’ve always been able, even long before I was an MPP, to work with everybody to get stuff done.”
Gates said his party also continued to stay focused on “things that matter to families the most, like skyrocketing hydro prices, education and gasoline prices.”
“We were able to table legislation this session to try to reverse those trends and provide relief for people.”
Ultimately, Gates said Premier Kathleen Wynne “chose a different path, but it shows we’ve put those issues on the agenda.”
He said the NDP released documents showing hospitals are overcrowded and that “we have a crisis in healthcare.”
Gates said overcrowded hospitals and high hydro bills will be key issues in 2018, an election year.
“We’re going to offer a plan that provides for seniors and provides them a proper level of long-term care and homecare.”