Wynne receives earful at town hall
Premier accused of skirting issue by frustrated audience member
Premier Kathleen Wynne entered the lion’s den for her town hall meeting on Thursday at the St. Clair College Centre for the Arts, where roars of displeasure about the direction of the province were heard loud and clear.
Venturing onto NDP turf — there isn’t a Liberal MPP between Windsor and London — it wasn’t going to be a relaxed evening for Wynne.
Among the most emotional exchanges came with LaSalle resident Mary Beth Rocheleau, who asked about what the province was going to do to support families of adult children with disabilities.
Such children lose funding at 18 and must re-apply for support, but face lengthy waiting lists.
“Our children’s 18th birthday should be cause for celebration, not for crisis,” Rocheleau told the premier.
“There’s a four-year wait list for (the new renewed funding ). In this area, there’s a 25-year wait list for supported living.
“I’m 52 and I’m going to be dead before my son is in a supported home. I’ll never see my son in a safe home.”
Wynne promised to do more than the $810-million investment already announced, but dodged any commitment on a timetable to eliminate the wait lists.
“She skirted around the question,” Rocheleau said. “She recognizes the problem, but how is that going to help any kids? People fear losing their homes (due to) paying for the support themselves.”
Wynne has been criss-crossing the province since last fall, holding town hall meetings, and a few have turned rather raucous. However, moderator Ken Lewenza Sr., who was never averse to a little table pounding and few bellicose blasts in negotiating with auto companies or politicians as CAW president, was adept at allowing emotion to seep into the exchanges without lines being crossed.
Lewenza even facilitated getting meetings scheduled with the appropriate ministers to deal with the issues raised.
One such issue concerned the black shale sediment being found in an increasing number of water wells in Chatham-Kent.
“No,” said Kevin Jakubec, a spokesman for Water Wells First, on whether he was satisfied with trying to get a meeting with Environment Minister Chris Ballard.
“I met with her (Wynne) in July. It (water) has been like this for six years. No one should have to drink this (water looking like oil).”
Jakubec said he’s frustrated because they’ve had testing done to show the shale absorbs toxic metals, but the ministry has disputed the findings.
The questions Wynne fielded were wide ranging, from marijuana sales to pension protection, to whether Highway 3 will be widened.
One question of particular concern regarded the revised Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement and the auto industry.
“On TPP, we have concerns about the impact on the auto sector in Ontario,” said Wynne, who has expressed that to the federal government.
“We need to see what provisions are in place before it’s signed. The response I’ve got is, there are side letters and provisions opening markets. We want to see what access that provides.”
The meeting, which lasted 90 minutes and attracted about 130 people, ended with a passionate question about mental-health services not being available in the area.
“Why does it seem all mental-health services end in London?” asked Dale Lee, a Windsor resident seeking help for her grandson.
Lee pointed out cuts to Maryvale’s funding have resulted in 54 beds being left empty while children are forced out of town for services.
Wynne was sympathetic, but offered little in the way of concrete solutions.
“No,” said Lee when asked if she was satisfied with the answers.
“She gave the same answer she gave to everyone. ‘We’ll study it.’ ”