Ontario Election 2011: CFI Quizzes Candidates on Science
October 5, 2011
This past week the Centre for Inquiry, thorugh its Committee for the Advancement of Scientific Skepticism sent 4 questions to the candidates for the 2011 Ontario Election. The following four questions were posed:
1. Public Health: Homeopathic practitioners are starting to call themselves doctors despite clear restrictions on the use of that title. This may confuse the public when they are trying to chose the best health care for themselves and their family. What steps will you take to protect Ontarians/Islanders from fraudulent claims by homeopaths and other alternative medicine practitioners?
2. Scientific Integrity: Many government scientists in Canada have been reporting political interference in their job. What are the risks of elected officials filtering the products of governmental research to suit political needs and how will you balance scientific information, including statistics, with politics and personal beliefs when making a decision?
3. Climate Change:The Earth’s climate is changing and there is concern about the potentially adverse effects of these changes on lives of Ontarians/Islanders. What is your position on the following measures that have been proposed to address global climate change-a cap-and-trade system, a carbon tax, increased fuel-economy standards, or research? Are there other policies you would support?
4. Education: Critical thinking is an important skill for children to learn early if they are to become good citizens. How will you support the teaching of critical thinking to young Ontarians/Islanders?
Questions 2 and 3 were produced with the help of sciencedebate.org. Due to varying ways we were able to contact the candidates we were unable to contact fully every party, save for the Green Party of Ontario, approximate representation is detailed before each major party. We did not contact any other parties than those listed here. The following responses have been received to date:
Liberal Party of Ontario
About 1/3 to 1/2 of the LPO had email addresses with the remaining web forms or other formats for contact. A single response from Deb Matthews, London North Centre was received:
Thank you Michael,
I’ve passed on your e-mail.
As you are out of riding, you may also wish to contact the candidates in your riding.
To find your local candidates please visit:
http://wemakevotingeasy.ca/en/find-your-candidate.aspx?channel_id=&lang=en
Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
Only a small number of PC candidates had email addresses. A single response from the PC party was received. Not surprising, as we did not have the resources to fill in all of the web-form based contact tools provided by the PC party and after several hours work only managed to get through 1/3 of the PC candidates. Rod Jackson - Barrie responded below:
Thank you very much for your comments and inquiry. Your e-mail has been received and will be replied to at the earliest possible moment.
Campaign time is extraordinarily busy and I apologize for any delay. In the meantime, please see the attached document, Change Book, for more information about our intended policies.
I appreciate your interest and hope I can count on your support on October 6th!
New Democratic Party of Ontario
We recheased approx. 80% of the NDP candidates in Ontario and received this one response:
Adam DeVita - Richmond Hill
1. The medical profession in Ontario is a self-regulating and enforcing body. From your question it seems that you are unhappy with the level of enforcement of the right to title. There is ambiguity between an MD and a PH.D as both have the use of the title. It would be best for the government to work with the profession on a solution.
2. Thank you for this question. This is critically important. In our over-partisan era where far too much heed is paid to vested interest this is a big problem. I recall a set of statistics reported by the previous PC government, claiming that a cretin percentage of welfare recipients now had jobs, therefore their reforms worked. Since it was a phone survey, they simply did not report the number of former welfare recipients who no longer had a phone, thus excluding those who lost at least their phone service as a result of their reforms and inflating the results. As a Professional Engineer, I am a scientist before I am a politician. If real data is contradicting theory, it must be viewed as an opportunity for learning. I enjoy mathematics and am happy to identify and question political arguments based on statistical trickery by spin doctors. One of the things that has attracted me to the NDP is consistent support for government scientists and support of ‘whistle blower’ protection. The NDP has been questioning the very economic policies that lead to the crash of 2008+ for many years, even if this position was unpopular. Last week I gave a speech to our local chamber of commerce arguing that studies from the USA in the late 1990s showed that the minimum wage workers spend the bulk of their income in the local economy. Raising minimum wage has been demonstrated to be good for the economy and create jobs. (See Dr. Ravi Bata’s book “Alan Greenspan’s Fraud” (2005) for the published data)
3. The NDP is supportive of a cap and trade. This technique worked well for sulfur emissions. We do not support a simple carbon tax. We do support increased fuel efficiency standards. We will improve the standards for buildings, appliances, and electric motors. We are offering a series of tax credits and supports to help people save power and reduce their cost of living without affecting their standard of living. We are also helping businesses that invest in their buildings. We plan on investing in renewable energy, and conservation where it is cost effective. Environmentally speaking, 1MW saved is better than 1MW generated. We will invest in transit to freeze fares, thus helping people choose transit as a more effective form of transportation. Our affordable housing strategy must also be considered as part of the fight against climate change, because the lack of affordable housing increases pressure to allow urban sprawl.
4. We will fund education so that students can focus on their studies and extra-curricular activities instead of fund-raising. Critical thinking skills are part of our education. If our education system has the proper resources, I would expect our Professional Teachers to succeed at their job. Further to that, the best thing an MPP can do is lead by example.
Green Party of Ontario.
The GPO was the quickest and most comprehensive response. We had email addresses for all GPO candidates. It is important to mention that there is no formal relationship between the Green Party and CFI and our membership spans all parties. Our former Executive Director Justin Trottier is currently running in Parkdale-Highpark and had no hand in the fashioning of the questions or their distribution. The order of the responses is as they were received.
Alex Brown- Burlington
Public Health:
The professional designation of Doctor needs to be protected in Ontario as you have said, as well as all of science based medicine. While there is some room for homeopathic medicines (read placebos) the use of the term doctor by someone who has not gone through the trials and tribulations of medical school should be fined under an escalating system for the use, and continued use of the protected title of Doctor
Scientific Integrity
To put it simply, what you are describing here is the foundation of Lysenkoism. This has the danger of litterally costing lives when scientists and doctors simply do not understand what they are doing because they are working towards funding for political overlords. I would strongly push for the changing of tort law to help limit just what powers elected officials have over the scientists working under them.
Climate Change:
Change in the Earth’s climate is a very real concern that we as a people need to address, though we have to be wary of band-aid solutions that promise a quick fix. Cap and trade has always seemed to me to be something akin to slight of hand, and while I do think a carbon tax is in many ways a good idea, we have to be careful on how we implement it. Research into new technologies is something that must be done, though if they’re technologies such as better fuel efficiency in internal combustion engines or into applications of helium-3, will depend on the quality of the research proposal and the current levels of funding.
Education:
Critical thinking is something that is often fostered by math and the sciences, to that end what I would support would be an increase into the level that science is currently taught to our students in the lower grades, and as such in the higher grades, as well I would support an increase to things such as province wide science fairs. Lastly I would support the addition of logic classes into the curricula, in the lower levels of schooling, so that students can actually understand much of the beauty of math. (If you haven’t guessed my major in university is Math/Comp sci, so I breath math and logic, and rather dislike what has been done to mathematics)
Frank DeJong - Davenport
1. The best way of guarding against fraudulant practicioners and their claims is to ensure that all practitioners are required to demonstrate a proven body of knowledge, and that they are governed by self-governing bodies like other professionals.
2. Agreed that this is a problem. There should be as much separation as possible between elected officials and research, stats, etc. Transparency in decisions, ombudspeople and open book policies will help.
3. The best approach is through a carbon tax as part of a revenue neutral shift off of other taxes. This market mechanism will drive efficiencies like fuel economy without government intervention.
4. Firstly, Ontario should abolish the Catholic school system and move to one school system. Ontario teachers should be assisted in learning how to teach higher order, open ended critical thinking at teacher’s colleges and through in-service training.
Chad Durocher - Windsor West Candidate
1. I believe that only a certified doctor can use the title. It is fraudulent to mislabel or misdirect the public in such a way. If a certified doctor also treats patients with homeopathic measures, the patient must be told the difference between the alternative medicine and the suggested prescription.
2. I believe that the scientific community needs to report to the governing body the results that they find the to be the most most accurate. If you are referring to government money being spent to do special interest projects, they should be reported immediately.
If the research has been done properly, the results should be uniform and correct, with little ability to sway results.
3. I support a decentralized green energy grid (solar, wind, bio-mass, bio-gass…), research to develop better measures to create and conserve energy, and a carbon tax that has incentives to reduce pollution..
4. I believe we should fund one school board. A single school board that reaches out to the diverse french and english population of Ontario. I personally dream of a day that every student has the chance to be educated in a secular environment. Scientific evidence shows that religious indoctrination is not needed for a student to mature intellectually and socially. In fact, I believe that religion separates and misleads our young. The children should be taught what the religions are and how they affect ours and other societies, much like greek and roman mythology.
James Mihaychuk - Ottawa South
1. With regard to homeopathy as I understand it, there is apparently no scientific evidence to support the practice. I am therefore opposed to what I believe to be false claims made by distributors of these products. With regard to “other practitioners” I find that your question is both ambiguous and biased in its formulation. Where any form of treatment is scientifically proven to be of benefit through peer-reviewed scientific research that observes academic, medical, and ethical standards, it should be considered for a role in the delivery of health care based on its efficacy alone. The specific type of practitioner delivering the service is an important but secondary concern.
2. The practice that you referred to must stop. Peer reviewed research reports of all kinds should not be filtered by other entities. The authors of such reports should be free to discuss their work as part of the necessary and normal exchange of scientific knowledge.
3. The Green Party of Ontario proposes to implement carbon pricing if elected. In addition, Green MPPs would implement significant energy conservation and retrofit efforts. We would invest in new programs to help implement new or upgraded community and shared power plants providing combined heat and power. We would provide ongoing stability to industry and consumers for micro-FIT renewable energy projects. We would stop the Liberal plan to add 45% more nuclear power by 2030. Instead we would develop capabilities to import hydoelectricity from neighbouring provinces that currently export mainly to the northern USA.
4. Through continued, stable support of a sustainable system of public schools and libraries. In particular, Greens would increase education around healthy food, local farms, and affordable and available suplies of food. In this way our schools will help our students understand the connections between their own health and costly and debilitating diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, strokes, and cancer.
Mark Daye - Toronto Centre
1. I’m very concerned with the trend towards homeopathic practitioners calling themselves doctors. The residents of Ontario deserve the best health care the world has to offer and need clear and concise information. I believe we need to ensure that the current guidelines are strictly enforced so residents know exactly who they are dealing with and what type of assistance they are getting.
2. Scientific Integrity is of the utmost importance and the results of independent scientific research and verified statistics must be accepted regardless of one’s political, religious or other beliefs.
3. The Green Party has a plan to implement a BC style carbon tax system, which I fully support. It’s time to move taxation to the things that we don’t want in our society and reduce tax on things like personal income. I strongly support the research of new energy technology and disagree with the generous subsidies that are doled out to the dangerous nuclear and dirty oil industries.
4. Let’s begin by restructuring our educational funding and create one publicly funded bilingual secular school system that celebrates diversity and teaches science based theories.
Erik Coverdale - Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale
1. I am an Engineer by training but it is unlawful for me to call myself an Engineer until I get my P. Eng licence to practice. The same principle should apply to doctors. It is the Professional Engineers Act, R.S.O. 1990, that makes this law. I would pass a similar law to protect the public from individuals misrepresenting their education and skills.
2. Skewing the data to advance a political agenda is unethical and should be taken seriously. I would call on an official to resign who has obviously done this.
3. I support a carbon tax, increased fuel standards, research into alternatives, and moving to carbon free alternatives that are available today.
4. Excellent question. I think it should be an addition to the current curriculum. Example: students should hear 2 or more sides to an issue, and decide which is right using logical reasoning. This would help them understand there is much information out there that isnt credible or correct… and even credible information is sometimes wrong!
Erik Stark - Scarborough Southwest
1. Good Science requires both skepticism and open-mindedness. We need to look at homeopathy and other alternative health systems in a clearly un-biased scientific light. We must recognize that so-called scientific studies frequently carry a bias dependent on who the sponsor is and where their interests lie. Whatever studies there are should be presented and interpreted by both promoters and detractors so the public can make up their own minds on what is the best course of action for themselves.
2. I can think of a couple of examples. Back when John Crosbie was the minister of fisheries, and even before that, it was not politicly acceptable to warn of the imminent colapse of the cod fisheries off Newfoundland. The fishing industry was too heavily invested in overfishing the stock. As a result we had a catastrophic decline and the industry colapsed. And there are a number of cases when scientists at Health Canada were pressured by business interests to approve drugs that we clearly a cause of concern, many of which are documented by Shiv Chopra in his book “Corrupt to the Core”. We clearly need strong legislation that will protect scientists, and allow them to report their findings directly to the public without political interference.
3. We strongly favour a revenue neutral carbon tax - we are the only party to do so. I recently read Dr. James Hansen’s book “Storms of my Grandchildren - the truth about the coming climate catastrophe and our last chance to save humanity”. There he effectively argues against cap and trade. Of course we also favour increased fuel-economy standards, more research and support for our scientific and educational institutions in their efforts to find solutions to this crisis.
4. You are absolutely right. I can’t claim to be an expert on educational methods, but I think reading Plato would be a good first step. Teaching Logic and subjecting the comments of our politicians to critical analysis should be part of our high school education system.
Trifon Haitas - Oak Ridges-Markham*
*the following answers were prefaced with the note: “Below you will find the answers to your 5 questions by Oak Ridges-Markham Green Party Candidate Trifon Haitas.” Question 3 was not responded to.,
1. Fraud is a very serious offense and even though I am supportive of alternative and or homeopathic practitioners, I do not and will not support fraudulent claims made by homeopathic practitioners and or any other recognized conventional doctors. Fraud is a crime and must be dealt with according to the laws set to protect our community.
2. There exists a very grave risk when elected officials filter research to suit political needs. I If elected as MPP in Oak Ridges-Markham, I would do everything within my power to ensure that scientific information, including statistics is made available to the the community whose tax dollars went in to fund the study. We as politicians can not and ought not to ever withhold any scientific data from the public because of our personal and or political affiliation.
4. I fully agree that critical thinking is a very important skill that ought to be taught in our schools and when called to do so, will fully support our educators when they promote this particular skill as part of their curriculum.
Tim Grant - Trinity-Spadina
Hi Michael. Sorry. As you can appreciate, I receive lots of similar emails both from local residents and from organizations.
When a letter writer does not even bother addressing an individual candidate, I hope you understand why - in the middle of a busy election campaign - I would choose not to take the time away from canvassing local residents to answer such questions.
Feel free to get back to me after October 6th.
All the best in your efforts,
Tim
Patrick Main - Huron-Bruce
I appreciate your letter, and I understand your concerns! The best answers that I can provide you with at this point are taken straight fro the Green Party platform. I myself am quite new to politics and am not able to provide you with detailed answers at this point, however I will be sure to pass these concerns along to other GPO candidates and discuss possible solutions.
My primary reason for getting involved with the Green Party, was that I felt that they were the only party that truly have the best intentions for the public. Since this is not a sector that I am particularly familiar with, I would really appreciate YOUR suggestions on how to protect Ontarians from said fraudulent claims.
We are proposing a shift in taxes as an attempt to address climate change. We’re in support of the taxation of waste and carbon. We are taking many steps towards learning how to live sustainably, and it’s largely outlined in the platform will link to this email response. Specifically, we want to work towards replacing coal plants with other forms of renewable energy that aren’t of detriment to the environment. The GPO wishes to prioritize energy efficiency and conservation.
In terms of education, I am a firm believer in training young people to be critical thinkers. One of the strengths of the Green Party of Ontario’s platform in the last election was its plank to merge the catholic and public school systems. This would provide children with a much needed sense of equality and acceptance from a young age.
This year, the GPO is focusing on developing youth employment opportunities by updating and strengthening our education system
a. Freeze tuition for the 2012-13 school year while maintaining university and college budgets; index tuition increases to the rate of inflation from 2013-15
b. Expand training and certification programs in job growth areas such as green buildings, biomedical technology, renewable energy and sustainable transportation.
c. Increase investments in apprenticeship, co-operative and mentorship programs
I am personally most passionate about supporting our small and local businesses, farmers and artisans to create a strong local economy, and that’s what I’ve been emphasizing in my personal platform. My political involvement is based solely out of a genuine care for the people in my community, and a desire to make improvement. I would love to discuss these issues with you in greater detail at some point. Don’t hesitate to call if you have any other questions for me, but it seems like I may have more for you! Hope you’re having a great weekend! Follow the link to the GPO platform.
http://itstimeforgreen.ca/jobs/index.html
Kevin Labonte - London North-Centre
1. The Green Party has not addressed this issue in our platform, but I will strengthen the regulations on products and services that make health claims, and increase the penalties placed on those who make unfounded claims. Such policies and regulations will require input from a wide range of practices, from medical to legal, to ensure it is fair an accurate.
2. I am opposed to any political interference in Scientific reporting. Science deals in facts not opinions. When Politicians begin to change facts into opinions to suit a political agenda we do a disservice to the public we are sworn to serve. However, we are human, and we are prone to mistakes. We need to encourage politicians to embrace the words ” I was wrong” and ” I don’t know”
Although not in our platform, The Green Party will not censor any research we’ve commissioned, the scientific community will have the opportunity to review and critique such research.
3. The Green Party openly supports a Carbon Tax, It has been stated by James Hansen, Director, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, to be an effective form of pricing to reduce our dependency on fossil fuel. And it has proven popular in British Columbia. (http://bigthink.com/ideas/17890) I am however opposed to Cap and Trade, as that system does not do enough to reduce pollution and only serves to generate profit.(http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/07/opinion/07hansen.html?_r=1)
Clearly both systems are not the silver bullet answer we seek. We need to continue to invest heavily in fuel efficiency and renewable energy research. We also need to listen to the best advise our researchers and scientists provide. Our Party is committed to improving energy and fuel efficiency to help both our environment and consumers pocketbooks.
4. I believe we need to remove pseudoscience from our science curriculum, and emphasize the scientific method and critical analysis. In other classes we should encourage students to make and accept mistakes in the pursuit of the facts.
Kyle Jones - Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke Candidate
1. I support the licensing of the regulation of health care providers whose practice can produce solid research and clinical trials that has been subject to scrutiny by the health care community. It is my position that licensing a health care provider tells the public that they are in fact receiving legitimate care. If the Homeopathy community is able to provide solid evidence of it’s legitimacy then I would be happy to support their regulation.
2. I feel that all decisions made in policy development require unbiased and scientific evidence. It is my intention to maintain an open mind and integrity through any decision making process. I do however believe in democracy and will ultimately subside to the will of my constituents.
3. A greener Ontario is the fundamental basis for the Green Party platform. I believe that through advancing our investment in green research and adopting a carbon tax we can create a healthier Ontario, and one that has 21st century sustainable jobs. I also support investment in high speed rail and public transit systems to free Ontario from being forced to drive and waste its valuable time and money stuck in traffic .
4. I support some substantial changes to the current system of education, it is necessary to remain objective and free from prejudice when designing curriculum for the children of this province. Critical thinking skills can be taught by offering students logical and scientific course content that include multiple viewpoints on subject matter. In addition I would also support healthy breakfast programs and an increase in arts, home economics and life skills course options for students.
Robert Rose - Kitchener/Conestoga
1. I will need to research these points further prior to making a statement.
2. The GPO will eliminate these back room type deals that ruin the publics view of politics in our country.
3. I support a carbon tax if those funds are returned back to research new green vehicles. Research the potential of making hybrid or fully electric vehicles the Ontario standard, starting with government vehicles and giving tax breaks to lower the cost of purchasing hybrids. Retrofit buildings to be green.
4. Continue to offer full day kindergarten, french immersion and environment based classes. Get children exercising more in a day and from grades 1-12.
Donna Cridland - Welland
1. The Green Party believes in a sustainable, public health care system that provides every Ontarian with access to the quality health care they require, when and where they need it. Health care patterns have shifted dramatically from the 1950s when our current system was designed. At that point, needs were primarily for acute care.
Today, broader health needs include prevention, treatment and long-term management of chronic illnesses. In addition, new technologies, treatments and medications that were not foreseen by the original planners have been developed to diagnose and treat illnesses.
In multi-disciplinary family care teams, all key primary care health professionals work together, on a 24/7 basis. Experts agree that collaboration with other health professionals - pharmacists, nurse practitioners, physiotherapists, ultrasound technicians, home care workers, dieticians, and specialists, is an effective way for doctors to work. We also need to use each profession’s competencies to the maximum. Ontario’s regulation of health care professions hasn’t kept pace with the evolution in the education and training of health care professionals, nor with practices in other jurisdictions.
Using each of Ontario’s more than 100,000 health care providers’ abilities to the fullest would create more capacity and enhance access to health care services. Expanding each professions scope of practice to match proven competencies enables the same services to be delivered by the most cost effective provider, promotes patient choice and helps to address wait lists and the physician shortage. This would provide better value for money in the health care system. This way, patients get timely access to the right treatment and diagnosis, when they need it. This helps us stay healthy and heal faster, and improves the sustainability and efficiency of our health care system Amend profession-specific acts of regulated health care professions to allow members of those professions to practise to the full extent of their demonstrated competencies as verified by their respective regulatory bodies.
2. SThe Green Party will deliver a government that works for people We need a new approach to government, one where you and your community-not political insiders-come first. It’s time for a new political culture in Ontario. Electing Green MPPs will bring a breath of fresh air to Queen’s Park by rejecting hyper-partisanship and short-term thinking focused on getting votes. Our Green MPPs will:
Ensure open, transparent and accountable
government
End backroom deals and no-bid
contracts
Open government consulting
contracts up to scrutiny by posting details of all public contracts online
Streamline freedom of
information requests
Ensure public officials are
held to the highest standards
3. The Greens will lower business and income taxes while balancing the budget with a price on carbon based on the popular and successful BC model.
A simple, straight forward price on carbon, modelled after the popular British Columbia system, is the most efficient and cost effective approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Putting a small price on carbon provides the market incentives to spur innovation and entrepreneurialism to prepare our businesses to compete in a world with carbon pricing.
Carbon pricing is widely regarded as the only way forward to reduce emissions and promote innovation in green technologies. A simple price on carbon is easy to administer and can be implemented now, unlike cap and trade schemes that are complex, easily abused and require trading partners that simply do not exist today.
The consensus supporting a carbon tax is growing. The following individuals and organizations are only a few of the many that have spoken out in favour of carbon pricing: Canadian Council of Chief Executives, The Economist, and Dan Reicher, Director of Energy Initiatives, Google.org.
4. The Green Party of Ontario fully supports the implementation of a full-day Early Learning Program. However, the method in which it is currently being rolled out is deeply troubling.
The Liberals aim to justify this program using literacy and numeracy standardized testing. The Green Party believes this is the wrong approach. We support full-day programs that stimulate creativity and growth. These are things that standardized tests clearly cannot measure.
Patti Chmelyk - Brampton West
1. Have you noticed that many of the Green Party candidates are scientists? We believe in scientific evidence. And I do not agree with the misuse of the title Doctor - just as I do not agree with the misuse of the title Engineer. Misuse and/or abuse of these titles that may cause misunderstandings with the public must be addressed legally. Certainly implementing a process and negotiation would be appropriate.
2. I have personally been a loud voice for the scientific community and will continue to be. I am shocked with the interferance of politicians in the area of scientific research and the reporting on such research. The Green Party believes in evidence based governance. I would personally be a strong provincial advocate to the Federal government to re-instate the long form census.
3. Personally, I think a carbon tax, increased fuel economy standards and research are the ways to go. A cap and trade system does not make any sense to me at all. The Green Party is always open to looking at best-evidence solutions to all issues.
4. One of the most important ways of teaching critical thinking is to get children reading literature that addresses difficult situations that challenge the way things are. The teaching of history, particularly the ideas that come out of historical conflicts and crises, would be a critical contribution to the nurturing of critical thinking. Media studies and advertising would also be areas of study that should be thoroughly covered every year - getting more in depth as the children age. Daily world, national, provincial and local current events should be discussed/covered in the classroom. And, of course scientific study and the scientific method must be taught in ways that leave no room for misunderstanding. Of course, there is still my own personal favourite method for raising (3 adult children) critically thinking adults - “Question authority - NOT your mother”
Edward Yaghledjian - Durham
I shall incorporate several answers in one response. The responsibility of government is to assess the logical reasoning from professionals. It is not the position of politicians to avert and dispose of information if it does not benefit special interest groups. Clear transparent mehodology is the first and key step to sound government reasoning and social welfare.
Government is elected to protect and lead the population not to make use of the masses.
The Green Party platform begins with transparent governments. The very position of the green party is to assess analyse then deliver verdict on any future steps with full backing from the public for they were made aware why decisions are made in the manner they were. We will not force upon specialists in their fields to alter data or mislead the public by eliminating certain data.
We will penalize those who would be the greatest polluters and reward and assist those who not only look to reduce but have established low pollution level. This creates a fair playing field.
Most important is the understanding that sound educated public makes educated choices, thus leaned individuals are encouraged to speak and educate all of us.
W. Peter Randall - Hamilton East - Stoney Creek
Question 1
Your Green MPPs will:
1. Make health promotion and illness prevention a top priority
a) Support the development of healthy, liveable, recreation-friendly communities
b) Ensure clean air, water and food by reducing pollution, improving water quality and sewage treatment, and by paying landowners for producing healthy environmental goods and services
c) Provide incentives for people to pursue healthy lifestyles and support school-based nutrition, outdoor education and athletic programs
2. Reform health care delivery to ensure all Ontarians have access to quality community health services
a) Re-prioritize funding to support doctors, nurse practitioners and other health professionals for family/community care clinics that are integrated with public health
b) Put communities back in charge of local health care decisions
c) Finally deliver on electronic health records by using best practises from other places
3. Honour our seniors by improving the care available to Ontario’s aging population
a) Ensure that seniors receive the continuum of care they need where they want it by improving home care, transitional care, assisted living and long-term care
b) Create case managers at the family clinic level to proactively coordinate the care seniors need
c) Support all long-term care facilities to provide services in compliance with provincial standards
All professions need an accredited body and all Ontarians need to be aware of the risks, the services and their level of expertise and training. Then as long as practicing under those guideline sit is okay. We have to chase down shysters and illegally practicing vendors ruthlessly and tirelessly but those operating under the associations guidelines and licenses are fine and they should serve their role. Let the buyer beware, how many thousands buy lottery tickets which are ea complete sham and waste??
You believe in a certain doctor then that can be the best thing as it is often in the mind and how you feel can be the key to recovery. To each his own.
Question 2
Yes statistics can be made to say anything you want them to say…a serious problem indeed. All studies nee to be independent transparent and without coercion.
Your Green MPPs will:
1. Ensure open, transparent and accountable government
a) End backroom deals and no-bid contracts
b) Open government consulting contracts up to scrutiny by posting details of all public contracts online
c) Streamline freedom of information requests
2. Remove barriers that prevent citizens from being heard
a) Implement a community engagement process and restore local decision making for energy projects
b) Ensure that residents have a say in community health care decisions
c) Give citizens a greater say in public consultations, including strengthening the Environmental Bill of Rights, reforming the Ontario Municipal Board and ending lawsuits that prevent citizen participation in planning decisions
3. Ensure public officials are held to the highest standards
a) Strengthen conflict of interest rules for provincial and municipal officials
b) Disclose public officials’ expenses in a timely way
c) Eliminate corporate and union donations to political parties
3. Climate Change:The Earth’s climate is changing and there is concern about the potentially adverse effects of these changes on lives of Ontarians. What is your position on the following measures that have been proposed to address global climate change-a cap-and-trade system, a carbon tax, increased fuel-economy standards, or research? Are there other policies you would support?
Question 3
Your Green MPPs will:
1. Prioritize energy efficiency and conservation to reduce Ontario’s energy consumption
a) Save you money and create jobs by reinstating and expanding the home energy savings program as part of a comprehensive Green Building Program
b) Capture waste heat from chimneys in large buildings and turn it into electrical energy by increasing generation targets for combined heat and power
c) Remove barriers so entrepreneurs can save us money with innovative technologies in conservation, efficiency and a new smart grid
2. Pursue a secure and financially responsible energy supply
a) Require local participation in energy projects; support micro-generation and community-based renewables that generate local benefits
b) Negotiate agreements to purchase inexpensive hydroelectricity from neighbouring provinces and increase hydro generation in Ontario
c) Protect our pocketbooks by opposing construction of new nuclear plants and prohibiting cost overruns for nuclear projects from being passed to rate-payers and tax-payers
3. Implement a sustainable transportation plan to reduce gridlock and lessen the impact of rising fuel prices
a) Promote efficient, liveable communities where streets and roads are safe for all users
b) Reduce commuting costs by supporting transit and affordable commuter benefits including incentives for ride-sharing, more high-occupancy vehicle lanes, and tax credits for public transit users
c) Increase incentives for low-emission, fuel-efficient and electric vehicles
Question 4
You Green MP’s will
Develop youth employment opportunities by updating and strengthening our education system
a) Freeze tuition for the 2012-13 school year while maintaining university and college budgets; index tuition increases to the rate of inflation from 2013-15
b) Expand training and certification programs in job growth areas such as green buildings, biomedical technology, renewable energy and sustainable transportation
c) Increase investments in apprenticeship, co-operative and mentorship programs
Steve Dyck - Guelph
1. We see peer-reviewed alternative medicine to be important, also health promotion. Your question refers to homeopathy in particular, and we would advocate for strong, reasonable guidelines to help guide the public and protect them from fraudulent claims.
2. Scientific integrity is of the upmost importance. We have seen the problems with ministers dismissing scientific evidence, and we would work to have some of the most informed MPPs. We have been calling for inquiries into questions that other politicians didn’t want to, for example, a full environmental review of the Mega-Quarry.
3. The Green Party believes that we need to factor in so-called “Natural Capital” into our financial system. The easiest way to do this is to provide market incentives to do such. Part of our Green-Tax Shift would resemble the carbon tax that has been very popular in B.C. We also advocate for more transparent and accurate energy pricing. We oppose removing any taxes from gasoline, oil, and electricity. By showing the true costs of electricity, we can encourage renewable energy (which is cheaper in many cases than traditional sources). Taxing waste, inefficiency and pollution will help create market forces towards cleaner energy technologies, create jobs, and position us on the world stage.
4. We need to help encourage our children to think clearly and critically. Part of this will be through transparency. It’s very difficult for children to understand what’s going on when they only see part of the issue. We also strongly oppose all attack and fear-based advertisements, which do nothing other than play to emotions instead of to issues that are important.
Josh Rachlis - Eglinton-Lawrence
Sorry for the delay in replying. I’m sure you know how busy
campaigning gets. But I want you to know that you have my full
support. The Green Party of Ontario is committed to science, reason
and fairness, and to health and the environment. I’ve had Laurie David
herself tweet to her followers that I will be leading a new green
revolution. So you don’t have to sell me on the reality of climate
change! :) Also, I studied psychology with famed skeptic James Alcock.
I’m committed to a school system uninfluenced by religion. And to show
you how much on your team I am, I’ve written a quick, fun little song
specifically in response to your question:
http://www.youtube.com/user/JoshRachlis?feature=mhee#p/a/u/0/AuSvwiJcwfs
I invite you to share it with your friends and colleagues who are also
concerned about this issue.
Also, you can:
Save a tree by sharing my musical, paperless flyer, which is a fun
song: http://bit.ly/DigitalFlyer
See my videos and Like my page at http://facebook.com/JoshRachlisGPO
Follow my tweets at http://www.twitter.com/joshrachlis
Watch my campaign and eco-comedy vids at http://www.youtube.com/joshrachlis
Get a sign for your lawn by emailing me back with a request
And you can check out some great eco press I’ve been getting this week:
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1064116—the-candidate-with-the-singing-campaign-flyer
http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/local/article/987009—this-song-goes-out-to-all-his-constituents
Brian Chamberlain - Richmond Hill
1. Support enforcing the use of the term “Doctor” for only licensed medical doctors and those with a doctorate degree.
2. I am a trained scientist first and foremost and will always defer to science. We can choose our opinions, but not our facts. Government meddling in science must be prevented.
3. I and the Green Party support a carbon tax and increased fuel-economy standards.
4. I’m not a specialist in education at the early levels. I teach in college. I do support teaching techniques that can be shown to develop critical thinking in youth.
Scott Warner - Mississauga-Streetsville
1. We as a prty support a focus on prevention and reduced overhead burden in our healthcare system, me personally I make a clear distinction between professional healthcare services and providers and alternative medicine. I do not view the term alternative medicine as derogatory.
2. Personally -politics must be reduced in our public science today - if they will not fullfill a role of healpful particpant then corporations must be brought into line witht he good of the public. I am interested in a purer science that we see today.
3. More science less politics . Carbon tax - yes, but not because of AGW, to incent the transition to non hydrocarbon based power and energy
4. Force each grade 5 class to attend a field trip to the perimieter Institute.
Comments:
#2 Michael Kruse (Guest) on Wednesday October 19, 2011 at 9:58am
I am interested in what “context” you seem to think we are missing out on when promoting free inquiry? As well, can you describe the philosophical problems we are ignoring? (we do have philosophers on our committee and as advisers, so I hope they are not holding back!)
#3 Jeff K (Guest) on Monday October 24, 2011 at 8:20pm
@Michael Kruse re: “Free Inquiry” Well let’s take something Paul Kurtz (who I respect) said about “magical thinking” (that it reasserts itself). This term has a particular definition. I fully accept that “magic” that does not follow naturalism (cause/effect relationships) is essentially impossible. Nonetheless at the other end of the spectrum is parlor magic where some aspect of the naturalistic cause of what you have seen is simply hidden from you (i.e. “The trick”). Thus I can safely say I reject the supernatural, but I accept a third alternative, the unexplained “trick”. In his latest book, Mark Vonnegut M.D., talks of someone, I think it was his mother, in the throws of some psychosis, “getting messages from traffic lights and license plates”. A textbook on Abnormal Psychology mentions that the subjective experience of schizophrenia includes unusual interest in coincidence. Nonetheless, children will notice a light switch causes a light to come on, so this feature of cognition is useful in learning. A philosophical question during the study of free inquiry could then be, how do you react to something seen as “magical”. For a child, we provide an explanation. The truly psychotic need help, but the others could be urged to consider 3 (or more?) alternatives 1. Consider naturalism 2. Consider an unseen naturalistic cause 3. Learn how to record and analyze phenomena and filter out ambiguous or unproductive methods.
For example, in this manner the current orthodoxy of rejecting “cranks” as clinically obsessive/compulsive outright, gives “them” a chance to evaluate their methods and those that are not actually obsessive/compulsive can advance in rational debate without 5 years of study of the DSM-IV, abnormal psychology or reading 14 books by authors with the last name “Vonnegut”.
I suppose a simple summary of this philosophy is “avoid the self-serving argument until politics forces your hand”. i.e. Don’t use labels such as “magical thinking”, “crank” etc., until the context of the stated belief has been settled.
#4 Nandan (Guest) on Sunday March 18, 2012 at 10:24am
As long as you as the employer are slipuypng your workers with a necessary item to continue their work in safety you could put it under required safety equipment. I have worked a roof in the summer heat so I know that Gatorade, or at the least water is absolutely necessary. It is more necessary than a shingle shovel, just to keep the guys going. So put in under supplies. May your next roof job be on a clear, calm fall day about 55 to 60 degrees with a very slight breeze
#5 Pharmd700 (Guest) on Monday April 30, 2012 at 9:48pm
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#1 Jeff K (Guest) on Monday October 17, 2011 at 8:24pm
Well the election is over.
Science is effective, logic (mathematical logic) formal, accurate and computer like, but just like computer programs, their are often flaws. In order to find them, one needs to understand the basics of philosophy and reasoning. For example, to say “The light is red” and logically arrive at the expected action “stop the car”, one has to be sure of context, and this is established with cognitive science, statistics and accident investigations, revealing that some people are looking too far down the road at the wrong light. Logic does not resolve the immediate problem, science neither, to determine which sciences to use required a philosophical idea: context.
Philosophy (but, ignoring the historical mumbo-jumbo) has been given short shrift by the likes of Richard Feynman for too long and the logical positivists before him.
Public education and your “Free Inquiry” all suffer from a lack of philosophical understanding of many things, but in everything you write, it seems to me the #1 thing that is not understood is “context”.
Btw, good job by Justin in not approving all of my comments on his Green Party election page. I see it helped him to er, victory.