Sep 152011
 

“Nominations closed at 2 PM today in Ontario’s provincial election and, for the first time, the Freedom Party of Ontario is running candidates in enough ridings to form a majority government. Ontario has 107 ridings. Fifty-four (54) MPPs are required to form a majority government. Freedom Party has nominated candidates in at least 56 ridings. Freedom Party is running candidates in all 24 Toronto ridings, giving it a full slate in the province’s most vote-rich region…”. Click here to read the full media release.

Sep 132011
 

Freedom Party received an e-mail from a graduate student, K, who wrote, in part:

As a scientist-in-training, I applaud your party’s commitment to reason and in particular your suggestions to separate religious practice from schooling. However, I take issue with your party’s stance on pesticides.

There are two problems I have with this. The first is that it’s one thing to let people expose themselves to whatever toxic substance they wish, but nobody has a solid wall around their property that blocks windborn movement of pesticides, or insects (whose good health is important to birds, pollination services, and many small mammals). Consider it like having a neighbour blaring loud music at all hours of the day: their right to play loud music doesn’t override your right to be able to enjoy your property (including having a good night’s sleep).

The second I have is an issue of onus. While you argue that it is irrational to ban something that hasn’t been proven to be unsafe, I would argue the opposite: the onus is on government to regulate items that are not necessary (and really, a green lawn is not particularly necessary to one’s survival, ability to hold down a job, or have a family) that cannot be proven to be safe and impact everyone around them. Think of it like recreational drugs: I think it’s any one person’s (of age) choice to take recreational substances, but I don’t think people have the right to smoke indoors at their workplace where other people are forced to also consume that drug.

Toxicology is an immensely complicated science (and I’m appalled at the difficulties researchers in that field have with obtaining funding). And the tricky part about it is that testing on pregnant women or small children is unethical. But I think just because something hasn’t been proven to be safe, doesn’t mean it is. And we need to balance the benefits that item brings us versus the potential costs–I don’t think a green lawn is really more important than our health.

Anyway, I’m happy to hear what you think!

I replied as follows. Continue reading »

Sep 072011
 

VIDEO – DESCRIPTION:

This election commercial was aired on Sun News Network during the Ontario general election of 2011 to promote the party’s 2011 election plank: Eliminate the Beer Sales Tax (B.S.T.).

Transcript “On Canada Day, 2010, the Liberal government of Dalton McGuinty quietly introduced the B.S.T.: a tax only on beers brewed in Ontario. There’s no B.S.T. on imported beer. A Freedom government will eliminate the B.S.T.. That will knock as much as five dollars and seventy-six cents off the price of a case of the many fine beers brewed right here in Ontario. Freedom Party. No B.S. …T.” Continue reading »

Sep 072011
 

VIDEO – DESCRIPTION:

This election commercial was aired on Sun News Network during the Ontario general election of 2011 to promote the party’s 2011 election plank: Close Ontario’s Race-based Public Schools.

Transcript: [Muhammad Ali]: “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”. [Paul McKeever]: “Ontario’s public schools should not tell children that this man is among the greatest black athletes in history. They should tell children that this man is among the greatest athletes in history. A Freedom government will eliminate race-focused public schools.” [Muhammad Ali]: “I am the greatest!” [Paul McKeever]: “One race, the human race. Freedom Party.” Continue reading »

Sep 072011
 

< VIDEO – DESCRIPTION:

This election commercial was aired on Sun News Network during the Ontario general election of 2011 to promote the party’s 2011 election plank: Restore Fair Auto Insurance.

Transcript: “Ontario’s Liberals imposed no-fault auto insurance in 1990. The no-fault system has been a failure. No-fault has forced drivers to pay higher premiums for shrinking benefits. Most of us are afraid to make an insurance claim. A Freedom government will change the law. Your premiums will not increase when another driver is responsible for injuring you or damaging your vehicle. Restoring fairness in auto insurance. Freedom Party.” Continue reading »

Sep 072011
 

VIDEO – DESCRIPTION:

This election commercial was aired on Sun News Network during the Ontario general election of 2011 to promote the party’s 2011 election plank: Eliminate Dalton McGuinty’s Pesticide Ban.

Transcript: “In 2009, Ontario’s Liberal government banned lawn and garden pesticides. [Dalton McGuinty]: ‘We’re gonna ban the sale of those cosmetic pesticides.’ The McGuinty government says you don’t need pesticides. We think Ontario doesn’t need pests. A Freedom government will eliminate the pesticide ban. Ontario will have beautiful lawns and gardens again. Freedom Party.” Continue reading »