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ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (A.A).Open discussion meeting every Monday evening. Brunswick House First Nation Band office lounge 7pm.NarcoticsAnonymous(N.A)everyTuesdaysameplacesametime. NNADAPWorker@864-0174info.

CHADWIC HOME, FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE. Offers shelter, emotionalsupport,andinformationforwomenandtheirchildrenwhoarein crisissituations.WehaveaTollFreeCrisisLinewhichisstaffed24hoursa day.WecanarrangeforfreetransportationtotheCentreforwomenwho liveintheAlgoma/Chapleauarea.Wealsooffersupporttowomenwholive in the communities of Chapleau, White River, Dubreuilville, and HornepaynethroughourOutreachProgram.OurOutreachWorkertravels tothosecommunitiestomeetwithwomenwhoneedemotionalsupportas wellasinformationabouttheirrightsandoptions.Ifyouneedtospeakwith the Outreach Worker when she is in your community, you can call the Centre at any time to set up an appointment. You do not need to be a residentoftheCentreinordertouseourservices.Ifyouneedsomeoneto talktoorifyoujustneedsomeonetolisten,callourTollFreeCrisislineat1800-461-2242oryoucandropinattheCentre.Wearehereforyou.

Located on the Chapleau Cree First Nation will be from 7 a.m. - 9 p.m., 7 days a week

Drop by and check out our line of Authentic Native Crafts, Unique Gift Ideas, Jewellery, and Gift Certificates TOO! We also carry road trip snacks, which includes Subs, Chips, Pop, plus a whole lot more.

Library Hours

Monday 1-5 pm

Tuesday & Wednesday 1-7 pm

Thursday & Friday 1-5 pm Website : www.chapleau.ca Follow

TheLegislativeAssemblyofOntariowill resume sitting again on February 21st. Personally, I am very excited to return to the LegislaturewithMaritStilesasthenewlyelected Leader of the Official Opposition. I've known Marit since she was first elected in 2018. Her strengthandcommitmenttoimprovingthelives ofallOntarianshavealwaysimpressedme.

She is a down-to-earth, born-and-bred Newfoundlander who learned the meaning of hard work growing up on a farm. As an “Islander,” she has a strong understanding and great respect for our precious natural resources, environment, and working people. Marit says, “You can't live in Newfoundland without knowing both the power and fragility of nature. Fishermen,farmers,hunters—anyonewholives and relies so closely on land and sea knows we

cannevertakeitforgranted.”

OurnewleaderandtheNDPcaucushave ourjobcutoutforusasthecountdowntotheJune 2026 electionhas started. But, while we have to be conscious of the ticking clock, as an experienced party, we know to keep our eye on thegame,notthecalendar.

SomeOntarianshaveamisconceptionof whatitmeanstobetheOfficialOpposition.You'd be surprised how many people think that the Official Opposition's job is to automatically criticize,pointfingers,embarrass,andaccusethe government of doing a poor job governing the province.

Inactuality,thedutyoftheOfficialOppositionis tocloselymonitorandscrutinizethedecisionsof the governing party and cabinet. We do this by creatingashadowcabinetledbytheLeaderofthe Official Opposition. Members of the shadow cabinet, called critics, are assigned a portfolio best suited to their experience, knowledge, and skills.

The title of 'critic' is in some ways unfortunatebecausethewordhascometomean always taking an unfavourable view. 'Critic' is generally understood as a person who harshly judges others, makes derisive comments, and finds fault – often without good reason.    Butthatisnotthecasefor a shadow cabinet critic. Instead, their duty is to scrutinize government proposals, policies, and decisions for three essential purposes.

The first is to ensure that the voters know what the government is planning or has done during their time in office. Sometimes a government might choose not to let people know backgroundinformationthatcan profoundly alter the public's outlookonthedirectiontheyare taking the province. The Opposition's job is to ensure the voters have all the information theyneedtofullyunderstandthe effects of the government's actions.TheOppositiondoesthis by hearing from voters who believe the government needs to change current or proposed legislation. In addition, the rules of the Legislature allocate us time to ask questions of the government on the people's behalf and voice alternative ideas.

This brings us to the

Opposition's second job: to review government plansandlegislationtopointoutanyweaknesses orflaws.Toaccomplishthis,theOppositionhas members on committees to examine proposed bills and to work alongside the government to propose amendments or changes that would improve legislation. The committee can present improvementsbeforeabillisdebatedandpassed atthethirdandfinalreading.

Finally, the Opposition can present their own ideas to improve life for Ontarians by introducingaPrivateMembersBill(PMB).Any MPPwhoisnotacabinetministercanintroduce aPMB.Itcouldbetoaddressalocalissuewithin a member's own riding or all across the province.

To become Ontario law, a bill must pass through all the stages prescribed by the Legislature, supported by the majority of the House. Naturally, the government would prefer they get the credit for any positive change. Therefore, it is common for government memberstowithholdtheirsupportforaPMBat the direction of the premier and cabinet simply because an opposition member rather than a governmentmemberinitiatedit.However,itisa valuable tool for the Opposition to start a conversation about an issue or to push the politicalneedle.

There are several ways the Official OppositioncanworkinQueen'sParktomakelife better for all Ontarians. Working with governmentslikethecurrentFordConservatives can be frustrating at times. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, I am always rewarded by our team'shardworkandeffectiveness.

I have always maintained that for a politician to be effective, they must possess the ability to speak and communicate. However, their ability to listen to constituents' words with understanding and compassion is even more critical. Politicians must master the skill of opening their ears and minds rather than their mouths.BetweennowandJune2026,Ontarians will have the opportunity to see Marit Stiles in actionasthenewleaderofthe NDP.Voterswill haveachancetoseewhatadifferenceitmakesto haveleadershipthatlistensandrespondstowhat matterstopeopleratherthanleadershipthatuses theirpositiontobypassmeaningfulconsultation andpushthroughtheirownagenda.

Ilookforwardtocontinuingourworkas the Official Opposition with Marit Stiles at the helm.

As always, please feel free to contact my office about these issues or any other provincial matters.Youcanreachmyconstituencyofficeby emailat mmantha-co@ndp.on.ca orbyphoneat 705-461-9710orToll-freeat1-800-831-1899.