TORONTO – Election day is just around the corner! That’s why we’ve invited all of Ontario’s major party leaders to join us on the show for a one-on-one interview to discuss their plans for our beautiful province if they are elected premier on June 2nd!
Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner has tons of plans for the province, especially when it comes to addressing mental healthcare. Schreiner says his party is the first in the province’s history to release a standalone mental health strategy.
“One of the key components of it is to make mental health services available through OHIP,” he explained, adding that they are also proposing that the province treat the addiction crisis as a public health emergency, not a criminal justice issue.
“We would work advocating that the federal government decriminalize drug use because we know that it directly impacts the safety of supply and people reaching out for help,” Schreiner explained.
“We would also recognize the intersections oftentimes between race, mental health, substance use, and police interactions,” he said, adding that the Greens also have an innovative plan to address mental health crises.
“We are proposing a three-digit crisis line for someone who is experiencing a mental health crisis to call for mental health support, not armed police support,” Schreiner said, adding that he has spoken with police who feel they are not prepared to handle mental health crises.
Meanwhile, when it comes to housing costs across Ontario, Schreiner says that his party would bring new solutions to the problem. Proposed solutions include getting rid of speculation by increasing tax rates for non-resident speculation and vacant homes, and implementing a multiple home speculation tax.
“These big corporations and deep-pocketed speculators who are buying up so much housing, we save that housing for people! Especially first-time homebuyers!” Schreiner explained.
The Greens would also get rid of exclusionary zoning, so different homes like tiny houses, duplexes, and triplexes can be built to create more housing. The Greens would also build 182,000 “deeply affordable” rental housing spaces.
“By supporting co-ops and non-profits in other community-based housing solutions, we can build that deeply affordable housing that people need, so we can address needs across demographics,” Schreiner explained, adding that the Greens would also implement rent control.
“We have to make sure that people can afford to pay the rent. In a place like Toronto, a minimum wage worker has to work 85 hours to be able to afford the average one-bedroom apartment.
When it comes to the price at the pumps, everyone is looking for a solution. Schreiner’s solution? Reduce the number of gas-powered vehicles on the road!
“We would help the average person buy electric vehicles,” he said, explaining that the Green Party would provide a $10,000 rebate for new electric vehicles and $1,000 rebates for used electric cars and bikes.
The Green Party also plans to reduce fares for public transportation by half, with the goal of tripling ridership rates.
Interestingly enough, while he does believe that he’s the best candidate for the job, Schreiner says that he’s not necessarily running for Premier. However, he is hoping to increase the number of seats his party holds.
“It’ll be very hard to go from one seat to the premier’s chair,” Schreiner explained, adding the Greens are hoping to increase the number of Green MMPs that Ontario has.
Brandon and Mike discussed everything from how the Greens would address student debt, to how they feel about COVID restrictions post-pandemic on this episode of News You Can Use!
