Marit Stiles

MPP for Davenport | Leader of Ontario's Official Opposition @OntarioNDP

[Marit Stiles @MaritStiles]

I asked Doug Ford to recall the legislature so Ontario can fight back against Donald Trump’s tariffs. He called that “gutter politics.”

Here is my response:

[Marit Stiles @MaritStiles]

Why is every dollar of Ontario's new classroom supply fund locked into an American-owned chain, in the middle of a trade war, when Canadian retailers are right there?

The Premier must cancel the Staples deal today. And then he must recall the legislature so we can pass emergency tariff relief now.

[Marit Stiles @MaritStiles]

Earlier today, I wrote to Doug Ford, asking him to work with the Prime Minister on a plan for public ownership of Stelco. We don’t make this call lightly, but this is a unique moment in our history. One that demands bold, ambitious, and urgent action. We must put ideology aside and put Ontario workers first.    

Ontario cannot stand on the sidelines while our industrial capacity is dismantled. Inaction has already resulted in hundreds of layoffs across the province. If we wait any longer, we don't just risk losing good-paying, unionized jobs, but also decades of expertise and industrial capacity.

The best time to act has passed. The second-best time is now. Doug Ford needs to put his money where his mouth is and protect good Ontario jobs.

[Marit Stiles @MaritStiles]

Well, if the Premier denies it, I guess it can't be true. Doug Ford would NEVER lie...right?

[Richard Southern @RichardCityNews]

NEW - "I have been around long enough to know when I am being strong-armed by someone with political power" says Paul Godfrey in a new statement to 680 NewsRadio

The former Postmedia CEO alleges Premier Ford's then-top staffer used leverage over his son's company by promising funding to it in exchange for Postmedia running op-ed from Ford in 2025.

The Premier's office calls the allegation “Categorically untrue and completely disconnected from reality.” Godfrey calls that statement "Laughable"

@CharliePinkerto first to report

[Charlie Pinkerton @CharliePinkerto]

ICYMI: Paul Godfrey alleged Premier Ford's office exerted "political leverage" over his son's company by promising it government funding while also seeking a favour from Postmedia, which the elder Godfrey used to run.

Godfrey's full sworn declaration is here & @Thetrilliumca.

[Marit Stiles @MaritStiles]

A new scandal every year, like clockwork. After the Greenbelt scheme, after the Skills Development Fund debacle, we're now learning about the Premier's office allegedly strong-arming the media into giving him favourable coverage.

These are Trumpian tactics for a Premier desperately clinging to power. Every Ontarian should be deeply concerned at the thought of Doug Ford leveraging his office to get the media to push his agenda. 

Ontario can't afford more of Doug Ford's insider politics. An NDP government will clean up his corruption, and finally put the people of Ontario first.

https://t.co/lqEAwRAYRH

[Marit Stiles @MaritStiles]

Today marks three years since the horrific Hamas terror attacks that took the lives of 1,200 people, and saw over 250 taken hostage. I'm thinking of the innumerable families who suffered unimaginable loss on the deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust, and keeping them close to my heart.

Ontario New Democrats will never waver in supporting our province's Jewish community, and we will always defend them against the rising tide of antisemitic hate. Jewish Ontarians have seen escalating incidents of violence, intimidation, and discrimination. Acts of antisemitism must be held to account, and condemned.  Jewish families should never fear for their safety in Ontario, or for the safety of their loved ones abroad.

The ONDP joins people of conscience and humanity from around the world in calling for peace in Israel and Palestine, for human rights for all, and for an end to atrocities and genocide.

Today is a day to mourn, reflect, and hold space for each other. To choose empathy and understanding over violence and hate.

To all those whose hearts are heavy today, Ontario New Democrats are with you.

[Marit Stiles @MaritStiles]

Doug Ford doesn't even pretend to care about transparency. Fake press conferences, a five-month summer vacation to dodge questions, and even changing the law to hide his personal phone records.

This is a Premier who thinks he's above accountability. He doesn't think he should have to answer to anyone; not the media, not the opposition, and certainly not Ontarians.

It's long past time that Doug Ford remembered that he works for the people of Ontario — not the other way around.

https://t.co/ZfsaMLo2ih

[Marit Stiles @MaritStiles]

Doug Ford blamed students when he cut OSAP grants. He said they'd been abusing the system, but his government's own court records show students were always meant to be a scapegoat.

The Ford government has handed out hundreds of millions of dollars to for-profit career colleges, while failing in basic oversight. Meanwhile, our public institutions and their students are struggling amid chronic underfunding and the callous dismantling of OSAP.

Doug Ford needs to take some responsibility for what he's done to Ontario students. Pointing the finger at them doesn't cut it.

https://t.co/oQpNuizl4P

[Marit Stiles @MaritStiles]

When you only spend $140 million of your $5 billion tariff relief fund, you're not serious about making your plan work. Instead, we're seeing hard-working steelworkers get laid off, with more than 350 let go in Hamilton last week alone.

Doug Ford talks a big game when it comes to supporting Ontarians, but we've seen that he doesn't put his money where his mouth is. The Premier took a 21-week summer vacation instead of getting back to the legislature, and working with us to pass a plan that actually protects our workers and businesses.

When will Doug Ford finally put Ontarians first?

[Marit Stiles @MaritStiles]

The number’s don’t lie: Doug Ford’s privatisation scheme is a failure.

Patients are waiting longer for cancer surgeries, MRIs, and more — while over $600M goes to private for profit clinics every year.

This isn't how things are supposed to be in Ontario. Your bank account balance should never determine what kind of care you get. We need to put that funding into our public hospitals, and get everyone the care they need, when they need it.

https://t.co/A7DfzuyF4s

[Marit Stiles @MaritStiles]

Devastating news out of Hamilton this afternoon with hundreds of layoffs at Stelco. 

If you’ve gotten a layoff notice today, or you’re a steelworker in Ontario worried about your job, I want you to know that we are going to fight for you. 

I’ve called on Doug Ford to get back to work and deliver a real tariff relief package that helps workers now. While he’s on vacation, Ontario workers are getting left behind.

[Marit Stiles @MaritStiles]

Saddened to learn of the loss of Queen’s Park peace officer Joshua Camacho. A very sad day for our legislative family. He served with distinction and we will miss him. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time.

[Donna Skelly @SpeakerSkelly]

It is with deep sorrow and a heavy heart that I share the news of the passing of Joshua Camacho, a beloved member of our Legislative Assembly family.

Joshua worked as a Peace Officer at Queens Park for 3 years and was known for his professionalism and commitment to service.

Joshua passed away tragically in a motor vehicle accident early this morning.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones.  He will be deeply missed.

[Marit Stiles @MaritStiles]

I’m relieved that everyone is safe and nobody was seriously injured in this explosion. I want to extend my gratitude to the first responders who rushed in to keep everyone safe.

Thinking of everyone on Gore Street and the downtown Soo community, including my friend Lisa Vezeau-Allen and the amazing people at the Grocer4Good store.

https://t.co/7y0MLRa5hR

[Marit Stiles @MaritStiles]

This is horrifying. Muslim schools getting death threats and children being targeted simply because they are Muslim.

My heart is with the Muslim community across the province who are understandably shaken from this news.

This is Islamophobia and it is unacceptable. Hate like this has no place in our schools, in our communities, and no place in Ontario. We must act with urgency to keep communities safe.

https://t.co/LfUuM9vS4V

[Marit Stiles @MaritStiles]

These guys spent the last 8 years treating the public purse like their personal piggy bank, and they want the people to prepare for difficult times? That’s rich.

What sacrifices do people have to make for this government’s spending sprees on all the wrong things?

[Siobhan Morris @siomoCTV]

In the middle of an all day cabinet meeting, Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy and Treasury Board President Kinga Surma are warning about the possibility of tough decisions and belt tightening ahead

[Marit Stiles @MaritStiles]

Nous souhaitons à toutes et à tous une très belle Journée des Franco-Ontariens et des Franco-Ontariennes!

Aujourd’hui, célébrons avec fierté notre langue, notre culture et toutes celles et ceux qui font vivre la francophonie partout en Ontario.

[Marit Stiles @MaritStiles]

That’s a lot of excuses for a Premier and Minister who spent $60M to mess up getting school supplies into classrooms 🤷🏽‍♀️

Want to know how Ford and Calandra’s Staples contract is going? Ask any teacher or education worker. ✏️

[Tina Yazdani @TinaYazdani]

Asking Premier Doug Ford why Ontario gave its $66M classroom supplies contract to U.S.-owned Staples while his government pushes “Buy Canadian”:

“It’s like saying, don’t go to Home Depot, don’t go to Walmart, don’t buy an American car… and yeah… preferably not buy an American car…”

Education minister weighs in too. Watch:

[Marit Stiles @MaritStiles]

Once again, health care workers and patients are left paying for Doug Ford’s devastating cuts to our health care.

Firing health care workers when we should be hiring more is only going to make wait times longer and leave patients sicker.

Doug Ford and Sylvia Jones need to actually listen to experts, invest in our health care system, and put patients first.

Ontarians deserve so much better.

https://t.co/eGfEfvoU4y

[Marit Stiles @MaritStiles]

$60 million. To an American company. In the middle of a trade war.

Doug Ford's Staples Sweetheart Deal is a fiasco. And taxpayers are getting ripped off.

We're calling on the Auditor General to do a full value-for-money audit.

[Marit Stiles @MaritStiles]

See our letter to the Auditor General below ⬇️

[Marit Stiles @MaritStiles]

Getting pencils and notebooks into classrooms isn’t rocket science, but Doug Ford still managed to make a mess.

Today, we called on the Auditor General to conduct a value-for-money audit into the multi-million dollar deal with Staples for classroom supplies.