Teresa Armstrong delivers maiden speech at Queen’s Park
QUEEN’S PARK – Newly elected MPP Teresa Armstrong has delivered her debut speech in the Ontario Legislature where she focused on the most important concerns facing the people of London–Fanshawe including jobs, affordability and a shortage of long term care beds.
“There is real necessity for all of us here to take action by creating and protecting jobs for the long run. We must stop giving away across-the-board tax cuts to companies who are not compelled to create jobs. I believe rewarding the job creators of this province is the right way to move forward and I ask for all members here to support my efforts,” said Armstrong.
Armstrong told her fellow MPPs about her experiences of the health system in London, and how meeting patients and nurses on the campaign trail showed her that there needs to be a change of priorities.
“In London, we have emergency wards that are bursting at the seams and no real commitment to long term care beds….Our proposal to cap the six figure salaries of hospital CEO’s would allow for us to reinvest those savings and restore the loss of our front line healthcare staff. It’s clear that my constituents of London-Fanshawe are simply not confident that the healthcare system will be there for them when they need it,” she told MPPs.
Armstrong, who is the NDP’s Critic on Training, Colleges and Universities, also highlighted the shameful fact that Ontario has the highest tuition fees and the lowest per capita spending on postsecondary education in the country.
“We must immediately address the dual problems of skyrocketing tuition fees and student debt. This Government cannot honestly expect to offer a program to only a handful of “eligible” students while he does nothing to prevent tuition fees from rising exponentially. My riding of London-Fanshawe is home to Fanshawe College and just outside the riding is University of Western Ontario, I am eager to provide the students of my riding…with the financial relief they so desperately need,” said Armstrong.
Armstrong found time to thank her hard working staff and volunteers who devoted their time and energy to help her become the new MPP for the riding.
“To all the dedicated volunteers who gave up their time and shared their personal stories with me. I thank you for your hard work, dedication and trust. Together, we achieved a huge success and we connected with our community and each other on a meaningful and personal level.”
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