Sarah Campbell - From Queens Park

As we near the end of June, many students from across the region are preparing to celebrate their graduation.
This is a very special time for grads and their families as we celebrate not only the years of hard work that went into this accomplishment, but also the graduation to a new stage of life—that being adulthood and the opportunity to carve your own path forward.

Every week, I do my best to keep you informed about what is happening in Queen’s Park.
In doing so, I try to touch on the important issues that have come up during the previous week while also taking time to highlight important programs or services that may interest you.

Last week, Metrolinx, a government agency tasked with co-ordinating the transit systems in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Areas, released a series of controversial proposals for funding transit expansion in that region, including increases to the gas tax and HST, either regionally in southern Ontario or province-wide.

After a great deal of consultation with people across the Kenora-Rainy River riding, this past week I announced my decision to support the 2013 provincial budget.
This was not an easy decision to make. But after all factors were considered, I have no doubt it is the right one.

Last Wednesday (May 15), I rose during Question Period to ask the government why the Ministry of the Environment was unnecessarily delaying the Rainy River Gold Project.
For months the company had been trying to receive MoE approval for the terms of references for its environmental assessment, without any luck.

In last week’s column, I referred to some of the factors I’m seeking your input on to determine whether or not to support the 2013 provincial budget.

The Liberal government released its 2013 budget last Thursday (May 2).
If approved, the budget outlines Premier Wynne’s proposed spending plan for the next 12 months. If defeated, the province will be faced with its second election in less than two years at a cost of nearly $100 million to the province’s taxpayers.

Last week, MPPs debated Bill G36—the Local Foods Act.
In theory, the idea of a Local Foods Act is a great idea. Local foods are vital to the health and well-being of our communities and successful family farms are vital parts of our local economies.

This past weekend, I attended both the Red Lake Trade Show and the Dryden Sport and Home Show.
At both events, I had the opportunity to speak with many constituents about the upcoming budget and issues such as hydro prices, the Experimental Lakes Area, and maximizing the benefits of our mineral wealth.

On April 11, MPPs debated Bill 43—an amendment to the Mining Act intended to promote Ontario jobs.
While it did not propose sweeping changes, the bill would have created transparency in the system that could be used to promote economic development and job growth in the mining sector.