#EmancipationDay is observed across former British colonies on Aug 1 to mark the date in 1834 when slavery was abolished. Chattel slavery first existed in ON when Loyalists came here after the American Revolution, and enslaved people were forced to work as unpaid labour.
Catherine Fife
@waterloompp.bsky.social
Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Waterloo, Ontario (2012/14/18/22/25); Shadow Minister for Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade; https://linktr.ee/cfifekw
Enough with the secrecy - the government needs to be transparent about its process for allocating data centre permits. "The incident is also raising broader questions about environmental oversight as more AI-powered data centres are built across Ontario." #onpoli
"Taylor said (retiring Sport Minister Neil Lumsden's) decision to step down effective next Tuesday opened a door for her to return to Queen’s Park with Ford’s Progressive Conservatives under pressure over his $28.9-million 'gravy plane' jet purchase and expense scandals." #onpoli
"Taylor added she was born and raised in Hamilton East—Stoney Creek and raised her daughter there, making this a 'full circle moment.'" #onpoli
Congratulations to these incredibly strong and courageous women 👏👏👏 “It’s just unimaginable that at a point where I didn’t even know if I was going to survive, now I’m going to be, and all the women along with me, are going to be international athletes.”
A warm, Waterloo welcome to all of the athletes who will be competing at the 2026 Ontario Summer Games across our region for the next 4 days! Thanks to Explore Waterloo Region, the organizers & the 1000s of volunteers for making this possible. #GamesOntario #OSG2026
This is just one of thousands of sexual assault cases in ON that was tossed before it got to a courtroom. What is the Attorney General doing to fix the province's broken "justice" system? Yet again, justice delayed is justice denied. #LydiasLaw #onpoli
Ministry (MECP) & Region are left trying to clean up the chemical spill from the largest Data Centre in Waterloo Region. The investigation will take some time but the public deserves answers to evaluate future risks. 80% of our water is from groundwater 💦 #onpoli
It seems like there should be more attention on an issue like this...right? "There is a noticeable chemical smell in the air...GFL workers on site said Ascent owns the property but would not comment on what the substance is or the extent of the spill."
If you’re aged 18-30 with a passion for making positive change in your community, the Ontario Women's Parliamentary Forum is your opportunity to learn about Ontario’s parliamentary system and discover how you can make an impact. www.ola.org/en/visit-learn/programs/ontario-womens-parliamentary-forum.
On Sat July 25 & Sun July 26, GO buses will replace trains between Strat/Kit & Mt Pleasant GO stations. Hourly trains between Mt Pleasant & Mt Dennis; no service between Mt Dennis & Union. GO buses between Strat/Kit & Hwy 407 Bus Terminal.
"I don't want people in the future to go through what I went through. I want them to be able to have a chance for proper healing, proper accountability, so that they're not left re-traumatized like I was." - Vanessa Smith #LydiasLaw #onpoli
During the summer, my team and I have been out in the community, listening to you & collecting hundreds of signatures on petitions that will be presented at Queen's Park. Add yours at www.catherinefife.com/issues. Here are your top 5 priorities in Waterloo. #onpoli
Only one month to decide if you are ready for the challenge of municipal politics! If interested nominations for mayors, councillors and school board trustees must be filed by August 21. Full details at www.waterloo.ca/council-and-committees/municipal-elections/
On July 17, 1926, the Royal Canadian Legion was officially incorporated. To celebrate the 100th anniversary, I spoke with Branch 530 Waterloo President James Conrad about the Legion's role in our community. #LestWeForget
The smoke has reached Waterloo region. Environment Canada has issued an Orange air quality warning for our area for the second day, which means it is the highest level for dangerous pollutants in the air.
"We need to support survivors. They need their justice and they should not have to drag out their trauma that they have gone through." - Shinade Allder #LydiasLaw
If you need to cool down during this extreme heat, city facilities are open to the public. Waterloo City Hall: Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm RIM Park Manulife Sportsplex: daily 6 am - midnight Waterloo Memorial Rec Complex: daily 6am - 11pm Albert McCormick Community Centre: daily 10am - 6pm
Happy birthday to Phyllis Webstad, founder of Orange Shirt Day. Thank you for sharing your story and helping other Residential School survivors on their healing journey. Your teachings are a gift, and you are an inspiration to so many people. Le7 re sitq̓t ne k̓últ-ucw!
Thx to WRPS for the quick response to racist posters in Uptown Waterloo. Reports of hate motivated incidents help with investigative leads and improve public safety. To report a hate crime or hate incident that is not an emergency, call 519-570-9777. For all emergencies, call 911.
Congratulations to Neruda Arts as it celebrates its 25th year of bringing culture from around the world to our community. Thanks to Isabel Cisterna for her incredible leadership and another successful Kultrun World Music Festival 👏👏👏
Ford Tire Recycle plan fails: recent regulatory changes lowered mandatory recycling targets from 85% to 65%, resulting in mass stockpiling at garages and illegal dumping sites across Ontario. #onpoli
My office has heard from too many constituents who are seeking cancer treatment that has been cleared by Health Canada but is not publicly funded in ON. Patients don't have time to wait for bureaucracy - they need life-changing therapy now. #onpoli
"#LydiasLaw is very important to me because it demands accountability. It demands proper oversight. It demands true justice. And it demands that survivors are taken care of." - Stacey Jacob, sexual assault survivor #onpoli
This is a devastating blow to our local news media. My thoughts are with the many dedicated employees who worked so hard to make sure our community was well informed. A strong democracy requires the media to hold us to account.
“The program is meant to streamline and accelerate wait times, but because the government has failed to invest in the system, it continues to be under-resourced, which means it will continue to fail applicants.” - Catherine Fife #onpoli
Many residents & businesses are concerned about the ongoing water crisis in our community. "After 6 months of a development freeze, WR is finding its way out of the water supply crisis. Luisa D’Amato brings together everything you need to know." #onpoli www.therecord.com/opinion/colu...
Residents & businesses continue to face uncertainty due to the region's water crisis inc questions about data centres' water requirements, water taking permits & timelines for building. Who decides how many are allowed? ON needs better regulations to protect our water. #onpoli
Karissa sums up why #LydiasLaw is needed: "Lydia represents the voices of so many survivors in Ontario who have been silenced by our justice system. They deserve justice in a timely manner, they deserve to be heard, and they deserve to be believed." #onpoli