FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 5, 2023 — Gravenhurst — Members of the Green Party of Ontario’s Parry Sound-Muskoka Constituency Association gathered on Sunday at the Muskoka Discovery Centre to address ongoing concerns over Progressive Conservative policies that put politics before people and the environment, and to chart a better way forward.
At the association’s Annual General Meeting, former candidate for MPP Matt Richter joined members of the executive team to meet with over 80 local residents, from Sundridge to Parry Sound to Gravenhurst, and hear their concerns over the direction of the riding under the leadership of Premier Doug Ford and Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith. Among other topics, attendees expressed their opposition to Ford’s $13 billion HWY 413 project, which will pave over 400 acres of the Greenbelt and 2,000 acres of farmland, threatening or destroying 75 wetlands in the process. Residents also noted that since the election a year ago, nothing has been done to address the housing and health care crisis, to improve schools, or protect green spaces from rampant development.
In a speech to the audience, Richter noted that 100,000 civil service jobs have been cut in recent years while housing accessibility worsens and green spaces important to everything from climate mitigation to local tourism are being threatened.
“More and more people in our riding are seeing things for what they are,” he said. “Young and old alike are attracted to the non-partisan, people-powered brand of politics that we offer, because it’s the politics that we need.”
Dr. Norman Yan, Chair of Friends of the Muskoka Watershed, introduced Richter with a reminder that hope for the future, especially with our rapidly changing climate, comes from three pillars: knowledge from the science, the public will to accept the science, and a healthy democracy to act on behalf of the will of the people. He credited Richter and the Ontario Greens with an understanding of what it takes to bring real change to people’s lives.
The meeting also marked the last time association president Arleigh Luckett would serve in that role. Luckett, who recently announced her retirement, was elected president in 2018. The Green Party of Ontario awarded the Gravenhurst resident its prestigious Lois James Volunteer Award for 2022. She has worked on behalf of Green Party candidates and initiatives for years and will continue to be active as a volunteer for the Parry Sound Muskoka Ontario Greens. The association is calling for nominations for Luckett’s replacement and is in the process of reviewing potential candidates.
About the Parry Sound-Muskoka Constituency Association
The Parry Sound-Muskoka Constituency Association Executive (CA) meets monthly to address issues in our communities and across the province. Members and non-members are invited to attend. For more information go to https://psmgreenparty.ca.