LETTER TO EDITOR: Why am I voting for Matt Richter?
February 24, 2025 – By Mark Grimstead, Special to MuskokaTODAY.com
Who has earned my vote in this election?
This is a question we should all ask ourselves in every election at any level. It should not be a matter of personal or family tradition, who knows whom or any other criteria that is not directly connected to the issues that impact all of us.
This election is a provincial election.
It is not about the U.S. president or the tariff wars. That is a complete ruse. This election was planned long before the U.S. election occurred. Misinformation and diversions are everywhere. Filter out the noise and make a wise decision based on confirmable facts.
The Green Party of Ontario has a platform that aligns most closely with my values. It is about so much more than the environment. It is practical, achievable and affordable. It stresses fairness to all, real fixes to an increasing health care crisis, a plan to help education workers. – more
Schreiner and Richter announce 5-Point Plan for Parry Sound–Muskoka
By Media Release February 4, 2025
Ontario Greens’ leader Mike Schreiner was in Parry Sound–Muskoka today to support Deputy Leader and local candidate Matt Richter’s 5-Point Plan for the riding.
“The people of Parry Sound–Muskoka need a government and MPP that takes our community’s concerns seriously,” Richter said. “Doug Ford has abandoned our community to waste billions on unnecessary projects in the GTA while people here in Parry Sound–Muskoka are struggling to pay their heating bills and rent, and to find a family doctor.”
Schreiner visits riding on his “Local Champions Tour”
January 27, 2025 By Doppler Online
Ontario Greens leader Mike Schreiner stopped in Parry Sound–Muskoka for two days on his “Local Champions Tour” to meet with deputy leader and local candidate Matt Richter.
Richter and Schreiner took time to visit with people at the Fire and Ice Festival, knock on doors in area neighbourhoods, and meet with local representatives from the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and Scales Nature Park.
After a best-ever finish in the 2022 election with 40% of the popular vote, Richter’s campaign continues to build momentum ahead of the upcoming provincial election, attracting more than 400 volunteers and $100k in grassroots donations. – More
Auditor general’s 2024 report reveals gaps in Environmental Bill of Rights compliance across several Ontario ministries
Thursday, January 9, 2025 – Megan Hederson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Muskokaregion.com
Ontario’s Auditor General has taken the Ministry of Natural Resources to task in her 2024 report over its failure to comply with the Environmental Bill of Rights.
The annual performance audit found MNR failed to meet standards for timely decision notices, transparent proposal language and properly considering public feedback.
The 2024 report from Shelley Spence, Ontario’s auditor general, looked at the adherence to the bill by nine ministries, including MNR, Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Ministry of Mines.
‘SUPER SATURDAY’ AS GREENS BRAVE COLD KNOCKING ON DOORS — AFTER ENDING 2024 RAISING ‘RECORD’ $53,000 IN FUNDRAISING DRIVE
Jan 6, 2025– Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
PARRY SOUND-MUSKOKA — A deep freeze didn’t deter Green Party supporters from knocking on thousands of doors on a “Super Saturday.”
Candidate Matt Richter’s campaign kicked off a possible election year with more than 50 volunteers in five communities across the riding “engaging their neighbours.”
He says 59 volunteers knocked on doors and made calls in Gravenhurst, Parry Sound, Dwight, Burk’s Falls and Bracebridge, reaching an estimated 6,000 voters across the Parry Sound-Muskoka in a single day. More
Green Party candidate Matt Richter readies for an election
Dec 10, 2024 – Doppler Online submitted
Matt Richter, Green Party Deputy Leader and candidate for Parry Sound-Muskoka, announced today that he would begin campaigning full-time ahead of the next provincial election.
“This is a critical time for our community,” said Richter. “For too long, this government has taken
our riding for granted.”
Richter’s full-time candidacy comes as speculation about an early election grows. He said the decision positions his campaign to meet the challenges of a potentially shortened timeline and ensures he can engage with residents across the riding on the issues that matter most to them.
Richter, who believes the current government has taken the riding for granted, is committed to engaging with voters, businesses, and community groups to better represent local needs.
His decision comes as speculation about an early election grows. Richter announced that he is bringing back his 2022 campaign manager, Maureen Balsillie, who will lead this campaign.
The campaign team emphasizes that having a full-time candidate and campaign manager is a key step in building on past successes and preparing for the possibility of an early election.
Richter calls out MPP Graydon Smith over MNR
Dec 4, 2024 – the Bay – MuskokaONline.com News
Ontario Greens Deputy Leader Matt Richter is calling out Minister of Natural Resources, and local MPP Graydon Smith after the Auditor General’s 2024 report revealed four violations of the Environmental Bill of Rights.
The report highlights that Smith’s ministry led in outdated consultation notices, with nearly two-thirds of them being overdue.
The report also says the minister’s office misrepresented environmental impacts, missed investigation deadlines, and misled the public about the consultation process.
Richter says these actions give the impression the government is either ignoring the rules or hiding information.
He also criticized the Ford government for spending over $103 million on partisan ads.
Richter officially nominated as Ontario Green candidate for Parry Sound-Muskoka
Doppler Online – October 20, 2024
Ontario Greens Deputy Leader Matt Richter has been nominated as the Ontario Greens’ Parry Sound-Muskoka candidate in the next provincial election.
Richter is an elementary school teacher in the Trillium Lakelands District School Board. Since first running for MPP in Parry Sound-Muskoka in 2007, Richter has significantly grown Green support in the riding. In the 2022 election, he secured more than 40 percent of the vote.
“I’m excited to keep fighting for more affordable homes, better healthcare and protections for the people and places we love,” said Richter. “Doug Ford’s Conservatives have taken rural communities like ours for granted, and it’s time for that to change.” – More
Richter releases statement on adding 10 beds to Bracebridge hospital
October 11, 2024 – Doppler Online
Ontario Greens Deputy Leader Matt Richter has joined in and also released a statement in response to an updated Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare proposal that would add ten net new acute care beds to the Bracebridge hospital, if approved by the Board, bringing the total up to 46.
“This is a positive outcome for our Muskoka community, and I’m grateful for all the local champions who made it happen.
For far too long, our communities have been pitted against each other as they try to secure scarce healthcare resources from a government that doesn’t care about them.
The Premier’s failure to take responsibility has divided Muskoka residents and created tension in the region. And while the addition of new hospital beds in Bracebridge is a positive step, the Ford government is still ploughing ahead with their plan to privatize public healthcare.
Carbon tax ‘is actually a good thing, contrary to what most people think,’ says Muskoka letter writer
April 24, 2024 – Letter to the Editor – ParrySound.com
First of all, I am not a supporter of the federal Liberals, however I am becoming very tired of people complaining about the carbon tax. It is actually a good thing, contrary to what most people think…
Make ‘better use of our existing infrastructure’: Provincial Green leader talks housing in Muskoka
February 6, 2024 – ByJulian Orlando Chaves, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter – Huntsville Forester
Schreiner and Port Sydney resident Matt Richter, recently named deputy leader of the Green Party of Ontario, hosted a town-hall meeting at the St. Thomas Anglican Church in Bracebridge on Monday, Feb. 5 to discuss ways to create more housing in the region.
The meeting was part of the ‘Legalize It’ campaign, which seeks to promote Bill 156, better known as the Homes You Can Afford in Communities You Love Act.
Green Party leader in Bracebridge on Monday
Feb 2, 2024 – media release – South Muskoka Doppler
Mike Schreiner, leader of the Ontario Greens, and Matt Richter, Deputy Leader and past candidate in Parry Sound-Muskoka, will host a housing town hall in Bracebridge on Monday, February 5th.
The pair will discuss solutions to the housing crisis in the region, including Schreiner’s Homes You Can Afford in Communities You Love Act, and take questions from the audience.
What: Mike Schreiner and Matt Richter host housing town hall
When: Monday, February 5, 2025, 5:45–7:00 pm
- Media availability from 5:45–6:00 pm
- Town hall to follow from 6:00–7:00 pm
Where: St Thomas’ Anglican Church, 4 Mary Street, Bracebridge
Parry Sound-Muskoka resident named deputy leader of the Green Party of Ontario
February 1, 2024 – MuskokaRegion.com
The Ontario Greens announced that Matt Richter has been appointed as deputy leader of the Green Party of Ontario, joining MPP for Kitchener Centre Aislinn Clancy.
An elementary teacher in the Trillium Lakelands District School Board, Richter is a community champion for affordable housing, climate action and a caring economy backed by small business.
Since first running for MPP in Parry Sound-Muskoka in 2007, Richter has dramatically grown Green support in the riding. In the 2022 election, he secured more than 40 percent of the vote.
Huntsville’s Matt Richter named deputy leader of the Ontario Greens
February 1, 2024 – Huntsville Doppler
GREENS NAME RICHTER CO-DEPUTY LEADER AS HE JOINS NEWEST PARTY MPP IN ‘LEGALIZE IT’ HOUSING TOUR MONDAY IN BRACEBRIDGE
February 1, 2024 – Muskoka Today
Combatting the Climate Crisis | Letters
Sept 19, 2023 – Doppler online
80 Muskokans and Almaguins marched to River Mill Park in the rain to tell our leaders, and world leaders, that we must act now, joining global climate actions in 65 countries, over 500 cities ahead of the world leaders’ gathering at the UN in New York to discuss Climate Ambitions.
And we have support at home. 75% of Canadians worry about Climate change. 21% are having fewer or NO children as a result.
Time for province to light a fire under its climate action plan
June 9, 2023 – Toronto Star- Letter to the Editor – Linda Mathers
As wildfires worsen air quality, Doug Ford urges Ontarians to avoid campfires — but stops short of a fire ban, June 7
Our MPP and the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Graydon Smith came dangerously close to sounding like a climate denier both inside and outside the legislature on Tuesday.
When asked by opposition party leader Marit Stiles to make the link between climate change and the raging forest fires across Ontario, and the entire country, Smith dodged the question. He actually said, “We’ve always had forest fires.”
In contrast, Mike Norton, director general of the Northern Forestry Centre at the Department of Natural Resources said on Monday, “So far this season 2,214 fires have consumed more than three million hectares in Canada. The 10-year average over the same time frame was 1,624 fires and 254,429 hectares.”
This is not normal, he went on to say.
With the province blanketed in smoke, people urged to stay indoors with air quality reaching dangerously high alert levels, Graydon Smith told the legislature his ministry is investing in firefighting equipment and resources. It’s a little like applying a Band-Aid to a gushing wound instead of stopping the bleeding.
Minister Smith, you and your Ford government, need to wake up and stop the climate heating. Failure to do so is unthinkable.
Linda Mathers, Port Carling
Richter noncommittal about running for Greens in Parry Sound—Muskoka for 6th time
June 5, 2023 – Brent Cooper Almaguin News
Matt Richter is fully committed to helping the Parry Sound—Muskoka Green Party win the next provincial election, which could be held in 2026.
However, in what capacity he will serve remains to be seen.
“I have often said I want to run again, but over the next three years, there’s a lot of moving parts … but the one thing is that we are very assured of is that we live in a riding that will be going Green, and I would love to be part of it in some capacity, whether it be at the candidate level or not.” more
Parry Sound—Muskoka Green party looking for new president
June 5, 2023 – By Brent Cooper Almaguin News
The regional Green party group is looking for a new leader.
Arleigh Luckett, who has held the top post with the Green Party of Ontario’s Parry Sound—Muskoka Constituency Association since 2018, said she is officially stepping down from the post.
She said she told the constituency association prior to the annual general meeting on June 4 in Gravenhurst that after serving for four and a half years in the position, she would not be standing for re-election as president of the association, nor for any other position on the executive at the meeting. more
Ontario’s Choice: Livable future or slippery slope to climate catastrophe?
April 19, 2023 – Mike Schreiner -featured in MuskokaRegion.com
On Earth Day we are at a climate crossroads, writes Ontario Green Party Leader and Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner
“We need honest, ambitious climate action now. But unfortunately, Ontario has a premier who is still investing in expensive fossil gas plants, paving over wetlands and farmlands, and supercharging climate pollution with expensive urban sprawl.” Read the whole article
IN QUOTES: Mike Schreiner talks Bill 23 for Parry Sound, Muskoka
Wed, February 8, 2023 – Sarah Cooke – Parry Sound North Star
“If you look around the world and you look at our own backyard, the climate crisis is here … the severity and frequency of climate fuelled extreme weather events are already hitting us and it’s only going to get worse if we don’t start reducing climate pollution.” — more
Green Leader Schreiner meets with municipal leaders in Huntsville
Wed Feb. 8th, 2023 – Mathew Reisler – MyMuskokaNow
Mike Schreiner, the Leader of the Green Party of Ontario, was in Huntsville Tuesday for a town hall at the Active Living Centre to talk about his opposition to Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act.
As part of the meeting, Schreiner was part of two meetings with municipal leaders in Parry Sound and Muskoka. That includes mayors and councillors from Gravenhurst, Georgian Bay, Muskoka Lakes, Burks Falls, Perry, Armour, Sundridge, Huntsville, Bracebridge, and Lake of Bays. An informal working group was formed as a result of the meetings.
“The concerns and needs of rural municipalities are very different than (Greater Toronto Area) municipalities,” says Schreiner. – more
‘I LIKE MIKE.’ Greens support leader … staying on, while also oppossing Bill 23
Feb 8, 2023 – Mark Clairmont – MuskokaTODAY.com OPINION
HUNTSVILLE — Mike Schreiner is Ontario’s most popular opposition leader.
“I like Mike” is a common refrain.
A tiny, perfect MPP.
With the Liberals and NDP hard-pressed to find anyone to lead them — let alone ones as likeable as Mike — the left of Doug Ford is as wide open as the Greenbelt is to development. – more
‘Sprawl agenda’: Green Party leader talks Bill-23 impact for Almaguin
Wed, February 8, 2023 – Sarah Cooke – Almaguin News
Ontario’s Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner hosted a town hall in Huntsville on the controversial Bill-23 which saw Almaguin residents and council members in attendance.
During a meeting that took place prior to the town hall, Schreiner said the biggest issue he heard from Almaguin council members was the loss of site plan control.
…The needs for the Parry Sound, Almaguin and Muskoka region are much different than those of central Ontario and the GTA, Schreiner said, and while development of the greenbelt is a huge concern, the concerns for the region included wetland and watershed management.– more
Failures of the democratic process: Muskoka reader critical of MPP over protest
Dec 14, 2022 – MuskokaRegion. com – letter
Friday, Dec. 9, I joined concerned citizens gathered in Memorial Park to peacefully demonstrate against Bill 23. From there we walked, letters in hand, gathering in front of your constituency office to deliver them two at a time… – more
Parry Sound-Muskoka observes Day of Action against Highway 413, Bill 23, greenbelt destruction
November 28, 2022 – Muskokaregion.com
Fifty volunteers in five communities across Parry Sound, Muskoka and Almaguin joined 700 volunteers in a provincewide Day of Action on Nov. 26 to save the greenbelt and stop Highway 413.
Over 830 local citizens signed petitions Saturday calling on the Doug Ford government to halt the destruction of the greenbelt, cancel Highway 413 and stop Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act. – more
Gravenhurst Local Arleigh Luckett Wins Green Party Volunteer Award
Taylor West – Muskoka 411 –
November 15, 2022
Gravenhurst resident Arleigh Luckett has been awarded the Lois James Volunteer Award for 2022, the Green Party of Ontario (GPO) announced Tuesday in a press release.
Every year the GPO recognizes an outstanding volunteer whose dedication and service have significantly advanced the values and policies of Green Party constituents, supporters, and voters.
Luckett was elected President of the GPO Parry Sound-Muskoka Constituency Association in 2018 and has worked on behalf of Green Party candidates and initiatives for 14 years, including as campaign manager for two campaigns. – more
How did the Greens gain so much momentum in Parry Sound-Muskoka?
Sarah Law, MuskokaRegion.com
June 3, 2022
Matt Richter achieved more than 40 per cent of the vote, placing him narrowly behind Progressive Conservative candidate Graydon Smith.
It was a historically close race in a riding led by Conservative MPPs since its formation in 1999 — and the Green party’s best showing in Parry Sound-Muskoka ever.
There was much speculation about whether Richter could turn Parry Sound-Muskoka green — and it almost happened.
But how? Read the whole story
Climate Action Muskoka held its 140th weekly strike in Bracebridge
MuskokaRegion.com
Friday, May 27, 2022
It’s week 140 of the climate strike in Bracebridge, and this time the activists were joined by well-known environmental advocate Elizabeth May.
May, the former Green Party of Canada leader and current MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands in British Columbia, showed her support for Parry Sound-Muskoka’s provincial Green candidate, Matt Richter.