WE NEED TO PUT PEOPLE BEFORE PROFITS: SINGH
MPP Jagmeet Singh holds first ever town hall on Auto Insurance

Bramalea-Gore-Malton- April 17th,2012:

MPP Jagmeet Singh held the first ever town hall on Auto Insurance for Bramalea-Gore-Malton. The room was at capacity with community members raising their voices to express their frustration towards high insurance rates.

“Insurance companies attribute high rates to fraud, however the impact of fraud only accounts for 10%-15% of insurance claims. Current laws work in favour of insurance companies, such as the guarantee of a 12% return on equity,” explained Jagmeet Singh

“Let’s change the system. Let’s work to implement laws that are in favour of Ontarians, not for the profit margins of insurance companies, laws that put people first,” stated Singh.

Community members provided their own stories on their struggles with high insurances rates and its impact on their families.

“My wife and I are paying six thousand dollars a year for auto insurance, with no accidents, no tickets and with a 10 year clean driving record. It’s unfair, and unacceptable, ” said Brampton resident Dave Wakely.

“I just recently moved from Caledon to Brampton, and the lowest quote I received was 480 dollars a month. This is outrageous, my auto insurance when I lived in Caledon, which is 5 minutes away from my new house, was 200 dollars a month. We need to fix this problem, and we need to fix it now,” exclaimed new Brampton resident Gurleen Kaur.

Jagmeet Singh is putting forward Bill-45, which is aimed at addressing high auto insurance rates. Specifically it looks at the current practice of basing insurance rates on geographic location.

“Bill 45 is a step towards remedying these issues. It will stop the discriminatory practice of using someone’s geographical location to charge higher rates. The Ontario NDP will not stop until we have an auto insurance system that is fair for all Ontarians,” asserted Jagmeet Singh

Jagmeet Singh: NDP will hold Minister to his word on Brampton gas plant plans

April 16, 2012

 Queen’s Park – Bramalea-Gore-Malton MPP Jagmeet Singh has secured a commitment from the Energy Minister Chris Bentley that the cancelled Mississauga gas plant will not be moving to a site in Brampton.

 Singh had demanded an explanation after revelations that Eastern Power had been probing potential sites in Brampton to replace the gas plant that the government pulled the plug on during the last election.

 “I am very relieved that the Minister has responded to the clear signal from the community in Brampton that they would not accept a gas plant in an already polluted area, next to a conservation area and less than a kilometre from schools and homes,” said Singh today.

 Singh asked Energy Minister Chris Bentley to explain why Eastern Power had been allowed probe new locations for a massive gas plant behind closed doors without consultation with local residents or all local councillors.

 After the Minister stated that the Government has backed out of plans to move the plant to Brampton, Singh expressed cautious optimism about the change of heart.

 “The Liberal government’s energy plan seems to change day to day. We’ve had enough of these flip flops based on politics. The local community will be watching closely and holding Minister Bentley to his commitment that a gas plant will not be imposed on Brampton,” he added.

 -30-

April 15, 2012

 ONTARIO NDP CELEBRATES VAISAKHI WITH A VOW TO PRTOECT SIKH ARTICLES OF FAITH
ONDP passes resolution to protect Sikh articles of faith in all public institutions

Ontario New Democratic Party Convention- Hamilton, Ontario:

A resolution put forward by the Bramalea-Gore-Malton riding association with the support of MPP Jagmeet Singh to legislate the protection of Sikh articles of faith was passed unanimously on the first day of Ontario New Democratic Party (ONDP) convention in Hamilton with a standing ovation from representatives across the province.

The resolution reads,

“Protection of Sikh Article of Faith

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Ontario New Democratic Party will support the enactment of laws that provide legislated protection to the Sikh community to wear their articles of faith in all public institutions and places.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Ontario New Democratic Party will encourage legislations that mandates reasonable accommodations to allow the Sikh community the freedom to practice their faith in all public institutions and places.”

“I am honored that during this time of Vaisakhi, the founding of the Sikh Articles of Faith, that the ONDP is passing a resolution to protect these very articles. The passing of this resolution demonstrates ONDP’s commitment to the Sikh community and an affirmation of the ONDP’s progressive policies towards the protection of religious freedoms”, said Jagmeet Singh

“The ONDP has always stood with the Sikh community. The ONDP was the first party provincially to recognize the Sikh Articles of Faith, and this resolution demonstrates the ONDP’s dedication to continually move forward on religious freedoms,” added Singh

“The resolution includes the protection of Sikh Articles of Faith in the ONDP’s policies. The ONDP will work to support legislation of all Sikh Articles of Faith, including the 5 Kakkars along with Dastaar (Turban), in all public places, including court houses, roadways, and all government buildings,” stated Mandeep Grewal, president of Bramalea-Gore-Malton ONDP riding association.

-30-