The Legislative session is waning but the festive season is waxing and it’s time to provide a short update on what’s been happening and what’s coming up as your representative for Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston.

First up is my annual Christmas Hootenanny on Sunday December 15th from 2-4 pm at the Grand Hotel in Carleton Place. The Hootenanny is open to everyone and features the World Famous Bowes Brothers performing your favourite songs, hot food and cool beverages. For more info and to RSVP please click here. I also hope you can tune in to Lake 88 on December 23 for their ‘Christmas Kitchen Party’ and my annual recitation of Twas the Night Before Christmas.

During the last week of the Legislature I will be introducing a Private Members Bill, the Public Accountability and Lobbyist registration Act, 2019, which, if passed, will provide a much more robust framework to ensure elected members and public servants act in a fashion more in keeping with our expectations, and to limit the undue influence that some lobbyists have over government. A short explanation can be found here. 

I was overwhelmed by the huge response to my broadband survey this fall, and was especially alarmed by the number of people getting sub-standard internet services. I have undertaken a number of consultations with various providers, the Counties, our federal Member of Parliament, Scott Reid, as well as Hydro One, in an effort to remedy these failings. Hopefully, I’ll have some good news and improvements to announce in the coming months. You can view the results of my broadband survey here.

I am disappointed that labour strife and disruptions have once again entered our classrooms and public education. I had attempted to head off this impasse with a plea to the Minister, school boards and teachers unions, however, it appears in my view that there was little appetite for anything other than a showdown. You can read my letters and a call for a Select Committee on Education here and here. 

As your Independent Member it has been a breath of fresh air to both be supportive of the government when they act in a manner that is commendable and also to be critical when they fail to meet reasonable expectations.  

Last, but certainly not least, I have launched a Constitutional Challenge of Ontario’s Election Finance laws, which prevents me as an independent from raising funds for my re-election. To learn more of this legal challenge or to help out visit RightToRep.ca.

You can always view my many Statements, Questions, Debates, and other official business on my Youtube channel, on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

Randy Hillier