A Letter to Milton: Local Leadership Starts With Listening

Strategic Advisory Note: Milton CA Leadership Priorities

To: Syed Mohsin Rizvi, Chair – Milton CA
From: Mansoor Qureshi, Leader – Ontario Centrist Party
Date: June 2025
Re: Milton Needs Leadership That Solves, Not Just Speaks

Mohsin,

Milton’s growth story is undeniable—but the provincial response has been slow, fragmented, and often dismissive of what residents are going through on the ground.

We don’t need to match other parties in messaging. We need to outperform them in problem-solving. Here’s where you start: these are Milton’s five most urgent issues—at the provincial level—and what you can do right now to start solving them.

1. School Overcrowding and Delayed Provincial Funding

The issue: Milton’s schools are among the most overcrowded in the province. Some have capacity over 120%, with kids spending years in portables.
Why it’s provincial: School board funding formulas are set by Queen’s Park, and capital approvals are slow, especially in high-growth towns like Milton.
What to do:

  • Request a meeting with Halton District School Board and identify top 3 pressure points.
  • Advocate publicly for automatic funding triggers tied to population thresholds—not political lobbying.
  • Start a local campaign: “No More Portables by 2027.”

2. Transit Neglect and East-West Disconnection

The issue: GO Transit focuses on getting people to Toronto—but local connectivity inside Halton is broken. Derry Road, Britannia, and Steeles corridors are congested, unsafe, and underserved.
Why it’s provincial: Metrolinx controls GO expansions and is prioritizing regional hubs over suburban mobility.
What to do:

  • Push for local bus pilot programs between Milton, Oakville, and Burlington through provincial transit grants.
  • Make the case for off-peak and weekend GO train expansion—especially for low-income and shift workers.
  • Collaborate with nearby CA teams to present a united Halton Transit Reform proposal to Queen’s Park.

3. Delayed Health Infrastructure

The issue: Milton’s hospital expansion is badly behind pace. Family doctors are scarce, and the town lacks mental health resources for youth and seniors.
Why it’s provincial: Hospital expansions, clinic licenses, and primary care access are under the Ministry of Health.
What to do:

  • Publish a Milton Care Gaps Report—get data on family doctor shortages, wait times, and service deserts.
  • Advocate for a Satellite Mental Health Hub with walk-in counselling for youth, integrated with local schools and rec centres.
  • Propose local medical student placement incentives in Milton through OMA and provincial channels.

4. Mismanaged Housing Intensification

The issue: Towers are going up, but parking, schools, traffic control, and services are falling behind. Residents feel development is imposed, not integrated.
Why it’s provincial: The Ontario government’s housing targets pressure municipalities, but with no enforcement of infrastructure balance.
What to do:

  • Call for a Growth Readiness Scorecard before provincial approvals: no build gets greenlit unless roads, schools, and clinics are accounted for.
  • Position CPO as the voice for “Yes to Growth, Only If it Works.”
  • Publicly challenge MPPs pushing one-size-fits-all targets without infrastructure accountability.

5. Lack of Provincial Investment in Newcomer Integration

The issue: Milton has one of the highest newcomer settlement rates in Ontario, but provincial services (employment, legal aid, community health) are still centralized in Mississauga or Toronto.
Why it’s provincial: Newcomer programs, ESL, and settlement funding flow through provincial ministries.
What to do:

  • Form a Milton Newcomer Working Group to collect lived experiences.
  • Advocate for decentralized provincial service access points in Milton: employment support, legal aid, and mental health.
  • Push for ESL classroom ratios and funding to reflect post-2020 population data, not outdated projections.

Next Steps for the CA

  • Build your leadership team around these five issue tracks: one volunteer per domain.
  • Begin regular contact with school trustees, regional councillors, and parent associations.
  • Host a Quarterly Milton CA Forum with guest experts—urban planners, educators, doctors—who can ground these problems in data, not just headlines.
  • Share one public dispatch per month: what you’re hearing, what you’re working on, and how residents can help shape policy.

Final Thought

Don’t waste time trying to look like a candidate. Build yourself as a connector—between the community and the provincial system. That’s where real influence begins.

Milton doesn’t just need a voice. It needs a bridge. And you, Mohsin, are in the best position to build it—with full support from the party.

Let me know when you’re ready to turn these tracks into team briefs or public campaigns. I’ll back your strategy fully.

Mansoor Qureshi
Leader, Ontario Centrist Party
https://ontariocentristparty.ca

Ontario’s $15 Billion EV Delay: What Honda’s Pause Really Means for People

This week, Ontario hit a speed bump in its push toward becoming a leader in electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing. Honda Canada announced it’s postponing its $15 billion investment project in Alliston — a project that was supposed to create thousands of jobs and bring long-term economic momentum to the province.

The plan included building an EV battery plant and retooling their vehicle assembly facility. It was seen as a cornerstone of Ontario’s green economy. The federal and provincial governments had pledged over $5 billion in public funding to support it. Now, Honda says the project is on hold for up to two years.

The reasons? Slower global demand for electric vehicles and new U.S. tariffs that affect how foreign-made EVs will be treated in the American market.

This isn’t just about factories or headlines. It’s about trust — and about real people in real towns who were counting on this.

A Story That Could Be Real — Even If It’s Not

To show what this means on a human level, let’s imagine a young man named Jayden. He’s not real, but his story could be.

Jayden is 21, living in Barrie with his mom and younger brother. He just finished trade school and was excited about the Honda expansion. He saw a future in it — an apprenticeship, a steady income, maybe even the chance to move out and support his family.

Now, that plan is on hold. No job, no clear answers, and no way to know when the opportunity will come back — or if it ever will.

This is what happens when we put billions into projects without guarantees. And it raises an important question: What do we owe the communities who buy into these promises?

Where the Ontario Centrist Party Stands

At the Ontario Centrist Party (CPO), we support bold investments in Ontario’s economy — especially in clean technology and innovation. But we also believe that public money should come with public protection.

If a project gets billions in support, there should be clear accountability:

  • What happens if timelines change?

  • What guarantees exist for local workers and communities?

  • How do we make sure these investments actually deliver long-term value — not just press conferences?

This pause from Honda is a reminder that Ontario can’t afford to build its future on single deals. We need strong economic ecosystems: skilled trades, flexible education, support for startups, and smart infrastructure that prepares us for whatever comes next.

The Bottom Line

Ontario has the talent, the will, and the resources to lead — but leadership isn’t just about headlines. It’s about staying power.

We’ll keep pushing for a province that protects its people, plans wisely, and never leaves workers like Jayden behind.

After the 2025 Election: Ontario’s Voice of Reason

Good evening, fellow Ontarians and Canadians,

In the wake of the federal election, I want to offer a few reflections—not just as the Leader of the Ontario Centrist Party, but as a citizen of this country who deeply values democracy and unity.

First, congratulations to Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberal Party on forming the next government. We may hold differing political views, but democratic outcomes deserve respect. We wish the new government wisdom, integrity, and an open heart in service to all Canadians.

But let’s also be honest—this election stirred up a lot more than results.

Ontario Doesn’t Run from Responsibility

We’ve seen tension. We’ve seen blame. But let’s set the record straight.

Ontario shows up.

  • We vote in high numbers.

  • We carry our weight in every federal decision.

  • We lead with calm, not chaos.

We didn’t rig anything. We did our democratic duty—and we did it with integrity.

When Canada needs common sense and steady leadership, Ontario steps up. We don’t do it for credit—we do it because it’s the right thing to do.

So yes, we expect respect—not because we’re sensitive, but because we’ve earned it.

What We Stand For

At the Ontario Centrist Party, we aren’t chasing headlines or clout. We stand for:

  • Strong ideas over strong personalities

  • Unity over division

  • Solutions that work, no matter where they come from

We support policies that bring Canadians together, expand opportunity, and strengthen families and communities.

What’s Working at the Federal Level

Let’s acknowledge some wins:

  • Childcare affordability has improved life for working families.

  • Transit and green infrastructure investments have created jobs and reduced emissions.

  • New healthcare agreements—while imperfect—have added much-needed support.

  • Immigration policies have filled labour gaps and enriched our society.

These deserve credit.

But Challenges Remain

  • Housing affordability is slipping further out of reach.

  • Immigration support systems need strengthening—connection matters.

  • National unity is fraying, and finger-pointing isn’t the answer.

  • Economic pressures demand steady, disciplined leadership.

Ontario’s Role Moving Forward

We’re not here to fan flames.

We’re here to do the work—just like the entrepreneurs, teachers, healthcare workers, and families across this province who move us forward every day.

Ontario isn’t loud. But when we speak, we speak with purpose.

We don’t claim to have all the answers. But we do expect a seat at the table—and an equal voice in shaping Canada’s path.

Let’s Raise the Standard

This wasn’t a turning point. It was a test. And now, it’s time to show who we are—not as partisans, but as Canadians.

Let’s drop the drama, raise the standard, and move forward—together.

Ontario is ready.

Thank you for watching,
Mansoor Qureshi
Leader, Ontario Centrist Party

Ontario’s Honest Look at the 2025 Federal Election

We’re just days away from a federal election that could reshape the direction of the country. But for many Ontarians, the mood isn’t hopeful or inspired—it’s uncertain. And for good reason.

In this update, I speak plainly about the growing discomfort many of us feel when we look at our choices.

  • The Liberals have introduced legislation like Bill C-11, C-63, and C-26 that—while framed as public interest—raise serious concerns about privacy, free speech, and government overreach.

  • The Conservatives are leaning into stronger punitive measures and emergency powers. While security matters, there’s a thin line between safety and suppressing rights.

  • The NDP, despite good intentions, have spent years backing Liberal moves that many now view as compromising democratic accountability.

As Ontarians, we’re watching this unfold and asking: Where’s the voice of balance?

That’s where the Centrist Party comes in. Not to fan flames or play sides—but to insist on policies that are thoughtful, transparent, and rooted in real-world outcomes, not ideology.

This video lays it out plainly. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to watch and reflect—not just on who to vote for, but why.

Ontario deserves more than slogans. We deserve a say.
Let’s make it count. Let’s get to work.

Federal Election 2025: What It Means for Ontario

A centrist look at national choices through a provincial lens

As the 2025 federal election picks up momentum, we’re seeing a lot of national narratives take shape. Leaders are speaking to Canada, but here in Ontario, we have to ask: what do these promises and policies really mean for us?

This isn’t about who you support—it’s about whether Ontario’s voice, economy, and long-term growth are being reflected in the direction of this country.

Here’s my latest message breaking it down:

A few realities to keep in mind as Ontarians:

  • The Liberal record is long. And while Mark Carney is more polished than Trudeau, his direction appears similar—especially on federal oversight, energy infrastructure, and interprovincial negotiations. His effectiveness may actually accelerate the same agenda we’ve seen over the last decade.

  • Pierre Poilievre is presenting a change in tone and approach—focusing on affordability and freedom. But his party hasn’t yet offered clear answers on how that shift will translate to support for infrastructure, housing, or public services in Ontario. We need clarity, not just contrast.

  • Jagmeet Singh and the NDP are emphasizing social supports and housing affordability. That matters. But for Ontario to grow, we need those priorities matched with serious economic planning and respect for provincial autonomy—especially around healthcare and education delivery.

My perspective as a centrist and an Ontarian:

This election is about more than Ottawa. It’s about how decisions made federally will shape what we can build here, locally. We need policies that reflect the scale of Ontario’s contribution—industrially, economically, and demographically.

Ontario can and should lead—on clean energy, technology, housing innovation, and democratic stability. But we need a federal partner that listens, not lectures. One that respects the unique challenges our province faces and works with us to build long-term, sustainable growth.

What you can do:

  • Ask better questions about how federal policies affect Ontario—not just slogans, but delivery (details matter)

  • Think about national unity not as an abstract issue, but one that impacts Ontario’s trade, energy, and workforce

  • Stay informed, stay engaged, and help keep the conversation rooted in practical outcomes—not partisanship

Ontario isn’t waiting for permission to lead. But we do need partners who see the province not just as a vote-rich region—but as a builder of Canada’s future.

Let’s keep moving forward—together.
Let’s get to work.

 

Your Vote Is Powerful — But It Has to Be Thoughtful

This election, there’s a lot of emotion in the air—and for good reason. People are upset. The situation in Palestine and Israel is devastating, and it’s affecting how many voters are thinking about their choices.

Let me start by saying: I understand that. These are real issues that touch people deeply.

But as the Leader of the Ontario Centrist Party, I have to be clear—foreign policy is not something we control at the provincial level. Our job is to make decisions that impact your everyday life in Ontario:

  • Can you get the healthcare you need?

  • Is your child’s school doing right by them?

  • Can you afford to live in your own city?

  • Are jobs and small businesses being supported?

These are the things we work on. And these are the issues your provincial vote directly affects.

I also want to say something that might not be popular, but I think it’s important:
Voting based on one emotional issue—no matter how real—can lead to outcomes you didn’t intend. A lot of politicians are counting on that. They’ll say one thing to win your vote, and do something else once they have power.

This is why we need to take a step back and vote with a clear head.

Here’s what I ask of you:

  • Look at who’s actually aligned with your values across the board—not just on one issue.

  • Start with local impact. That’s where change begins.

  • Stay grounded. Emotions matter, but decisions made in anger or grief often get used against us.

  • Be thoughtful in how you express yourself. Protests and advocacy are important. But criminal behaviour or division won’t bring change—it only sets us back.

If we want things to get better—for everyone—we have to vote with intention, not just emotion.

Thanks for taking the time to reflect on this.
Let’s make it count.

– Mansoor Qureshi
Leader, Ontario Centrist Party

Tariffs, Unity, and the Road Ahead

Weekly Ontario Update – April 11, 2025

This week’s message covers some important ground for Ontarians and all Canadians.

In just a few minutes, I break down:

  • The real impact of U.S. tariffs on Ontario’s workers and industries

  • How the Ontario government is responding with $11B in support

  • Canada’s emerging role on the world stage — and why Ontario must lead

  • Growing concerns around transparency and democratic process

  • Why now is the time for steady, balanced leadership

We’re facing complex challenges, but I truly believe Ontario is ready to rise to the moment — with calm, confidence, and common sense.

As always, I welcome your thoughts. Let’s keep building a province that works for everyone — together.

Let’s get to work.