Christina Blizzard
Queen's Park Columnist
Christina Blizzard is the Queen's Park Columnist for QMI. She has covered provincial politics since 1994, and is the author of Right Turn: How the Tories Took Ontario, a book chronicling the rise to power of Mike Harris and his Common Sense Revolutionaries in 1995. She has covered four provincial elections and four premiers - Bob Rae, Mike Harris, Ernie Eves and Dalton McGuinty. Prior to arriving at Queen's Park, she spent many years at Toronto City Hall and the school board trying, unsuccessfully, to use her laptop computer as a blunt instrument to inculcate the values of thrift and respect for taxpayers' money in councillors, trustees and bureaucrats. Blizzard is a past president of the Legislative Press Gallery and a board member of the community newspaper, the Beach Metro News. She's worked for the Sun since it started as well as for The Guardian in London, England and the now defunct Toronto Telegram.
Columns
Liberals forgetting what first ‘T ‘in TTC stands for
Cynics among us asked when the byelection was happening.
When it comes to hospitals it's 'Hacksaw Kathleen': Ontario Health Coalition
Kathleen Wynne and her Liberal government are hacking and slashing hospital budgets in a way that’s more chaotic than Mike Harris ever was, says a coalition fighting to save hospital beds.
Liberal MPPs heading for the exits?
Like a Saturday night sot, the Liberal government is lurching wildly towards the legislature’s summer break.
Wynne has no right to force MPPs to quit
The manner in which Premier Kathleen Wynne and her Liberal government have handled allegations of sexual harassment is a head-scratcher for many Queen’s Park observers.
Capacity of Ontario hospitals being stretched
Deep cuts to funding are causing dangerous over-crowding and have put the province’s hospitals — including the country’s most important children’s hospital — on life support.
Young musician wins 'Yes I can!' award
Back in March, I told you the inspiring story of a remarkable young woman.
Liberals left altering democratic process out of election platform
For those of you who lie awake at night wondering about such things, I have a number for you: $2.70.
The UK's Brexit dilemma
Stay or go: that’s the difficult dilemma facing the UK as it heads into a referendum next month on whether to leave the European Union.
Silence on MPP harassment puts Wynne's credibility at risk
To paraphrase her energy minister, Kathleen Wynne is peeing all over the map when it comes to sexual harassment.
Our politicians lacked class with Prince Harry
This is about Missed Manners — an etiquette guide for politicians who just don’t seem to get it.
Prince Harry bares his soul in Toronto visit
That was one searingly poignant speech Prince Harry gave Monday, as he took Toronto by storm to launch next year’s Invictus Games in this city.
Get ready Toronto, here comes Harry!
Ginger power comes to town Monday, when Prince Harry breezes in to promote his Invictus Games.
OMA prez rips Hoskins' 'attacks' on docs
The president of the Ontario Medical Association says Health Minister Dr. Eric Hoskins’ attack on doctors last week was “aggressive and also unfortunate.”
Stories
Libs stonewall financial watchdog
Once again, an independent officer of the legislature is accusing Kathleen Wynne’s government of stonewalling him.
See how the Queen lives at the Royal York
The Fairmont Royal York, the official place of residence for the Royal Family in Toronto, is celebrating the Queen’s birthday Thursday.
Meet the hydro bill whisperer
There’s an old expression about when life hands you lemons, you make lemonade.
Black hole in Sunshine List
There’s a giant black hole in the Sunshine List this year, say opposition politicians, who are outraged the sell-off of Hydro One means it’s no longer subject to legislation requiring the salaries of all public servants making more than $100,000 be made public.
Regent Park Music School helps give kids a voice
Regent Park School of Music gave Milena Oliva her voice — literally.
Edinburgh home to impressive royal attractions
Robert Louis Stevenson -- one of its famous sons -- called this elegant city, "this dream in masonry and living rock."
Whitby-Oshawa byelection has 'None of the Above' options
Sheldon Bergson changed his last name to Znoneofthe. First name, Above.
What we heard at the door in Whitby-Oshawa
In the north end of Whitby, Norm Sawula is steaming about the economy.
Reinventing Rotterdam: Innovative Dutch city emits funky urban vibe
It's young, it's hip -- and it's a city on the move. That is the vibe you get from this modern, upbeat and future-looking metropolis.
Amsterdam aglow: Fabulous light sculptures illuminate canals during festival
It's a custom as old as civilization itself. When the long winter nights arrive in the Northern hemisphere, people find a way to light up their lives with a blaze of colour.
Edinburgh serves up a feast of international festivals
Every year in August, this stylish city of charm and elegance bursts forth into a rich cultural feast for the senses.
Syrian refugees could stay in empty hospitals: Ont. health minister
Syrian refugees could be housed on military bases and in empty hospitals, Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins says.
Officials eyeing deadly stretch of 401
Transportation Minister Stephen Del Duca says he has asked his ministry and the OPP to see if there’s a way to make a deadly stretch of Hwy. 401 safer.
Gov't's snow removal plan puts 'lives at risk': Critics
Opposition critics say the government is giving drivers a snow job after a contractor’s poor performance during two major storms caused major headaches for drivers last year.
Beef up penalty for drunk driving: MADD
The province is always looking for ways to crack down on drunk driving and make roads safer, the transportation minister said in the wake of a fatal crash that killed three siblings and their grandfather.
'High-level' meeting between Liberals, teachers unions did not touch on monetary issues
Premier Kathleen Wynne and her Education Minister Liz Sandals held an early morning meeting Friday with teacher unions and representatives of the province’s school boards in a bid to end the impasse in negotiations with the unions.