Queen's Park Reception for MPP's 2008

On October 21, 2008, the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries hosted a reception for MPPs at the Legislative Building of Queen’s Park.  The event was sponsored by Linda Jeffrey, MPP for Brampton Springdale and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

We were very pleased to have as our special speaker the Honourable Aileen Carroll, Minister of Culture and Minister Responsible for Seniors.  She spoke eloquently about the value of public libraries and was accompanied by all her senior staff including her Deputy Minister, Assistant Deputy Minister, and Director of the Programs and Services Branch.  

Board Chair Marzio Apolloni also spoke to the crowd, reinforcing the Federation’s key messages to government, which were presented to MPPs in a two-page handout.   

In total, 23 MPPs attended the reception, which we are told is a very good turnout.  Attendance had the following breakdown:

• 15 Liberals (5 Ministers, 5 Parliamentary Assistants, 5 others)
• 5 Conservatives
• 3 NDPs

Specifically, the following Ministers were there:

• Hon. Michael Brown, Chair of the Board of Internal Economy
• Hon. Michael Bryant, Economic Development/ Government House Leader
• Hon. Aileen Carroll, Culture (and Seniors)
• Hon. Michael Gravelle, Northern Development and Mines
• Hon. Jim Watson, Municipal Affairs and Housing

The Parliamentary Assistants in attendance were:

• Phil McNeely, Public Infrastructure Renewal
• Yasir Naqvi, Community Safety and Correctional Services
• Khalil Ramal, Community and Social Services
• Marie Van Bommel, Children and Youth Services
• Carol Mitchell, Municipal Affairs and Housing

The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Steve Peters was also present.

Special thanks go to all members of the Federation’s Board of Directors for helping to organize and host this excellent event.  Please have a look at our gallery of photos of the reception.

 

Kathy Gallagher-Ross, Chair Toronto Public Library Board and with Marie Van Bommel, Parlimentary Assistant to Minister of Children and Youth Services, MPP Lambton-Kent-Middlesex.	Jim Bennett, Trustee Ottawa Public Library Board with Bob Runciman, MPP Leeds Grenville.
Minister of Culture Aileen Carroll welcoming guests to the reception.	Adele Kostiak, CEO Brampton Public Library with Richard Mortimer, Director of Programs and Services Branch, Ministry of Culture.
Maria Ripley, Federation Staff, Marzio Apolloni, Federation Board Chair and CEO of Bruce County Public Library Marzio Apolloni, Mary Baxter, CEO Georgina Public Library and Rona O'Banion CEO Brock Township Public Library.	Michael Brown, Chair of the Board of Internal Economy and MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin.
Jim Bennett, Trustee Ottawa Public Library Board, Adele Kostiak, CEO Brampton Public Library, Marzio Apolloni, Federation Board Chair and CEO of Bruce County Public Library, Rona O'Banion, CEO Brock Township Public Library with Khalil Ramal Parliamentary Assistant to Minister of Community and Social Service, MPP for London-Fanshawe.	Marzio Apolloni, Federation Board Chair and CEO of Bruce County Public Library, Sandra Weitzel, CEO Dryden Public Library, David Ramsay, MPP Timiskaming-Cochrane.
Tony Ruprecht, MPP Davenport, his guest, Paul Miller, MPP Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, Linda Mackenzie, Federation Treasurer, Director, Research and Reference, Toronto Public Library.	Larry Stewart, Trustee Brant County Public Library, Sheri Mishibinijima, CEO Wikwemikong Library, Marzio Apolloni, Federation Board Chair and CEO of Bruce County Public Library, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Steve Peters, MPP Elgin-Middlesex-London.
France Gelinas, MPP Nickel Belt, Adele Kostiak, CEO Brampton Public Library, Linda Mackenzie, Federation Treasurer and Director, Research and Reference, Toronto Public Library.	Phil McNeely, Parliamentary Assistant to Minister of Public Infrastructure, MPP Ottawa-Orleans, speaking to Kathy Gallagher Ross, Chair, Toronto Public Library Board and Jim Bennett, Trustee, Ottawa Public Library Board.
Marzio Apolloni, Federation Board Chair and CEO of Bruce County Public Library, Hon. Aileen Carroll, Culture Minister, David Allen, Federation CEO, Lilita Stripnieks, CEO St. Catharines Public Library.	David Allen, Federation CEO, James Hamilton, Acting Manager of Culture Services Unit and Jane Pyper, CEO Toronto Public Library.
Marg Rappolt, Deputy Minister of Culture, Steve Davidson, Assistant Deputy Minister of Culture speaking with Kathy Gallagher Ross, and Linda Mackenzie.	Hon. Aileen Carroll, Minister of Culture and Adele Kostiak, CEO Brampton Public Library.
Daphne Johnston, CEO Ninda-Kikaendjigae-Wigammik Library, Marzio Apolloni, Federation Board Chair and CEO of Bruce County Public Library, Suzanne Rowe Knight, Manager Culture Liaison Unit with Carol Mitchell, Parliamentary Assistant to Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, MPP for Huron-Bruce.	Daphne Johnston, CEO Ninda-Kikaendjigae-Wigammik Library, Suzanne Rowe Knight, Manager of Culture Liaison Unit.