Rumoured Departure Of The Deputy Premier: George Smitherman

Recently the halls of Queens Park have been buzzing with rumors circulating that the Minister of Energy & Infrastructure, George Smitherman may be leaving Dalton McGuinty's cabinet for a chance to become the Mayor of Toronto. Although the Premier has labelled these rumors as false it does bring up the interesting scenario of who would take Smitherman's place should he chose to run for Mayor. There are a few MPP's that could be thought to have a chance of becoming a Minister should McGuinty be faced with the departure of Smitherman.

The first candidate is Oakville's MPP Kevin Flynn. MPP Flynn has been Parliamentary Assistant in the Ministries of Labour, Environment, Democratic Renewal and Training Colleges and Universities. Before his entrance to Queens Park Flynn was a Town Councilor in Oakville and a successful business owner. Although issues regarding a proposed power plant in his home riding have put Flynn in some hot water recently he should be looked at as one of the top candidates for a Ministerial position should McGuinty shuffle the cabinet again.

MPP Lou Rinaldi cannot go without mention either. Much like MPP Flynn, Lou Rinaldi has been the Parliamentary Assistant for various ministries. MPP Rinaldi has been P.A. for Public Infrastructure Renewal, Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Municipal Affairs and Housing. MPP Rinaldi has strong support of his home constituents in Northumberland-Quinte West. Rinaldi has been very involved in local politics being elected numerous times and is also a former Mayor.

The final possible candidate to receive Smitherman's place is someone who is not unknown to Ministerial positions. MPP Greg Sorbara is another possible candidate (as an interim Minister/Deputy Premier). He has been Minister of Finance, Consumer and Commercial Relations, Labour, Responsible for Women's Issues, Skills and Development and finally Colleges and Universities. It would be a safe move on the Premier's part to place him there seeing as how he has more than enough experience at Queens Park in Ministerial roles and could likely be the best possible pick until a more permanent candidate could be selected.

The election in Toronto is still a ways off but this issue is heating up more and more. Will we see the departure of a very successful and hardworking deputy premier from McGuinty's cabinet? Only time will tell...

History Is Right Across The Table

Very few times in a person's life will they come face to face with history. Like meeting a war veteran, meeting a former premier (who arguably led the most successful Ontario government - 20 years before I was even born) was an unreal experience.

It was inspiring to meet him, and to actually have a conversation with him. Often times meeting people who make history seems in a way surreal - sure they can be seen in pictures and history books but we sometimes forget that they are actual real people.

The very ironic twist about this whole story is that I was unaware of whom I was meeting with until about half way through the meeting. Then it hit me like a sack of bricks when I realized who I was with - Arguably the greatest premier of all time!

The pictures I had seen of the former premier were from his much younger days, likely why I didn't clue in right away. He began to tell stories of his days as leader and I was mesmerized. Staying professional in the meeting, and not asking for his autograph was quite a challenge.

Here I was sitting across the table from one of the greatest men in Ontario's history.

No history book can give you that!

The Man At The Corner Of Avenue Road and Bloor Street West

Surprisingly out of all the things that have occurred in this internship, and all the people I've met, I must devote a blog to the man at the corner of Avenue Road and Bloor Street West.

One night after work when a homeless man came up to myself and a group of coworkers as we were walking to a restaurant and asked us for money. As they all ignored him I thought maybe I should offer him some dinner instead of giving him some change? I took him to the McDonalds down the street and bought him a Big Mac and a coke.

Apparently in the city, giving them money is good enough but out of all the thank yous I have received in my life none were more memorable then this. It was like I had cured a disease or given him a million dollars or something. He said thank you close to 20 times and I have to say this experience was one I will never forget. After having a conversation about where I work, how he got to where he was, and about life in general he asked if I wanted to be a politician someday. I told him that I want to be in politics and that someday I want to be a politician. If my hopes of becoming a politician could be portrayed as a small fire this mans next few words would be like pouring gasoline on that small fire. "I'd vote for you man".

Something so little, meant so much to this man, and something so little as those five words meant so much to me.

Breakfast Sandwich and an Orange Juice

Here I am, standing outside the Ontario Legislature staring at the building where all the leaders of our province meet daily. It may have been because of the beautiful design of the structure that I was unable to look away however it is more likely that it was because I was about to walk into a building that would turn me, a 19 year old University student, into an intern for the Ontario Provincial Legislative Assembly.

Walking through the halls of the legislature was breathtaking. On the walls hang portraits of past premiers and speakers of the house. Would my picture be up there one day? Would my name go down in history as a great leader of Ontario? Thoughts like this were running through my head.

After meeting up with my boss we went to the cafe to have some breakfast and sat down with two gentlemen who were unknown to me. These two men were the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Transportation. Once my boss introduced me I was startled. Could I an intern from the suburbs of a small town actually be in the presence of two very well respected Ministers!? Am I really eating breakfast with them?

This was easily one of my most memorable breakfasts I have ever had! After conversing with the two Ministers I felt like a wave of confidence and excitement had swept over me. They told me how they started out in politics and it made me realize if they can do it then so can I. Now I had the fuel needed, and the determination required.

The Beginning

As soon as I walked into the meeting room I began to sweat. Was it the humidity or was it pure nervousness. It was the latter of the two. This was the first day of my new job, the first day of being an Intern.

This Internship was the opportunity I needed. This was my chance to make it big.

Upon entering the room one thing was very noticeable. Other interns were already thinking about their future career in politics and had planned out their way to get there. Many of them showed cut throat passion and drive for politics. They showed determination and focus. They unintentionally taught these things to me. The first lesson learned, observe your opponents, find their flaws, and exploit them.

Here is where the journey begins for the Intern....