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w w w .insidehalton.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, June 2 , 2 0 1 7 | 6 E d ito r ia l The test of time Decades ago, the O akville B e a v e r would call Kevin Fly nn to get reaction for the latest politically-slanted story -- seeking, of course the NDP and local council, view. Then, the young man of Irish decent ran a landscap ing company, and was new on council where he admit tedly felt like an outsider, with new ideas and opinions. Fast forward 18 years and the then long-time com munity champion, who, had a reputation of always hav ing time for the `little guy' while upholding community values, turned his sights to Queen' s Park -- and with the Liberal Party. Today, Flynn is now the longest-serving Oakville MPP, having been re-elected since 2003. He had rough moments as his party tried to build a gas-powered power plant here against just about every one' s wishes. He took heat, as well as accolades, when the plant was cancelled and it was deemed a political seat saver in some quarters. He has also served as parliamentary assistant for min isters of labour, environment and energy, has led hear ings and championed changes to mental health services, and is now Ontario' s Minister of Labour. At the time of a 30-year community celebration of his political life, Flynn told the B e a v e r of the influence his dad had in shaping it. In the early 1970s, his father' s sup port of the NDP' s David Lewis led to a conversation be tween a teenage Flynn and the party leader in the base ment of the campaign headquarters on the importance of youth political involvement. Recently, we covered Flynns Oakville Provincial Youth Association Committee' s (OPYAC) trip to meet Ontario Premier Kathleen W ynne at Queens Park. They delivered their ideas. Flynn is still supporting youth in volvement. So, too, is he still true to his roots, supporting the little guy with a strong interest in labour. Flynn was backing W ynne this week as the provincial government, looking for re-election in 2018, delivered proposals for `sweeping changes' to provincial labour laws (see story on pages 1 and 10). Most notably was a jum p in minimum wage to $15 hourly by 2019. It was part of a landmark package of proposals that includes ensuring part-time workers are paid the same hourly wage as full-time workers for do ing the same job, introducing paid personal emergency leave days for every worker, expanding personal emer gency leave and making employee scheduling more fair. Earlier this month, Ontario released the final report of the Changing Workplaces Review, the first independent review of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and La bour Relations Act, 1995 -- under Flynn' s eye as labour minister. It' s a job he always wanted. The recent reviews big undertakings not done too often. "Its a great time to be in labour," Flynn said. "I think, in the fullness of time, this is going to be one of those periods where we make some important decisions that are going to dictate the future of the province." Whether a fan of the changes or not, one thing is cer tain, Oakville' s provincial rep is true to his roots. "C o n n e c t e d t o y o u r C o m m u n i t y " 5046 Mainway Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Classified Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 55 | Number 43 The Oakville Beaver is a division of * C o n n e c te dtoy o u rc o m m u n ity ® Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. · *metrolandmedia Vice -President and Group Publisher of Metroland West NEIL OLIVER KELLY MONTAGUE Regional General Manager Advertising Director DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN M yV iew RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager LORI ANN GZOVDANOVIC Director of Production Fostering girls as future leaders MARK DILLS MANUEL GARCIA L ast week, I hosted m y inaugural Young W om en in Leadership Program (YW IL), which offered young women in Oakville Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL Circulation Manager North-Burlington and across Hal ton an oppor tunity to job-shadow in a local business, agency, organization, or government office. Mentors from various local businesses and or Pam D am off Oakville North-Burlington MP KIM MOSSMAN ganizations were paired with mentees who are in high school, college, university or new to the workforce. Participants were matched with an organization that relates to their career interests and aspirations, from firefighting to police services, medicine, poli tics, industrial, not-for-profit, business services and more. More than 45 Halton area organizations hosted more than 50 young women in their workplaces as part of the program. The YW IL program allowed young women to participate in a job-shadow to increase their knowledge and understanding of career options, develop specific skills that employers look for and build confidence in professional environments. I am committed to creating leadership oppor tunities for women and girls by fostering systemic change and providing forums for female voices to be heard. As vice chair of the Standing Committee on the Status of W om en, I am keenly aware of the need to ensure girls are afforded equal opportunities for education, job training and fair employment. I had the pleasure of visiting many participants I O A K V I L L E Beaver. Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association L ocalM ed iaassocati Proud Official Media Sponsor For: see Mentors on p.7 O g= Helton Healthcare Oaks-nionaileries Pud by Steve Nease The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 or via email to ablackburn@ oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. JL p p 1 Ontario Press Council V s4 Defending principles to inspire public trust The Oakville Beaver is a m e m ber o f th e Ontario Press Council. 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