5 Political stories in Clarington, Whitby, Oshawa, Pickering and Ajax in 2021

Some people dislike stories about politics. Others revel in them. Like politics or not, it’s unavoidable and often make up some of the best stories out there.

Politicians like to talk, right? So they make good quotes. Often because they tend to be well spoken but more often because they love to hear their own voice and will say anything to be in the limelight.

And sometimes, believe it or not, because they are just good people trying to serve their community.

Here are the Top 5 Political stories from the pages of indurham in 2021:

Durham Region a big bully

Oshawa Councillor John Gray lent his support to the Municipality of Clarington over their demand for an Environmental Assessment for the proposed Anaerobic Digester in south Courtice, calling the Region a “bully” for threatening to sue its own member community.

“Maybe they’ll get accolades for this down the road, maybe they won’t,” Gray said of the controversial Digester. “But isn’t that what an EA will tell us?”

Orchard Villa license renewal under fire

Opposition MPPs, health care advocates and local protesters are upset that the Ford government is considering renewing the operating license at Orchard Villa long Term Care Home in Pickering.

The retirement lost 85 residents during the early stages of the pandemic and critics feel the government is rewarding a facility that was the subject of a scathing report from the military over “horrific” conditions.

Harassment claims rock Whitby Council

Councillor Rhonda Mulcahy accuses some of her fellow councillors and Mayor Don Mitchell of a litany of sexist actions and misogynist statements over the current term of council.

Councillor Chris Leahy, in a hot mic moment, called Mulcahy “Big Rhonda,” setting off the firestorm that reverberated in the council chambers for weeks.

Durham Region losing battle against homelessness

A delegation to Durham Council said the region is falling behind in their efforts to help the homeless and looming budget cuts are only going to make the situation worse.

Manager of Affordable Housing and Homelessness Erin Valant told Regional Council programs now underway to alleviate homelessness are in jeopardy as the Region is expected to lose more than 60 per cent of its funding as federal and provincial COVID-19 relief dries up in 2022.

Lyndsey Park kicked out of caucus over vaccination claims

The Durham Riding MPP will sit as an independent after Premier Doug Ford booted her from caucus over false vaccination claims.

Park said it was a misunderstanding but the subsequent “breakdown in trust” forced her to resign from the party.