Monte McNaughton's best burger
Also: Pre-budget consultations kick-off, Ford's festive photo-ops, year-end fundraising push, holiday headlines
🍔 MCNAUGHTON’S MCDOUBLE
This time of year brings families together, and for many, that happens in the kitchen.
So I asked Labour Minister MONTE MCNAUGHTON what he’s cooking up for his wife and daughter when he’s not wearing his ministerial hat — and there was no hesitation: his trademarked homemade double smash cheeseburger.
After touring the province on a mission to find the best burger in Ontario, the Labour Minister says he’s close to perfecting his recipe.
“When I’m not on the road, there’s nothing I like better on a Saturday afternoon than a greasy, cheesy smash burger,” McNaughton says. “My recipe is a work in progress, but I’m told by my daughter that I’ve finally cracked her Top 10.”
In his own words, here’s the “Monte McNaughton Homemade Double Smash Cheeseburger™” recipe:
— The basics: Whether I’m at home, in Mt. Brydges, or in Toronto, I make sure to go to my usual butcher when I’m making burgers. As we all know, it’s the meat that makes the burger, literally. And those who know me know I make sure I’m getting meat that has plenty of fat in it to make sure I end up with that nice, greasy burger.
Some people will tell you that you need to marinate the meat, adding all sorts of stuff. I’m a purist.
— The prep: Once I’ve got my ground beef, I roll it into balls. This is the most important part — what I always remind my daughter is: Not too big, and not too small, kind of like Goldilocks. When smashed, they shouldn’t be too much wider than the bun.
— The method: Once you’ve fired up the grill (you’ll need a flat-top), just throw the burgers down and smash them one at a time. No need for fancy tools. I use a regular spatula.
Here’s where personal preference comes in. Others add special seasonings as the burgers are grilling — about 4 minutes a side — but I stick with salt and pepper.
— The garnish: Once I’ve flipped the burgers, you can bet I’ll be adding a nice slice of cheddar to mine, stacking them for the Monte McNaughton Homemade Double Smash Cheeseburger™.
— And the toppings: Mustard, pickles, onions and mushrooms.
🎁 In need of a last minute gift? Check out our made-in-Ontario holiday giving guide.
ON THE COMMITTEE CIRCUIT
It may be winter recess in the House, but committees are anything but quiet.
Call it Christmas for fiscal wonks — it’s almost pre-budget consultation time. The Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs is gearing up to hear from stakeholders, advocates and lobbyists about what they want to see in the upcoming 2023 spring budget.
Travelling public hearings kick-off early in the new year, starting in Kenora on January 9.
Full itinerary:
January 10 — Red Lake
(Deadline to apply to speak at the above hearings: January 3)
January 23 — Windsor
(Deadline: January 17)
January 30 — Sudbury
January 31 — Sault Ste. Marie
February 2 — Timmins
(Deadline: January 24)
February 6 — Ottawa
February 7 — Kingston
(Deadline: January 31)
February 13 — Barrie
February 14 — Toronto
(Deadline: February 7)
Anyone who doesn’t make the witness roster can still have their input on the record by sending a written submission by 7 p.m. on February 14.
FUNDRAISING WATCH
Another political sign the year is ending: A final push for party donations.
The latest:
— From the PCs, looking back on 2022: “We got it done in 2022. Our big win in June proved that Ontarians want to see Progressive Conservative ideas guiding our province,” reads the email blast from party president MICHAEL DIAMOND, who touched on housing, jobs, long-term care, schools and traffic congestion. “We still have a lot of work ahead of us leading into 2023. But there is no one I trust more to get the job done than Premier DOUG FORD. Show your support for our party before the December 31st financial deadline, and lock in your 2022 political tax credit.”
— From the NDP, keeping up with the Conservatives: “Let me tell you what we’re up against. Despite having half as many donors, DOUG FORD’s Conservatives have managed to raise more than three times what we have. We know from the news what kind of people are schilling out max donations to Ford. They’re developers trying to pave over the Greenbelt, and people who want to privatize our healthcare.
“People support us because they want to see a better Ontario. Folks give what they can to help us organize towards that shared goal. That’s why a group of dedicated New Democrats have pledged to match any donation that comes in before midnight on Friday…Chip in.”
— From the Grits, on the fight for education: “After two tumultuous school years where students and their families have suffered immensely, this government continues to drag its feet on improving our education system, to the detriment of our kids,” says Education critic MITZIE HUNTER. “I’m fighting for our schools in 2023. I’m fighting for our kids, parents, teachers, and education workers. It’s time for Doug Ford and his government to step up, show real leadership, and make sound investments in our education system…Give today.”
— And the Greens, looking ahead to 2026: “I spend every waking moment getting us ready for the next provincial election,” writes JACKIE DASILVA, the party’s director of mobilizing. “Our end-of-year campaign raises around one third of our supporter-led financing. I’m told that we’re about a third of the way to our goal of $570,000…Can you help me meet our goal by chipping in?”
💸 Catch up on how much political parties and third-party organizations coughed up during the spring election campaign.
SPOTTED:
The Premier glad-handing around the province for festive photo-ops. That includes welcoming new Toronto Police chief MYRON DEMKIW, hauling gifts to his local Salvation Army, and picking up some treats at Sweet Boutique in Woodbridge.
HOLIDAY HEADLINES
— JUDGY: “The Ford government is assuming complete control over the selection of the next chief justice of the Ontario Court of Justice, the Star has learned, using a new process that judges say violates basic democratic principles and ‘will erode public confidence’ in the courts…Rather than having the outgoing chief justice represent the interests of judges in choosing [current chief justice LISE MAISONNEUVE’s] replacement, Downey’s plan calls for judges to apply for the position directly — through him alone — and to provide feedback to him on candidates.”
— WAITING GAME: “Ontario has freed up 3,414 hospital beds this fall by moving elderly patients who no longer need acute care into nursing homes, but the transfers under the Ford government’s controversial Bill 7 have not resulted in shorter wait times for beds. ‘We haven’t seen that yet,’ Health Minister SYLVIA JONES” told the Star.
— WAITING GAME II: “The Ontario government has failed to meet its target of providing funding for 8,000 children to receive core autism therapies by the end of the fall, though it won’t say by how much.” The Canadian Press has the story.
— “CHRONIC NEGLECT”: “The heartbreaking story of Brandon — a pseudonym used to protect the boy’s privacy — was laid out in a scathing report from Ontario Ombudsman PAUL DUBÉ that revealed stunning and repeated failures by Children’s Aid Society Toronto…This is the first report to be released by the Ombudsman’s child and youth unit since it assumed responsibility for investigating concerns related to the child welfare system in 2019.” Global News reports.
— Meanwhile, in jails: Deaths “have almost doubled from 2020 to 2021 — 23 to 41 — a shocking spike that follows a steady rise since 2017 despite fewer people in custody, according to a new report from the Tracking (In)Justice project.”
— GREENBELT GRAB: “The Ontario government has officially done away with environmental protections for approximately 2,995 hectares of Greenbelt land in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area despite consultations indicating ‘broad opposition’ to the plan.” More from the CBC: “The move came just 10 days after the end of a 30-day public consultation process that — in the government’s own words — elicited extensive negative feedback from citizens, municipalities, conservation authorities, environmental organizations, agricultural groups and Indigenous communities.”
— Related: “A group of 89 Ontario businesses have signed onto a letter calling for the provincial government to repeal Bill 23, a law that changes the Greenbelt to allow developers to build on previously protected lands.”
— CHEAPER DRUGS: “Ontario is introducing a new policy requiring cheaper versions of pricey biologic drugs to be offered to most patients who need them, The Globe and Mail has learned.”
— BOOBY TRAP: “It’s time for the Halton District School Board to deal with the teacher wearing the giant fake breasts, Education Minister STEPHEN LECCE said Monday. He didn’t use those exact words but his direct call out of the board, his pleas for professionalism and respect, were crystal clear.” The Sun has the story.
— ON THE CHILD CARE FRONT: “The province says a new $213-million grant will help create child-care spaces in areas that need them most.”
🥳 HAPPY BIRTHDAY: ON DECEMBER 24 — NEETHAN SHAN, TDSB trustee, former councillor and perennial NDP candidate…ON DECEMBER 25 — Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU…ON DECEMBER 26 — PC MPP LAURIE SCOTT (Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock)…ON DECEMBER 27 — PC MPP ANDREA KHANJIN…ON JANUARY 1 — PC LOGAN KANAPATHI (Markham—Thornhill)…ON JANUARY 2 — PC AMARJOT SANDHU (Brampton West)…Federal NDP Leader JAGMEET SINGH.
⏳ COUNTDOWN: T-minus 3 days until Christmas…61 days until the House reconvenes.