Your #onpoli gift guide
Also: Stiles debuts, more Christmas card drama, paging paramedics, rain report, staff moves, fundraising watch and more
ABOVE THE FOLD
MARIT STILES is headlining a “fireside” chat with New Democrats, which was swapped in for a proper leadership debate — but first, we’ve got your #onpoli holiday gift-giving covered.
GIFT GUIDE — The Countdown to Christmas is in full swing, and there’s no shortage of #onpoli-related presents for the naughty and nice politicos on your list.
Here’s what I’m getting, gifting, or asking for:
— For the local-minded chef, a cookbook featuring Ontario produce: Peak Season: 12 Months of Recipes Celebrating Ontario’s Freshest Ingredients by DEIRDRE BURYK.
— For the history-loving tippler: Slate coasters made from the same tiles as the roof of the Legislative building, available in the main lobby’s gift shop. (Full disclosure: Santa brought me a set last year, and they’re wonderful.)
— For the ministerial fan club, some partisan swag: Nothing screams stocking stuffer like a fresh set of socks plastered with KINGA SURMA’s face.
— For the outdoorsy type: Give back to Ontario’s parks and look good doing it. Ontario Parks has a bunch of new merch on offer, including ornaments, scarves, mugs, sweaters, toques and more — and since it’s the season of giving, the proceeds go towards protecting parkland and local inhabitants like turtles.
— For the indoor crowd that wants to curl up with a good book: Any of the finalists from Speaker TED ARNOTT’s annual book award. This year’s winner: The Girl in the Middle: Growing Up Between Black and White, Rich and Poor by ANAIS GRANOFSKY. Full shortlist.
— For the environmental activist: Make like Ottawa and pitch in for Ontario’s now-defunct 50 million tree-planting program by gifting a tree in your favourite activists’ name.
— For the other “green” lovers: The Ontario Cannabis Store is touting treats for the “canna-connoisseur” in your life, including gingerbread gummies, a “mistletoke” vape, and “cousin Eddie’s eggnog soft chews.”
— For the savvy Queen’s Park watcher: I like to think I saved the best for last. A subscription to Queen’s Park Observer is the gift that keeps on giving all year! Don’t let your friends sleep on a subscription to the most-read newsletter at the Leg, read by thousands of top decision-makers every day.