Donna Skelly

Donna Skelly’s political priorities include ending hallway healthcare, lowering the cost of hydro, reducing bureaucratic red tape, and respecting taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars. Skelly felt compelled to enter provincial politics because of the mess the previous Liberal government made of the hydro file. She could no longer sit on the sidelines and watch soaring costs and deepening debt chase away businesses and jobs. In March 2019, Skelly introduced a Private Member’s Motion in the Ontario Legislature encouraging people to donate their clothing rather than have it end up in a landfill. The initiative was an effort to combat the negative impacts of fast fashion on the environment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Skelly launched a website called “Relief Within Reach” to connect small businesses with provincial and federal support programs, an initiative that was applauded by Hamilton City Council. In March 2023, Donna Skelly announced that Carmeuse Lime Limited would not proceed with its application to burn Alternative Low-Carbon Fuels at its Dundas operations. Skelly had been meeting regularly with the company and listening to the concerns of the community regarding the project. Donna Skelly was re-elected by a wide margin in the 2022 Ontario general election.

In March 2019, Skelly introduced a motion in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to encourage clothing donation. Skelly said the move was an effort to combat the negative environmental impacts of fast fashion.[1]

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Skelly launched a website called Relief Within Reach to connect local small businesses with available provincial and federal support programs. The initiative was praised by members of Hamilton City Council.[2]

Skelly was re-elected by a wide margin in the 2022 Ontario general election.[3]

In 2016, Donna Skelly won a by-election to represent Ward 7 on Hamilton City Council. During her time as a councillor Skelly developed a reputation for battling wasteful spending at city hall.

Skelly entered politics after a successful 30-year career in broadcast journalism. She produced and hosted Square Off, a widely acclaimed, current affairs program at CHCH Television. Skelly anchored daily regional newscasts and reported on local, provincial, and national news events. She held leadership roles as President of the local union employee bargaining unit. She also stepped up to advocate before the CRTC and parliamentary committees for the value in supporting local news. Skelly began her broadcast journalism career at CHIP-FM Radio in Fort Coulonge, Quebec. She then moved on to CHRO-TV in Pembroke, Ontario where she anchored the local newscasts. Skelly spent many hours reporting on the activities at the Canadian military base in Petawawa, which later prepared her for an assignment covering the Canadian troops stationed at Doha, Qatar during the first Gulf War.