Green Leader Mike Schreiner makes history Thursday, officially becomes MPP

On the day he is set to make history, Mike Schreiner planned to have the same breakfast he has nearly every morning: a veggie omelette.

Schreiner is the first member of the Green Party of Ontario to ever win a seat at Queen's Park. He will officially be sworn in as a Member of Provincial Parliament at 11 a.m.

It's a role that's been nine years in the making after he took over the leadership in 2009.

"It seems like everywhere I go right now people say to me, 'You're the guy from Guelph. You're the Green guy from Guelph who made history,'" Schreiner said Wednesday of the buzz around his win.

• 'Irresponsible and reckless': Ontario Green Party leader pans Doug Ford's cuts

"I'm excited for Guelph, and I'm excited for Ontario because I think we need a new voice in the legislature, and I've had so many people from across the political spectrum tell me just how excited they are that there will be somebody bringing new ideas and a new way of doing politics to Queen's Park."

Hold Ford accountable

Schreiner said he's been working hard since the election. That's included talking to local constituents, adding events around Guelph and reaching out to other MPPs, including sending letters of congratulations and suggesting ways he could work with the other three parties in the legislature.

• Green Leader Mike Schreiner 'cautiously optimistic' he'll win in Guelph

Despite Schreiner saying he is ready to work together with his fellow MPPs at Queen's Park, that may not be easy. In less than a week since Premier Doug Ford was sworn in, Schreiner has already criticizedFord's decision to cancel cap and trade as "reckless and irresponsible."

As well, in a letter to Ford after his cabinet was sworn in on July 6, Schreiner said he looked forward to finding common groundbut wouldbe "holding you accountable."

He also criticized Ford for dropping climate change from the title of the Ministry of the Environment and for not having enough diversity in his cabinet.

With a summer session ahead for Queen's Park, Schreiner said he has no plans to take it easy during the hottest months.

"I'm hoping as Queen's Park sits next week that we'll have an opportunity to meet," Schreiner said of Ford and his cabinet.