Oakville North-Burlington News and Events-March 04,2022

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Cutting transit expenses and making life more affordable for millions of Ontarians Oakville North-Burlington Update – March 4th, 2022

“As Ontario reopens and people start to attend in-person events again, our government is helping young people and families by lowering their transit expenses. As of March 14, local transit will be free for riders connecting to and from GO Transit. We’re putting more money back in the pockets of families and workers.”– Effie Triantafilopoulos MPP

Ontario Cutting the Cost of Taking Transit
 
The Ontario government is making it more convenient and affordable for people to use public transit. The province is eliminating the fare for most local transit when using GO Transit service and increasing PRESTO discounts for youth and post-secondary students.
Beginning March 14, local transit will be free for riders connecting to and from GO Transit on municipal transit systems with GO Transit co-fare agreements.
This means that a Burlington adult who commutes back and forth using Burlington Transit and GO Transit three days a week could save $218.40 annually on transit expenses. An adult in Oakville who commutes back and forth using Oakville Transit and GO Transit three days a week could save $249.60 annually on transit expenses.
In addition, starting March 14, PRESTO discounts for youth and post-secondary students are increasing to 40% off the full adult fare, almost double the current discounts. This applies to GO Transit and UP Express customers who are 13 to 19-years-old or anyone enrolled in full-time post-secondary education. Kids under 12 will continue to ride free on GO Transit. Thank you to the Al Falah Islamic Centre for the discussion with with Dar Foundation and community leaders about the important charitable work serving our community. It was also valuable to learn more about ICNA Relief Canada, which since 1997I provides humanitarian relief and responds in emergency and disaster situations around the world and provides support domestically through resource centres in 10 cities across Canada. During Non-Profit Appreciation Week, it was a pleasure to recognize your contribution to our Oakville North-Burlington community and thank you for presenting me with an ICNA Certificate of Appreciation. In honour of Non-Profit Appreciation Week, I was pleased to present recognition certificates to the Burlington Age-Friendly Council, Halton Age-Friendly Network and Community Development Halton for their generosity and community spirit. Thank you Volunteer Halton for the impact you make on the health and well-being of people in Halton Region and for making a difference in the lives of people in our community. I attended YWCA Hamilton’s 2022 Women of Distinction Awards. In honour of International Women’s Day, the YWCA celebrated trailblazers that helped build our Halton community. Thank you to the YWCA for honouring and recognizing the achievements of women and girls making a difference in many different fields in our community. Congratulations on raising a record $170,000 in donations. I was pleased to rise in the Ontario Legislature this week to speak about International Women’s Day and the importance of celebrating the incredible contributions women have made and are making in our communities. Women have made great strides to achieve equality, but more must be done. Thank you to all the Halton organizations who truly help make a difference supporting vulnerable women and children. Paying Tribute to Former Premier William G. Davis The late William G. Davis served as Premier of Ontario from 1971 to 1985, during which time he made a tremendous impact on our province and the lives of Ontarians. To pay tribute to Davis’s legacy, we’re committing up to $150,000 to the City of Brampton to support a new monument in his honour. Learn more. Establishing General Minimum Wage for Digital Platform Workers
  On February 28, the Ontario Government introduced the Working for Workers Act, 2022 (Working for Workers Act 2), which if passed, would continue to lead the country in building a stronger economy that works for everyone. Included in the legislation are changes that would make Ontario the first province in Canada to establish a minimum wage and other foundational rights for digital platform workers who offer rides or deliver food and other items for companies such as Uber, Door Dash and Instacart. Saving Money with Passage of Fewer Fees, Better Services Act
  With the Ontario government passing the Fewer Fees, Better Services Act, 2022, on March 3rd, the province is cutting costs for families across the province. With the legislation now having passed, the government will soon begin mailing refund cheques to millions of Ontario vehicle owners for licence plate sticker renewal fees paid since March 1, 2020 for vehicles owned by individuals. People with a correct address on their driver’s licence and no defaulted fees, tolls or fines as of March 7, 2022, can expect to receive these refunds starting the end of March and throughout the month of April. Further, commuters in the Durham region who use Highways 412 and 418 will no longer have to pay toll fees starting April 5, 2022, helping to restore fairness to the region after the previous government introduced these punitive tolls. Mandating Naloxone Kits in High-Risk Workplaces The Ontario government has introduced legislation to protect workers on the job and save lives. If passed, the Working for Workers Act, 2022 (Working for Workers Act 2), will require workplaces that are at risk of a worker opioid overdose to have naloxone kits. The legislation would also introduce the highest fines in Canada for companies that fail to follow workplace health and safety laws. Naloxone is a medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and allow time for medical help to arrive. Increasing Seniors Community Grant Funding Ontario is doubling its Seniors Community Grant Program funding since 2018 by investing a record $6 million in 2022-23 for seniors-based projects. Applications are open now until April 28, 2022, at Ontario.ca/getfunding for community organizations, municipalities and Indigenous organizations. This funding will help create various programs and services across the province that empower seniors to continue being active participants in their community. Upcoming Events in our Community
  Donations for the Ukraine Being Collected at Two Local Churches
  St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Oakville has asked for donations for humanitarian aid at their website: https://www.sjucc.ca/ukraine.html St. Volodymyr’s Cultural Centre (SVCC) in Oakville has partnered with Ukraine Medical Assist to collect donations, which will be shipped to Ukraine for immediate support. Donations can be made at 1280 Dundas Street West, Oakville ON, between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. until TODAY Friday, March 4th.   The items, which are urgently requested, are: For more information or updates on what is needed, please visit the @SVCC Oakville Facebook page. For those who wish to donate online to the Ukrainian Humanitarian Crisis Appeal, please visit cufoundation.ca or redcross.ca. Join Zonta Oakville to Celebrate International Women’s Day
 
March 8 is International Women’s Day, and the Zonta Club of Oakville is celebrating! Visit the “Zonta Celebrates International Women’s Day Instagrammable Display” in Oakville Towne Square (94 George St.) from March 2 to 13, 2022. Take a selfie or a photo with friends and family and using the hashtag, #ZontaCelebratesIWD share on social media a message, photo or video about the special women in your life.
Donations to support International Women’s Day can be made through the Zonta Oakville donation website: Canada Helps. Halton Black History Awareness Society – Essay Contest
  In Partnership with the HDSB and numerous Halton community partners, the Halton Black History Awareness Society is accepting researched narratives on Black History in Halton. 1st, 2nd, 3rd place contributors to be awarded a cash prize, community and cultural award recognition, and media promotion. The contest begins on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 and essays are due by Friday April 15, 2022, at 5 p.m. For more information: https://www.hbhas.ca/contest.php More Important News Stories This week Training More Health Care Workers at Indigenous Institutes Improving Day Job Protection for Military Reservists Enhancing Safety at Correctional Facilities Building a Stronger Ontario with more Inclusive and Accessible Businesses and Communities Province Launches Intellectual Property Ontario Improving Access to Best-in-Class Mental Health Supports for First Responders Oakville North-Burlington Spirit Awards
 
In recent months, I have been proud to honour a number of volunteers who have contributed to our community during the COVID-19 crisis. Thank you for your community spirit. If you would like to nominate a member of our community who has gone above and beyond to contribute to the community during the pandemic, please contact my office and let me know.