Oakville North-Burlington Newsletter April 25, 2025

Last week, I joined my colleagues Associate Solicitor General Zee Hamid and Natalie Pierre with CARFAX Canada, Halton Regional Police Service  and the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council to officially launch the VIN Fraud Check — a powerful, free tool designed to combat VIN fraud and auto theft across the province.

This innovative resource will be a game-changer for dealers by flagging vehicles that may be cloned or stolen before they’re bought or sold. It’s a crucial step toward protecting consumers, supporting law enforcement, and keeping our communities and roadways safer.

By working together and using modern technology like the VIN Fraud Check, we’re not only helping to prevent crime but also bringing more transparency and trust to the automotive market in Ontario.
Spread the word! Let’s drive out fraud –MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos





Orthodox Christian Week in Ontario
 
With my MPP colleagues, I was honoured to join members of Ontario’s Orthodox Christian community at Queen’s Park this week for the inaugural celebration of Orthodox Christian Week!

Following the passage of Bill 167, Orthodox Christian Week is now officially recognized each year beginning on Orthodox Easter Sunday, celebrating the faith, heritage, and invaluable contributions of Orthodox Christians to our province.

Proud to have supported this important legislation and thank Tom Rakocevic for introducing it in the Legislature where it received unanimous consent.

Congratulations to all who made the special event possible!


 
Armenian Heritage Month in Ontario
 
This week, I was pleased to join my MPP colleagues at Queen’s Park in celebrating Armenian Heritage Month and welcoming members of Toronto’s Armenian National Community at a reception to honour their rich cultural history.

As we reflected on the deep cultural roots of the Armenian people, we also acknowledged the injustices and persecution the community has endured throughout history — experiences that continue to shape their strength and resilience today.

Let us never forget and continue to stand together against hatred and discrimination in all its forms.





Announced New Funding to Support Women and Children in Halton 

This week, I was delighted to join Minister Charmaine Williams and MPP Natalie Pierre in Burlington as our government announced new funding to support women and children who have experienced domestic violence.

Our government is investing $876,983 over three years to support Halton Women’s Place and their new Haven to Home Program, which will ensure women and children in Burlington and Halton can recover, rebuild, and thrive.

I want to extend my gratitude to local partners like Halton Women’s Place and Home Suite Hope for their extraordinary dedication this program, which is designed to deliver impactful support to end gender-based violence in our communities.
We are committed to a stronger Ontario where safety and support are for everyone



Visited Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada

It was a privilege to visit the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada alongside MPP colleagues for the first official celebration of Orthodox Christian Week.

Thank you to His Eminence Archbishop Sotirios for the warm welcome, meaningful dialogue, and thoughtful tour of the Chapel of St. John the Theologian. Our conversations reflected the importance of faith, community, and the protection of religious freedom around the world.

I am proud to support Bill 167, which formally recognizes Orthodox Christian Week each year starting on Orthodox Easter Sunday. Congratulations to everyone who made this historic moment possible—and thank you for the beautiful gift of the Panagia Torontoessa icon and the inspiring biography of His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.




Visited Residents and Staff at Chartwell Oakville 

It was an honour to visit the residents and staff at Chartwell Oakville Retirement Residence this week and present a Canadian flag for their flag-raising ceremony.
The pride displayed by all in attendance as we sang our national anthem was a truly meaningful and memorable moment.

Thank you to the entire Chartwell Oakville community for the warm welcome. Events like these are a powerful reminder of the values we share and the importance of staying connected through community.

Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign 

 Congratulations to Food4Kids  Halton on being chosen as the recipient of this year’s Oakville Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign, running from April 28th to May 4th!

It’s truly inspiring to see the incredible work Food4Kids Halton does, providing weekend meals and summer support to ensure that 1,247 children across Halton, including 397 right here in Oakville, don’t go hungry. Their partnership with 118 local schools makes a real difference in our community.
A huge thank you to Jennifer Sully-Ferraro, Executive Director, and the entire team at Food4Kids Halton for their dedication. And a big shout-out to the Oakville Tim Hortons store owners including Deepak for their generosity in supporting this vital initiative.

Let’s all pick up a Smile Cookie between April 28th and May 4th and help Food4Kids Halton continue their vital work. 



Oakville North-Burlington Youth Council
 
I had the privilege of meeting with Arthur and Logan, members of my Youth Council and I look forward to the upcoming initiatives they have planned in our community.

As our future leaders, I appreciate them sharing their perspectives and great ideas.

Protecting Ontario’s Critical Minerals and Energy Sector

As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, the province is introducing new measures to prevent foreign governments or corporations from claiming Ontario’s critical minerals or participating in the province’s energy sector. Today, Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines, along with Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan announced details from the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act. The proposed legislation will safeguard Ontario’s critical mining resources and energy infrastructure from hostile foreign actors and regimes, creating conditions that will attract investment and make Ontario’s and Canada’s economy more resilient and self-reliant.

Learn more: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1005839/protecting-ontarios-critical-minerals-and-energy-sector




Ontario Protecting Workers and Jobs by Investing in Postsecondary Education

Our government is working to protect Ontario by building a more resilient economy that can withstand whatever comes our way, including tariffs and economic uncertainty from the U.S.,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “Colleges and universities play a vital role in arming our economy with a highly skilled workforce. This investment will expand training capacity at our world-class publicly funded colleges and universities, connecting students to good-paying jobs and securing our world-class workforce for decades to come.

Learn More: Ontario Protecting Workers and Jobs by Investing in Postsecondary Education

Ontario Investing $20 Million to Support Festivals and Events Across the Province The Ontario government is investing nearly $20 million in more than 350 festivals and events across the province this year. The funding, made through Experience Ontario 2025, will help boost tourism, strengthen local economies and celebrate the best of Ontario’s communities. Today’s announcement was made by Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, along with Kevin Holland, Member of Provincial Parliament for Thunder Bay – Atikokan, at Fort William Historical Park in Thunder Bay. Learn more: Ontario Investing $20 Million to Support Festivals and Events Across the Province

Ontario Summer Company Program Attention Ontario students between 15-29 years old! Looking for a summer job? Apply to Ontario’s Summer Company Program to help launch your own business. Learn more about the program and apply by May 16, 2025! Learn more: Start a summer company: students

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