Oakville North-Burlington Newsletter December 20, 2024

Prebudget Consultations are Underway!

I joined my colleagues MPPs Zee Hamid, Stephen Crawford, and Natalie Pierre in Milton for pre-budget consultations.

We heard valuable feedback from local residents, businesses, and organizations about their priorities for the upcoming provincial budget.

Thank you to everyone who shared their insights—your input helps shape a stronger, more prosperous Ontario for all!





Powering Ontario’s Nuclear Future

I visited Celeros Flow Technology, a global leader in nuclear pumps and valves with over 60 years of expertise at their Burlington facility. Their Clyde Union Pumps and valve installations power 65% of the world’s operational nuclear plants.

Under the leadership of Premier Ford and Minister of Energy and Electrification Stephen Lecce, Ontario is leading North America’s largest nuclear expansion and building the G7’s first Small Modular Reactor. Partners like Celeros are critical to this progress, ensuring a future of affordable, reliable and clean energy.

Together, we’re shaping the next generation of power.

Check out my visit: Powering Ontario’s Nuclear Future



Spreading Holiday Cheer in Oakville North-Burlington

Team Effie has been out and about spreading holiday cheer in Oakville North-Burlington with the Griswold Awards! From twinkling lights to festive displays, we’re celebrating the amazing efforts of our neighbours who brighten up our community this season.
Know someone whose holiday decor deserves the spotlight? Nominate a friend, family member, or neighbour for a Griswold Award at effiempp.ca/griswold-awards-2024.
Let’s keep the festive spirit shining! 

Check out the recap video!



Team Effie Gathers for Christmas!

Welcoming our amazing constituency team to Queen’s Park for the annual Christmas party! A wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season with the hardworking individuals who do so much to support our community every day.

Grateful for all the dedication and care that ensures the residents of Oakville North-Burlington are always well served. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Joined Oakville Firefighter for their Annual Toy Drive Event

I was delighted to join the Oakville Firefighters once again this year for their annual Toy Drive in Coronation Park.

Our dedicated frontline firefighters volunteer their time to ensure every child in our community receives a special gift this Christmas. There’s still time to support this wonderful initiative and bring joy to a child this holiday season.

Learn how you can help: oakvillepffa.com/toy-drive.



Celebrating 15 Years of Wellbeings Medical Centre

Celebrating 15 years of care and innovation! Wellbeings Medical Centre for Innovation and Excellence has been a leader in treating pain and addictions, helping countless people reclaim their health and well-being.

It was a pleasure to mark this milestone alongside my colleague MPP Natalie Pierre, and to thank the dedicated team for their compassion and commitment to the community. Here’s to many more years of making a difference.






2024 Fiscal Year Accomplishments 

As the 2024 fiscal year comes to a close, our government has made significant progress on our Plan to Build. We are rebuilding our economy, keeping costs down for families and businesses, reducing the deficit and maintaining a path to balance.
 

Here are some key fiscal accomplishments to share with you:
 

• Two credit rating upgrades – Morningstar DBRS upgraded Ontario’s credit rating to AA, and S&P Global upgraded it to AA-, resulting in lower debt servicing costs and freeing up capital invest more in people and businesses.

• Improving the deficit by $3.2 billion since the outlook published in the 2024 Budget. This reflects updated economic and revenue information and higher contingencies to mitigate near-term risks. Over the medium term, the government projects a deficit of $1.5 billion in 2025–26, followed by a surplus of $0.9 billion in 2026–27.

• Providing a $200 taxpayer rebate early next year, which would give immediate relief for Ontario families in the face of high interest rates and the federal carbon tax. This proposed $200 taxpayer rebate would be sent to all eligible adults in Ontario who have filed their 2023 Income Tax and Benefit Return by December 31, 2024. Eligible families would receive an additional $200 for each child under 18.

• Extending the temporary gas tax and fuel tax rate cuts so that the rate of tax on gasoline and fuel (diesel) would remain at 9 cents per litre until June 30, 2025. This would save Ontario households $380, on average, over the three years since July 2022. This relief is especially important as the federal carbon tax is set to increase again on April 1, 2025.

Our government has a plan that is working.
 
We are rebuilding Ontario’s economy, increasing productivity and putting more money back into your pocket.
 
We’re doing all this and more while maintaining a path to balance.

Ontario Protecting Firefighters from Cancer-Causing Chemicals

The Ontario government is investing $30 million over three years to provide 374 municipal fire departments with funding to support cancer prevention initiatives. The funding through the Fire Protection Grant will be used to purchase equipment and make infrastructure upgrades to help reduce the long-term effects of exposure to fire-related contaminants and chemicals.

These funds will see fire services across the province purchase specialized washing and drying equipment to decontaminate bunker gear and wildland firefighting coveralls. It will also allow for facility and infrastructure upgrades to allow for proper air purification and ventilation systems.

Firefighters are more likely to experience health problems because of exposure to hazardous chemicals. In Canada, 50 to 60 firefighters die of cancer every year and half of those are from Ontario. This funding will ensure firefighters are kept safe, while they are keeping our communities safe.

The 2024 Budget: Building a Better Ontario supports the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance public safety in Ontario by ensuring fire services have the resources and protections to respond to major incidents and urgent situations.

Learn More: Ontario Protecting Firefighters from Cancer-Causing Chemicals  

Ontario Advancing Work on Bradford Bypass

The Ontario government is advancing work on the Bradford Bypass through the award of a contract for tree clearing, which is now underway. Crews are clearing a path along the planned route for the highway’s west section, marking another milestone in the province’s plan to tackle gridlock and give drivers across York Region and Simcoe County more time to spend with their families each day.

Crews have begun removing trees between Highway 400 and Simcoe County Road 4, with work expected to be completed in the new year. This work will help streamline utility relocations and clear a path as work continues on the Bradford Bypass.

A new report from the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis finds gridlock in Ontario is significantly impacting commuters’ quality of life and costing the economy $56 billion a year, further emphasizing the need to move forward on the province’s $28 billion plan to build, repair and upgrade critical highway and road infrastructure projects like the Bradford Bypass.

This latest contract award builds on substantial progress made over the last year to advance work on the Bradford Bypass. Earlier this year, the province awarded a contract for the detail design of the west section of Bradford Bypass, as well as a contract for a construction manager to join the existing design team to help ensure quality control, safety and delivery of the west section of the bypass. In July, crews began building a lane on Highway 400 that will connect to the future Bradford Bypass. A new bridge was recently completed at Simcoe County Road 4 to keep traffic moving in West Gwillimbury while Bradford Bypass is under construction.

Once complete, the 16.3-kilometre Bradford Bypass will connect Highway 404 in the east to Highway 400 in the west and will help save commuters 35 minutes of driving each way. During construction, the project is expected to support up to 2,200 jobs annually and contribute up to $286 million to Ontario’s GDP.

Learn More: Ontario Advancing Work on Bradford Bypass

Happy Chanukah!

Happy Chanukah to all Jewish Ontarians.

The eight-day long festival of Chanukah will begin Wednesday, December 25th, 2024 representing the miracle of Maccabees and their efforts in liberating the Jewish nation.

As you gather with loved ones to light the Menorah, I wish you a Chag Chanukah Sameach!



Happy Kwanzaa!

Wishing all Ontarians, a happy Kwanzaa! Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African American culture and was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University. Kwanzaa will begin on Thursday, December 26th, 2024, and end on Wednesday, January 1st , 2025.

Whether you gather to tell traditional stories, partake in dance and music rituals, eat holiday delicacies, or just light the Kinara, may you have a peaceful and blessed holiday! 

Merry Christmas!

My warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas to everyone celebrating this most holy and joyous time of the year when we mark the birth of Jesus Christ. During the holiday season, we give thanks for our blessings, and reflect on shared values of faith, family, and charity.

It’s also a time with loved ones — enjoying home-cooked meals, taking part in beloved traditions and creating everlasting memories. As we approach the New Year with hope and optimism, let us reaffirm our commitment to building a better and brighter future for all.

Oakville North-Burlington Spirit Awards

It’s truly an honour to shine a light on the dedicated volunteers who have contributed to making our community better. 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 our community, please contact my office and let me know at Effie.triantafilopoulos@pc.ola.org

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