Oakville North-Burlington Newsletter February 9, 2024
Four years ago today, on February 9th, 2020, we lost a bright light in our world. Keira Kagan, a 4-year-old full of joy and love for unicorns, was taken in a senseless act of violence. Though her time with us was tragically short, Keira’s spirit and the love she radiated continue to inspire us. Through Keira’s Law, her memory lives on, advocating for justice and change.
Hers is a legacy that calls on the judicial system to recognize the signs of domestic and intimate partner violence so that no other child is harmed. Together, let’s spread love, kindness and awareness in Keira’s name.” – MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos
Touring the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario’s Oakville Site
An informative tour with Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini with the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario at their Oakville campus.
We were given a first-hand look at their Simulator Lab. This lab has a fleet of state-of-the-art simulators for tower and mobile cranes, concrete pumps and heavy equipment training. The simulators allow students to test their skills in an interactive virtual environment.
We were then shown their Training Yard, where students are trained on all types of heavy equipment, including excavators, bulldozers, tractor-loader-backhoes, forklifts and concrete pumps, and offers construction safety training programs.
Thank you to Mike Gallagher, Dave Turple and all the staff and apprentices at OETIO for the warm welcome and insight into your profession.
Ushering in Black History Month with the Canadian Caribbean Council of Halton
It was a powerful and inspiring evening at the launch of the Canadian Caribbean Council of Halton’s Annual Black History Month celebration. Incredible performances, enlightening discussions and a celebration of resilience and unity. Grateful to be part of a community that recognizes and honours our diverse histories. Black history is Ontario history! Black history is Canadian history!
Supporting Young Leaders to Feed Students
I was thrilled to join Halton Food for Thought and the students at Post’s Corners Public School for FEEDUARY! With the amazing support of our community, we delivered Breakfast Carts to over 800 hungry students. Hearing from student leaders and volunteers about the significance of their Student Nutrition Program was truly inspiring. Together, we’re making a difference!
Celebrating Lunar New Year with Fuxiao Chinese Children Cultural Centre and Sunrise Mandarin School
I had a great afternoon at Fuxiao Chinese Children Cultural Centre and Sunrise Mandarin School’s Annual Performance this week with my colleague, Oakville MPP Stephen Crawford. Congratulations to the staff and volunteers for organizing such a wonderful event. It was also a pleasure to meet with such engaged students at UN Model Parliament. Wishing all the families who participated a Happy Lunar New Year.
Supporting Student David Meng and We Sing Canada To Raise Funds for Crohn’s Disease
I was honoured to attend an extraordinary fundraising concert organized by We Sing Canada and spearheaded by the incredibly talented 17 year old David Meng, who embarked on this journey to honour his friend’s memory. Thanks to the volunteers, sponsors and everyone involved, $10,000.00 was raised for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.
David’s heartfelt tribute added even deeper meaning to the night. Every note played honours a school friend’s memory and every dollar raised fuels the fight against this relentless disease. Gratitude to all who came together in support of this worthy cause.
Proclaiming February Black History Month in Burlington
I was honoured to be part of the City of Burlington’s Black History Month proclamation, hosted by Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and the African Caribbean Council of Halton.
This year’s theme, “Nurturing Black Excellence, Empowering Youth through Education,” is truly inspiring. It’s more than just a theme—it’s a call to action.
Let’s come together to champion Black excellence and support youth through education. I’m committed to supporting ACCH scholarship recipients through my intern program, providing hands-on experience and mentorship. Let’s celebrate excellence, equality and continued progress this month, recognizing that there’s no Canadian or Ontario history without Black history.
Ontario Launching “One Fare” to Save Transit Riders $1,600
The Ontario government is keeping costs down for public transit riders with the launch of “One Fare,” which will save riders an average of $1,600 each year. Beginning February 26, 2024, riders will pay only once as they transfer for free between the TTC and participating transit agencies in the Greater Toronto Area, including GO Transit.
One Fare builds on improvements the government made in 2022 to eliminate fares between GO Transit and several transit agencies in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, which included Burlington and Oakville Transit. The government will continue to work with municipal partners to identify opportunities to make transit more seamless for riders by harmonizing discounted fares and other measures.
Learn More: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004151/ontario-launching-one-fare-to-save-transit-riders-1600
Ontario Introducing Mandatory Black History Learning
As the province celebrates Black History Month, the Ontario government is introducing new mandatory learning in Grades 7, 8 and 10 history on the exceptional contributions and history of Black Canadians who helped build Canada.
For the first time, starting in September 2025, Grades 7, 8 and 10 history classes will include mandatory learning with an emphasis on elevating Black history as Canadian history, by highlighting the various Black communities that emerged, developed and contributed to the development of Canada, including pre- and post-Confederation.
Students will now learn about the overwhelming contributions of Black individuals to Canada’s foundation as a young nation, and the obstacles they faced in the pursuit of building a democratic, inclusive and prosperous country.
Over the next year, the ministry will consult with historians, educators and the Black community, which will inform the new learning.
Learn more: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004168/ontario-introducing-mandatory-black-history-learning
Ontario Stopping Scheduled Beer Tax Increase
The Ontario government is keeping costs down and supporting the province’s alcohol and hospitality sectors by stopping the estimated 4.6 per cent increase to the beer basic tax and LCBO mark-up rates that was scheduled for March 1, 2024. This increase would have resulted from rates being indexed to inflation, which the government has consistently stopped over the last six years, resulting in approximately $200 million in relief. This latest freeze will be in place for two years, until March 1, 2026.
This action builds on the government’s decision to improve choice and convenience for consumers while supporting the beer sector’s transition towards a new alcohol retail marketplace. Starting no later than January 1, 2026, consumers in Ontario will have access to beer, wine, cider and ready-to-drink alcohol beverages in participating convenience, grocery and big box grocery across the province.
In the months ahead, the government will continue to meet and consult with industry partners, beverage alcohol producers and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth, safe and stable transition to a new marketplace. The province will also conduct a targeted review of taxes and fees on beer, wine and alcoholic beverages with the aim of promoting a more competitive marketplace for Ontario-based producers and consumers.
Learn More: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004172/ontario-stopping-scheduled-beer-tax-increase
Ontario Continues to Attract New Investments Across Key Sectors
Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, issued the following statement on today’s monthly employment numbers released by Statistics Canada, which showed Ontario added nearly 24,000 jobs last month, including 9,700 jobs in the construction sector, leading the nation in job creation for January.
Read Minister Fedeli’s Statement Here: https://news.ontario.ca/en/statement/1004175/ontario-continues-to-attract-new-investments-across-key-sectors
Canada tops China in Global Rankings for Battery Supply Chains
For the first time, Canada has surpassed China in global rankings for battery supply chains
Ontario is building a strong end-to-end EV supply chain that’s attracting billions of dollars in new investments and thousands of jobs in the auto sector.
Learn more: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-canada-china-lithium-batteries/
Non-Profit Sector Appreciation Week
Every year, the third week of February is Non-Profit Appreciation Week in Ontario, a time to recognize and celebrate the tremendous contributions of our province’s non-profit organizations. Join us in thanking staff and volunteers for everything they do to help build strong communities in Ontario. To nominate someone on your team, please send us an email at Effie.triantafilopoulos@pc.ola.org
| 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