Oakville North-Burlington Newsletter February02, 2024
Exciting news to share – the Ontario government is investing $110 million to connect up to 328,000 more people to primary care teams, bringing the province one step closer to connecting everyone in Ontario to primary care. Our government is making record investments to ensure that everyone that wants to have a primary care provider can connect to one. – MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos
Ontario Connecting Over 300,000 People to Primary Care Teams
The Ontario government is investing $110 million to connect up to 328,000 people to primary care teams, bringing the province one step closer to connecting everyone in Ontario to primary care.
Ontario currently leads the country with 90 per cent of people connected to a regular health care provider. As a next step to close the gap for the 1.3 million people not connected to primary care, the government is making a record investment of $90 million to add over 400 new primary care providers as part of 78 new and expanded interprofessional primary care teams. In addition to other historic investments to expand medical school spots and efforts to break down barriers so highly-skilled internationally-trained doctors can care for people in Ontario, Ministry of Health modelling shows that these initiatives will help connect up to 98 per cent of people in Ontario to primary care in the next several years.
An additional $20 million will provide more support to existing interprofessional primary care teams to help them meet increased operational costs for their facilities and supplies so that they continue to provide high-quality care to the people they provide care to.
Since the launch of Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care one year ago, the government has been making steady progress to ensure the health care system has become better equipped to respond to the needs of patients and provide them with the right care in the right place, faster access to services and access to an expanded health care workforce.
Learn More: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004143/ontario-connecting-over-300000-people-to-primary-care-teams
Honouring our Community Heroes
I had the honour of attending the Paul Harris Awards Dinner at the Oakville Conference Centre. This Award serves as a beacon of service and community leadership, presented to individuals who have exemplified the Rotary’s maxim of “SERVICE ABOVE SELF”.
Congratulations to this year’s winners Cathy Benbow Plewes, Dean Wardak, Moe Thiyagarajah, Peter William Barber, Rohini Sood and Sybil Rampen. Your work has made an indelible mark in our community and beyond, and we thank you for your years of selfless dedication. It was also very nspiring to hear from special guest speaker Rahul Singh, CEO of Global Medic.
Thank you to The Oakville Rotary Club, The Rotary Club of Oakville West, The Oakville Trafalgar Rotary Club and Passport South Rotary Club for organizing such a wonderful evening.
Celebrating 67 Years of Marriage
This week, my staff and I had the privilege of welcoming and congratulating Ken and Norma on their remarkable 67th wedding anniversary with a celebratory message from Premier Ford. Their enduring commitment serves as a testament to love and family. Wishing you both continued health and happiness.
Lucille is 90 Years Young!
I was excited to welcome Lucile and her husband Ron to our community office and present her with a special congratulations on her 90th birthday, courtesy of Premier Ford! Honoured to share in the joy and extend warm wishes to an incredible member of our community and her family.
Celebrating 10 Years of Community Services
It was an honour to join the families and volunteers of Redleaf Cultural Integration to celebrate its milestone 10th Anniversary, recognize their work, and celebrate Zhigong Qian, this year’s Outstanding Volunteer Award recipient.
For the last 10 years, Redleaf Cultural Integration has committed to supporting newcomers as they integrate into the Burlington community. Their work with seniors deepens community ties and helps address social isolation.
Thank you for inviting me to share in the celebration and recognize the exceptional contribution of all the volunteers. I look forward to seeing the continued positive impact you make.
Ushering in the Year of the Dragon
Congratulations to the Oakville Chinese Network on another successful event celebrating Lunar New Year with outstanding performances.
I would like to wish all families and friends in our Halton community good health and good fortune in the Year of the Dragon🐉!
Bidding Farewell to Co-Op Student Kaia
I would like to thank our incredible co-op student. From her first day to her last, Kaia brought a contagious enthusiasm and a fresh perspective to our team. Her creativity and hard work have truly made a lasting impact. Wishing her the brightest of futures as she ventures into new opportunities!
2024 Pre-Budget Consultations
As a member of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, I was pleased to take part in pre-budget consultations in Hamilton and Oakville. These consultations provide individuals and organizations an opportunity to tell the government directly about what matters most to them ahead of the upcoming Budget.
The Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Cultural Policy Comes to Halton
At the Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy Standing Committee held in Burlington, we heard from Oakville Mayor Rob Burton, Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr, Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed-Ward, and councillors Paul Sharman and Rory Nisan how government can help municipalities support future growth and build homes. Thank you for your valuable insights.
Never Again is Now.
On Holocaust Remembrance Day, let us remember the six million Jewish people murdered during the Holocaust. On this day, we pledge to ensure current and future generations will never forget the horror of this abhorrent history and its significance.
National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia
This week, we remember the victims of the senseless Quebec City mosque attack and stand against Islamophobia. Let us remember, reflect and commit to building an Ontario where every citizen feels included and safe and where love triumphs over hate.
Ontario Signs the $121M Guns and Gangs Violence Reduction Strategy
In 2023, Halton experienced a steep rise in car thefts with 1,712. This unprecedented increase of 47 per cent over last year, has disproportionately impacted Burlington and Oakville, with 1,244 cars stolen in 2023. Investing in measures to combat car theft is not just a financial commitment by our government; it’s a pledge to safeguard the heart of our communities.
When it comes to keeping people and communities safe, it’s all hands-on deck. That is why this week, Premier Ford and Solicitor General Michael Kerzner joined Federal counterpart, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities Dominic LeBlanc to announce the signing of the $121M Guns and Gangs Violence Reduction Strategy.
This investment of $121 million will build on the work our government is doing to give police officers the tools they need to combat auto theft and hold criminals accountable.
See Premier Ford’s Statement: https://www.facebook.com/reel/352735550952014
Ontario Training Thousands of New Long-Term Care Staff
The Ontario government is investing more than $100 million in two programs that will train more than 32,000 new personal support workers (PSWs) and nurses in long-term care over the next three years. The investments are part of the government’s Your Health plan to recruit and retain tens of thousands of long-term care staff over the coming years.
The government is fixing long-term care to ensure Ontario’s seniors get the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve. The plan is built on four pillars:
- staffing and care;
- quality and enforcement;
- building modern, safe and comfortable homes; and
- connecting seniors with faster, more convenient access to the services they need.
Learn More: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004135/ontario-training-thousands-of-new-long-term-care-staff
Ontario Making it Easier and More Convenient to Access Government Services
Ontario is making it easier and more convenient to access government services such as applying for or renewing health cards and driver’s licences. Today, the province officially launched the expansion of ServiceOntario in six Staples Canada stores which will open on February 1. These new centres are part of the government’s ongoing work to explore new ways to make ServiceOntario more accessible for Ontario residents.
The Staples Canada model is projected to save approximately $1 million over the duration of the three-year pilot. The new centres provide extended operating hours, increasing service hours by 30 per cent compared to the centres they are replacing. The centres also offer readily available parking, access to public transit routes and access to retail services all in one convenient hub.
The new Staples Canada-operated ServiceOntario centres are in the following communities:
Oakville, 2460 Winston Churchill Boulevard
Newmarket, 17810 Yonge Street
Toronto (Scarborough), 1980 Eglinton Avenue, East
Strathroy, 425 Caradoc Street, South
Tillsonburg, Tillsonburg Town Centre, 200 Broadway Street
Welland, Seaway Mall, 800 Niagara Street.
The government will continue to explore expanding and adding new models for ServiceOntario locations, including co-locations with municipalities, First Nations communities, in public libraries and other retail partners, which could include small businesses.
Appointments for the Staples ServiceOntario centres and other centres across the province can be booked at Ontario.ca/Appointments or by calling ServiceOntario at 1-800-387-3445 (TTY 1-800-268-7095).
Ontario Unveils a Back-to-Basics Kindergarten Curriculum
The Ontario government is taking continued action to emphasize back-to-basics learning by introducing mandatory learning through clear and direct instruction in reading, writing and math for kindergarten students. Combined with hands-on and play-based learning, this new kindergarten curriculum will ensure students entering Grade 1 across the province have the foundational skills in literacy and math and intellectual growth that will help set them up for long-term success.
The changes and supports, which will be in place starting in September 2025, are the next step in Ontario’s plan to modernize the curriculum and ensure every student has the skills to succeed in the classroom and prepare them for whatever path they choose.
Learn more https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004097/ontario-unveils-a-back-to-basics-kindergarten-curriculum
Ontario Investing in Critical Infrastructure
The Ontario government is investing $200 million over three years to help municipalities repair, rehabilitate and expand critical drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. The new funding will support the province’s rapidly growing population, unlock more housing opportunities and spur economic growth.
The Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund is part of the Ontario government’s most ambitious capital plan in the province’s history to invest in infrastructure that will support growing communities and ensure that infrastructure is built for today and for generations to come. Eligible municipalities will be able to nominate housing-enabling water and wastewater projects through the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund in early 2024.
Learn More: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1003800/ontario-investing-in-critical-infrastructure
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
