Oakville North-Burlington Newsletter January 10, 2025

Oakville North-Burlington Newsletter January 10, 2025
“Ontario continues to demonstrate its leadership as the economic engine of Canada. Thanks to the forward-looking vision of Economic Development Premier Doug Ford and Minister Vic Fedeli, over 200,000 jobs have been created across the province in 2024, including 23,000 in December alone. These positions span vital industries such as automotive, life sciences, technology, and advanced manufacturing, showcasing the strength and resilience of Ontario’s economy even in the face of global economic uncertainties.” – MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos






Celebrating 25 Years of Environmental Stewardship

I had the pleasure of meeting with Karen Brock, President of Oakvillegreen Conservation Association to celebrate the group’s 25th birthday!

For over two decades, Oakvillegreen has been a cornerstone of environmental stewardship in our community, advocating for sustainability, protecting natural spaces, and inspiring action. Karen’s leadership and the dedication of Oakvillegreen’s team and volunteers have made a lasting impact on Oakville, ensuring a greener, healthier future for generations to come.

Congratulations on this incredible milestone, and thank you for all you do! Here’s to many more years of making Oakville a beautiful and greener place to live.



Connecting With Acclaim Health’s New CEO

Great to meet Kelly McWilliams, the new CEO of Acclaim Health! We had a productive discussion on the state of home and community care.

With Kelly’s leadership and Acclaim Health’s dedication, our community is in excellent hands as they continue to support quality care including dementia care for those who need it most.



A New Era for the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton

It was a pleasure to meet Dione Downer, the new Executive Director of the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton! CCAH has been a cornerstone of cultural celebration and community engagement in Halton, promoting Caribbean heritage and supporting diversity through education, events, and advocacy.

A special thank you to Andrew Tyrrell for his remarkable leadership and years of collaboration with our community. His dedication has left a lasting impact, and I look forward to seeing the legacy continue to grow under Dione’s leadership. Together, we will continue to celebrate and strengthen the vibrant cultural fabric of Halton.



Merry Christmas to Ontario’s Orthodox Community!

It was an honour to attend the beautiful Orthodox Christmas Eve service at St. Peter & St. Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in Oakville again this year.

The warmth and faith of the congregation are truly inspiring, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to join in this meaningful service. Wishing everyone celebrating, a blessed Christmas filled with peace, joy, and love.



Joined Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation.

This week, I joined Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation at their Birmingham Gilgan House in Oakville to celebrate and recognize the impact of a $21,900 Ontario Trillium Foundation Capital grant. This funding was used to repair and upgrade four automated doors, including the main entrance, making their centre more accessible for individuals living with cancer and their families. Wellspring provides free, evidence-based programs that offer care, guidance, and support to those navigating cancer, and I’m proud to see how this investment is helping them continue their vital work in our community.



Spreading Christmas Cheer with the Kerr Street Mission

I had the privilege of visiting Kerr Street Mission to support their Christmas Wonders Program by donating a toy for a child in need.

Programs like this bring joy and hope to families during the holiday season and highlight the power of community. Thank you, Kerr Street Mission, for all you do to make the season brighter for so many.




Meeting with Chi Chi of the Nigerian Mums in the West Organization

It was a pleasure meeting Chichi, founder of Nigerian Mums in the West Organization, a vibrant community supporting mothers in Burlington, Oakville, and Hamilton.

Through initiatives focused on skill development, mental wellbeing, and community building, Chichi and her organization empower mothers to thrive while navigating life in Canada. From professional training and emotional support to mentorship and cultural exchange, this group exemplifies the strength and resilience of women in building connections and fostering growth.

Thank you, for your inspiring leadership and community enrichment!



Farewell to our Intern Maxwell!

This week, we bid farewell to Maxwell, our incredible coop student who brought energy, creativity, and a sharp focus to everything he worked on. Maxwell, your contributions have been invaluable, and we’ve been so lucky to have you as part of Team Effie.

As you move forward to new challenges, know that we’re cheering you on every step of the way. Best of luck in all that lies ahead—you’ll be missed!






Ontario Launches “Operation Deterrence” to Strengthen Security Along Ontario-U.S. Border


The Ontario government has launched “Operation Deterrence,” the province’s preparedness and planning framework for enhanced security at international borders and tackling criminal activity that is harming people on both sides of the border.

As part of Operation Deterrence, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has an emergency response team of 200 officers that, along with frontline and speciality officers, have been and will continue to be engaged to enhance border security. Since December 6, 2024, the OPP has conducted more than 6,000 hours of focused patrols to deter, detect and disrupt illegal border activity using fixed wing aircraft, helicopters, remotely piloted aircraft, boats, off-road vehicles, patrol vehicles and foot patrol. In partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Operation Deterrence activity will be enhanced through the use of the emergency response team, frontline officer and additional speciality resources, including canine units, commercial motor vehicle inspections and criminal investigators.

Operation Deterrence will target its activities outside of the 14 official border crossings staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

Operation Deterrence is in addition to existing and ongoing efforts to better protect Ontario-U.S. borders and combat cross-border illegal activity. These include the OPP’s Joint Forces Border Drug Interdiction Task Force, with participants including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), RCMP, CBSA and a number of municipal police services, which was stood up as an expansion to a number of ongoing multi-jurisdictional drug investigations.

Learn More: Ontario Launches “Operation Deterrence” to Strengthen Security Along Ontario-U.S. Border



Ontario Building Fortress Am-Can to Power Economic Prosperity in Canada and the United States

Premier Doug Ford outlined Ontario’s plan to achieve Am-Can energy security and power economic growth on both sides of the border as part of Fortress Am-Can, a renewed strategic alliance between Canada and America that is a beacon of stability, security and long-term prosperity.

The United States and Canada are each country’s most significant trading partners, representing trillions of dollars in annual economic activity and millions of jobs on both sides of the border. Fortress Am-Can will leverage Ontario’s unique advantages to help America bring jobs back home as it decouples from China, including by enhancing and building out the integrated Am-Can energy and electricity grid to encourage more exports of Canadian energy and electricity to the U.S.

With the province already delivering on its ambitious energy vision, Ontario’s Affordable Energy Future, the province is building out its safe and affordable nuclear fleet, including the first small modular nuclear reactors in the G7, competitively procuring new energy resources and building thousands of kilometers of new transmission lines. This diverse supply mix, including nuclear, hydroelectricity, energy storage, hydrogen and renewables, natural gas and other fuels can power good jobs, economic prosperity and protect national security interests shared between Ontario, Canada and the United States.
As part of building Fortress Am-Can, Ontario is recommending the following additional measures:

• Enhance and build out the integrated Am-Can energy and electricity grid to encourage more exports of Canadian energy and electricity to the U.S., including Ontario’s clean nuclear energy, to power economic growth on both sides of the border.
• Establish a cross-border working group with U.S. and Canadian lawmakers alongside energy and security experts to ensure both countries adhere to best practices for power system security against foreign interference, cyber attacks, terrorism and extreme weather, among other threats.
• Achieve Am-Can energy security sooner by streamlining the approval of new small modular and large nuclear reactors, while respecting duty to consult obligations and protecting safe operations.
• Develop new and reinforce existing electricity transmission interties and natural gas and oil pipelines between Canada and the U.S. to promote the flow of energy across borders.
• Establish a cross-border working group with U.S. and Canadian lawmakers and industry experts to align regulations and eliminate red-tape that slows building cross-border energy infrastructure, including for transmission lines, interties and pipelines.
• Promote Ontario and Canadian nuclear expertise by establishing a new small modular and large -scale nuclear reactor partnership with the U.S., including with key states and local or regional energy and electricity authorities.
• Expand the production of life-saving, cancer-fighting medical isotopes at Ontario’s growing fleet of nuclear reactors to support improved cancer patient outcomes in Canada and the United States.
• Complement the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve and further enhance Am-Can energy by rebuilding and enhancing America’s Strategic Oil Reserve to protect both countries, businesses and every-day families from the high-cost consequences of global oil price manipulation.

Learn More: Ontario Building Fortress Am-Can to Power Economic Prosperity in Canada and the United States



Ontario Launches New Energy Efficiency Programs to Save You Money

The Ontario government is launching new energy efficiency programs, including the new Home Renovation Savings Program, to help families and businesses save money. The programs are part of a new $10.9 billion, 12-year investment in energy efficiency, the largest in Canadian history.

The new Home Renovation Savings Program will launch on January 28, 2025, and offer rebates of up to 30 per cent for home energy efficiency renovations and improvements, including new windows, doors, insulation, air sealing, smart thermostats, and heat pumps, as well as rooftop solar panels and battery storage systems for people who want to generate and store energy at home. Later in 2025, the program will expand to include rebates for energy efficient appliances, including refrigerators and freezers.

The government’s Affordable Energy Act, which came into force on December 4, 2024, ensures the new Home Renovation Savings Program, and other program offerings, will be expanded to homeowners who heat their homes by propane and oil, instead of being restricted to those who heat with electricity, as it was under previous governments.

The province is also expanding the popular Peak Perks program with a new program specifically targeted to small businesses, including convenience stores and restaurants. Businesses will receive a financial incentive of $75 upon initial enrollment in the program and $20 per year for each eligible smart thermostat connected to a central air conditioning system or heat pump unit.
In addition to the two new energy efficiency programs, the province will continue to support 12 Save on Energy programs, including the highly popular Retrofit Program for business, as well as other programs geared to low-income households, businesses, municipalities, institutions, the agricultural sector, industry and on-reserve First Nations communities.

By 2036, it is forecasted that this expansion of energy efficiency programs will reduce the province’s peak demand by 3,000 MW – the equivalent of taking three million homes off the grid. The province’s $10.9 billion investment is also estimated to result in $23.1 billion in electricity system benefits, thereby saving ratepayers $12.2 billion in electricity system costs by avoiding the build out of new generation.

Learn More: Ontario Launches New Energy Efficiency Programs to Save You Money

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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