Oakville North-Burlington Newsletter May 15, 2026
May 15, 2026
Oakville North-Burlington Newsletter May 15,cal, RSV, and shingles vaccines. Pharmacists will also be able to assess and prescribe for nine additional common ailments, including dry eye, dandruff, nasal congestion, ringworm, warts, and mild headaches, with plans to expand to 33 conditions by early 2027. Since expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice, Ontario pharmacies have already delivered more than 2.4 million assessments, with over 99% of pharmacies participating to provide faster, more connected, and convenient care for families across our province.”
—MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos
Celebrating Burlington’s Business Excellence
An inspiring evening by the Burlington Chamber of Commerce celebrating the businesses, entrepreneurs, and community leaders who continue to help Burlington grow and thrive. It was a pleasure to attend the Business Excellence Awards Gala with colleague MPP Natalie Pierre to recognize the outstanding achievements of this year’s finalists and award recipients.
Congratulations to everyone honoured for their leadership, innovation, and meaningful contributions to our business and not-for-profit sectors.
Honouring Burlington’s Friendship with Itabashi Japan
It was a pleasure to attend Burlington’s Sakura Festival and celebrate culture, friendship and community with MPP Natalie Pierre and Mayor Marianne Meed Ward.
The festival marked the arrival of the cherry blossoms and celebrated Burlington’s 37 year friendship with its twin city, Itabashi. From traditional music and dance performances to martial arts demonstrations and student artwork, the event was a wonderful showcase of Japanese culture and the strong community connections that continue to bring people together.
A Special Mother’s Day Celebration Through Music
It was wonderful to attend Andrea Florian’s Mother’s Day performance at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre and celebrate the strength of Burlington’s growing arts community. I was pleased to present Andrea with a scroll recognizing her contributions to Burlington’s arts and cultural community and for her continued support and encouragement of local music and artists here in Burlington.
Celebrating Family, Faith and Community Together
It was an honour to attend a beautiful Mother’s Day celebration at Vaishno Devi Mandir where I presented roses to all the incredible mothers who strengthen our families and communities each and every day. The event brought the community together through poetry, fellowship and special recognitions, including a heartfelt tribute to the eldest mother in attendance.
It was also wonderful to celebrate the birthdays of Priest Neeraj Sharma and Narain Ahuja at this special gathering.
Spokes Autism Services Celebrates Mother’s Day
Spokes Autism Services brought together mothers of children with autism and developmental disabilities for a meaningful evening of connection, appreciation and recognition. These women demonstrate extraordinary strength, resilience and unwavering care every day. Thank you for hosting such a thoughtful initiative and for the important work you do in supporting families across our community.
Connecting More Families to Primary Care in Halton
I was pleased to rise in the Legislature to highlight our government’s recent $4.1 million investment to expand interprofessional primary care teams across Oakville, Halton Hills and Milton.
This investment will help connect more than 10,000 residents to team-based primary care under the leadership of Connected Care Halton. It is part of our government’s broader plan to connect 500,000 more people to primary care and ensure every Ontarian has access to a family doctor or primary care team by 2029.
Our government remains focused on improving access to high-quality primary care for families across communities throughout Ontario. Click Here To Watch The Video
Advancing Efficiency and Competitiveness in Ontario
At the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, I was pleased to participate in hearings on Bill 105, the Protecting Ontario’s Workers and Economic Resilience Act.
Our government continues to take action to reduce unnecessary red tape, streamline outdated processes, and strengthen Ontario’s competitiveness while maintaining strong protections for workers and communities. Bill 105 builds on nearly 700 burden reduction initiatives introduced since 2018, helping save businesses, hospitals, municipalities, and not-for-profit organizations an estimated $1.3 billion.
Strengthening Support for Families Facing Rising Costs
Wonderful to welcome representatives from Feed Ontario, Feed Halton, Kerr Street Mission, and Burlington Food Bank to Queen’s Park for an important conversation on food insecurity, affordability, and supporting vulnerable individuals and families across our communities.
These organizations play a vital role in our community, and across Ontario by ensuring that people can access essential supports and services during a time when many families continue facing rising costs and economic uncertainty.
Our government recognizes that increasing food costs and rising costs of living are placing significant pressure on families across Ontario. That’s why, since being elected, we have not raised a single tax, permanently cut the gas tax by 5.7 cents per litre, and continued providing electricity relief programs to help families and small businesses manage energy costs.
Supporting the Growth of Ontario’s Tourism Economy
It was a pleasure to attend Tourism Night 2026 with the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake and celebrate Ontario’s thriving tourism and arts sector.
The Shaw Festival remains one of Ontario’s premier cultural institutions and an important driver of tourism and economic activity in the Niagara Region. Each year, it welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors while supporting local businesses, creating jobs and strengthening community programming.
It was also wonderful to connect with tourism and cultural leaders from across the province and celebrate everything that makes Ontario a world-class destination for visitors from around the globe.
Supporting Good Paying Skilled Trades Jobs Across Ontario
It was great meeting with representatives from the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada, including constituents from our community, to discuss how our government can continue supporting a strong, resilient and innovative HVACR sector across Ontario.
Our government’s continued investments in training, innovation and workforce development are helping ensure the HVACR sector remains an important driver of economic competitiveness while also contributing to healthier and more energy efficient communities.
Queen’s Park Weekly Update
This week’s update highlights the government’s Bills introduced and debated in the Legislature and in committee this week.
On Monday, I started off the week in the Speaker’s Chair where I oversaw debate on Bill 75, Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act, 2026, which is now in 3rd Reading. This Bill will, if passed, hold offenders accountable, support victims of crime, and strengthen public safety. It includes new measures that would tighten bail requirements and crack down on dangerous driving. The Bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy.
On Tuesday debate continued on Bill 98, Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026, which is now in 3rd Reading. This Bill advances Ontario’s efforts to tackle the housing shortage and keep pace with rapid population growth by making it easier to build and connect communities.
We began 2nd Reading on Bill 114, the HST Relief Implementation Act (Residential Property Rebates), 2026. This Bill will, if passed, support the implementation of the province’s 13% HST relief on eligible new homes, which is being delivered in partnership with the federal government. Bill 114 would provide buyers of most new homes in Ontario with up to $130,000 in relief and could stimulate an additional 8,000 housing starts in Ontario next year, support up to 21,000 jobs and boost Ontario’s GDP growth by $2.7 billion. It also includes provisions that would enable buyers to assign this top-up to builders so that sellers can take the full HST relief amount off the price of a new home up front.
On Wednesday, I participated in a full-day meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, where we heard from the Honourable Andrea Khanjin, Minister of Red Tape Reduction and various stakeholders on Bill 105, Protecting Ontario’s Workers and Economic Resilience Act, 2026 (POWER Act).
As a reminder, the POWER ACT is the next step in our government’s plan to cut red tape and streamline provincial permits and approvals so projects can move forward faster and with greater certainty, while supporting businesses and helping workers transition more quickly into high-demand jobs.
Ontario Leading the Way in Job Creation
As Canada faces tariffs and ongoing economic uncertainty, Ontario’s plan to protect workers, families, and businesses is delivering results.
In April, Ontario led the country in job creation, adding 42,400 new jobs, including 8,700 new manufacturing jobs. Adjusted for population, Ontario added 680 per cent more jobs than the United States last month.
With continued pressure on our economy, we cannot afford to slow down. Our government will continue lowering costs for families and businesses, reducing red tape, speeding up approvals, training workers, securing investment, and creating better jobs with stronger paycheques.
That is how we protect Ontario and build a stronger future for communities across the province.
Ontario Investing $5 Million to Strengthen Province’s Position as a Global Leader in Life Sciences
The Ontario government is investing $5 million through the fourth round of the province’s Life Sciences Innovation Fund (LSIF) to help 10 companies develop and launch made-in-Ontario medical technologies, create good-paying jobs and strengthen Ontario’s position as a global leader in the industry. Advancing the goals of Ontario’s Life Sciences Strategy, the LSIF helps companies across the province turn breakthrough discoveries and prototypes into real-world health solutions and unlock new commercial opportunities to bring innovative Ontario-made medical technologies to market, from AI-enabled diagnostics to next-generation drug discovery and advanced biomaterials.
Learn more: Ontario Investing $5 Million to Strengthen Province’s Position as a Global Leader in Life Sciences
Team Ontario United Behind Toronto’s Bid to Host the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank
Following Canada’s selection as the host country for the new Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB), Premier Doug Ford was joined by leaders from a wide variety of sectors, including finance, manufacturing, research, defence, academia and more, to continue making the case for Toronto’s selection as the bank’s headquarters. Attendees in support of Toronto’s bid included representatives from across Ontario, reflecting the benefits that Toronto’s selection would bring to communities across the province. Mayors, councillors, provincial cabinet ministers and federal members of Parliament, including members of the federal Liberal caucus, were also in attendance.
Learn more: Team Ontario United Behind Toronto’s Bid to Host the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank
Ontario’s Plan to Build Mines Faster Attracts Billions in Additional Mining Investment
Ontario is becoming the mining and critical minerals capital of the G7, and this historic $14 billion investment sends a powerful message to the world: Ontario is open for business,” said Stephen Lecce. “At a time of global economic uncertainty and intensifying competition for resources, our government has acted to cut red tape, speed up responsible development and create one of the most competitive mining jurisdictions anywhere in the world. This landmark investment, one of the largest private-sector commitments in modern Ontario history, will create thousands of good-paying jobs, drive economic growth in the North, strengthen Indigenous partnerships and secure Ontario’s place as a global leader in responsible mining, critical minerals and resource development for decades to come.
Learn more: Ontario’s Plan to Build Mines Faster Attracts Billions in Additional Mining Investment
Heritage Organization Development Grant 2026-27
Applications for the Heritage Organization Development Grant are now open!
This grant helps eligible organizations promote Ontario’s heritage, sharing the stories of our past, present and future.
Learn more: Click here for application details
Support Heartache2Hope Through Walk2Remember
Heartache2Hope is working to ensure individuals and families in our community have access to the care, connection, and resources they need during life’s most difficult moments.
Funds raised through Walk2Remember directly support vital programs and services, helping individuals and families navigate grief and loss with compassion and support.
Community members are encouraged to register to walk, create a fundraising team, or make a donation to help continue these important services for those who need them most. To register or donate today Click here
CCAH Youth Leadership Summer Program 2026
Calling all youth ages 14 to 18. The CCAH Youth Leadership Summer Program 2026 is an exciting opportunity for young people to participate in a free day focused on leadership, mentorship, career exploration, networking, hands-on activities, and volunteer hours.
Participants will have the opportunity to explore careers in arts and media, sports, AI and technology, entrepreneurship, barbering and hairstyling, and more.
The program will take place at Sheridan College, Trafalgar Campus, on Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Registration closes on June 19, 2026 Click here
Join the Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides
Pet Valu is hosting two signature Walks in Toronto and Oakville and invite the community to take part in these special events.
Join us for a memorable day filled with community spirit, inspiring stories, and the opportunity to meet some of the incredible Dog Guides and the individuals whose lives they positively impact every day.
Signature Dog Guides Walks:
Toronto Walk – Friday, May 29, 2026 | Registration at 5:30 PM | Walk begins at 6:00 PM | 1873 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario
Oakville Walk – Sunday, May 31, 2026 | Registration at 10:00 AM | Walk begins at 11:00 AM | 152 Wilson Street, Oakville, Ontario
Be part of something meaningful. Register today
Click here
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