Welcome to my community newsletter. Spring is in the air and legislators are hard at work at Queen’s Park.
Here’s what you can find in this month’s issue:
Across Ontario
– Ontario Place
– Ontario Ombudsman Report on the Landlord Tenant Board
– Bill 71
– Urban Sprawl
– New Mental Health Curriculum
– Support for Math and Literacy Skills
Local Issues
– Wolfe and Howe Island Ferries
– Family Doctor Retirements
– City of Kingston Purchasing Transitional Housing
In Our Community
– Ontario Trillium Fund Grant Recipients
– Carpenters District Council of Ontario Apprenticeship Competition
– Visiting Sydenham High School
– Challenge Chess Tournament
Warm regards,
Ted
Across Ontario
The Future of Ontario Place
The Ontario Government is determined to turn Ontario Place into a destination park, yet with controversy brewing around a 95-year contract with a private partner, an agreement to spend up to $600 million on underground parking, and the proposed relocation of the Ontario Science Center, this government still has trouble releasing its business case to the public. The government has faced repeated calls to make public both the contract for the redevelopment of Ontario Place and the business case used to justify moving the Ontario Science Centre. Both requests have been met with silence or rejection. The public must know what promises this government has made, including what penalties will be paid if we ever exit these agreements. Read more about plans for Ontario Place here: Ontario Place redevelopment plans shrouded in secrecy. Here’s what we know | Globalnews.ca
“A Complete Overhaul”
I have heard from constituents and from people across Ontario about troubling connections the current Ontario Government and some people it has appointed to tribunals, and about the large backlog in many Ontario tribunals. In early April, I tabled a motion calling on the Ontario Government to increase funding to clear backlogs and to work towards creating a non-partisan oversight body to help the preserve independence in Ontario’s tribunal system. On May 4th, the Ontario Ombudsman released a report titled Administrative Justice Delayed, Fairness Denied. This report was tabled after a 3-year investigation into the delays at the Landlord Tenant Board (LTB). The report detailed stories of landlords and tenants out thousands of dollars due to the administrative delays.
In total, the Ombudsman’s report identified 61 recommendations that the government should take to improve services at the LTB and called for a ‘complete overhaul of the “moribund” landlord and tenant board.’ All 61 recommendations can be viewed here near the bottom of the page or by downloading the pdf version: https://www.ombudsman.on.ca/resources/reports,-cases-and-submissions/reports-on-investigations/2023/administrative-justice-delayed,-fairness-denied
Bill 71, the Building More Mines Act:
On May 9, the Ontario Government passed Bill 71, the Building More Mines Act. This legislation was to assist mining companies in opening their mines faster. This legislation was tabled prior to any consultation with Indigenous communities and during the committee process, I heard from Indigenous communities around Sudbury, Timmins and elsewhere that highlighted the lack of consultation. When the vote came before the house, we abstained from the vote because, while we agreed with the objective of the bill and voted for it at second reading, we cannot accept the current Government’s process, which lacked prior and pro-active indigenous consultation. Watch the video to understand our rationale for taking the rare step: See Our Rationale For Abstaining
Why the Urban Sprawl?
On April 20, I asked the government why they wanted to pursue a policy of more urban sprawl when it comes to Ontario’s housing policy. Urban sprawl into Ontario’s environmentally sensitive or protected areas, such as the Greenbelt, could have devastating consequences on biodiversity and lead to increased flood risk. With the recent news that the City of Toronto has ended single-detached zoning and will allow fourplexes across the city, other options are available that increase densification and avoid sprawl. I want to commend the City of Toronto on taking this bold step and encourage other municipalities to follow suit.
Education
A New Mental Health Curriculum in Ontario
On Monday, May 1st, the Ontario Government announced that a new mandatory mental health curriculum will be introduced to elementary and high schools. The new changes will seek to address the challenges students are facing after the COVID-19 pandemic. Grade 7 and 8 students will have new learning materials, such as tools to manage stress, and a new course on mental health literacy will be introduced to students in Grade 10. This year, the government plans to invest $12 million into this plan, with the curriculum beginning for elementary students as soon as this September. This is a welcome step by the government. I have heard from many educators and students about the need for more mental health supports. Read more: Ontario Launching New Mental Health Learning and Increasing Funding | Ontario Newsroom
Increased Funding for Targeted Supports in the Education Curriculum
April 17th marked the introduction of Bill 98: The Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act. The Ontario Government is investing more than $180 million in targeted support to help students improve their math and literacy skills. According to the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), standardized testing data shows schools have consistently underperformed in these skills. The Minister of Education stated that more than $71 million will go toward supporting around 300 teachers. They will consist of math coaches, who will provide support for students, and math leads who will provide direction for curriculum implementation. The Minister also stated that $109 million will go toward funding 700 teachers, consisting of reading intervention and screening programs to support literacy development for students. I believe it’s important for the average student to have strong basic math and literacy skills. One thing worth noting is the scale of this program. There are about 4000 schools in Ontario, so this program will fund about one teacher for every four schools. It’s also worth noting that overall funding for schools is not automatically adjusted for inflation. This bill also increases ministerial power over elected local school boards and has attracted some criticism on that point. Read More About these Targeted Supports
In the Riding
The Wolfe Island Ferry
On May 14 the Wolfe Island Ferry went out from service from 8:00pm until 6:00am on May 15. The ferry did not return to service at as scheduled due to mechanical issues and did not get underway until shortly after 9:00am. This 13-hour delay caused people to be stranded on both the mainland and the island with some people spending hundreds of dollars to stay in a hotel or sleeping in their car. Additionally, there was a medical emergency on the island and a Coast Guard ship had to be called in to take someone from the island to the mainland for medical care.
On May 15, I pressed the Minister of Transportation to give personal attention to this issue so that the delays can stop. Watch my statement here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MASth_UWP5I
Also on the ferry, after identifying the number of hours temporary agency workers staffed the Wolfe Island ferry from June to September of last year, on March 9, I asked the Ministry again to provide me with the number of hours that temporary agency workers worked on the ferry this time from October 1, 2022 – February 28, 2023. In response, the Ministry identified that temporary agency workers had worked 11,821.5 hours. This represents over half of the total 21,312 hours that the ferry was staffed in that timeframe.
Howe Island Ferry
When it comes to the Howe Island ferry, I asked the government if they had allocated or requested funding for a new drive unit for the Frontenac Howe Islander Ferry and, if so, when residents should expect it to be installed and operating. In response, the Ministry stated that they “continue to work collaboratively with the County of Frontenac to ensure residents of Howe Island benefit from reliable ferry services that meet current and future needs.” The Ministry also added that it is “developing options to address challenges with the existing Howe Islander ferry, including the installation of a new drive unit.”
I will continue to advocate for reliable ferry service for both residents of Wolfe Island and Howe Island so that lives and businesses do not experience unnecessary hardships.
Retirement of Six Doctors at Frontenac Medical Associates
At the end of this month, six more doctors are retiring from a local medical clinic. This means another 8,000-10,000 patients in Kingston will not have a family doctor. There is only one walk-in clinic in the entire city. People cannot receive the prescriptions they need for restricted drugs, well-baby checkups are missed, patients are managing chronic conditions on their own, and much more. On April 19, I called on the Ontario Government to designate Kingston as a high-need community. You can watch my full Member’s Statement here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vyr8F2aOrJg
City Purchase of a New Building for Transitional Housing
The City of Kingston is in the process of acquiring 206 Concession St., to provide a permanent location for stabilization housing to be operated by Addiction and Mental Health Services KFL&A (AMHS). The site, staffed by AMHS, will see approximately 18 beds for individuals who require stabilization and a consistent place to stay while transitioning into permanent housing. Stabilization housing is like transitional housing in that it provides wraparound supports for addictions, mental health and other needs, but for a shorter amount of time than transitional housing. Stability housing sees residents staying for about six to nine months. Since the beginning of the pandemic the city has offered stabilization residential housing spaces in the west end in rented facilities. Learn More
In Our Community
Ontario Trillium Fund Grant Awarded to Kingston Initiatives
Recently, an Ontario Trillium Foundation Resilient Communities Fund grant was awarded to the Kingston School of Art, Girls Inc. Limestone, and the Kingston Indigenous Language Nest. The grant helps these community initiatives to build resilience and strengthen programming after the impact of the pandemic. I was grateful to have the opportunity to visit these local initiatives and learn about their amazing work.
CDCO Apprenticeship Competition
On April 13th, I was honoured to attend the Carpenters District Council of Ontario (CDCO)’s Apprenticeship Competition at Local 249’s new training facility where apprentices from across the province showcased their talented skills! From carpenters to drywallers, skilled tradespeople across the Ontario keep our economy moving and play an important role in solving our housing crisis. The CDCO is composed of many local unions of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners across the province.
Sydenham High School Visit About Greening Ontario
On April 21st, I had the pleasure of visiting Sydenham High School to speak with students about greening Ontario. With the clock running out on climate change action, it is critical to speak about solutions with those it will most affect. From agriculture to nuclear power to the Japanese emerald beetle, I had an enriching discussion with the students at Sydenham High School!
EOCA Chess Tournament
On April 15th, the Eastern Ontario Chess Association (EOCA) held its Challenge Chess Tournament at Holy Cross. The EOCA is committed to promoting the interest and participation of chess for enthusiasts of all ages and all skill levels. Chess is not just fun, it is a way for kids to acquire life-long skills like concentrating and making choices under time pressure. It was a pleasure to play chess against bronze medalist, Holden. Congratulations to all of those who competed!