Welcome to my community newsletter, It’s been one year since I was elected, and I want to offer my continued thanks to the Kingston and the Islands community for putting their trust in me.
While the legislature has gone on summer break, my constituency office remains open. It will be closed on major holidays but is open throughout the summer with regular hours. Visit the Contact page to reach out via email or to check office hours.
Here’s what you can find in this month’s issue:
- Across Ontario
- Bill 5
- The Greenbelt Saga Continues
- Preparing Ontario for a Hot Summer
- Minden ER Closure
- Power to the People and Mass Electric Vehicle Use
- Bill 112
- Local Issues
- Air Conditioning in Rental Units
- Pediatric Outpatient Clinic Limiting Walk-in Patients
- In Our Community
- Take Your MPP to Work Day
- 60th Anniversary of the Italo-Canadian Club of Kingston
- Visit to St. John XXIII
- Science Rendezvous
- Local Paramedic Honoured for Service
- Ontario Trillium Fund Supporting our Local Organizations
Warm regards,
Ted
Across Ontario
The legislature officially rose for summer recess on June 8th. On the last sitting day, several bills received royal assent. Bills 97, 98, and 112 all received royal assent. Below, you can find information on Bills 97 and 112. You can find information on Bill 98 in my May newsletter.
Bill 5: Stopping Harassment and Abuse by Local Leaders Act
On May 31st, 2023, I voted in favour of my colleague, MPP Stephen Blais’ Bill 5: Stopping Harassment and Abuse by Local Leaders Act. Over 150 municipalities also backed this legislation to ensure that elected councillors are held accountable for their workplace violence and harassment policies. Local mayors and councillors should be held to the same standards as every other employee in the workplace. Bad actors should not keep their seats. I was disappointed that the government chose to vote against this bill.
The Greenbelt Saga Continues
The government opened the 7,400 acres of protected Greenbelt land for development through Bill 23. I’ve spoken against that in the Legislature, and it has raised the concern of conservationists, environmental experts, farmers, and local governments. Municipalities, such as Waterloo and Hamilton, are being pushed to expand their urban sprawl, allowing more development on vital farmlands, wetlands, and natural areas. This is an unsustainable solution. Ontario needs more housing but urban sprawl into farmland and the Greenbelt is not how we alleviate the housing crisis.
Get Ready for a Hot Summer
One in three Canadians has experienced the effects of extreme weather, and this summer, the Ontario government should be prepared. The province is forecasted for a hotter-than-average summer this year, elevating the risk of power outages and brownouts that will most heavily impact our vulnerable populations. As summers get hotter and hotter, we need to prepare Ontarians and prepare the provinces’ electricity grid down to the local distribution level. You can watch my full press conference here.
Minden Matters
On June 1st, the Minden emergency room closed. This closure is incredibly impactful to the Minden and Haliburton communities. Haliburton Highland Health Services (HHHS) has cited serious staffing shortages, inability to retain workers, and increasing pressure on staff as significant factors leading to the closure of the ER. This is a problem faced by not just Minden, but communities throughout Ontario, including Kingston. I will continue to fight for improved staff conditions and pressure the government to ensure that action is taken on the healthcare closures.
Power to the People: Preparing Ontario for Mass EV Use
On May 15th, I asked the Minister of Energy about his long-term plans for Ontario’s local electricity grid infrastructure for handling the mass adoption of electric vehicles. On the same day, I unveiled my petition, “Power to the People,” which calls for the government to prepare Ontario’s local electricity infrastructure for electric vehicle use. Working with local distribution companies to pursue and build out the local electricity grid is crucial to ensuring Ontario’s infrastructure is ready for a green future. You can sign my petition here.
Bill 112: Hazel McCallion Act
On June 6, 2023, the government passed Bill 112, also known as the Hazel McCallion Act. This legislation will effectively break up Peel Region, carving the way for Brampton, Mississauga, and Caledon to become independent municipalities and independent of regional governance. Mayors in those municipalities can propose bylaws and pass them with the support of one-third of the councillors – the so-called “strong mayor” powers. The province has appointed a five-member board to steer the transition to prevent any decisions that could complicate the long-term restructuring process.
Local Issues
Air Conditioning To Be Allowed
On April 6, 2023, the government released a new housing bill titled: Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act. Bill 97 proposed amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act, which strengthen tenant rights against evictions due to renovations, demolitions, and conversions. Bill 97 requires landlords to obtain a report justifying why a home must be vacated for renovations before a tenant leaves.
Under Bill 97, landlords must allow tenants to use window or portable air conditioners in rental units provided that certain conditions are met. These conditions include providing the landlord advance notice and information on the unit’s energy efficiency and anticipated usage, and installation of the unit must be done to ensure that it is safe and secure. The air conditioner must not cause damage to the rental unit or building and cannot contravene any municipal property standard by-laws or other laws. You can read more about Bill 97 here.
Pediatric Outpatient Clinic Limiting Walk-in Patients
On June 1st, Kingston Health Sciences Centre began limiting the number of patients seen at the Children’s Outpatient Clinic Urgent Care Centre located at the Hotel Dieu Hospital Site. The walk-in service is now expected to accept 40-45 patients per day, compared to the 50-70 patients it received before the patient cap. The hospital has cited a shortage of physicians at the clinic, and patients were capped so that the doctors can continue safe and effective care. However, the Ontario Nurses Association is also concerned that specialized pediatric registered nurses are desperately needed and that capping patients will cause wait times to increase. The patient cap only applies to the clinic’s walk-in service – pre-booked appointments will continue as usual.
Due to staffing issues and high patient volumes, the Urgent Care Centre at Hotel Dieu Hospital has had to cap the number of patients per day to 120 since July 2022
Children’s Outpatient Clinic to cap the number of walk-in patients
Call 613-546-1240 and the message will tell you if the Urgent Care Centre has closed patient registration before 8 p.m.
Call 613-548-6003 and the recorded message will let you know if the COPC Urgent Care Centre has closed patient registration early. You can also learn more by visiting https://kingstonhsc.ca/khsc-begin-capping-patient-numbers-children%E2%80%99s-outpatient-clinic-urgent-care-centre
In Our Community
Take Your MPP to Work Day
On May 12th, as part of ‘Take your MPP to Work Day,’ I visited Providence Transitional Care Centre to celebrate Nurse’s Week! The Transitional Care Centre represents a successful innovation in healthcare led by Kingston health professionals. Thank you to all healthcare workers, especially nurses, for the dedication and impact you have on your patients and community.
Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Italo-Canadian Club of Kingston
I had the pleasure of attending the Italo-Canadian Club of Kingston’s 60th-anniversary celebration on June 2nd. The Club has been a cultural hub of festivities, heritage, and hospitality. It was great to connect with old friends and speak with such a vibrant community!
Local Paramedic Honoured for Service
This year, the Ontario Award for Paramedic Bravery recognized one of Kingston’s own paramedics. Congratulations to Kimberly Fitzsimmons, while even though she was off duty, still put herself at risk to save a stranger’s life. I am proud to have a local hero working in our community.
Visit to St. John XXIII School
On May 12th, I had the pleasure of speaking with the Grade 6 students of St John XXIII about government and whatever they wanted! The class reminded me of the limitless potential and boundless enthusiasm that young minds possess. Let us continue to support them on their journey through life and as they assume their responsibilities as citizens!
Ontario Trillium Fund Supporting Local Organizations
The Resilient Communities Fund by the Ontario Trillium Foundation has offered several Kingston non-profit organizations the opportunity to recover and thrive post-pandemic. Lakeshore Pool, Extend-A-Family, Loving Spoonful, Kingston Yacht Club, Elizabeth Fry Society, and Pathways to Education, among others, have highlighted the resilience of our community.
I look forward to watching how all these organizations continue to grow and serve our community. Congratulations again to everyone who received this grant, and best wishes for continued success.
Science Rendezvous
I had a blast at this year’s Science Rendezvous. Seeing the activities, demonstrations, and experiments put on by science students, researchers and enthusiasts as they engage the community, is always amazing. I’m already looking forward to next year!