April 2023 Monthly Review
Funding Overview
Monthly Overview
Annual Overview
Investments in the Riding
Portuguese Association of Thunder Bay Receives Funding
The Portuguese Association of Thunder Bay was awarded a $76,600 Resilient Communities Fund grant by the Ontario Trillium Foundation last year. This funding supports vital facility upgrades, ensuring ongoing programs and activities for the benefit of our community.
I’m proud to see organizations like the Portuguese Association contributing to our region’s economic growth and fostering social inclusion and cultural diversity. Their resilience and innovation in challenging times are truly commendable. I had the pleasure of attending their dinner this past weekend and saw firsthand the impact of their work. Let’s continue to celebrate and support these important community pillars!
Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park Investment
Our government is investing in Northern Ontario Parks! Discover the new viewing platform and boardwalk at Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park, which offers visitors unparalleled views of the province’s second tallest waterfall.
It was a pleasure to visit this natural wonder earlier this morning with Minister David Piccini, announcing our government’s investment of $389,000 to improve the viewing platform and boardwalks. My great grandfather was a foreman of the park when it started construction in 1955! He worked here developing many of the campsites, infrastructure and layout of the park seen today.
60th Annual Northwestern Ontario Regional Science Fair
The 60th Annual Northwestern Ontario Regional Science Fair was a huge success! I was so proud and privileged to celebrate the amazing gifts and talents of our grades 4 to 12 students in Thunder Bay and area! Thank you to all of the adults who have empowered these youth.
We want you to know that we honour your hard work and passion for advancing tomorrow’s science and technology achievements that will surely benefit us all. Thank you also to Minister Stephen Lecce for his ministry’s support and investments of $180 million for targeted supports in the classroom and at home to help our students.
Government Investing in the Ontario Junior Exploration Program
Ontario is building the critical minerals supply chain by investing an additional $6 million over the next two years in the Ontario Junior Exploration Program (OJEP). This program will help more companies search for minerals such as nickel and lithium that power electric vehicles and attract further investments in this growing sector.
It was my pleasure to join Minister Pirie and Minister Bethlenfalvy for this announcement in Thunder Bay this past week.
Learn more about the government’s continued investment in the mining sector and early exploration projects: https://news.ontario.ca/…/ontario-investing-in-critical…
Events in the Riding
NOSA 25th Anniversary Banquet
I was happy to support the Northwestern Ontario Sportsmen’s Alliance annual dinner. This year the organization celebrated their 25th year.
Congratulations to John Kaplanis and the whole team on a successful and sold out event. It was great to connect with many friends Friday evening.
Kam River Fighting Walleye Finals
Another great game in Oliver Paipoonge as the hometown Kam River Fighting Walleye wrapped up this series to advance to the Salonen Cup Final.
Another full house at the Norwest Arena. Congratulations and good luck in the final!
Minister Smith Visits MNRF Headquarters
Happy to spend time with Minister Graydon Smith and the great team at the MNRF Fire Management Headquarters. Keep up the great work!
Bringing High-Speed Internet to Every Community
Pleasure to join Ministers Kinga Surma, Steve Clark and Lisa Thompson for Ontario’s launch of a new interactive map as part of our plan to bring access to high-speed internet to every community by the end of 2025! Thank you to Lakehead University for hosting!
Visit the new interactive map to learn more: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1002986/ontario-launches-new-interactive-high-speed-internet-map
Alstom Tour with Associate Minister Stan Cho
Grateful to be able to introduce Associate Minister Stan Cho to our friends at ALSTOM.
We are proud of the hard work and growth that they have accomplished, and look forward to working with them in the future.
National Volunteer Week
With it being National Volunteer Week I would like to take this opportunity to thank a very special lady for her many hours of volunteering in my Constituency Office and beyond.
Thank you Beatrice Metzler, for all you do. You are a valuable part of my team and I appreciate all you do, as I know the rest of the staff does too.
This Months Meetings
Meeting with Rajesh Talpade and Pam Delgaty from the Thunder Bay Nurse Practitioner Clinic
I was pleased to meet with Mr. Rajesh Talpade, Nurse Practitioner, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, and Ms. Pam Delgaty, Executive Director and Nurse Practitioner, Lakehead Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic (LNPLC).
We recognize that nurse practitioners offer a team-based primary care model that fills gaps and expands delivery of care. In addition to our provincial government’s commitment of $57.6 million in fall 2022 to fund more nurse practitioners for long-term care homes, we have also invested in the LNPLC for their expansion through increases to base funding from the Ministry of Health. Today, the LNPLC offers team-based health care services to 6,400 patients in Thunder Bay.
I am looking forward to attending the LNPLC’s Grand Opening on 5 May 2023!
Meeting with Volker Kromm of the RFDA
I met with Mr. Volker Kromm, Executive Director, Regional Food Distribution Association (RFDA), Thunder Bay. Since June 2003, the RFDA has distributed donated food to 29 municipalities in northwestern Ontario.
In addition, they have expanded their presence in responding to food emergencies in 35+ First Nations communities.
Please join me in recognizing the RFDA for their significant role in addressing food insecurity across our region!
Meeting with Kent Ramsey of Resolute Forestry Products
Our provincial government recognizes that now, more than ever, it is crucial to apply the ‘made in Ontario’ commitment to our forestry sector. It was a pleasure to receive an update today from Mr. Kent Ramsey, General Manager, Resolute Forest Products Thunder Bay.
I am committed to continue the conversation with Resolute and our government as to what is needed to protect, preserve, and sustain our very important forestry sector.
Meeting with Rob Dueck
I was humbled and privileged to meet with Mr. Rob Dueck today.
Mr. Dueck is the father of Jaida Petersen-Brown, in whose honour the family has initiated The Jaida Project. As a parent, the opportunity to hear Mr. Dueck speak was invaluable. He has been hard at work advocating for reforms to the adolescent mental health care continuum.
I wish to thank our community organizations for taking the time to meet with Mr. Dueck and learn of his family’s tragic loss, and what is necessary to move forward in the best interests of our young. His message clearly comes from the heart.
Condolences
Five-Year Anniversary of Humboldt Broncos Accident
Today marks the five-year anniversary of the tragic Humboldt Broncos accident, a day that forever changed the hockey world. On April 6th, 2018, 16 members of the team were killed, and 13 were injured during their journey to a playoff game. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends, and the entire hockey community.
As the second round of the Superior International Junior Hockey League playoffs continues, I want to wish the best of luck to both the Thunder Bay North Stars and Kam River Fighting Walleye May you find success on the ice and travel safely on the road.