Queen’s Park: November 18th
It’s been a busy few weeks in the riding and at Queen’s Park.
I had the pleasure of welcoming both Minister Monte McNaughton (Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development) as well as Associate Minister of Housing Michael Parsa for visits on November 7th and 8th.
With Minister Parsa we toured Grace Place to learn more about the generosity and safety they provide the community.
We also took part in a roundtable to look at ways to increase supportive housing in Northern Ontario.
Minister McNaughton
I was please to be alongside the Minister to announce a record $77 million investment in pre-apprenticeships and achievement incentives this year.
This will include $1.5 million for three training projects here in Thunder Bay.
https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1002460/ontario-training-indigenous-people-for-well-paying-jobs-in-the-skilled-trades
We also had the chance to tour Confederation College and see the pre apprenticeship + apprenticeship training programs, which helps develop people for the skilled trades in Northwestern Ontario.
More Funds for Communities
On November 9th our government announced the increase in support through the doubling of the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) as well as the introduction of the Northern Ontario Resource Development Support Fund (NORDS).
https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1002466/province-announces-2023-ontario-municipal-partnership-fund-allocations
Thunder Bay will receive $20.7 million in 2023, which is an increase of almost $455,000 from 2022.
Other communities in the riding that will see funds include Oliver Paipoonge ($931,900), Neebing ($547,000), Conmee ($201,900), Gillies ($166,900) and O’Connor ($161,500).
Remembrance Day
I was honoured to be involved in several Remembrance Day events throughout the riding, including this one in Atikokan.
And this one at the Fort William Gardens, which was the first large indoor gathering since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Break At The Pumps
On November 13th our government unveiled a proposal to extend the gas and fuel tax rate cuts until December 31, 2023, which would save Ontario households $195 on average.
We passed legislation in the spring that cut the gas tax by 5.7 cents per litre and the fuel tax by 5.3 cents per litre for six months.
https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1002474/ontario-to-cut-gas-and-fuel-taxes-for-additional-year
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
The following day (November 14th) I was on hand to announce funding to improve cancer care services in Northwestern Ontario.
$13.2 million will add a third Linear Accelerator (LINCA) and a new state of the art PET/CT scanner at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC).
These are essential components to leading edge cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Former Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown
Later in the day Monday I made the trip west to Atikokan to surprise Dennis Brown for his final meeting as Mayor of Atikokan.
November 15th
I was also proud to announce on Tuesday, alongside Minister David Piccini (Environment, Conservation and Parks) funds to help transform a section along the Neebing McIntyre Floodway.
Before I wrap up this blog post…
Make sure you keep up with me on all of my social media platforms.
You can also reach out to my office with your questions and concerns about our wonderful community.
Enjoy the weekend!