February 2022 E-Newsletter

Published on February 04, 2022

Message from Your MPP

Dear Neighbours,

It's officially the month of February and love is in the air. Thanks to the hard work and self-sacrifices of Ontarians, the province has entered a gradual reopening and we are able to enjoy activities we love with loved ones. As we remain cautious to slow the spread of COVID-19, I encourage everyone to share the love by supporting local restaurants, shops in the neighbourhood, and small businesses in Mississauga-Malton. I'm excited to share Mississauga Malton's Annual Family Paint Night will be held in-person on February 26 in celebration of Family Day, a perfect time to cherish quality time with loved ones.

February also marks Black History Month, a time to celebrate and reflect on the history of Black communities and their achievements that strengthen Ontario, from the arts, culture, to the economy and social development. This includes the great strides made by Lincoln M. Alexander to support youth, seniors, and racial justice. He was Canada's first black Member of Parliament, Cabinet minister, and lieutenant governor and served in the Royal Canadian Air Force. As well as Jean Augustine, who became the first Black woman elected to Canadian Parliament and to serve in the Cabinet, strongly advocating for social justice, education, and women's rights through her career. 

As we celebrate Ontario's black communities and in turn, learn more about each other, let's continue the work together to build a more inclusive society at home, work, and in the community. To quote the words of Willam Neilson Hall, "Our differences are less important than our similarities".

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Youth Champions Building Inclusive Society 

Every year, Ontario awards The Lincoln M. Alexander Award to students and community leaders working to eliminate racial discrimination and equity in their local communities.  

The 2021 award recipients are:

  • Sydney Hussett-Richardson: The 23-year-old is the founder of Blackspace at McMaster University and works to dismantle racism and end racial discrimination through public health. 

  • Emmanuel Adegboyega: The 18-year-old co-founded the Black History Committee at his high school and worked on a project to dismantle racism and discrimination in schools.

  • Dina Efrem: The 18-year-old hosted numerous discussions both at her school and community on race, equity, and social justice.

Each recipient of the award receives $5,000 and a certificate to recognize their important work. To nominate a youth or community leader for the Lincoln M. Alexander Award click the link below!

 

 

Submit Nominations

 

Protecting Ontario from Omicron

As of January 31, Ontario has entered a cautious and phased reopening easing public health measures in place as a result of key public health and health care indicators continuing to improve. 

This includes: 

  • social gatherings with 10 indoors and 25 outdoors;
  • 50% in indoor public settings including but not limited to:
    • restaurants, bars, other food or drink establishments without dance facilities and strip clubs
    • sports and recreational fitness activities incl. gyms 
    • cinemas
    • meeting and event spaces
    • museums, galleries 
    • casinos, bingo halls, and other gaming establishments

  • Allowing spectator areas of facilities such as sporting events, concert venues & theatres to operate at 50% seated capacity or 500 people. 

 

 

 

Click Here to Read More

 

Investing in Ontario

$240M over 3 years to help advance research at 5 leading research institutes. This funding will help make clinical trials more timely, efficient, and cost-effective; improve researchers’ access to digital research infrastructure, and develop tools to diagnose cancer as early as possible. 
$10M to provide Indigenous-led, culturally appropriate long-term housing solutions, and support services to Indigenous people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The new annual funding can be used for longer-term housing solutions such as supportive housing, transitional housing, rent supplements, and housing allowances, and help to avoid emergency-based responses like shelters.
$4M through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership help give farmers improved access to veterinary services. The joint funding from the federal and provincial government will improve virtual care options, expand telemedicine access, and address issues with mobile clinics. 

additional $1.6M to help combat racism and hate in communities. Through the Anti-Racism Anti-Hate Grant Program, the funding will support more community-led public education and awareness projects on the impacts of racism and hate. 

$1.7M over 2 years to strengthen community safety and well-being. The funding provided through the Safer and Vital Communities (SVC) Grant Program will encourage community collaboration to help fight the rapid increase in cybercrime.

 

$1.4M to strengthen manufacturing of domestic medical supplies through the Ontario Together Fund. This will also support the development of homegrown innovations to help control the spread of COVID-19. 

$1.2 million towards a new facility that will manufacture a range of Health Canada approved disinfectant wipes using various active ingredients tested to prove efficacy against
COVID-19. 
additional $1M to help combat gun and gang violence, drugs, and human trafficking. The funding will be provided through the Ontario Closed Circuit Television grant program to support police services with projects including replacing outdated equipment, enhancing technology, and expanding CCTV camera coverage in risk areas. 
$1M to scale up production of COVID-19 saliva-based test kits through the Ontario Together Fund. Once completed, the project will result in 100,000 diagnostic kits per day and is expected to create 105 jobs.

$750,000 to help communities across the province become more inclusive and accessible for people of all ages and abilities. The funding will be provided through the Inclusive Community Grants to support projects such as creating accessible outdoor spaces and developing culturally appropriate age-friendly community resources.   

$300,000 to combat antisemitism in schools and communities. The funding will be provided to the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and the Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies to develop additional resources and programming. 

 

Investing in Mississauga-Malton 

$35.7M to upgrade public transit infrastructure & services for commuters in Mississauga and Peel through the Gas Tax Program. This will ensure municipalities have resources to extend service hours, buy transit vehicles, add routes, improve accessibility, and more. 

$1.8M to help Trillium Health Partners develop innovative solutions and continue providing surgical services. This funding will help to purchase equipment for Anterior Hip Approach to Hip Arthroplasty Surgery and Modernizing Laboratory Medicine to ensure high-quality care for patients. 

$1.3M to improve aging and outdated storm and wastewater infrastructure in Region of Peel and protect access to safe and clean water. Funding will support minor sewage treatment plant improvements such as optimization, local sewer system upgrades, cleaning out sediment and debris from stormwater management ponds, and putting green stormwater infrastructure in place. 

 

Queen's Park Update

Supporting Healthcare Workforce 

The government is continuing to accelerate its efforts to add hospital beds and build up the province’s health care workforce. Together with Ontario Health and the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), the government is working on initiatives to deploy internationally educated nurses to hospitals and other health care settings in need of staffing.  

The international trained nurses will work as part of a team under the supervision of a regulated health care provider, such as a registered nurse or doctor.

 

 

 

 

Essential Deliveries to Communities 

The government has extended the Ontario Community Support Program until 2022. The program helps ensure low-income seniors and people with disabilities have access to food, medicine, and other essentials during COVID-19. 

To search for home and community support services for you and your loved ones click below or contact 211. 

 

 

 

 

Click Here to Learn More

 

New Agency to Serve Tradespeople

 

The government has launched Skilled Trades Ontario, a new agency, to improve trades training and simplify services. The new online services will help students schedule classes and exams, submit forms, pay fees, and more. It will also make it easier for more people to learn about and enter the trades, including reducing processing and registration times for applicants from 60 days to 12.

 

Did you know, there are 144 trades in Ontario and by 2025, one in 5 jobs will be in the trades.

 

Skilled Trades Ontario Online Portal

 

Applications Now Open! 

Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program

The government is providing eligible businesses with a rebate payment of up to 100%
for property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to recent COVID-19 restrictions.

​​To receive the grant, a small business must:

  • be required to close due to public health orders that took effect on January 5, 2022
  • have fewer than 100 employees as of December 31, 2021
  • be an active business as of January 14, 2022 

Eligible small businesses include:

  • restaurants and bars
  • personal care services (hair or body)
  • retailers (non-grocery, less than 50,000 sq ft)
  • gyms and other indoor sports and recreational facilities
  • places of worship

 

 

 

Click Here to Apply

 

 

Inclusive Community Grants

The new round of funding for the Inclusive Community grants will provide municipalities, non-profits, and Indigenous communities up to $60,000 for local projects supporting older residents and people with disabilities. 

This year, Ontario will prioritize projects that support under-served communities and those that address COVID-19-related challenges.

Examples of eligible projects:

  • making public buildings and outdoor spaces more accessible
  • addressing needs of older adults during the pandemic.  

 

Applications are open until March 3, 2022. 

 

 

 

 

Click Here to Apply

 

 

Advanced Manufacturing & Innovation Competitiveness Stream

The province has launched the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness Program. Through the program, an eligible business can receive support to invest in new technology, equipment, or skills to increase efficiency, competitiveness and accelerate growth. Supports can range from funding, loans, grants, complementary supports, and services.

Businesses in the following sectors are eligible for the program:

  • aerospace
  • automotive
  • chemical
  • information and communications technology (ICT)
  • life sciences
  • steel

Applications are open until February 10, 2022.

 

Click Here to Apply

 

Anti-Racism and Anti-Hate Program 

 

The government created the Anti-Racism Anti-Hate Grant in collaboration with community partners. The program supports local projects that increase public education and awareness on the impact of racism and hate, in all its many forms.

These grants will support eligible organizations, including community-based and not-for-profit organizations, to:

  • lead initiatives that help build capacity
  • connect communities
  • deepen understanding to address the impacts of racism and hate.

 

Applications are being accepted until February 14, 2022

 

 

Click Here to Apply

 

 

 

Townhall for Residents 

On January 27, I hosted the monthly Townhall for Residents. We had an insightful and productive conversation about the issue of unaffordability. Residents joining shared their suggestions and ideas on how to increase affordability and improve quality living for the community.

During the conservation, I also shared recent programs, grants, and investments made by the government to support businesses, students, families, and organizations during COVID-19. 

 

The Mississauga-Malton Townhall for Residents is held on the last Thursday of every month! To join the conversation, click here. 

 

 

 

 

Mississauga Malton Fighting COVID-19 Together 

 This past month, I was pleased to meet with local businesses, health care and community partners who are doing their part to fight COVID-19 by helping residents and workers get vaccinated. It's heartwarming to witness dedication and Ontario spirit during tough times and during the cold weather! 

Thanks to the amazing teamwork of the community, 90% of Peel residents that are 12+ have received the 2nd dose, with 89% residents aged 5+ have received at least 1 dose, and 82.8% have received their 2nd dose. Vaccination remain our best defence against COVID-19, I encourage everyone to get their first, second or booster dose as soon as possible.

If you need any support in booking your appointment, my office is here to help at 905-696-367. 

Magellan Aerospace

International Centre 

 

 Switch Health

 

 

Red Cross Society, Indus Community Services
& Punjabi Community Health Services  

Backerhaus Veit 

 

Book COVID-19 Vaccination

 

Mississauga Budget Consultation 

On February 1, I was pleased to join Ontario's Minister of Finance and caucus colleagues for the 2022 Mississauga Budget consultation in Mississauga. The consultation was an opportunity for stakeholders, from local organizations to small businesses to health care professionals, to share their submissions on how Ontario can build back better for everyone as we navigate COVID-19. 

Shoutout to Mississauga-Malton community champions for sharing their impactful, expert feedback on how to improve the health, safety, and well-being of community members. Thank you to participants including Trios College, Chris Hoffman, Greater Toronto Airport Authourity, Safe City Mississauga, Malton Black Development Association, Brad Butt, Trillium Health Partners! 

 

 

Click Here to Submit Your Ideas

 

Seniors Fun Hour

On January 18, Mississauga-Malton came together for a Seniors Fun Hour! We were joined by special guest, Vidhya Chitta of Malton Women Council, who led an origami workshop. It was amazing to see the talented origami animals made by our seniors as well as attempt at mastering the art myself. 

I was pleased to welcome the Minister of Seniors and Accessiblity, who shared government's committment and supports for seniors well-being. This includes the Seniors Home Safety Tax Credit, Inclusive Community Grants, and Seniors Dental Program. Thank you to residents for sharing their feedback and suggestions with the Minister!

 

 

Alzhiemers Awareness Month 

January marks Alzheimer Awareness Month. Did you know, over 250,000 Ontarians are currently living with dementia with that number expected to rise as age increases?

To reduce risk of dementia & keep your brain healthy, here are some expert tips:

  • find a physical activity that you enjoy
  • maintain a healthy diet 
  • keep your mind alert through games such as chess, sudoku or puzzles.

 

If you’re helping someone living with dementia, be mindful of the 10 golden rules. We can all play a part in positively impacting the lives of those living with Alzheimers.

 

 

Click Here to Learn More

 

 

Mississauga-Malton Youth Council Update 

It's always refreshing to connect with the Mississauga-Malton Youth Council. Their excitement to work together always inspires me. Big shoutout to the whole team for increasing awareness about blood donation, and it's impacts through innovative ways. Members will be helping local businesses and places of worship organize blood drives in the community in support of patients who need life-saving blood.

Did you know, each year, over 100,000 new blood donors are needed to make up for those who can no longer donate. Donations support patients undergoing surgery, cancer treatments, routine medical procedures and more.

If you're part of an organization or a business and are interested in organizing a blood drive, contact my office at 905-696-0367. 



 

Click Here to Join

 

Read my Mississauga News Column 

Click Here to Read More 

Let's Start the Conversation 

January 26 was Bell Let’s Talk Day, an annual campaign held to raise awareness and break the stigma around mental health.

Whether it’s a friend, family member or a co-worker, mental health challenges can affect us all.

If you or someone you know needs help, there are many available supports and someone to listen. Always remember, you are not alone and your community is always with you.  

 

 

 

Click Here for Mental Health Resources

 

 

 

Out and About in the Community

Delightful to welcome Habon Ali, part of the Ontario Legislature Intership Programme to our
Mississauga-Malton Community Office Team.

Thank you Ace Law Barristers & Solicitors’ for hosting Community Blood Drive to help patients in need.  

 

Pleased to join Councillor of Ward 3 and 4 and Mayor of Caledon at Rural Ontario Municipal Association Conference to discuss investments in infrastructure to support rural communities in Region of Peel. 

 

At the local Tim Hortons next to our Community Office 
to grab some treats and support the Choose to Include campaign for Ontario's Special Olympics' programs. 

Pleased to ring in the Lunar Year with
Chinese Association of Mississauga. 

Celebrating Orthodox New Year with caucus collegues and community members at Canadian Coptic Centre. 

 

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