August 2020 MPP Report from Merrilee Fullerton

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MPP Report ~ August 2020

The month of August has flashed by -- and there has been so much going on! You will read below of the Premier's recent visit to Kanata-Carleton, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference, as well as my involvement with long-term care announcements. And each and every day this month, there were also rounds of phone calls and emails, all in an effort to stay in touch and assist residents in West Carleton and Kanata.

I would like to highlight one item that many constituents have had questions about. You may have an expired Ontario Health Card or a vehicle license, so, please note there are extended validation periods in place for driver, vehicle and carrier products and services. In this newsletter you will find links for further information.

Please reach out by phone or email if I can be of any assistance on a provincial matter, or if you wish to discuss a local issue. My Community Office staff and I look forward to hearing from constituents.

Wishing you and your family and friends a good end to the summer,

P.S. - Stay informed of the latest COVID-19 news from the Ontario Government. You may also wish to reference my Information and Resources Page on the MPP website for key phone and online contact coordinates respecting COVID-19 information and services in our community.

On August 27^th the Ontario Premier was in Kanata and toured Leonardo DRS Technologies Canada (photos above and below). The company manufactures and supports a broad range of military communications, electro-optics, surveillance, and sensor signal processing systems for naval and ground applications. It employs approximately 350 people at the Kanata facility. I was pleased Allan Hubley, Ottawa City Councillor for Kanata South, was able to join us.

Thank you to the management and staff at Leonardo DRS who made the visit so informative and interesting.

The Ontario Premier has visited Kanata and West Carleton a half dozen times in the last 2 years. On a Kanata-Carleton virtual town hall call on August 26th, I had an opportunity to tell him our appreciation for his support of our high tech sector and local business community. I also thanked the Premier for his support in our times of need. He was here within 72 hours of the tornados touching down in Dunrobin and West Carleton to see what could be done to support residents and first responders dealing with the devastation. He also came early on to speak with residents impacted by the 2019 spring flood waters of the Ottawa River. Again, thank you Premier.

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference was August 17-19th and I participated in dozens of virtual meetings with municipal leaders from across the Province. I had informative exchanges regarding challenges facing Ontario’s long-term care system. I also had a positive meeting with the Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus in which we discussed local economic issues. Thanks to all who participated in the AMO Conference for this important communication and collaboration.

FUNDING FOR ONTARIO MUNICIPALITIES

In advance of the AMO Conference, the Ontario government in partnership with the federal government announced it is providing up to $4 billion in one-time assistance to Ontario's 444 municipalities. In addition to the support for municipalities, the Ontario government is providing over $660 million in the first phase of transit funding to the 110 municipalities with transit systems.

The City of Ottawa is receiving $49,348,500 in the first round of municipal funding under the Safe Restart Agreement and will receive $74,980,842 for its transit services.

MORE INFO: https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/08/ontario-providing-municipalities-with-up-to-16-billion-in-first-round-of-emergency-funding.html

While the Province’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade was in the Ottawa Valley to make an announcement, we had a chance to sit down and discuss local Kanata-Carleton issues and the Government's efforts to support the business community through the recovery period.

One item we touched on was the questions that businesses have securing critical supplies and equipment to keep employees and customers safe. To assist businesses with up-to-date information on what is available, the Ontario Government has provided the Workplace PPE Supplier Directory: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/workplace-ppe-supplier-directory.

This month I was pleased to be part of the exciting announcement about the new elementary school that will be serving families in Kanata South and in Stittsville. The Ontario Government is investing $12.5 million to build École élémentaire publique Kanata Sud and this school will be home to 475 students.

Learn more about the Government's recent announcement of ÉÉP Kanata Sud as well as the new Fernbank Elementary School, and the investment in St. James Catholic Elementary School:
Ontario Government Building New Student Spaces in Kanata and Stittsville

Also, you may be interested to read my recent Community Voice column:
Health and Safety for the 2020-21 School Year

The Ontario Government has made a series of special announcements through the summer to improve the Province’s long-term care system. The Government is modernizing the way new construction and home upgrades are funded. It has established a new Accelerated Build Pilot Program and I was pleased to be part of many of the announcements in the last month. You can read the latest news regarding the Ministry of Long-Term Care here.

Is your health card expired? Until further notice you can continue to use your expired health card. You should also know there are extended validation periods for driver, vehicle and carrier products and services. Read more here from ServiceOntario: Extended Validation Periods.

In my MPP's Community Voice column for July, I reported on this and other important items Kanata and West Carleton residents should know. Read the column here: Reporting on 211, Driver’s Licenses, and the Seniors’ Community Grant

"Support our community's business owners and their employees.
They are our friends and neighbours."

I encourage everyone to please support local businesses. Make a conscious effort to buy local, shop in Kanata and West Carleton shops, and do your business within the Ottawa business community.

Through the summer I was active on social media urging young people (and those young at heart) to "let's get active." I encouraged everyone to enjoy the outdoors and I provided a long list of ideas for physical activity: 75-Day Summertime Challenge Checklist. This Fall I will continue this #letsgetactive awareness campaign for it is very important we stay active in order to maintain our health. Learn more about "Let's Get Active."

Please do not hesitate to connect. I am only a phone call or email away.

YOUR VOICE WITH THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT -- I am here to serve the residents of Kanata-Carleton when you need help with provincial programs and services:

if you need help with your driver’s licence, Ontario photo card, health card, birth certificate, name changes, or marriage certificate
if someone you know would like to receive a certificate for birthday, milestone anniversary, or congratulatory occasion
if you have a concern and would like to arrange a meeting or have me visit your organization or place of business

My contact information is below - and it is also found on my website - MerrileeFullerton.ca.

Please Stay Connected

Visit the local Community Office Website or the Provincial Legislative Website.

Would you like to order a certificate: birthday wish, wedding anniversary,
congratulatory greeting or special occasion? Contact us here.

Contact us if you wish to request a meeting
or for MPP Fullerton to attend an event.

If you know someone who would like to begin receiving our newsletter,
have them contact us and fill out this online form.

Phone: 613-599-3000 | Email: merrilee.fullerton@pc.ola.org

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MPP for Kanata-Carleton · 240 Michael Cowpland Drive · Suite 100 · Kanata, On K2M1P6 · Canada