Volume 6. Issue 1 Winter 2020

By Bill Walker, MPP

This has been a year like no other. Our government, as each of you have, has had to deal with the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, and we have tried to do our best to balance the health and safety of all Ontarians with the realities of our economic situation. We will continue to do all that we can, with your help and support, to move us through to recovery and whatev- er the new normal will be.

The community spirit of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound has been inspiring. We have stood together and risen to the challenge during this pandemic. Our vigilance in focusing on the health and safety of all has kept our case count relatively low, and I encourage everyone to remain focused and on guard. Together, we can and will get through this challenging situation. Thank you for your diligence and efforts.

Minister Rod Phillips Minister Minister Minister Lisa MacLeod Minister

It was a pleasure to welcome Premier Ford to our riding again this year for the annual Wiarton Willie celebrations, and I was also pleased to host a number of my colleagues and provincial ministers this past year including Finance Minister Rod Phillips; Minister of Agriculture Food & Rural Affairs Ernie Hardeman; Minister of Colleges & Universities Ross Romano; Minister of Heritage Sport Tourism and Culture Lisa MacLeod; Associate Minister of Mental Health & Addictions Michael Tibollo; and Minister of Long Term Care (see photo on next page). I believe it is always beneficial for Ministers to visit and experience first hand all that Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound has to offer.

Season’s Blessings and all the best in 2021, be well and be safe.

By Rick Byers, President

This has certainly been a chal- That is why having a PC Government and a great MPP lenging year for all of us. The matter. Earlier this fall, we were thrilled to again confirm safety measures necessary to Bill Walker as our PC candidate for the next provincial manage Covid-19 have had a big election in 2022. impact on our personal lives as well as our schools, community As you know, at this time of year, we usually hold our an- nual Turkey Caper fundraiser. This program has been organizations and local busi- nesses. I would like to thank all our healthcare provid- very successful over the years, and helps fund the costs ers, educators, volunteers, and front-line workers who of running the Association, supporting our great MPP in have kept us safe. his political activities, and preparing for the next election. Of course 2020 is not a normal year and so after careful Bill Walker, Premier Ford, and the entire PC Govern- consideration, we have decided not to initiate a fundrais- ment team have been working tirelessly throughout ing program this year. Of course, if you would still like to this year in both the management of Covid-19 and in make a donation to our local Association, that is most providing the good government Ontarians deserve. appreciated, and there is information on the back page

We have been very pleased with the significant showing on how to do so. But we certainly understand if there are other priorities this year. of funding support and resources that Grey Bruce has received from the Government of . There have Along with the Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound PC Association’s been many important investments made in our commu- board members, I’d like to wish you, your family and nity this past year in healthcare, infrastructure, broad- friends a very Merry Christmas. Hope the new year brings band, schools, long-term care and other areas. you health, joy and happiness!

QUEEN’S PARK REPORT by MPP Bill Walker

Funding Supports for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound

Healthcare, Seniors & Long-Term Care & Mental Health

Grey Bruce Health Services South Bruce Grey Health Centre Hanover & District Hospital

HEALTHCARE: Earlier this year, $4,840,161 in Health LONG-TERM CARE: I am pleased to announce that new Infrastructure Renewal Funding was announced for facilities and additional beds will be built in Owen Sound Grey Bruce Health Services, Hanover & District Hospital (Southbridge-91), Durham (Rockwood Terrace-28), Han- and South Bruce Grey Health Centre. over (Village Seniors-26) and Markdale (Grey Gables-62) and Meaford (PeopleCare-51). Additionally, we received new annualized funding in- creases of over $9,804,300 in total for our three hospi- The new long-term care funding model will also bring an tal boards plus Grey Bruce Health Services received an additional $20,459,744 to care homes in Owen Sound, additional $6,825,000 for up to 75 new hospital beds. Durham and Meaford.

Tenders for the new Markdale Hospital have been called and Grey Bruce Health Services has recommend- ed their choice to the Ministry of Health. Next step is awarding the tender, and confirming a date for con- struction to begin.

The local Brain Injury Resource Centre will be receiving $25,000 in funding to help prevent and manage brain Minister Fullerton Premier Ford, Mayor Paul McQueen and staff at Grey Gables injuries.

SENIORS: The Senior’s Dental Capital Program is fund- This is part of our commitment to build 15,000 long- ing the dental clinics in Owen Sound and Markdale with term care beds in five years in Ontario. We have also $656,900 for renovations and upgrades. committed to hiring additional PSW’s, approved an in- crease to a minimum of 4 hours of direct care daily, a The Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce received $64,000 bursary program for PSW’s and changed the nursing for its day program to assist local residents suffering program to allow students to receive their education with dementia. close to home at Georgian College.

The Seniors’ Home Safety Tax Credit is to help seniors MENTAL HEALTH & ADDICTION: Grey Bruce Health make their homes safer and more accessible. Types of Services has received $382,500 in new funding for men- eligible expenses would be wheelchair ramp, grab bars, tal health and addiction programs in the community stair lifts, etc. The credit would be worth 25% of up to including In-home/Mobile Withdrawal Management $10,000 in eligible expenses for the 2021 taxation year. Services and Nurse Practitioners for Detox Services.

Schools, Education, Children & Youth

SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE: The Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board has received $19.7 million for an addition to St. Mary’s High School in Owen Sound. The addition will provide 702 new secondary student spaces.

Earlier in the year, $320,254.00 in funding was granted to purchase land to build the new Beavercrest Community School to be built in Markdale.

Last September, we had the good fortune to welcome Education Minister to the riding for the official ground breaking ceremony for the new $29.4M school in Meaford. Construction on the junior kindergarten to Grade 12 school continues to progress.

BACK TO SCHOOL: Local school boards in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound have received up to $27 million in additional funding for the restart of the fall school semester and Covid-19 preparedness. The Ministry has also made funding available to the Bluewater District School Board to hire three mental health workers to visit schools and pro- vide counselling and develop strategies as well as crisis intervention.

CHILDREN & YOUTH: Keystone Child, Youth and Family Services in Owen Sound will receive $121,100 in funding through the provincial government’s Roadmap to Wellness plan. This much-needed funding will be dedicated to its residential program which manages its most high risk youth to allow it to operate 24/7, 365 days of the year. Phil Dodd, Executive Director Municipal Infrastructure, Policing & Social Services

INFRASTRUCTURE: The Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) has provided our local municipalities with a total of $5,944,642 in funds to be used to develop and renew their infrastructure.

$5,029,994 from the Connecting Links Program helped fund the reconstruction of Sykes Street in Meaford, the Garafraxa Bridge in West Grey and the replacement of Owen Sound’s 10th Street bridge. The Ministry of Transporta- tion also provided $228,830 in funding for the safe restart of public transit in Hanover, Meaford and Owen Sound.

This year our government delivered on its commitment to maintain the $500 million structure for the 2021 Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF). In Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, our local municipalities received a total of $16,273,200 through the OMPF program. The funding gives our local municipalities the flexibility to address the needs of their communities based on their own local priorities.

Owen Sound Police Services Hanover Police Services Grey Highlands Police Services West Grey Police Services

POLICE SERVICES: Our government remains committed to supporting our dedicated law enforcement units. It was announced that our local police services would receive $1,147,760 to help fight crime. Also, through the provincial Civil Remedies Grant Program, Hanover Police Services will receive $94,572 and the Owen Sound Police Services will receive $93,176. Our police services have also received $59,024 towards this year’s RIDE program.

SOCIAL SERVICES: Bruce and Grey Counties have received at total of $3,808,000 in social services relief funding as well as $1,473,527 for emergency shelters, rent relief and homelessness prevention.

Our local municipalities, in total, have received $9,358,730 in emergency funding from the joint Safe Restart Agree- ment program for the safe restart in municipal services.

Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs

Earlier this year, pre-COVID-19, I was pleased to host Minister Ernie Har- deman when he visited the riding for a round table with local farm lead- ers held in Chesley.

Support for our agricultural community is always critical and I was happy to see our government helping farmers improve their business opera- tions and bring more safe, high-quality foods to various markets.

CAP FUNDING: Minister Hardeman announced a commitment of more than $7.9 million in cost-share funding through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) to eligible farmers and other agri-food businesses. In- cluded among the more than 670 projects were 30 projects in Bruce- Grey-Owen Sound. These local projects will see investments of up to $300,532. Minister Ernie Hardeman RED FUNDING: Through OMAFRA’s Rural Economic Development pro- gram, projects in Arran-Elderslie, Hanover, Chippewas of Nawash First Nation, Grey County, Owen Sound, West Grey and Southgate received a combined total of $271,581.

BROADBAND FUNDING: The contracts have been signed in Bruce and Grey for the Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) project. SWIFT is moving forward to build up to $16 million in broadband infrastructure in Bruce County and $17 million in Grey County. When completed, these projects will connect approximately 5,220 more homes and businesses in Bruce County and 3,960 homes and business in Grey County to fast, reliable internet.

Employment & Apprenticeship Training

Georgian College’s Owen Sound campus received funding this year for the following Apprenticeship programs:  $255,152 to provide Pre-Apprenticeship training to local under-represented groups in construction trades  $936,000 for Apprenticeship In-class Training for approximately 345 apprentices in a total of seven trades  $81,040 towards the Apprenticeship Enhancement Fund (e.g. updated safety and training equipment material)

The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship program is providing our local school boards with a total of $465,735 for the registration of 460 students.

Hanover’s Launchpad Youth Activity & Technology Centre is receiving $63,280 from the Skills Catalyst Fund to train youth in the wood manufac- turing industry and help secure job placement.

The Four County Labour Market Planning Board will be receiving funding for the following programs from Skills Advance Ontario to connect em- ployers with the employment and training services they require:  $664,008 to connect hospitality and tourism employers MPP (ctr), Parliamentary Assistant  $676,258 for the manufacturing sector

Donations and/or Membership:

As previously mentioned, after careful deliberation, Bill and our executive board have decided to not initiate any fundraising events this year. Given all the restrictions Covid has imposed on our families, social activities and busi- nesses, we thought it best not to proceed as usual. As a result, the Turkey Caper fundraiser will not be run this year and we are not actively soliciting a donation.

However, if you would still like to donate or renew your membership, you can do so by sending a cheque to the BGOS PC Association at PO Box 42, Owen Sound, ON N4K 5P1. Or, online at https://bgos.ontariopc.ca. If you have any questions, call us at 226-909-0008 or send an email to [email protected].

Many thanks for your understanding and we look forward to reinstating the Turkey Caper fundraiser in 2021!