WELLINGTON-HALTON HILLS MPP TED ARNOTT Keeping in Touch – Update 2013 TED ARNOTT, MPP WELLINGTON-HALTON HILLS County of Wellington launches Economic Acton GO train station opens Development Strategy Keeping in Touch – Update 2013 On January 7, after a nearly 20 year absence, GO and Kitchener. He raised the issue in the Ontario train service resumed in Acton when the 6:28 am Legislature multiple times, had discussions with the In recognition of the need to be proactive in supporting • An online comprehensive business directory for train arrived on its way to Union Station in Toronto. Minister of Transportation, and arranged meetings business and in accommodating new residential and Wellington County. in Toronto. In December 2008, he tabled a Private employment growth, the County of Wellington has adopted • A Community Investment Profile showing all the reasons Leadership needed on provincial Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott was on its first ever Economic Development Strategy. why Wellington is a great place to live, invest, and work hand to join the community celebration and, along Member’s Resolution calling upon the Government An economic development online presence for our County with Mayor Rick Bonnette, boarded the first train on to extend GO Transit rail service to include stops The plan was developed in consultation with over 550 • debt and deficit in Acton, Guelph, and Kitchener-Waterloo by entrepreneurs, residents and partner agencies in Wellington providing access to socio-economic information, business his way to Queen’s Park. By Ted Arnott, MPP Pages 104-105 of the fall economic statement’s September 2011. resources, available spaces, and contacts. County. Background Papers neatly summarize the economic GO Transit reports to Metrolinx, a provincially A branding study for Wellington to promote the County’s The Provincial Government’s fall economic statement is “This again demonstrates what we can accomplish As part of the strategy, the County of Wellington plans to • record of the Provincial Government for the past 10 years. funded agency which was created to coordinate unique strengths. traditionally one of the most important speeches that the when we work together,” said Mr. Arnott. undertake a number of initiatives in 2013. These include: and integrate public transit in the Greater Toronto “County Council and staff are providing strong leadership Minister of Finance delivers in the Ontario Legislature. Over the past 10 years, the Province’s net debt has grown A cultural mapping exercise to identify the County’s from $138.8 billion to $257.6 billion. Area (GTA). • to encourage the creation of new jobs in our communities,” The “2012 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal creative assets and employers and how to develop and said Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott. “I want to do Review” was presented on October 15th. That was the Over the past 10 years, the Province’s annual spending “It was a great day for Acton and I want to promote this growing sector. congratulate the entire community,” said Mr. Arnott. whatever I can to help.” very same day that Premier McGuinty announced he has gone from $80 billion to $126.4 billion. was proroguing the House, and resigning as Premier of Mr. Arnott recognized the important role played Over the past 10 years, the Province’s deficit has gone Ontario. from $5.5 billion to $14.4 billion. In effect, they are now by all orders of government in moving the project borrowing $1.6 million an hour, 24 hours a day, 7 days a forward. Clearly the timing was no coincidence. No doubt the Government hoped that the surprise of the Premier’s week. “The Mayor and Town of Halton Hills Council The new Family departure would ensure that no one would notice the Over the past 10 years, the Province’s net debt per capita and staff have worked hard on this project and they precarious state of the Province’s finances. (in effect, the amount each of us owes because of the deserve a lot of credit,” said Mr. Arnott. “Regional Health Information Line In my previous newsletter, I provincial debt) has risen from Chair Gary Carr, Halton Regional Council, our Did you know that you can talk directly with a local public wrote that paying down the debt $11,339 to $19,075. federal MP Michael Chong, and community ALL ABOARD – Ted Arnott and Halton Hills Mayer Rick health nurse any weekday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.? The should be a top priority of the This year, the Province will pay organizations have also been very supportive.” Bonnette board the first GO train to pick up passengers Provincial Government, once the in Acton in almost 20 years. The Acton GO train station Halton Region Health Department now offers the Family $10.6 billion in interest on the For several years, Mr. Arnott has been advocating for reopened on January 7. Health Information Line (FHIL) where nurses will provide you budget is balanced. I continue to debt. This is the third largest item (Photo courtesy of the Georgetown advocate this idea. the extension of GO train service to Acton, Guelph, Independent & Free Press) with comprehensive, research-based information, support and in the budget (only the health and education ministry budgets are counselling. WORKING FOR WELLINGTON-HALTON HILLS The Government can no Despite the prorogation of the Legislature, Ted has longer ignore the growing debt larger). These nurses also service the telephone support for Halton continued to represent the people of Wellington-Halton problem. It cannot be wished Hills. He is pictured here in his Queen’s Park office on Strong leadership is needed. Parents, where local parents can get advice and support. away. HaltonParents public health nurses also offer support to parents November 29, 2012. We must prioritize, by focusing on Every year they continue to essential services we all value, like online through the websitehttp://www.haltonparents.ca/, CELEBRATING health and our schools. We need Twitter http://www.twitter.com/haltonparents (@HaltonParents), CHRISTMAS pretend the debt isn’t an issue, Ted performs a they delay the inevitable, and to root out wasteful spending, and WORKING TOGETHER TO MOVE GROVES FORWARD and a parenting blog http://haltonparents.wordpress.com/, solo rendition of Ted Arnott welcomes Health Minister Deb Matthews to they simply dig the hole even Source: 2012 Ontario Budget stop it. At the same time, we need to with Facebook soon to come. To access the Family Health Rudolph the Red Centre Wellington to unveil the sign to mark the location Nosed Reindeer deeper. encourage businesses to create jobs. of the planned new Groves Memorial Community Hospital. Information Line, simply dial 311 or 905-825-6000 and ask for at Ted Flanagan’s County of Wellington Warden Chris White and Centre the Family Health Information Line. You can also email one of Olde Fashioned Wellington Township Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj were present the nurses at [email protected] Christmas Special Contact Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott as well. Mr. Arnott has repeatedly sought to reach across at St. John’s United party lines to move both the Groves and Georgetown “Through this program, Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr, Church in George- Hospital projects forward. town. The event Wellington-Halton Hills Provincial Riding Office Queen’s Park Office (Photo courtesy of Fergus-Elora News Express) and Regional Council and staff have made public health more was hosted by the 181 St. Andrew St. East, 2nd Floor Room 420, Legislative Building accessible to our local residents,” said Wellington-Halton Hills Georgetown BIA. Fergus, Ontario N1M 1P9 Toronto, Ontario M7A 1A8 (Photo courtesy of MPP Ted Arnott. Ted Flanagan) Tel. (519) 787-5247 • Fax (519) 787-5249 Tel. (416) 325-3880 • Fax (416) 325-6649 Toll Free Call: 1-800-265-2366 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Visit us on the web: www.tedarnottmpp.com

Please recycle. Keeping in Touch – Update 2013 WELLINGTON-HALTON HILLS MPP TED ARNOTT Keeping in Touch – Update 2013

Five points about the Government’s dispute with What does redistribution mean for provincial riding Small Business Survey Ontario’s teachers’ union leaders of Wellington-Halton Hills? Launched By Ted Arnott, MPP and the prospect of more credit downgrades, last year the By Ted Arnott, MPP In December, Wellington-Halton “If small businesses are thriving The vast majority of teachers are caring and dedicated provincial Government finally woke up to the fact that Hills MPP Ted Arnott launched and making money, profits mean In recent months, there has been discussion about the professionals, who just want to teach. They have the Ontario was on a downward spiral towards a fiscal crisis. a small business survey in order that pay raises for employees are 1 possibility of boundary changes to our federal riding of important task of providing our children with the skills and Bill 115 was drafted in this context. reach out to small business possible,” continued Mr. Arnott. Wellington-Halton Hills. knowledge they will need, while fostering a love of learning Bill 115 was far from perfect, but it was a necessary people across the riding. “New opportunities mean new that needs to be lifelong. 4 first step towards controlling the costs of the The federal commission studying riding redistribution initially “I want to listen to people in jobs are created. Reinvested recommended leaving Wellington-Halton Hills unchanged. profits strengthen productivity The future of our province is dependent upon success government payroll. small business and take their However, a subsequent proposal floated the idea of splitting and build for tomorrow.” in our schools, and this is why the Ontario Legislature ideas and concerns back with me 2 In the 2012 Provincial Budget, it was announced that the riding in two. must encourage a culture of continuous improvement in our 5 the pay of Ontario MPPs would be frozen for the next to Queen’s Park,” said Mr. Arnott. In the coming months, Mr. Arnott schools, working in collaboration with teachers and parents. two years. This follows up the current pay freeze for MPPs, The process for reviewing federal riding boundaries is Mr. Arnott stressed the hopes to visit small businesses But most importantly, we must always put the needs of our which was instituted 3 years ago. It’s also interesting to note intended to be non-partisan and community based, and will importance of small business to across the riding to hear their students first. continue into 2013. ideas and concerns. that the MPP defined benefit pension plan was scrapped in the local economy. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE – Ted talks with Roberta 1996 and replaced with a defined contribution retirement Scarrow, General Manager of the Centre Wellington Faced with a deficit of $14 billion, rising debt interest Since 1999, the Ontario Legislature has accepted the same “Small businesses are the back- A copy of the survey is available savings plan. on Mr. Arnott’s website at Chamber of Commerce, and Councillor Fred Morris 3 costs of $10 billion, a stagnating revenue outlook, riding boundaries in Southern Ontario as the boundaries bone of our economy. They are at the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce established for the federal House of Commons. the most dynamic and flexible job www.tedarnottmpp.com. Christmas open house in Fergus. (Photo courtesy of Centre Wellington However, this is not set in stone. Going forward, the Ontario creator that we have,” he argued. Chamber of Commerce) DIAMOND JUBILEE MEDALS – Ted Arnott and Township of Legislature may accept or reject the new federal ridings, or Puslinch Mayor Dennis Lever present Queen’s Diamond Jubilee possibly even create its own redistribution commission for medals to Puslinch residents Marjorie Clark and Matthew Bul- mer for their work in the community. Mr. Arnott worked with local new provincial riding boundaries. municipal councils to select deserving recipients from across Auditor General’s report shows need Wellington-Halton Hills for the honour. Time will tell, and the process takes time. (Photo courtesy of the Wellington Advertiser) In the recent past, even when the provincial Legislature has for better oversight accepted the new federal riding boundaries, it has taken up to three years before they have been established as provincial Ontario Auditor General Jim McCarter released his 2012 Annual Report in December. ridings (federal and provincial elections rarely coincide in the Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott noted that the Auditor General’s report outlined a recurring same year). pattern of overspending, mismanagement, and a lack of oversight by the Government at Queen’s Park. Most likely, the current boundaries for the provincial riding Among the problems identified by the Auditor General were: of Wellington-Halton Hills will remain intact for the next provincial election, and possibly for several years after that. • The introduction of Metrolinx’s PRESTO card system. • The Auditor General demonstrated that the number It has been my honour to serve in the Ontario Legislature for Intended to create an integrated regional transit fare of crown attorneys in Ontario has more than doubled more than 22 years. system, it may end up costing more than $700 million. over the past decade, while the total number of This would make it one of the most expensive fare- criminal cases has remained about the same. Since 2007, I have been privileged to represent all the people card systems in the world. of Wellington-Halton Hills. During that time, I cannot recall • The total expenditures of the Youth Justice Service a single instance where the interests of the Wellington side • The Ministry of Finance estimates that it may need Program have increased by more than 25% over the of the riding conflicted with the Halton Hills side. Our to write off $1.4 billion in unpaid taxes. Mr. Arnott past 5 years, even though the number of youth served communities have much in common. points out that this represents approximately 10% of has risen by only 4% over the same period. It is a pleasure to serve you. Thank you for your support. the provincial deficit this year. The Auditor General found that more timely and aggressive action could The Auditor General’s full report can be found at: WALK FOR GEORGETOWN HOSPITAL – Ted and his son join For more information on the federal redistribution GIVING TO A GOOD CAUSE – Ted Arnott and Wellington-Halton have been taken to ensure that these taxes were CELEBRATING A GREAT CAREER – Ted Arnott delivers a John Duncan and his grandson at the Walk for Georgetown process, visit: http://www.redecoupage-federal- Hills MP Michael Chong join Kettle Campaign Coordinator Reg http://www.auditor.on.ca/en/reports_2012_en.htm scroll congratulating Barb White of Orton on her retirement Hospital in September. The walk raised $150,000 for the Hospital Marsh and Major Sam Roberts from the Salvation Army to kick of collected. from Canada Post after 61 years of delivering mail. redevelopment project. redistribution.ca/content.asp?document=home the Salvation Army’s annual Christmas Kettle campaign in Acton. (Photo courtesy of the Erin Advocate) (Photo courtesy of the Georgetown Hospital Foundation) (Photo courtesy of the Georgetown Independent & Free Press)