Winter 2020 RICKNICHOLLS MPP - Chatham-Kent-Leamington “Accessible and Accountable ” Chatham Office: Leamington Office: 111 Heritage Rd., Suite 100 115 Erie St. North, Unit B Chatham, ON N7M 5W7 Leamington, ON N8H 3A3 (519)351-0510 (519)326-3367 Message from Rick Nicholls, MPP Hello friends, From my family to yours, happy New Year! I hope your 2020 is My staff is always ready to help you. Whether it is help with off to a great start. Often when we think of 2020, we refer to it accessing government services, input on a matter of provincial as “hindsight”, I prefer to look at 2020 with “foresight” as this policy, or difficulty in renewing licenses (driver’s, OHIP, fishing, new year promises to be filled with many positive decisions to hunting, birth certificate) we will do our best to assist. make Ontario a prosperous province to live in and raise Looking forward to continuing to be of service for you and a family! your family. Serving you as the MPP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington since 2011 has been a privilege. In this newsletter you will find many of the highlights from our various communities in 2019. Rick Nicholls MPP Chatham-Kent Leamington Major Victory for School-Bus Safety Transit Investments in our Community Transit funding comes to the South Many constituents may recall my private The Minister of Transportation and I joined with local In 2019 the riding of Chatham-Kent-Leamington members' bill to introduce stiff penalties for mayors to announce the widening of a dangerous and Essex County was recognized in the school bus “blow-bys”, a reckless behaviour stretch of Highway 3. transit file. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs that puts our children at risk. The contents and Housing and the Ministry of Infrastructure of the bill were passed as regulations by the A lot of “pre-worK” must be done before construction combined, invested a total of $13,564,715 new Ministry of Transportation. Those motorists in can begin including purchases of property and dollars to stimulate growth and modernization in violation can now be ticketed for failing to abide conducting Environmental assessments. Chatham-Kent, Leamington, and Essex. These by the new legislation as camera evidence is The work is expected to begin in 2021. The bidding funds are helping to provide for new buses, new now acceptable in a court of law. process is to ensure that the best value is received maintenance systems, and new route tracking for taxpayers. systems for local transit. As our economy grows and we continue to be an attractive location for new workers and families, the ability to get to work quickly and safely is crucial. Presenting transit funding for Leamington and Chatham Beside Rick is The Minister of Environment as well as Rob Murphy, Staff Sergeant Brian Johnson, MPP Rick Nicholls, with Mayor Hilda MacDonald of Leamington and President of the Independent School Bus Operators Association The Minister of Transportation, Inspector Shawn Johnson Mayor Darrin Canniff of Chatham CONSTITUENCY OFFICES: Chatham Office: Leamington Office: E-mail: [email protected] 111 Heritage Rd., Suite 100 115 Erie St. North, Unit B Twitter: @RickNichollsMPP Chatham, ON N7M 5W7 Leamington, ON N8H 3A3 Facebook: facebook.com/RickNichollsMPP (519)351-0510 (519)326-3367 RICKNICHOLLS MPP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington Seniors Dental Coverage Any medical professional will tell you that dental health is an indicator of overall health. Dental is essentially preventative healthcare and I could not be more excited that it’s fully up and running now. The government is investing approximately $90 million annually for the new Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP), which will provide free routine dental care for eligible low-income seniors in Chatham-Kent and Leamington and across Ontario. In doing so, the government expects to reduce the number of dental-related emergency department visits, helping to end hallway health care. The Program is available for Ontarians aged 65 and over with an income of $19,300 or less, or couples with a combined annual income of $32,300 or less, who do not have dental benefits, will qualify for the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program. Eligible seniors can pick up an application form at local public health units. Eligible persons can go to the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit in Leamington on 33 Princess Street., or the Chatham Public Health Clinic at 177 King St. East, Chatham. Human trafficking Build the Barrier: Off to a great start A true highlight of the 2019 budget was the commitment to build a concrete seminar becoming barrier on the 401 from Tilbury to London. I joined The Minister of Environment and the Build the Barrier advocacy group to announce more than $1 billion to improve safety on a stretch of Highway 401 in Southwestern Ontario where more popular numerous fatal cross-median crashes have occurred in the last two years. Along with the construction of a concrete barrier, the 401 will also be The first major initiative of 2019 was the expanded from four to six lanes. 2nd annual community seminar on Human Trafficking. More than 600 people attended the John D. Bradley Convention Centre in Chatham to learn about the issue. In addition, I held a similar awareness seminar in Leamington. Later in July, I stood along with over 100 individuals at the EnRoute centre in Opening of our brand new Health Team Tilbury #ProjectMapleLeaf. December saw the year of 2019 capped off with a historic announcement in Parents, teachers and students were present healthcare for the communities of Chatham-Kent-Leamington: our selection as for presentations from Chatham-Kent Police one of 24 pilot locations for the new Ontario Health Teams that will transform and OPP, Chatham-Kent Victim Services and healthcare to be high quality, connected, and patient-centred. Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, as well as from The Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team includes eighteen partners who a survivor of trafficking. Survivors are beacons will work closely together across the health care sectors to enhance patient of hope, and as more groups form such as experience and improve health outcomes of their patients. Over 100 local Windsor’s Walk for Freedom, we will get closer healthcare professionals and leaders contributed to the development of this to eliminating trafficking in Canada. locally run, front-lines healthcare operation. I continue to advocate for strong action against The Ontario government’s plan to end Hallway Healthcare revolves around Human Trafficking perpetrators and increased 4 pillars: prevention and health promotion, providing the right care in the right supports for victims to heal while re-integrating place, integration with improved patient flow, and building capacity. We are back into our communities. I’m impressed with committed to build new hospital and long-term care beds while increasing our Government’s new strategies in this fight, community-based services across Ontario. including an increase of $20 million a year to enforcement and victim support programs. We’re Here to Help! My Constituency Offices in Leamington and Chatham can help you with provincial matters: • Health Care • Family Responsibility Office (FRO) • Anniversary, Birthday, Special • Senior’s Issues Occasion Scrolls • Ontario Disability (ODSP) • Birth Certificates • Ontario Works • Trillium Drug Plan MPP Nicholls with Constable Lynette Hodder and Constable Deb • WSIB Lafreniere of the Chatham-Kent Police Service • Health Card Renewal • Commission Affidavits RICKNICHOLLS MPP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington Update in education: new schools, new childcare spaces, new programs The Government announced in Budget 2019 that over the next ten years, Ontario is investing nearly $13 billion in capital grants, including allocating over $500M in 2019 alone for new schools, additions and major renovations. Recently, I was pleased to announce a $3.56 million investment in Chatham Kent Secondary School to expand the cafeteria to accommodate an increased student population. The renovation includes a refreshed façade to modernize and improve natural lighting. The Lambton Kent District School Board will also expand the busing zone to accommodate more buses and improve student safety. Ground breaking ceremony at CKSS The Ontario Government is investing up to $1 billion to create up to 30,000 new child care spaces in schools over the next five years. This investment includes $2.1 million for a new facility devoted solely to flexible and quality childcare at Indian Creek Road Public School in Chatham. Locally, the St. Clair Catholic School Board is building a new school in Chatham. St. Angela Merici Catholic School on McNaughton Ave will open in September 2020, replacing St. Vincent, John Uyen and St. Agnes Catholic schools. St. Angela Merici will feature state-of-the-art technology in all classrooms, a 2-story Learning Commons, a large double-size gym, a beautiful 8 acre site with large playground and outdoor learning spaces, and an on-site child care-infant, toddler and preschool rooms. The 2019 budget also saw a $1.6 billion dollar increase in education. This increase Touring new SCCDSB grade school in Chatham is designated for staff attrition protection, special education supports, student transportation, and new programs for co-op and work placements in the community. Do you still have a Red and White Health Card? As of July 1, 2020, red and white health cards will no longer be accepted for Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) Services. Photo health cards can easily be obtained for free at Service Ontario by: • Bringing the right original documents (proof of Canadian citizenship or OHIP eligible immigration status; proof of residency in Ontario and proof of identity) • Completing a Health Card Re-Registration form ahead of time or by getting one at Service Ontario; and • Visiting a Service Ontario centre.