Getting vaccinated remains our best defense against COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. Thank you to everyone for doing your part by getting the shot. I encourage everyone who hasn’t already and is eligible to get their first, second, or booster doses as soon as you can. 

I was thrilled to get boosted with help of Switch Health and health care staff at the International Centre in Mississauga-Malton. Thank you to the entire team for helping residents roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated with comfort and a smile. 

As of December 20, 2021, all individuals aged 18 and over are eligible to receive their booster dose. 

$18.5 million to deliver critical social and community programs. The funding will support necessary building repairs and renovations for 198 community agencies providing vital services for people with developmental disabilities, victims of domestic violence, and children with special needs and mental health needs.

Additional $11 million to further improve safety in retirement homes to keep residents safe. This includes $8 million to support teams to assist retirement homes with infection prevention and control (IPAC), testing and vaccination, hiring of more staff, and $3 million in mobile staffing support teams to effectively and efficiently support residents.

Additional $12 million to boost supply chain competitiveness in the automotive sector through the next phase of the Ontario Automotive Modernization Program (O-AMP).  The funding will support small and medium-sized auto parts companies supplying automotive parts by investing in technology adoption and/or training in lean manufacturing.

$8.9 million to further protect adults with developmental disabilities, children in care or with special needs, women, and families experiencing domestic violence. The funding will be used to provide personal protective equipment, rapid antigen testing, enhanced infection prevention, and control measures, and HEPA filters to improve ventilation in congregate settings and protect residents and staff.

$3 million over 3 years to help students with disabilities transition into the workforce. Through the David C. Onley Initiative, the funding will extend supports to more learners via the creation of an online toolkit, providing comprehensive roadmap institutions can use to support students.

Nearly $3 million to provide 166 jobseekers free training and work experience in residential construction across the province and support employers to hire talent. Training will provide opportunities to learn about general home building techniques, health, and safety on the job from experienced tradespeople and virtual supports. 

Over $2.8 million to protect the health of the Great Lakes as part of the Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health. The funding will support 24 projects focused on improving fish and wildlife well-being and habitats and rehabilitating historically degraded areas. 

$1 million annually to promote locally grown food and support the economic growth and success of the province’s agri-food sector. The funding will provide up to $100,000 for marketing projects that encourage Ontarians to buy fresh, locally grown, and made agri-food products.

$500,000 to help ensure victims and survivors of human trafficking and intimate partner violence are well-connected to supports and services they need. The funding will be provided through Victim Services Toronto’s Exit Route program giving victims and survivors immediate access to case managers and social workers at the point of contact with police.

$100,000 through Ontario’s EnAbling Change Program to help children of all abilities enjoy the dance. The funding will support Canada’s National Ballet School’s Inclusive Movement for Kids project to provide diverse accessible and inclusive programming including digital dance.

Ontario is recruiting 100 international entrepreneurs to start or grow businesses in regions hit hard by pandemic job losses. Through the Entrepreneur Stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, the government will increase local jobs within in-demand sectors including information technology, life sciences, and tourism. 

Ontario is adding 138 new and 118 upgraded long-term care beds in a new long-term care building in Mississauga. There are now 1,343 new and 409 upgraded long-term care beds in development or under construction in Mississauga. 

Action to Keep LTC Residents Safe

In response to the highly transmissible Omicron variant, the government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is taking further actions to protect the health and safety of residents, staff and caregivers in long-term care homes.

The following temporary measures at LTC homes are in effect: 

• Access to long-term care homes by general visitors will be paused. Designated caregivers may continue to enter long-term care homes.
  Day absences for all residents for social purposes will be paused.

In addition:

• LTC residents are eligible for a 4th mRNA vaccine dose if at least 3 months (84 days) have passed since their 3rd dose.
  All staff and caregivers in long-term care homes eligible for the 3rd vaccine by December 31, 2021, must receive that dose by January 28, 2022. 

As of November 30, 2021, 99% of long-term care staff, students and volunteers are fully vaccinated. In addition, as of December 22, 84% of eligible residents and 43% of eligible staff have received their 3rd dose.

COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Extended 

The government has extended the Worker Income Protection Benefit program. The program ensures workers are safe and do not lose pay if they need to stay home for reasons related to COVID-19. Employees can continue to access the paid leave to get tested, vaccinated, self-isolate, or care for a family member.

Through the program, employees are entitled up to $200 a day for up to three days and eligible employers are entitled to be reimbursed for sick leave pay.The federal paid sick days program has also been extended and workers now have up to 6 weeks of paid leave. Through both the provincial and federal programs, workers are entitled up to 33 paid sick days.

For more information, employers and workers can call the program’s dedicated hotline at 1-888-999-2248 or visit Ontario.ca/COVIDworkerbenefit.

Seniors Home Safety Tax Credit Extended

Ontario is extending the Seniors’ Home Safety Tax Credit, providing a refundable credit worth 25% of up to $10,000 per household in eligible expenses, to a maximum of $2,500. The extension would assist seniors, or caregivers, to renovate their homes to make them safer and more accessible.


You can claim the credit on your Income Tax and Benefit Return using receipts from suppliers and contractors. Expenses must be paid or payable in 2021/2022.

Increasing Rapid Training Programs

The government is supporting the development of up to 250 new rapid training programs to help people upgrade their skills and build rewarding careers. Over 1,200 micro-credentials are now approved for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), with more being approved on a regular basis.

The programs will be available for enrolment in 2022 through the Ontario Micro-credentials Challenge Fund.

Improving Future of Work 

The government has released the report from the Ontario Workforce Recovery Advisory Committee on the changing nature of work.

The committee consulted with workers, labour groups, businesses, and academics across Ontario and internationally to understand challenges on the ground. 

Recommendations from the report include:

• Designing and testing a portable benefits program, where contributors could be employers, workers, and the government.
• Ensuring employment rights for gig or platform workers in the app-based space. 
• Developing strategies for domestic and international markets to promote Ontario as a desirable place to work and live.

Speeding Up Process to file Criminal Charges 

The government is further expanding the use of eIntake – a digital platform that allows police officers to file criminal charges electronically and reduce paperwork. The initiative will also allow Justices of the Peace to enter decisions, sign documents digitally and request additional information from police online.

The eIntake system is available in Toronto courthouses as of December 7 following successful launches in other regions of Ontario. 

Grassroots Growth Initiative

The government is providing funding to initiatives that will support the growth of Ontario’s agri-food sector, ensuring the sustainability of agriculture and local economies. 

 Eligible projects must support at least one or more of the following in the agri-food sector:

• increase public engagement and support for agriculture, local food, and rural development
• build youth leadership capacity and increase youth involvement
• enhance safety and risk management practices
• strengthen public trust and public knowledge about Ontario’s agri-food systems
• encourage agri-food and rural development outcomes

To be eligible for funding, applicants should be a corporation, partnership, sole proprietor, or unincorporated association. 

Boosting COVID-19 Vaccination  

The government is calling on businesses, volunteers, and retired health professionals to help fellow Ontarians to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated. 

• Businesses can host employer-led clinics to vaccinate employees, their families, as well as members of the local communities. To learn more, contact the Ontario Together Contact Centre at 1-888-777-0554. 

• Community groups and places of worship interested can arrange a GO-VAXX mobile bus clinic visit by contacting GOVAXX@ontario.ca.
  
• Volunteers 16 years and older can register to sign up for a variety of roles based on the abilities, experience, and needs of local public health units. To sign up, visit the Ontario COVID-19 Volunteer Portal.
  
• Retired nurses and physicians, paramedics, dentists, and firefighters to help with vaccine administration. To register visit the Health Workforce Matching Portal. 

Mississauga-Malton Youth Council Update 

On December 10, I was thrilled to come together with the Mississauga-Malton Youth Council to discuss their project ideas focused on supporting the community. The projects are focused on increasing diabetes awareness and blood donations, two issues impacting communities in the Region of Peel and across Ontario. Members are excited to connect with fellow youth and residents and bring forth meaningful change.

Applications for the youth council remain open, visit the link below to join! 

Pleased to visit TriOS College and learn about their work to support student learning during COVID-19.

A pleasure to join the Mississauga Board of Trade and Ontario’s Minister of Energy for a productive conversation on supporting businesses and the economy.

Wonderful to have volunteers join us to pack goodies for residents and spread the holiday cheer.

Delighted to welcome 2022 with residents and
look towards bringing positive change in
Mississauga-Malton in the New Year.

Volunteered at Daily Bread Food Bank with my MPP colleagues to help sort food for families in need during the holiday season.

Heartwarming to join Prime Asia TV as they donated blankets to help those experiencing homelessness.

Pleased to visit Share & Care Canada Food Bank, located at Westwood Mall, and meet with their team who are distributing & delivering essential food supplies to families in need.

Celebrating the holiday season with residents at
Malton Community Centre’s Annual Luncheon.