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MPP Report ~ September 2021
 Nothing says Fall for me quite like the Carp Fair. This annual event is a family tradition spanning generations. I have vivid memories of showing my horse Smokey (photo) and many wonderful times with my children at the fairgrounds through the years. These memories are dear and that is why I was so pleased this past weekend to see people lined up to get through the gates. It is great for our community to have the Carp Fair back! The few photos I have shared below and on my website cannot capture the fun that was had at the fair.
As you will also read in this newsletter, the Provincial Government is continuing its efforts to support the recovery from the pandemic. The number one priority is the health and safety of Ontarians -- and this month the Province continued its vaccination program while introducing COVID-19 vaccination receipts. To bolster the local economy, the Province is providing a range of programs and services to businesses and to community organizations.
My staff at the Community Office will help access the available government programs and services. Please get in touch with me if I can be of any assistance with provincial support services.
Let me take this opportunity to wish you and your family and friends a very happy Thanksgiving Weekend. It is a special weekend of gratitude, to recognize how fortunate we are living in Kanata and West Carleton. Best wishes this Thanksgiving,
P.S. -- If there is someone you know who would like to receive this monthly MPP Report, please have them subscribe by clicking this on-line form.
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"It was a super weekend to be back at the fair, seeing and catching up with friends and neighbours. I enjoyed the many sights, sounds, and smells of the fairgrounds! And I even got a great Carp t-shirt!”
“We are so fortunate to have "The Best Little Fair in Canada" right here in our community.”
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Earlier this month I toured the Queensway Carleton Hospital with President and CEO Dr. Andrew Falconer. I visited the ACE unit, ICU and ER, and spoke with frontline teams about their incredible work through the COVID-19 pandemic.
I took this opportunity to thank the hospital personnel for their caring and inspiring work. I appreciated speaking with them and hearing of their experiences through the last eighteen months.
Many thanks to the Queensway Carleton staff!
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Heading to a restaurant, the gym or a movie? Don’t forget your COVID-19 vaccination receipt and ID! Starting September 22 individuals are required to provide proof of vaccination to access certain businesses and settings. Proof of vaccination includes any one of the following:
- An Ontario vaccination receipt from a vaccine clinic when you received your dose (paper copy)
- An Ontario Ministry of Health vaccination receipt received by email following your appointment (digital or printed paper copy)
- Downloaded vaccination receipt from Ontario’s booking portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 (digital or printed paper copy)
- A vaccination receipt signed by an Indigenous Health Provider
- A vaccination receipt from another jurisdiction that shows the holder is fully vaccinated against COVID-19
Here is a link to access your vaccination receipt
For more information about using your vaccination receipt, here are FAQs
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September is "back-to-school" month and the Ontario Government is taking a balanced approach to reopening schools. Based on the most current public health data, Ontario school boards are guiding the health and safety protocols.
The Province has invested the following:
- $1.6 billion in COVID-19 resources
- $85.5 million to support learning recovery in math and reading
- $561 million more in the Grants for Student Needs, rising to $25.6 billion
Aligned with the advice of Sick Kids and CHEO, our government is taking further action to optimize air quality in schools. This includes an additional 20,000 HEPA units into learning spaces and the investment of over $600 million to improve ventilation in schools across Ontario.
My September column in the Community Voice was about the Province's school investment. You can read the column here: Ontario Government invests in schools.
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To help Ontario businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic, the Provincial Government has been offering a wide range of supports including grant payments. Local businesses have benefited from this help. In the last year, in Kanata and West Carleton, more than 450 businesses were provided grants totaling $12.1 million.
Read more on the support and resources provided to businesses
Read the details of the Province's Roadmap to Reopen
THE LATEST NEWS: The Ontario Government is providing businesses with new tools and educational resources to help manage the 4th wave of COVID-19. The new resources are available to ensure workers and businesses have what they need to stay safe. Learn more here.
The government is also investing $100 million through the new Ontario Tourism Recovery Program to help stabilize the province’s tourism industry as it recovers from the impacts of COVID-19. Applications open October 13 for eligible tourism businesses. Learn more here.
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With Vladimir Evtodienko, CEO of Evik Diagnostic
Evik Diagnostic Innovations of Kanata received $513,200 towards its $1.5 million investment to ramp up the production of a laboratory test mixture that is used in diagnostic devices. There is increased demand for this product from the medical device manufacturers due to COVID-19.
The company is a manufacturer of key medical diagnostic components, including assay reagents in the form of freeze-dried pellets (also called single-assay beads). The assay reagents are laboratory test mixtures that allow diagnostic devices to detect and analyze medical symptoms and infectious diseases such as COVID-19. They play an important role in the lab work required to diagnose, treat and monitor patients.
Click to learn more about the province’s investment in this Kanata company.
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At the Diefenbunker with Christine McGuire, Executive Director; Susan McLeod, Board President; Colleen Kelley, Board Director; Joe Brown, Board Director.
The Ontario Government is investing millions to support non-profits in the arts and culture, heritage, tourism, sport and recreation sectors. The funding is put in place to assist organizations recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and to meet the needs of their communities. In Kanata-Carleton there has recently been three grants provided.
The Diefenbunker Cold War Museum was given $104,600 to go towards operating costs and delivering its programs. Christine McGuire, Executive Director of the museum stated: “The Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum is profoundly grateful to the Ontario government for its invaluable support, especially during these difficult times. The Museum and its stories play a crucial role in interpreting this country’s past — and our collective future. These critical funds will allow us to keep our blast doors open and our lights on, as we continue to serve our visitors from across Canada and around the world.”
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Two other recent recipients of Ontario Government grants:
- The Huntley Curling Club received $50,000. Photo above includes the club president Dan Zanetti and past-president Blake Sinclair.
- The International Love Project, a Kanata not-for-profit, received $50,000. This project promotes cultural arts through events and festivals. Their largest event, Latin Sparks Festival, has been running in Ottawa for the past six years and has established itself as Canada’s largest Latin dance party attracting close to 10,000 attendees.
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This month the Ontario Government announced a new Seniors Home Safety Credit.
This new program is to support people with senior family members living in their household. Eligible families can receive up to $2,500 for renovations to make their homes safer and more accessible for their loved ones. Program details are here: Seniors Home Safety Credit.
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Volunteer efforts is the glue that binds our community together. From the Carp Fair, to community associations, to recreational, sport and social groups, we owe a debt of gratitude for the volunteers among us.
I am pleased to highlight local volunteer efforts on my website, Facebook and Twitter platforms. Each week I highlight a local group and their good work: Volunteer Groups and Community Associations in our Community.
Raising awareness of volunteer initiatives and opportunities in Kanata and West Carleton is part of a commitment I made in the Kanata-Carleton Community Volunteer Initiative. Please contact my office if I can assist in promoting a volunteer group.
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Always friendly service at Kanata's Morning Owl
When you have a choice, please consider buying local. Shop at your local retailer. Contract local services. Shop online from Kanata and West Carleton businesses. In supporting local businesses you are supporting our community.
Read more about my Shop local awareness campaign.
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Photo image is from the KGPC website
Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition continues to speak out for the interests of Kanata residents against destruction of the community’s green space. Chairperson Barbara Ramsay, recently had exchanges with the Mayor and his staff. This month I wrote the Mayor to consider the requests of the Coalition.
Earlier this summer I had publicly stated support for the Coalition and the residents of Beaverbrook and Kanata Lakes. Here is that public statement.
MPP Statement in support of Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition and the residents of Kanata
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