November 2021 MPP Report from Merrilee Fullerton

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MPP Report ~ November 2021

November was a busy month on many fronts. In the Ontario Legislature, the Government announced its Fall Economic Statement which is the plan for the province’s pandemic recovery and long-term economic growth. On two separate occasions Ontario Ministers came to Kanata-Carleton to discuss the government’s plan with our business leaders.

I have had meetings with business and community groups; you can find reports on these meetings in this newsletter. Plus, this month I have launched a few community initiatives: “Let’s Get Active” campaign; profiling local charities helping in our community; and, a “shop local” for the holidays awareness campaign.

Also, I would like to again commend the Kanata North Business Association and all the participating companies and associations who are now at Hub350. I am proud of this facility and the promise it holds for fostering new business, research and development opportunities in our community. If you missed it last month, here is a link to the release when the Premier was present to announce $1.5 million investment in Hub350.

The photo above is from last Thursday when I was with Ontario’s Associate Minister of Digital Government at a Hub350 breakfast meeting to discuss the Ontario Government’s support for the technology sector.

Best wishes as we enter the lead-up to the holiday season. Please stay safe and healthy – and please stay in touch,

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.

In early November the Ontario Finance Minister delivered the Province’s Fall Economic Statement and soon after he came to Kanata to discuss the fiscal and economic elements of the plan with a local business audience. Above, the Finance Minister attends the Ottawa Board of Trade Breakfast with MPP MacLeod, MPP Ghamari and myself.

The Province’s plan lays out how the government will build the foundation for Ontario’s recovery and prosperity by investing in critical infrastructure, attracting increased investment, and restoring leadership in auto manufacturing and other key industries. The plan also makes significant investments in health care to protect Ontario’s progress against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Links for more information:
2021 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review: Build Ontario
November 4 media release: Build Ontario
$48 million investment to help attract and retain talented researchers at institutes and universities
An additional $12.4 million towards improving access to mental health supports and services and for frontline health care workers

The Provincial Government remains vigilant in responding to ongoing threats posed by COVID and its variants. We have taken extraordinary measures, guided by the latest science and evidence, to slow the spread of this virus and keep Ontarians healthy and safe. In our city, we are very fortunate for the leadership of Dr. Vera Etches, Ottawa Chief Medical Officer. Thank you Dr. Etches.

Here are some COVID-related information links:
The Provincial Plan to Safely Reopen Ontario and Manage COVID-19 for the Long-Term
Access your vaccination receipt
FAQs about using your vaccination receipt
Support and resources for business
My October MPP column in Community Voice

If you have yet to get your shot… being vaccinated is the best protection possible.
Book your appointment
Pharmacy Finder

My colleague MPP Jeremy Roberts and I joined children and their parents, along with wonderful CHEO staff to announce a new state-of-the-art Children’s Treatment Centre at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. The new 1Door4Care project will centralize and streamline services for children and families in our community.

After the ceremony, CHEO President and CEO Alex Munter tweeted out: “....Your words truly touched hearts. Children with special needs, medical complexity and mental health challenges deserve better, faster access to care. That's what this is all about.”

More about the CHEO facility: Ontario Investing in New Children’s Treatment Centre in Ottawa

The above photo with Barbara Ramsey and Mayor Jim Watson is from the Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition evening on November 2nd.

On Friday November 26th the Ontario Court of Appeal announced its decision which overturned an earlier ruling in favour of the residents of Kanata. Barbara Ramsey, Chair of the Kanata Greenspace Protection Coaltion, expressed disappointment and frustration with the most recent court decision, “We won’t stop until the green heart of Kanata is safe. We knew this was going to be a long haul & we aren’t giving up.”

My response: “I am extremely disappointed with the decision by the Ontario Court of Appeal. I agree with and am supportive of Mayor Watson’s proposed course of action. I am supportive of our Kanata community’s fight to preserve their greenspace. I will continue to support the Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition and residents with their efforts in stopping this development.”

Read an earlier, more detailed statement of mine in support of the Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition.

I attended the Remembrance Day service at the West Carleton War Memorial in Carp. I was honoured to place a wreath on behalf of the Province. I was also grateful to speak with Canadians who have served.

In case you missed it, here is my November MPP column in Community Voice:
As poppies grow may we never forget

This month I had a number of meetings with local business groups to discuss current business news and happenings. One productive meeting was with business leaders from the Carp Road Corridor BIA. This is an active and dynamic association with a clear vision for growing business opportunities in our community.

Carp Road Corridor Facts: Were you aware that this corridor is home to over 250 businesses with 5000 employees? It has 1100 acres zoned vacant land and parcels available from 1-60 acres.

Another productive meeting was with Lauri Moussa, Executive Director of Kanata Central BIA, where we visited with Joanne Mutter, owner of JoJo CoCo Chocolate. We spoke of our local retailers' plans for a busy shopping season.

Joanne Mutter explained that JoJo CoCo Chocolate received funding through Ontario's Digital Transformation Grant program, which helped to take the store on-line in early 2020. Joanne reports the web-based store worked wonders for her through the pandemic.

If you wish to request a meeting or for me to attend an event connect with my Community Office. I would be pleased to discuss issues of concern or to tour your facilities.

This past week I launched my annual “Shop Local” awareness campaign in social media. On my website I have made available a helpful series of links of local retail indexes for consumers wishing to shop local. Please read my media release: Shop Local and Support Our Community Through the Holiday Season

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.

Also, the Ontario Government has produced an online resource “The Holiday Gift Guide” to make it easier for shoppers to identify and purchase Ontario-manufactured products.

In November, my Community Office initiated a "Let's Get Active" awareness campaign to profile the health benefits of walking. In Kanata and West Carleton I will be promoting staying physically active through the winter. The awareness campaign is aimed at all ages, but will include a special outreach to encourage seniors to begin a walking routine during the winter months. Here is the media release:
MPP Fullerton: “Get outdoors and take a daily walk”

If it is too cold outside for some seniors, please know that exercise and falls prevention programs can help seniors stay safe, healthy, active, and mobile. If you are 65 years old or older, you can join fall prevention and exercise classes offered free of charge in your community. Read more about this free service provided by the Ontario Government: Exercise and Falls Prevention Programs

Here is a link to our local Champlain Health Unit and programs in our City: LOCAL INFO

Through the upcoming weeks, please consider donating to charities that are helping those in need in our community.

I will be highlighting local charities and their good work on my MPP website and in social media through the month of December. Read about this initiative here: 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.

My congratulations to the Kanata-Hazeldean Lions Club volunteers in Glen Cairn, who held a successful food drive on November 13th.

That weekend in Kanata South was a lot of fun. On Friday night I was at the Glen Cairn Tree Lighting community event. On Saturday, I joined Councillor Allan Hubley to collect donations for the food drive.

Stay connected and stay informed. Make it a habit to visit the news pages on my MPP website to get the latest details on provincial news, programs and services that impact our Kanata-Carleton community. Visit the MPP news section here: https://www.merrileefullerton.ca/news.

If you have missed one of my monthly newsletters, you can access an index of the MPP Report here: MPP Merrilee Fulllerton's Monthly Newsletters

Please do not hesitate to connect. I am only a phone call or email away.

YOUR VOICE WITH THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT -- I am here to serve the residents of Kanata-Carleton when you need help with provincial programs and services:

if you need help with your driver’s licence, Ontario photo card, health card, birth certificate, name changes, or marriage certificate
if someone you know would like to receive a certificate for birthday, milestone anniversary, or congratulatory occasion
if you have a concern and would like to arrange a meeting or have me visit your organization or place of business

My contact information is below - and it is also found on my website - MerrileeFullerton.ca.

Please Stay Connected

Visit the local Community Office Website or the Provincial Legislative Website.

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Phone: 613-599-3000 | Email: merrilee.fullerton@pc.ola.org

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