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Politics – Funding for seniors…

MPP Jill Dunlop announces funding for Seniors Active Living Centre programs in Simcoe North

Seniors staying fit, active and socially connected to their communities

Submitted by Office of Jill Dunlop MPP, October 28, 2024

SIMCOE NORTH – Today, Jill Dunlop, MPP Simcoe North, announced the Ontario government is investing in the third quarterly installment payment for Seniors Active Living Centres (SALC) in Simcoe North.

“This is Premier Ford’s and our government’s on-going commitment to support our seniors,” said Jill Dunlop, MPP Simcoe North. “Seniors Active Living Centres bring our seniors together, where they meet old friends, connect with new ones and stay actively involved in their community. Seniors’ centres play such an important role in our communities, but across Ontario.”

The funding comes from an annual investment of more than $15 million, an increase of approximately one million dollars from last year.

“Seniors Active Living Centres are the best way for our seniors to stay fit, active, healthy, socially connected, close to their homes and in our communities”, said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “Our government is proud to invest in Seniors Active Living Centre programs that are improving the health and independence for our seniors.”

Simcoe North received third quarter installments totalling $37,500.00 with the following organizations receiving $12,500.00 each; Askennonia Senior Centre, Georgian Shores Swinging Seniors, and BayShore Seniors.

SALCs offer learning opportunities and a variety of recreational and social of activities including fitness, healthy lifestyle and wellness classes that are important supports in communities.

Doug Shipley MP Update

Every year, on November 11, we take the time to pause and honour the brave men and women who have fought to protect and uphold the freedoms we enjoy today. To show support for our veterans, I encourage you to wear a poppy, attend a Remembrance Day ceremony, or simply thank a veteran. It is our responsibility to make sure that their memory, service, and sacrifice are never forgotten.

If you wish to attend a service, the following ceremonies are among those taking place in the region:

  • Royal Canadian Legion Branch 262 (Elmvale) – ceremony will begin at 10:30 am at the Elmvale Cenotaph
  • Royal Canadian Legion Branch 147 (Barrie) and the City of Barrie – parade will begin at 10:30 am, departing from Dunlop St. and Mulcaster St. to Five Points, ceremony to follow at Memorial Square
  • Springwater Park – assemble at 10:30 am at the Springwater Provincial Park Cenotaph
  • Oro-Medonte Remembrance Day Service on November 10 – ceremony will begin at 10:45 am at the Old Town Hall Cenotaph

If you are unable to attend a ceremony on Remembrance Day, please pause at 11 am to observe two minutes of silence. Take the opportunity to reflect and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.

This year marked the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). For a century the RCAF, and its personnel have defended Canada, its people, allies, and interests. I offer my thanks to the men and women who have served and continue to serve Canada, at home and abroad, for their efforts and sacrifices to keep our country and our communities safe.

We will never be able to truly repay our veterans, but we will continue to remember, respect, and honour them for their dedication to our country, their service, and the sacrifices they have made.

Lest we forget.

As always, my constituency office is available to assist you with any matters related to the federal government. Please contact my office at Doug.Shipley@parl.gc.ca or 705-728-2596 for assistance.

Sincerely,

Doug Shipley, Member of Parliament, Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte

 

Ontario Building New Replacement School in Shanty Bay

Province’s investment in innovative and modern learning spaces will ensure students have high quality education

October 30, 2024

As part of the province’s ongoing efforts to build and improve local schools, the Ontario government has provided the Simcoe County District School Board with approval to issue the tender for the new replacement Shanty Bay Public School to create more student spaces. This is supported by an investment of $18.9 million, which includes additional funding of $13 million.

Once completed, this project will deliver 190 new elementary spaces for local families. The investment is part of Ontario’s commitment to providing about $16 billion to support school construction, renewal and improvement over 10 years. Since 2018, the government has approved or supported the development of over 300 school-related projects including child care, of which more than 100 are actively under construction.

“The funding for a new replacement Shanty Bay Public School is great news for our community,” said Doug Downey, MPP for Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte. “Since taking office, I, alongside with the team of parents, students and educators, have advocated for this school to remain in the Shanty Bay community. This investment will ensure families and students have access to a quality learning environment in the years ahead.”

Additionally, Ontario is taking action to ensure that school board capital assets are used effectively and efficiently to meet the needs of growing communities, support student learning and ensure value for taxpayer dollars. The Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023 empowers decision-makers to build modern schools faster by better utilizing school capacity, reducing barriers for school boards to facilitate agreements for schools in multi-use buildings such as condo towers, and shortening planning time through design standardization when constructing, renovating, or making additions to schools.

“As a mother, I understand that the local school really is the heart of the community, and that it’s so important for young families to have a school that’s close to home,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Education. “Our government is listening to parents, which is why we took action, and we are proud to deliver a new, state-of-the-art Shanty Bay Public School for local families, along with increasing funding, staffing and a back-to-basics focus on reading, writing and math to help ensure students graduate with the fundamental skills they need to succeed.”

Highlights of the project include:

  • 190 new student spaces

“Under Premier Ford’s leadership, we’re building more state-of-the-art schools to support the needs of Ontario’s students, families and growing communities. By investing in innovative and modern learning spaces, we’re ensuring students have access to the quality education that will provide them with lifelong skills and education in a safe and healthy environment,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of

Infrastructure. “These investments are one of the ways we’re delivering on our promise to build Ontario, with an infrastructure budget of more than $190 billion over the next decade.”

“The Simcoe County District School Board welcomes funding from the Ministry of Education for the construction of new and replacement schools,” said John Dance, Director of Education. “This is exciting news for students, staff, and families that have been advocating for a replacement Shanty Bay Public School. The replacement school will address the current facility restrictions and will ensure that students continue to learn in their community for years to come.”

The new replacement Shanty Bay Public School will be located at 1871 Ridge Road West in Shanty Bay.

Quick Facts:

  • Since 2018, the Ontario government has invested more than $3.6 billion in capital construction projects in education, including 139 new schools, 109 additions and renovations to existing facilities, creating more than 98,000 student spaces and over 8,000 new licensed child care spaces.
  • For the 2024-25 school year, the ministry has allocated renewal funding of approximately $1.4 billion to school boards to revitalize and renew aged building systems and components.
  • The Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023 ensures the public education system focuses on what matters most: teaching important life-long skills such as reading, writing and math; improving accountability and transparency for parents and families; maximizing capital assets of boards to support building modern schools faster and better utilizing current school capacity.
  • Ontario secured a $13.2 billion agreement with the federal government that will lower fees for families to an average of $10 a day for children under the age of six under the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system.

Office of MPP Doug Downey, Keeragh Robertson

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