A message from Doug Shipley
As your federal Member of Parliament, I work to keep you informed on what the federal government is up to in Ottawa. While I am always happy to answer your questions about policy, a significant part of my job is to help constituents navigate federal government programs and services.
My team and I are happy to greet in person visitors and answer phone calls and emails Monday to Friday in my local office. You can find us at 48 Alliance Boulevard, Suite 104, in Barrie. You can also reach us by telephone at 705-728-2596.
We can assist with the following matters:
- Passports
- Canada Revenue Agency Inquiries
- Employment Insurance
- Canada Pension Plan and Canada Pension Plan Disability
- OAS and the Guaranteed Income Supplement
- Immigration Refugee Citizenship Canada inquiries
- Any other federal matters
How we can help is determined on a case-by-case basis, so the best thing to do is contact my office by telephone or email to discuss your specific situation. Then we can let you know what steps we might be able to take to assist you.
When contacting my office, you will often reach one of my knowledgeable team members as I am juggling responsibilities both here in Barrie – Springwater – Oro-Medonte and in Ottawa. If you would like to reach me directly to share your concerns around policy, legislation, or government service the fastest way to connect with me is by sending an email to Doug.Shipley@parl.gc.ca
With the various demands on my time every day I may not be able to respond immediately. I do review all emails and if I think that you will be best served by a direct conversation with a member of my team then I will ask them to follow up. Otherwise, you will receive a response from me.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Doug Shipley
Member of Parliament
Barrie – Springwater – Oro-Medonte
Ontario Expanding Access to Palliative Care in Barrie
Two New hospice beds in Barrie will connect more people to end-of-life care close to home
Submitted by office of MPP Doug Downey, January 24, 2025
BARRIE — The Ontario government is connecting more people in the Barrie to comfortable and ignified end-of-life care, close to their community and loved ones by adding 2 new hospice beds at Hospice Simcoe. This is part of an expansion of 84 new adult hospice beds across the province, bringing the total number of publicly funded hospice beds in Ontario to 768. “This funding will ensure that more residents in Barrie and the surrounding areas have access to dignified end-of-life care,” said Doug Downey, MPP for Barrie – Springwater – Oro-Medonte. “These additional beds will ensure that Hospice Simcoe is able to meet the growing needs of our
community and continue to provide the compassionate care that has affected so many families.” “Our government is ensuring people have access to the complete care that they need in their community, close to their loved ones and families, at every stage of life,” said Andrea Khanjin, MPP for Barrie-Innisfil. “This investment will provide Hospice Simcoe with two additional hospice beds, bringing the total of hospice beds to 12.” This expansion is part of the province’s up to $19.75 million capital investment to add 84 new adult hospice beds across the province, bringing the total number of publicly funded hospice beds in Ontario to 768. When these 84 new beds are open, the province will provide an additional up to $16.03 million per year to support the operation of these beds.
“Our government is ensuring people and their families have access to the comprehensive care they need in their community, close to their loved ones, at every stage of life,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By investing in the expansion of end-of-life care in communities across the province, we are taking another step to connect Ontarians to compassionate and specialized care closer to home.” Once opened, these new adult hospice beds will bring the total number of beds at Hospice Simcoe to 12.
As a next step, the ministry is working with Hospice Simcoe – Seasons Centre to complete early planning and design for this project. Once future planning is complete and the project is tendered and awarded, a construction schedule will be confirmed. Through the Ontario government’s Your Health plan, the province is making it easier and faster for people of all ages to connect to the care they need, where and when they need it. This includes nvesting up to $147.4 million over three years to expand access to palliative care services, including increasing funding by 45 per cent for all hospice beds across the province, with additional
increases for hospice beds in smaller sites of six beds or less.
MPP Jill Dunlop Announces Ontario Improving Hospital Infrastructure in Midland
Improving hospital infrastructure at Georgian Bay General Hospital will connect more people to quality care closer to home
Submitted by the Office of MPP Jill Dunlop
January 27, 2025
MIDLAND — The Ontario government is supporting critical upgrades and renovations at Georgian Bay General Hospital through the planning, design and implementation of the hospital’s Air Handling Unit Replacement Project, ensuring families in Midland and surrounding communities can connect to the care they need, close to home.
“I am proud to be part of a government that recognizes the value in investments like these critical upgrades at GBGH, ensuring that essential infrastructure like the Air Handling Unit Replacement Project is in place to provide high-quality care for our community,” said Jill Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North. “These improvements will not only enhance the hospital’s efficiency and safety but also contribute to a more comfortable and reliable healthcare environment for patients and staff alike. By investing in our local healthcare infrastructure, we are securing the future of care for families in the area and demonstrating our commitment to the health and well-being of all Ontarians.” Through this investment, space will be renovated and the air handling units that are original to the hospital will be replaced with modern units at Georgian Bay General Hospital. This critical infrastructure project will bring the space up to current standards and ensure that the hospital is better equipped to provide connected, convenient care, close to home for families in the region. As a next step, the ministry is working with Georgian Bay General Hospital to complete early planning and design for this project. Once future planning is complete and the project is tendered and awarded, a construction schedule will be confirmed. “Our government is making record investments to modernize and expand Ontario’s hospitals to connect people of all ages to fast, convenient care, no matter where they live,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This investment will allow Georgian Bay General Hospital to address priority infrastructure needs to better deliver high-quality care to people in Midland and the Georgian Bay region, for years to come.” Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government is expanding and modernizing Ontario’s hospitals, making it faster and easier for people of all ages to connect to the high-quality care they need, where and when they need it.
QUICK FACTS
- Georgian Bay General Hospital is a 113-bed hospital with a full emergency department, diagnostic imaging, general surgery, obstetrics, ambulatory care, complex continuing care and rehabilitation, dialysis and outpatient day surgery.
- The hospital serves 65,000 full-time residents and more than 150,000 residents and visitors during the summer months, from the communities of Midland and Penetanguishene, the Townships of Tiny, Tay, Springwater, Georgian Bay and Oro-Medonte, and the Beausoleil First Nation community on Christian Island.
- Through Your Health, Ontario is getting shovels in the ground for over 50 hospital developments across the province.