Dear Constituents,
For those celebrating Chanukak, which is currently underway, may the warmth of the menorah’s glow fill your home with joy, love, and blessings throughout this special celebration. You can click the image below to watch my Hanukkah video I shared on X last week. My Christmas greeting will be in next week’s newsletter.
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Our government is working hard to deliver on items that matter to Ontarians. In this edition of the Weekly Update, you can find the latest news on what the Province is doing to:
- Make it easier and more convenient for families and businesses to access vital government services
- Combat the recent rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia
- Prevent and address violence against women and girls
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ServiceOntario Partnering with Retailers to Enhance Access to Services
The Ontario government is making it easier and more convenient for families and businesses to access vital government services such as driver’s licences and health cards. Beginning in early 2024, ServiceOntario is opening new centres in select Staples Canada stores with additional locations expected to open throughout the year.
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ServiceOntario’s retailer partnership program is just one way the Ontario government is working to enhance the customer experience, provide convenient access to important government services and retail services in a single central hub, and reduce the overall cost to deliver government services to the public.
Other innovative ways ServiceOntario is improving service delivery include:
- For eligible residents who may find it difficult to visit ServiceOntario to renew their health card, a live virtual appointment offers the same level of service as the in-person experience, right from the comfort of home.
- To help meet increasing demand, eight of the busiest ServiceOntario centres in the Greater Toronto Area now offer health card services for work permit holders and their accompanying family.
More than 24 million transactions are completed in person at 275 ServiceOntario centres throughout the province. Find a centre near you by visiting Ontario.ca/Locations.
Appointments for in-person visits can be booked at more than 140 of ServiceOntario’s busiest centres at Ontario.ca/Appointments.
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Combating the Rise of Antisemitism and Islamophobia
Less than a week ago, Minister Ford announced the Ontario government is investing an additional $20 million this year to help combat the recent rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia. The new funding, prioritizing Jewish and Muslim communities, will expand the province’s Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant, helping faith-based and cultural organizations implement measures to ensure community spaces remain safe and secure.
This new funding will provide community facilities, including synagogues, mosques, community hubs and Jewish and Muslim schools and childcare centres, with up $20,000 per recipient to help better protect their spaces from hate-motivated incidents, graffiti, vandalism or other damage.
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This $20.5 million investment builds on the $12.5 million provided to over 1,400 faith-based and cultural organizations through the first round of the Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant. Previous recipients of the grant are eligible for a top-up payment. The application portal opens on December 14, 2023.
From October 7 to November 20, the Toronto Police Service reported 55 hate crimes and 280 hate-graffiti incidents related to antisemitism or Islamophobia. This represents a significant increase compared to the same time last year with 14 hate crimes and 21 hate-motivated graffiti related to antisemitism or Islamophobia reported. All vulnerable members of our society who need support and meet the criteria are eligible to receive funding; however, priority will be given to those that primarily serve Jewish and Muslim communities.
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Ontario Standing Against Gender-Based Violence
December 6th marked the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, which honours the 14 women killed and those injured 34 years ago at l’Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal.
This day is a solemn reminder of the importance of ensuring that we do all we can to prevent gender-based violence and address its root causes. Minister Parsa announced today that our government is investing an additional $18.7 million this year in programs and supports that help prevent and address violence against women and girls. This includes an additional $18.14 million in 400 gender-based violence service providers across the province to help them hire more staff, improve services, and expand crisis-response programs.
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| An additional $546,000 will be invested in the Women’s Economic Security Program and the Investing in Women’s Futures program to create more opportunities for women to build skills, gain employment and become financially independent. Over the next four years, the province will implement a cross-government strategy to increase funding to service providers to increase their ability to provide supports, expanding initiatives that help stop gender-based violence before it occurs, making it more seamless for women and children to transition between supports, and expand programs that provide training and employment opportunities for women so they can gain financial independence. |
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My constituency office is open Monday to Friday from 10AM to 4PM.
If you have any questions or concerns we’re readily available to assist you.
You can also reach us by phone at (416) 781-2395
or by email at robin.martin@pc.ola.org.
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Warmest Wishes,
 Robin Martin, MPP
Eglinton-Lawrence
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