Dear Constituents,
It was an honour to join Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister, the federal Minister of Infrastructure, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure and Associate Minister of Infrastructure, the Mayor of Toronto, and TTC leaders to announce funding from all three levels of government for improvements and revitalization for Toronto’s Bloor-Yonge Station and other important TTC infrastructure. Bloor-Yonge Station is one of the busiest in North America and our government is proud to join our federal and municipal partners in supporting its future operations.
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| This edition of the Weekly Update contains information about our government’s newly announced funding for Toronto’s transit system, the availability of the COVID-19 antiviral Paxlovid at pharmacies, expanded availability of new MRI machines across the province, and the completion of basic training at Ontario Police College for a large number of new recruits. |
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More Funding for Toronto Transit
The Ontario government is providing Toronto and other municipalities with up to $505 million to help ensure that municipal transit systems can continue to deliver safe and reliable transit services. The funding is being delivered through Phase 4 of the federal-provincial Safe Restart Agreement.
“As we continue to build Ontario, our government is stepping up and investing historic amounts in municipalities, including public transit,” said Premier Doug Ford. “This additional funding will help deliver safe and reliable public transit for local communities both now and into the future.”
“Ontario has been a leader in supporting its municipal partners and we will continue to champion their needs along with transit users across the province,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “This funding, on top of what has already been provided, will help ensure reliable transportation options are available for everyone, whether you’re going to work, school or the grocery store.”
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This funding builds on the more than $2 billion in dedicated funding for municipal transit systems that the Ontario government, in conjunction with the federal government, has provided since 2020 to help transit systems across the province respond to the impact of COVID-19.
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Ontarians Can Now Visit Local Pharmacies for Paxlovid Prescriptions
The Ontario government is giving people more convenient access to care by allowing pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid, an antiviral treatment option used to reduce severe outcomes from COVID-19. All Ontarians are strongly encouraged to keep up to date with vaccinations, which remains the best way for people to stay healthy this flu and respiratory illness season and prevent unnecessary visits to the hospital.
As of December 11, pharmacists can prescribe and dispense Paxlovid to eligible individuals in-person or virtually (such as by telephone) at no cost. If you plan to use Paxlovid, you must receive a prescription and begin use within five days of symptom onset. Eligible individuals should contact their local pharmacy to confirm if they prescribe Paxlovid and if they are eligible.
Eligibility for Paxlovid includes:
- Symptoms that are consistent with COVID-19;
- A positive lab-based PCR, rapid molecular, or rapid antigen test (including rapid tests done at home);
- The prescribing occurs within five days of symptom onset;
- The individual receiving the prescription is;
- 60 years of age or older
- 18 years of age or older and is immunocompromised
- 18 to 59 years old and at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes including having chronic medical conditions (such as diabetes, heart or lung disease) or inadequate immunity against COVID-19 (i.e., not up-to-date on vaccines).
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“In addition to getting your COVID-19 booster and flu shot, Ontarians are now able to also talk to their local pharmacist about a prescription for Paxlovid,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This expansion of pharmacists’ scope of practice is just one more way our government is making it easier for Ontarians to access health care right in their own communities.”
Paxlovid prescriptions also remain available through any physician or nurse practitioner in Ontario as well as clinical assessment centres across the province. Individuals with complex health conditions may need to see their primary care provider or go to a clinical assessment centre for Paxlovid, based on the clinical judgement of the pharmacist.
“Authorizing pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid will expand access and offer increased protection to the most vulnerable and mitigate pressures on the province’s hospital capacity,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “I continue to strongly recommend that everyone across the province stays up to date on their vaccinations as it is the most effective way we can protect ourselves and our loved ones from the most serious effects of COVID-19.”
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Ontario Expanding Access to MRI Services Across the Province
The Ontario government is improving people’s access to diagnostic imaging services and reducing wait times by investing over $20 million in operating funding to support the addition of 27 new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines in hospitals across Ontario. This funding is part of our government’s $30 million investment in the 2021 Budget to support more MRI services across the province.
“Our government is ensuring hospitals across the province have the funds they need to operate their new MRI machines and increase access to diagnostic imaging for people in their communities,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “For some communities, this funding means they will have their first-ever MRI machine and residents will have more convenient access to care closer to home.”
The following hospitals near Eglinton-Lawrence will each be expanding MRI services with new MRI machines:
- Humber River Hospital
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center
- St. Joseph’s Health Center Toronto
- University Health Network
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This funding will provide hospitals in all regions of the province with annual operational funding for new MRI machines. With this investment, some small and rural community hospitals will now be able to operate their very first MRI machine. For people in these communities, this means they will have more convenient access to diagnostic imaging and no longer need to travel to receive an MRI scan.
This funding will also support additional MRI machines in hospitals in high-population growth areas with increased demand for MRI services. Patients in these communities will also benefit from increased MRI services closer to home. With more MRI services throughout the province, patients can be diagnosed faster and if needed, begin treatment and follow-up care even sooner.
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Ontario Celebrating 460 New Police Officers
The Ontario government today marked the official march past of 460 police recruits who have completed their basic training at the Ontario Police College (OPC).
“Policing is much more than a job. It is a profession that puts citizens over self,” said Michael Kerzner, Solicitor General.
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The successful completion of basic constable training marks an important milestone on the path to becoming a police officer. During the 12-week program, recruits are equipped with the knowledge and practical skills needed to respond to evolving issues facing modern policing. This includes learning how to prevent crime, assist victims, maintain public order and respond to emergencies.
“I commend both the recruits and their instructors for dedicating themselves to help fight crime across the province. We need to recruit more police officers and this class is an inspiration to others who want to pursue a higher calling,” added Kerzner.
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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 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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