December 20th Weekly Update

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Dear Constituents,

Happy Holidays!

As your member of Provincial Parliament, I wish you all the best as you gather with friends and family over the holiday season. My office will be closed from December 26 and will reopen on January 2nd.

To members of our Eglinton-Lawrence community who are celebrating Hanukkah, I wish you a Chag Sameach! Merry Christmas to all celebrating Christmas. To everyone, however you are celebrating, I wish you all a happy and joyous New Year!

This edition of the Weekly Update has information about the Ministry of Finance’s upcoming 2023 Budget consultations from members of the public, the work our government is doing to improve paediatric healthcare in our city and across the province, and how you can support the health of children and others by keeping up to date on vaccines for the flu and COVID-19.

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Provincial Government Seeking Input on Next Phase of Ontario’s Plan to Build

Two weeks ago, the Progress on the Plan to Build Act (Budget Measures), 2022 received Royal Assent, advancing the government’s plan to build Ontario with new targeted measures that build the economy, address the province’s labour shortage and help families and businesses keep costs down.

The government’s flexible and responsible plan will continue to position the province to be ready to manage uncertainty and risk as the world faces high inflation and emerging economic challenges.

The government is seeking ideas from workers, families, business owners and communities on what they need and what they want to see in the next phase of the government’s plan as part of Ontario’s 2023 Budget.

Visit Ontario.ca/budgetconsultations for more information about how to participate.

“As we visit communities across the province, we want to hear from the people and businesses of Ontario on how our government can continue to build the province,” said Minister Bethlenfalvy. “Together we have made great progress on our plan to build and by continuing together we can create a prosperous Ontario for today and tomorrow.”

Minister Bethlenfalvy, President of the Treasury Board Prabmeet Sarkaria, and Parliamentary Assistants Stephen Crawford and Rick Byers will hold in-person consultations across the province from January 11 to February 10, beginning in Brampton. The Toronto meetings are currently scheduled to be held on January 26th and February 14th.

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Appointments for COVID-19 and Flu Vaccinations Available to All Ontarians

Last week, our government announced more convenient access to the COVID-19 antiviral treatment Paxlovid. Convenient access to a Paxlovid prescription will increase protection for vulnerable individuals and ease pressures on our healthcare system, but the best way to protect yourself and others continues to be staying up-to-date with COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.

Free flu shots and bivalent COVID-19 booster doses are available for all Ontarians six months and older. Keeping up to date on vaccines continues to be the best way for people to stay healthy this flu and respiratory illness season and prevent unnecessary visits to the hospital. It is safe to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and the flu shot at the same time, so if you have yet to receive your booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, you should get both shots now.

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Ontario Government Continuing to Work With Holland Bloorview and other Paediatric Hospitals

Last Friday, I joined Ontario’s Minister of Health Sylvia Jones to thank the staff of Holland Bloorview for the incredible work they do to improve the lives of children and youth. This meeting was a valuable opportunity to speak with one of our province’s leading children’s healthcare providers and the only specialist paediatric rehabilitation hospital. We discussed what else can be done to ensure that our paediatric healthcare system has the resources that it needs to provide the best possible care.

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital has received an additional $2.1 million in funding this year which represents an increase of 3.9% to funding in the last fiscal year. This is on top of a $3.4 million investment over three years to fund a new transitional care program for children with medical complexity.

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My office will be closed from December 26 to December 30. We will resume our regular hours (Monday to Friday from 10AM to 4PM) on January 2nd. We look forward to seeing and hearing from you in the new year. 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.

Warmest Wishes,

Robin Martin, MPP
Eglinton-Lawrence

For the most up-to-date COVID-19 information from the Government of Ontario visit ontario.ca/coronavirus

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Authorized by the CFO for the Eglinton-Lawrence PC Association