February 7th Weekly Update

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Dear Constituents, 
Whether it’s accessing healthcare or using Ontario government services, our government is determined to make life more convenient for Ontarians. 

This edition of the Weekly Update contains exciting news about:

  • How we’re making it easier to renew your Ontario government documents online
  • Your Health – our plan for connected and convenient healthcare
  • How we’re protecting Ontario from future emergencies with our first-ever Provincial Emergency Management Strategy and Action Plan. 

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Ontario Providing Better Service

The Ontario government is making it faster, easier and more convenient for people and businesses to access driver’s licences, health cards, birth certificates and other services.

An enhanced appointment booking system at ServiceOntario is now available at 64 of its busiest centres. Customers requiring in-person visits can book multiple services in a single appointment on their smartphone or computer or book a single appointment for the whole family. Ontarians will also have the option to identify accessibility needs ahead of the appointment so services can be provided to meet their individual needs efficiently and effectively.

 

“We’re making it easier for people and businesses to connect with ServiceOntario, putting customers first and saving people time and money,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Across our government, we’re making it less complicated and more convenient for people to interact with government. We’ll never stop working to improve the services we offer people.”

ServiceOntario is also enhancing the customer experience through a number of pilot programs including virtual services. Eligible Ontarians who may find it difficult to visit a ServiceOntario centre in person can book virtual appointments to have their health cards renewed through live video calls. For those phoning the Contact Centre, new technology is rolling out to cut down the time callers spend on the line with quicker interactive responses or call-backs.

  • ServiceOntario offers appointment bookings at many of its busiest service centres to make the visit fast and hassle-free. Book at Ontario.ca/Appointment or call ServiceOntario at 1-800-387-3445 (TTY 1-800-268-7095).
  • We are nearly doubling the number of service centres offering appointments to 120 by the end of 2023.
  • Customers can go online to renew their licence plate, driver’s licence, health card, Ontario Photo Card, and Accessible Parking Permit at Ontario.ca/Renew in minutes.
  • Sign up for renewal reminders by email, text or phone call so you always know when it is time to renew your important products at Ontario.ca/Reminders or call ServiceOntario at 1-800-387-3445 (TTY 1-800-268-7095).
  • Ontarians with a medical exemption or are over 80 years of age can request a virtual appointment to renew their health card. Learn more at Ontario.ca/VirtualAppointment or call ServiceOntario at 1-800-387-3445 (TTY 1-800-268-7095).

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Your Health: A Plan for Convenient and Connected Care

Last Thursday, the Ontario government released Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care. The plan focuses on providing people with a better health care experience by connecting them to more convenient options closer to home while shortening wait times for key services across the province and growing the health care workforce for years to come.

“When it comes to your health and the health of all Ontarians, the status quo isn’t working,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “As we put our bold plan into action, you will be connected to care when you need it most and where it’s most convenient, whether that’s closer to home in your community or even at home.”

The plan lays out a broad series of initiatives under three pillars: The Right Care in the Right Place, Faster Access to Care and Hiring More Health Care Workers. Designed to work together and work for people, these pillars will deliver connected and convenient care in hospital emergency rooms, in community settings like pharmacies and community organizations and doctors’ offices, in long-term care homes and through care delivered right at home.

Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care will put Ontarians back in charge of their health, making it easier to navigate care at every stage of their life, providing more ways to receive care closer to home, and ensuring that people will be able to get the care they need faster, when it can have the greatest impact to their health.

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Ontario Preparing People and Communities for Future Emergencies

Last Friday, the Ontario government released its first-ever Provincial Emergency Management Strategy and Action Plan, helping to ensure Ontarians are prepared for and safe during future emergencies like cyber security threats, pandemics or natural disasters.

The plan, the first of its kind in Canada, sets a foundation for emergency management in Ontario and builds on lessons learned from past emergencies including the COVID-19 pandemic, which represented the single largest provincial emergency in decades.

Developed in partnership with emergency management partners, including municipalities, First Nations partners and provincial ministries, the plan highlights key actions the province is taking to keep Ontario in a state of constant readiness and preparedness. It also outlines initiatives to augment and support municipal and First Nations emergency strategies.

Highlights of the plan include the following:

  • A strengthened provincial governance and accountability framework that includes Emergency Management Ontario as the provincial lead for emergency management coordination.
  • A one window for all Ontarians approach to proactively coordinate with emergency management partners on preparedness and information sharing.
  • Increased local supports for municipalities and Indigenous partners, including a doubling of regional field services staff, in 2022, to better support all regions of the province.
  • Proactive planning and monitoring, including enhanced flood mapping, a cyber security strategy, and increased resources for emergency management partners.
  • Programs to improve community preparedness, including tabletop and priority exercises and a strengthened Ontario Corps.
  • A commitment to annual reports detailing the progress made on the strategy and action plan.

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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.

 

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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