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:
- Finish the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension
- Connect More Seniors to Dental Care and Affordable Prescription Drugs
- Support Firefighters with Additional Funding for Training and New Infrastructure
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Ontario Celebrating Major Milestone for Eglinton Crosstown West Extension
The Ontario government has finished tunnelling the western underground portion of the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, marking a significant milestone in the province’s plan to create a reliable and continuous rapid transit line that connects communities from the east end of Toronto to Etobicoke and Mississauga.
“As the Greater Toronto Area continues to grow, families deserve to have access to fast and reliable transit options that connect them to good jobs, housing and other necessities,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “Today’s milestone brings us another step closer to saving commuters time, increasing quality of life for residents and growing the economy for everyone.”
The two 6.3-kilometre tunnels along Eglinton Avenue West bring the Extension from Renforth Drive to Scarlett Road, where the future line will come to the surface and transition to an elevated guideway. During the tunnelling process, two tunnel boring machines excavated 1.2 million tonnes of soil and rock, installed more than 7,400 concrete tunnel liner rings to support the tunnel walls and dug 93 per cent of the underground portion of the line.
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“Part of the largest public transit investment in the history of the Greater Toronto Area, the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension will help to reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions, while supporting thousands of good jobs,” said Yvan Baker, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke Centre on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities. “Building strong, inclusive and affordable communities relies on a strong foundation of public infrastructure like LRTs and public transit routes that keep our cities moving. The completion of tunnelling on the western segment of this line extension is an exciting step towards a more seamless rapid transit experience for thousands of daily riders.”
During the next phase of the project, work will continue at the extraction shaft at Scarlett Road to build the structure where the trains will emerge from the tunnels and preparations will get underway to begin tunnelling the eastern underground portion of the line that will run from east of Jane Street to Mount Dennis Station.
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Ontario Connecting More Seniors to Dental Care and Affordable Prescription Drugs
The Ontario government is ensuring that the province’s most vulnerable seniors can continue to connect to dental care and affordable prescription medications by increasing access to the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program and the Seniors Co-Payment Program.
On August 1, 2024, the annual income eligibility thresholds for the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program and the Seniors Co-Payment Program will be increased for single Ontarians aged 65 and over from $22,200 to $25,000, and from $37,100 to $41,500 for couples.
“Our government is continuing to take action to ensure that Ontarians have access to the health care and services they need, at every stage of life,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By breaking down barriers to accessing these programs, we are making it faster and easier for low-income seniors to connect to the care they need, when they need it.”
The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program connects almost 150,000 low-income seniors to free, routine dental care each year. Eligible seniors are encouraged to apply by going online and downloading and printing the application form or by picking one up at their local public health unit. Seniors who are eligible under the new income thresholds can apply starting July 1, 2024.
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The Seniors Co-Payment Program helps keep costs down for low-income seniors who need prescription medications by reducing co-pays to $2 or less and removing annual deductibles. Eligible seniors who will be 65 on or after July 1, 2024, can apply starting today so they can benefit as soon as possible. Seniors can complete an application online or request a paper application form be mailed to them by calling the Seniors Co-Payment Program toll free at 1-888-405-0405 or 416-503-4586. Seniors currently enrolled in the Seniors Co-Payment Program do not need to re-apply.
This increase to the annual income eligibility will also help ensure seniors currently enrolled in these programs that have received additional, financial government support, will continue to be eligible and benefit from these health services.
“The health and well-being of Ontario’s seniors is a priority for our government,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “By expanding the eligibility threshold for these programs, we are helping to ensure that more seniors across the province can access the dental and health care they deserve to stay healthy, improve their quality of life and age with dignity.”
Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government is making it easier and faster for people to connect to the care they need, closer to home.
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Ontario Supporting Firefighters with More Than $10 million for Training and Infrastructure
The Ontario government is investing more than $10 million to build five new state-of-the-art training facilities and train thousands of firefighters for in-demand careers in fire and rescue services.
“Investments in firefighter training are investments in the safety and resilience of our communities,” said Premier Doug Ford. “This new funding will help ensure that our firefighters have the skills and resources they need to protect people and communities and return home safely to their families.”
Ontario is investing over $9 million to build five new training centres through the capital stream of the province’s Skills Development Fund (SDF). Once built, the five new training centres will have the capacity to train more than 28,000 firefighters over a five-year period, helping to meet the emergency response needs of growing communities across Ontario and allowing local firefighters to get the training they need closer to home.
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In partnership with the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association (OPFFA), the province is also investing approximately $970,000 in a training project that will provide Fire Ground Survival training to firefighters across the Niagara, Toronto and Kingston regions. As well, the Town of Georgina will receive provincial support to train and upskill its volunteer firefighters.
“Our firefighters are true heroes who face danger head-on and without hesitation to protect our communities,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “By investing in these projects, we’re helping to ensure our firefighters have the training they need to keep both themselves and others safe. By expanding training capacity, we’re opening doors for more people who want to become firefighters and protect our communities.”
Ontario invests more than $1 billion each year in employment services and training programs like Better Jobs Ontario and the Skills Development Fund Training Stream to help workers train for well-paying and meaningful careers in their communities. These investments are part of the government’s ongoing efforts to attract, support and protect workers, making Ontario the best place to work, live and raise a family.
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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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