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:
- Enhance Wetlands
- Modernize 30-Year Old Veterinary Legislation
- Improve Access to in-person Government Services
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Ontario Helping Improve Wetlands
The Ontario government is investing over $2.5 million in a project led by the City of Brampton to enhance four wetland areas in the Etobicoke Creek watershed through the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program. This project is one of many wetlands projects across Ontario that are collectively receiving up to $11 million from the program this year.
The Wetlands Conservation Partner Program is one of the largest investments in wetland enhancement and restoration in the province’s history. Over the past five years, Ontario has invested over $30 million to support a wide range of projects, restoring and enhancing large-scale wetlands, smaller wetlands on marginal agricultural lands, and wetlands in more urban areas as part of municipal stormwater management.
Our government is taking action to ensure vital water resources and ecosystems are protected, now and in the future, by making historic investments in wetlands restoration and enhancement.
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“Wetlands are incredibly important to our communities. They make up the natural infrastructure that protect us from drought and flooding, while keeping water clean and providing homes for many at-risk species of plants and animals,” said Andrea Khanjin, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Working with partners like the City of Brampton and conservation organizations, our government has supported the restoration and enhancement of an estimated 7,500 acres of wetlands in the first three years of the program – that’s about eight times the size of the Toronto Islands.”
“My ministry has supported wetland conservation partnerships for decades and I’m pleased to see the positive benefits that the Wetland Conservation Partner Program is having on wetlands in the province,” said Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. “This program helps ensure wetlands are protected so they can provide recreation and environmental benefits for future generations to enjoy long into the future.”
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Ontario Introducing Measures to Help Improve Access to Veterinary Services
Last week, the Ontario government introduced legislation designed to enhance access to professional animal care. The Enhancing Professional Care for Animals Act would, if passed, pave the way to formalizing the broad scope of practice for veterinary technicians that could result in an expanded role. The legislation would also streamline the complaints resolution process and increase penalties for actions that intentionally harm an animal.
“Continued access to safe and professional care is critical for pet owners and farmers which is why we are proposing to modernize the 35-year-old legislative framework regulating the veterinary profession,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “This bill is designed to enable better access to veterinary services, recognize the important role of veterinary technicians, improve oversight of the profession and increase quality assurance through measures like continuing education.”
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Following extensive public consultations with stakeholders and partners on ways to modernize the laws governing veterinarians and improve access to care in Ontario, the proposed new legislation would provide a number of important benefits, including:
- Enabling the creation of a formal scope of practice for veterinary technicians that would allow them to perform to the full potential of their training and expertise.
- New requirements for continuing education similar to other regulated professions.
- An improved complaints resolution process to allow disputes to be addressed more quickly.
- Increased penalties to better reflect the seriousness of actions that could harm animals.
- Ensuring more public representation on the council of the regulatory college overseeing veterinary professionals to bring broader perspectives.
If passed, the new legislation would better align oversight of Ontario’s veterinary profession with other self-regulated health professions in the province.
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Ontario Expanding Access to Vital Government Services
The Ontario government is making it easier and more convenient to access in-person government services, such as driver’s licences and health cards with the launch of a mobile service centres in six northern Ontario communities.
The mobile service centre is accessible and offers service in both English and French. Community members can locate the regular days and hours of operation at Ontario.ca/Locations and book a convenient appointment at Ontario.ca/Appointment.
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Recognizing there is no one size fits all when it comes to service excellence, the mobile service centre builds upon ServiceOntario’s alternative service delivery initiatives to meet the unique needs of local communities, including:
- New municipal partnerships operating ServiceOntario centres in Chatham, Dresden and Pickle Lake, providing one-stop municipal and provincial services in a single location.
- A partnership with the North Shore Tribal Council, which operates a brick-and-mortar centre in Cutler as well as a mobile service unit that travels to communities throughout the Robinson-Huron Treaty area.
- A central service hub with Employment Ontario in Eganville.
- Retail partnerships with Canadian Tire, IDA, Home Hardware, and Staples Canada.
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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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