Dear Constituents,
At this time of remembrance, let us ponder how much we owe for the freedoms we enjoy in Ontario.
I continue to advocate for the safe return of the hostages abducted from Israel by Hamas on October 7th. We cannot ignore this ongoing war crime, and I would ask that you join me in demanding their safe return as soon as possible.
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All Ontarians can receive their free flu shot and most recent Covid-19 vaccine at local pharmacies, public health units, and primary health care providers across our province. Click this link to see which health care providers near you are offering vaccines.
Last Thursday, our government released the 2023 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review: Building a Strong Ontario Together. This release includes new measures to keep costs down for Ontarians, new investments in infrastructure, actions to increase access to health care, and more. You can read a summary of the 2023 Fall Economic Statement by clicking here, and read the full statement by clicking this link.
This week, my colleagues and I will join veterans, veteran’s service providers, and Ontarians across our province in honouring members of our armed services. Members of the Canadian Armed Forces have served our country at home and abroad for over seventy-five years to uphold the values of peace and freedom which are essential to our way of life. I encourage you to pause at the 11th hour this Saturday to reflect on the enduring value of their service.
This edition of the Weekly Update has info about how our government is:
- Proposing to extend the gas and fuel tax rate cuts for an additional six months to keep costs down for Ontarians
- Removing the provincial portion of HST on qualifying new purpose-built rental housing to encourage housing development
- Offering veterans free weekday day-use access to Ontario’s provincial parks for the entire year
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Ontario Extending Gas and Fuel Tax Cuts to June 30, 2024
To help Ontario families and businesses keep costs down, the Ontario government is proposing legislation through its upcoming 2023 Fall Economic Statement that would, if passed, extend the gasoline and fuel tax rate cuts to June 30, 2024, saving households $260 on average since the tax cuts were first introduced in June 2022.
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Since July 1, 2022, Ontario has lowered the gasoline tax by 5.7 cents per litre and the fuel tax by 5.3 cents per litre. The government is proposing to extend the rate cuts so the tax rate on gasoline and fuel (diesel) would continue to remain at 9 cents per litre until June 30, 2024.
The proposed extension to the gasoline and fuel tax rate cuts builds on the government’s other measures to help put more money back into people’s pockets, including:
- Generating $1.1 billion per year in savings, for a total of $3.3 billion since March 2020, to Ontario vehicle owners by refunding licence plate renewal fees and stickers.
- Eliminating local transit fares on most local transit agencies in the Greater Golden Horseshoe for riders connecting to and from GO Transit, making it more affordable and convenient for families and workers to commute.
- Increasing the general minimum wage by 6.8 per cent to $16.55 per hour as of October 1, 2023.
- Providing an estimated $115 million through the Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit this year to over 200,000 low-to moderate-income seniors with eligible medical expenses.
The government continues to call on the federal government to scrap the carbon tax or, at the very least, pause increases to it for Ontario residents.
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Ontario Helping to Build More Rental Housing
The Ontario government is taking steps to remove the full eight per cent provincial portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on qualifying new purpose-built rental housing in order to get more rental homes built across the province.
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The removal of the provincial portion of the HST would apply to new purpose-built rental housing such as apartment buildings, student housing and senior residences built specifically for long-term rental accommodation, that meet the criteria. The enhanced rebate would apply to qualifying projects that begin construction between September 14, 2023 and December 31, 2030, and complete construction by December 31, 2035.
Since fall 2022, Ontario has called on the federal government to remove the HST for certain purpose-built rental housing. Ontario welcomes the federal government’s decision to listen to Ontario. Together, the provincial and federal actions would remove the full 13 per cent HST on qualifying new purpose-built rental housing in Ontario, helping to get more housing built. Ontario will continue working closely with the federal government to implement this new measure.
As part of its ongoing work to build at least 1.5 million homes by 2031, the government is also working on the development of a comprehensive modular home strategy. This strategy includes exploring the use of a Request for Qualification process that will transparently identify and pre-qualify companies that contribute to modular housing construction on the scale Ontario needs. The government is also working to leverage surplus provincial lands and partnering with municipalities to leverage surplus municipal lands in order to help reduce the cost of building attainable homes, including modular homes.
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Ontario Honouring Veterans with Free Year-Round Weekday Access to Provincial Parks
Yesterday, the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Andrea Khanjin, issued the following statement in recognition of Remembrance Week:
“As we approach Remembrance Day, we remember the courage and dedication of the Canadian men and women who fought valiantly over the years and continue to defend our freedom, rights and democracy. In recognition of their service, Ontario is proud to offer all veterans and active members of the Canadian Armed Forces free weekday day-use access to provincial parks throughout the entire year. It is a small way to show our gratitude to those who fought to defend our country.
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Veterans and active service members can present their valid Canadian Armed Forces identification card and proof of Ontario residency at the entrance of any provincial park. Our dedicated park staff are ready to welcome you to an incredible array of natural spaces to explore and enjoy, with many still open to the public throughout the fall and winter months.”
I extend my deepest appreciation to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and their families, and our veterans and current members of the Canadian Armed Forces for their dedication and service to our country. May this Remembrance Week be a time of gratitude as we reflect on how fortunate we are to live in a province like Ontario and a country like 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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