Today is Earth Day. Let’s take a moment to get outside, help clean up our neighbourhoods, and make plans to spend more time outdoors this summer. We’re fortunate to be surrounded by so much natural beauty. Let’s take care of it and enjoy all that Mother Earth provides.
Premier Ford wearing a "Private Jet for Sale" hat
How much will Ford's purchase+quick sale of a personal jet cost? We may never know. He's also trying to hide from Freedom of Information, ramming through a bill to do that, threatening to skip committee stage - no public hearings. Don't let this slide! Write your nearest PC govt MPP.
Doug Ford felt the heat on his jet, now let's turn up the heat for Freedom of Information. Don't let him skip public hearings on ditching FOI. Don't let he and his ministers hide from public scrutiny.
Check out this interview with Donna Chambers, who is advocating to raise the maximum age for the Ontario Breast Screening Program.
Donna has also created a petition, which I’ve had the opportunity to present in the Legislature twice.
🔗: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzb2...
Happy Passover to those celebrating in Kingston and the Islands! May this be a time of peace and joy, shared with family and friends. Chag Sameach!
#ygk #KingstonandtheIslands
After the Ford government kept MPPs away on an extended winter break, I’m glad to finally be back at Queen’s Park!
With the budget being tabled this week, I’ll be reviewing it closely to see how the government plans to support health care, classrooms, and housing.
Today, high school students from LCVI and KSS are making their voices heard and walking out in protest of Doug Ford's cuts to OSAP.
Many students are being forced to make difficult decisions about their future. It’s not fair, and it’s not right. Doug Ford: fix OSAP, ASAP.
KEYS is accepting applications for the Michael Harris Youth Award, a scholarship for first-generation youth pursuing education, training, and leadership opportunities.
Applications are open until April 3 at 4 p.m. Visit keys.ca to learn more and apply.
#ygk
Last week, I spoke at the Speaker’s reception in honour of Ontario’s mining industry in my role as the Ontario Liberal critic for mining.
It was a great to connect with attendees, discuss projects across the province, and talk about how Kingston could be affected.
#ygk
The Ford government cut housing support programs in their first few years, leaving communities on their own, and failed to keep up with their own home-building targets. They've stopped reporting results
Most people needing housing subsidies aren't getting help
fao-on.org/en/report/su...
Graphic showing that most of the over 1 million households needing subsidzed housing did not receive support
Graphic showing that provincial funding for housing is much less than federal and municipal shares and that provincial funding dropped in the early years of the Ford government.
Two graphs from today's FAO update on housing programs.
1. How provincial funding dropped in early years of Ford govt, leaving municipalities to pick up slack
2. Most people in need still aren't getting help
Hey Premier Ford, catch up on housing!
3 years ago I said, and it still rings true:
"We are dealing with multiple challenges...cost of living, healthcare, mental health and addictions, elder care, education disruption, labour shortages, debt and climate change. Housing touches all of these."
fao-on.org/en/report/su...
It's so important, for all aspects of Ontarians' lives, that housing programs achieve their goals. That's why, as an MPP, I am happy that the FAO is helping us carefully keep track.
fao-on.org/en/report/su...
"The FAO projects that the number of households that receive sufficient support to make their housing affordable will increase from 229,970 households in 2024-25 to 238,380 households in 2027-28, an increase of 8,410 households (3.7 per cent),
driven mainly by the expansion of COHB."
The National Housing Strategy is going to matter:
"Going forward, from 2024-25 to 2027-28, the number of households in need of subsidized housing is projected to increase by 87,131 households (8.3 per cent) to 1,132,394 households (17.6 per cent of all households in Ontario)."
"The number of Ontario households in need of subsidized housing is projected to increase from 911,606 households in 2018-19 to 1,045,263 households in 2024-25, an increase of 133,657 households or 14.7 per cent. In 2024-25, 16.8 per cent of all Ontario households were in need of subsidized housing"
Going door-to-door these past few years, this result is not surprising:
"real provincial spending is expected to decrease by an average annual rate of 0.2 per cent."
On an inflation-adjusted basis (i.e., real 2025-26 dollars), real municipal spending is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 0.2 per cent from 2004-05 to 2027-28
Not surprising to see that it's municipalities, not the provincial government, that have increased spending on housing
Beginning to read housing program update by FAO, just released at 8am. I requested it because a constituent made the point that the previous report used data from before COVID. Much has changed in housing since then. Sister update on homelessness programs later this year.
fao-on.org/en/report/su...
Yesterday, I stopped by the Alto open house in South Frontenac to talk to attendees about their thoughts and concerns with the high-speed rail project. The event had a significant turnout, and it was encouraging seeing Alto staff engaging with community members.
#ygk #AltoTrain
To Christians, who on this Ash Wednesday are beginning their lenten journey to Easter, I wish you renewal and grace.
#AshWednesday
The Information and Privacy Commissioner has said fax machines are a major source of health-care data breaches, and in the past, I've had other people's hospital records faxed to my home phone.
I would love to get rid of faxes in the health care system!
Today is #211DayCanada! When you need help and don’t know where to start, 211 connects you to services in your community. Call or text 211, or visit 211ontario.ca to find personalized supports today.
#HelpStartsHere
OAC 2026 grants are open! Here are a few upcoming submission deadlines!
A complete list of available grants and their deadlines can be found at www.arts.on.ca/grants/gener...
#ygk
Canada’s athletes have poured countless hours into their training and shown a deep commitment to their sport. As the #WinterOlympics start today, I want to wish them the best of luck as they compete over the next two weeks!
February is #BlackHistoryMonth, a time to celebrate the contributions and lasting legacies of Black Canadians whose resilience and strength continue to shape and unite communities across the country.
Find local events happening this month here: www.cityofkingston.ca/news/posts/b...
#ygk
Please be advised that the Constituency Office will continue to be closed for in-person visits and staff will be working out of a temporary location
If you need to reach the office, please leave at voicemail at 613-547-2385 or email thsu.mpp.co@ola.org and a staff member will get back to you.
#ygk
