“Our government is committed to investing in rural Ontario and supporting economic development in our rural communities,” said MPP Pettapiece. “Ontario has a first-class agri-food and agriculture sector, and I am pleased to be able to help our community identify their economic strengths. Rural Ontario is a priority for our government.”
This funding is through the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program.
“The projects funded through the RED program will help local communities identify their economic strengths and develop strategies to attract business and investment,” said Pettapiece. “It is an opportunity to discover and highlight the Perth-Wellington advantage to the outside world.”
“A strong and vibrant agri-food and agriculture sector is a priority for our government. These investments along with our commitment to cut red-tape will help create a strong future for our rural communities,” said Minister Hardeman. “I would like to thank my Parliamentary Assistant, Randy Pettapiece, for his continued advocacy of our agri-food and agriculture sector.”
The RED program supports projects that help create jobs and attract investment to rural and Indigenous communities.
Over 80 communities benefit from RED funding. Eligible projects include such things as developing a downtown revitalization plan or marketing, branding, and promotional activities to attract investment to a community.
Approved Projects for Perth-Wellington:
“Today is the first step in restoring dignity, encouraging employment, and empowering the province’s most vulnerable to break free from a cycle of poverty,” said MPP Pettapiece. “Our plan is about a more effective, sustainable approach to helping people prepare to return to work and achieve better outcomes.”
The Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, the Honourable Lisa MacLeod, announced changes to Ontario’s social assistance system, specifically Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).
“Many people in this province have severe disabilities that make it very difficult to support themselves,” said Minister MacLeod. “They will be met with compassion and dignity in our new system. Those receiving assistance who can work, will be treated with the same dignity, including targeted support to fill Ontario’s available jobs. If you can work, or if you can’t, we have a plan to help you.”
The Government of Ontario announced today that Ontario Work recipients can earn up to $300 per month before benefits are clawed back. This represents a 33 per cent increase in support.
The provincial government is also launching a website, Ontario.ca/openforbusiness, to make matching job seekers with businesses easier.
The provincial government is also redesigning ODSP to provide simplified financial support for people with severe disabilities. ODSP recipients will receive a $6,000 flat annual exemption, representing a 60 per cent increase in support. In addition, recipients will receive a 25 per cent exemption for earnings above $6,000.
“In the last Parliament, I met with many organizations that support individuals with special needs in my role as Critic for Community and Social Services,” said Pettapeice. “A common criticism I heard across the province was how inefficient and cumbersome our social assistance programs were. I am pleased to see Minister MacLeod place an emphasis on streamlining support and reducing the reporting requirements for those most vulnerable in our society.”
Moving forward financial eligibility for ODSP will be reviewed yearly, instead of monthly. The provincial government is placing a greater emphasis on creating better, more streamlined supports, and focusing on outcomes to help job seekers reach their potential.
]]>“The recent Fall Economic Statement is great news for Perth-Wellington,” said Pettapiece. “After 15 years of waste and mismanagement, our government is fixing the mess the Wynne Liberals left us. We will help Ontario businesses grow, create jobs, and cut red-tape.”
The 2018 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review outlined various initiatives to grow the economy and put more money in people’s pockets. The Government of Ontario will maintain the Ontario Small Business Deduction (SBD), representing up to $40,000 per year in savings for over 7,900 small businesses. The province will also reduce red tape by 25 percent by 2022. In addition, individuals making $30,000 or less will pay zero personal income tax on their 2019 tax returns. This represents $850 per year in savings for an individual and up to $1,700 per year for couples.
“The initiatives announced are welcome news to the small businesses and constituents in my riding,” said Pettapiece. “Our government will continue to stand-up for rural Ontario and small businesses.”
The Fall Economic Statement was shaped in large part by the findings of the Independent Financial Commission, which found the new government inherited a $15 billion deficit.
“This government believes balancing the budget and reducing Ontario’s debt burden is not only a fiscal imperative, it is a moral one,” said Ontario Minister of Finance Vic Fedeli. “The previous government spent well beyond its means, creating a structural deficit that is unsustainable.”
Minister Fedeli and Minister Bethlenfalvy, President of the Treasury Board, announced that the provincial government has already saved $3.2 billion in program expenses by finding efficiencies. These savings were achieved without a single job cut, tax hike or reduction in front-line services.
“Ontario’s plan is modest, pragmatic and reasonable—recognizing that the Province has a spending problem, not a revenue problem,” said Minister Fedeli. “The plan does not raise taxes, makes life more affordable for people, and safeguards vital public services and programs they rely on every day.”
Also announced in the Fall Economic Statement was the establishment of a Minister’s Agriculture Task Force. The formal agriculture advisory group will hear from leaders across the agriculture and agri-food sector, providing the government with important perspective on key policies from the experts themselves.
“I look forward to working more closely with our farmers and leaders in the agriculture sector. We have a unique opportunity to realize the full-potential of agri-business in the province, across the entire value-chain,” said Pettapiece.
The committee will advise the Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs on a number of issues facing the sector. These issues include how to encourage more young people to pursue careers in agriculture, increasing opportunities for agriculture in the north, reducing red-tape in the agricultural and agri-food sector, and introducing strategies to ensure the Ontario Food Terminal experiences continued success.
]]>“This legislation is great for job creators, and for any person looking to find work in Ontario,” said MPP Pettapiece. “Whether I am meeting with business owners, tradesmen or agricultural producers, the message is clear—regulatory requirements are inefficient, inflexible or out of date.”
At today’s announcement, the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Jim Wilson said, “When it comes to the economy, it starts with cutting unnecessary red tape that is driving jobs and investment out of our province.”
Pettapiece said, “Our government is committed to creating better-paying jobs and making it easier for apprentices to join the workforce. This bill will transform and modernize the apprenticeship system.”
The Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, Merrilee Fullerton, said, “One in five new jobs in the next five years will be trades-related. But in Ontario today, employers can’t find apprentices and apprentices can’t find jobs.”
“For too long the apprenticeship system in Ontario punished the small businesses in Perth-Wellington. The Ontario College of Trades prevented millwrights, electricians, carpenters, plumbers and others from hiring and training young people,” said Pettapiece. “Our government believes if you are prepared to do the work, then you deserve a shot at the job.”
Bill 47, Making Ontario Open for Business Act, if passed, would lower the journeyperson to apprentice ratios to a simple 1:1. It would establish a moratorium on trades reclassification and de-prescribe 24 low-volume trades such as saddlery and building materials retailer. In addition, it would also provide for an orderly transition for the wind-down of the Ontario College of Trades in 2019.
This bill will enable more employers to boost job creation and investment, while maintaining standards to keep Ontarians safe and healthy.
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]]>“Today we are one step closer to helping improve the safety of our firefighters,” said Pettapiece. “When a building is on fire, fire crews need to know the building details to ensure their safety and can attack the blaze effectively. This act will help save lives.”
Groups such as Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, the Insurance Bureau of Canada, Ontario Building Association, and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers support the Rea and Walter Act.
Referring to MPP Pettapiece, Timiskaming-Cochrane MPP John Vanthof said, “He is a no-nonsense country guy and this is a no-nonsense bill.”
He continued by saying, “This is a common sense issue. This one [bill] is for the people—really for the people.”
The Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, the Honourable Michael Tibollo said, “This bill is an important piece of legislation that addresses a significant public safety concern. It is a common sense solution to an incredibly dangerous problem.”
“I’m grateful for the support I have received on both sides of the aisle for this Act,” said Pettapiece. “Firefighter safety is a non-partisan issue, and together we are helping to enhance their safety.”
“I would like to thank MPP Vanthof, MPP Bouma, Minister Tibollo and Minister Jones for speaking to this important piece of legislation,” said MPP Pettapiece.
The Act will require commercial and industrial buildings, as well as certain multi-family dwellings using truss type and/or lightweight construction (TLC), to be marked by an identification emblem.
Buildings containing TLC will be required to post 1 of 3 emblems. “F” decals if only the floor of the building uses TLC. “R” decals if only the roof of the building uses TLC. “FR” decals if both the floor and the roof of the building use TLC.
The Act is in honour of two North Perth fire service members. Ken Rea and Ray Walter died in 2011, when the roof of a store constructed with TLC collapsed while fighting a fire.
It passed Second Reading with all-party support and now moves to the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills.
]]>“We are celebrating 20 years of the Ontario Agriculture Week this year. This annual event is a perfect opportunity to reflect on the importance of the agriculture industry across Ontario and in Perth-Wellington,” said Pettapiece. “It is a time to recognize and give thanks to the farm families who grow the nutritious and healthy food we enjoy year round.”
“Our government is committed to working with our rural communities and farmers,” said Pettapiece. “We are scarping the cap and trade carbon tax, repealing the Green Energy Act and improving access to Natural Gas. We will continue to work with the agriculture and agri-food industries to support local Ontario-grown food.”
Rural Ontario and the agri-food sector play a vital role in both feeding and employing Ontarians. In total, the sector contributes almost $40 billion to the provincial GDP and supports more than 822,000 jobs. In Wellington County alone, the agri-food sector accounts for over 20,000 jobs and in Perth County, agriculture represents in excess of $837 million in farm cash receipts.
Former Perth-Middlesex MPP Bert Johnson established this annual celebration of agriculture in 1998 through a Private Member’s Bill. MPP Pettapiece had an opportunity to thank him this afternoon in the Legislature.
]]>“We had an idea it was bad, but the news Friday was sobering,” said Pettapiece. “The Independent Financial Commission of Inquiry, without a doubt, confirms the previous Liberal government supported a culture of waste and mismanagement.”
He continued by saying, “The Liberals claimed to have balanced the budget in 2017-18, when in fact they ran a deficit of $3.7 billion. They deliberately misled the public.”
The report also found that interest payments to service Ontario’s ballooning debt reached $11.9 billion in 2017-18.
“Interest on debt is the fourth largest line item in the budget after health, education, social services,” said Ontario Minister of Finance Vic Fedeli.
Minister Fedeli said, “Balancing the budget is not only a fiscal imperative, it’s a moral imperative. We will return to a balanced budget on a timetable that is reasonable, modest, and pragmatic, but we will return balance to Ontario’s books.”
The new Government of Ontario is taking the first steps to restoring accountability and trust in government. Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk said, “For the first time in the last three years, I have issued a clean audit opinion on the Province’s Consolidated Financial Statements.”
“Our government will spend smarter, work smarter, respect taxpayers and help businesses grow. My constituents can count on this government to protect our province’s public finances and deliver on our promise to restore accountability and trust in government,” said Pettapiece.
The Independent Financial Commission of Inquiry looked back at Ontario’s public finances and government spending practices. The inquiry operated with complete independence from the Government of Ontario, under the Public Inquiries Act, 2009. Former Liberal Premier of British Columbia, Gordon Campbell, prominent forensic accountant, Dr. Al Rosen, and senior advisor at Bennett Jones, Michael Horgan, led the Commission.
]]>“The Green Energy Act led to skyrocketing energy prices, hurting families and driving manufacturing jobs out of Ontario,” said MPP Pettapiece. “It was also used to force rural municipalities into accepting wind and solar farms they did not want.”
At today’s announcement Infrastructure Minister, Monte McNaughton said, “We believe the people of Ontario should have the final say about what gets built in their communities.”
“Our Progressive Conservative Government will continue to fight for the taxpayer, while protecting the environment. We are keeping the parts that actually protect the environment—measures like promoting energy efficiency standards and energy conservation,” said Pettapiece.
He continued by saying, “We are cleaning up the Liberal hydro mess and making sure our electricity system works for the people.”
The proposed legislation would give the government the authority to stop approvals for wasteful energy projects where the need for electricity has not been demonstrated. It would also repeal provisions that stripped away the power of local municipalities to block unwanted wind and solar farms.
According to the Ontario Energy Board and the Independent Energy System Operator, wind and solar added $3.75 billion in costs to electricity bills. In 2017, 26 percent of electricity generated from wind and solar was curtailed, or wasted.
]]>MPP Pettapiece said, “Firefighters need to know which buildings contain truss and lightweight construction. When a fire breaks out they need to know how to attack it safely.”
He continued by saying, “The Rea and Walter Act will restore trust and accountability between fire departments, municipalities and small business owners.”
The Tim Hortons fire in Arthur, Ontario on July 21st demonstrated once again the need for Truss and Lightweight Construction (TLC) identification. In response to the incident Wellington North Fire Service Chief Dave Guilbault said, “We were not aware that the roof trusses were lightweight. There was no way of knowing. There could have been serious injuries or loss of life.”
“I am hopeful this bill will again receive all-party support,” said Pettapiece after tabling it in the Legislature. “I am looking forward to working with all of my colleagues and stakeholder groups across the province. It is the minimum standard our firefighters should expect.”
The Rea and Walter Act was wiped off the legislative agenda when the previous Liberal government prorogued the legislature in March 2018.
The Act will require commercial and industrial buildings, as well as certain multi-family dwellings using TLC, to be marked by an identification emblem.
Buildings containing TLC will be required to post 1 of 3 emblems. “F” decals if only the floor of the building uses TLC. “R” decals if only the roof of the building uses TLC. “FR” decals if both the floor and the roof of the building use TLC.
The Act is in honour of two North Perth fire service members. Ken Rea and Ray Walter died in 2011, when the roof of a store constructed with TLC collapsed while fighting a fire.
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