April 2019 Newsletter

Published on April 26, 2019

 Read my April E-Newsletter below, and don't forget to sign up to get news straight in your inbox.

At Queen's Park, April is Budget Month, and on April 11th, our government delivered its first budget that starts Ontario on the path to fiscal balance while protecting the services that matter most to you. In this month's newsletter, I wanted to highlight some of the initiatives you can look forward to thanks to this year's budget.
 

Improving Your Transit Experience

We are making transit more affordable by:

  • Saving you $2.56 each day on a return trip from Mimico to Union Station.
  • Saving you $1.98 each day on a return trip from Long Branch to Union Station.

This delivers on a personal commitment I made to make transit more affordable and accessible for commuters in South Etobicoke. This major fare change complements a number of previous announcements that directly improve the transit experience for commuters and families in Etobicoke-Lakeshore.

  1. In March, we announced that kids 12 and under ride GO Transit for free
  2. In November, we announced that we would be moving forward with improvements to Mimico GO Station, including long-needed access to the station from the South side, at minimal cost to the taxpayer.
  3. In September, we announced 17 New weekday trips on the Lakeshore West line.

In addition to all of this, we recently announced our $28.5 Billion transit plan to get Toronto moving. This plan delivers on key transit priorities, including the new Ontario Line, which would alleviate congestion on the existing subway network. Commuters from Etobicoke will be able to hop on the GO and transfer onto the Ontario line at its intended terminus at Exhibition/Ontario Place.

 

CARE Tax Credit for Child Care

In Budget 2019 we proposed the CARE tax credit, which would provide about 300,000 families with up to 75% of their eligible child care expenses. The CARE tax credit would also give families choice about the child care option that is best for their children, including care in centres, in-home care, and camps. It is designed to be one of the most flexible child care initiatives ever introduced in Ontario, building on existing benefits while putting more money into the pockets of families who need it most.

Families could receive up to $6,000 per child under seven, up to $3,750 per child between the ages of 7 and 16, and up to $8,250 per child with a severe disability regardless of age.

In addition, we are investing up to $1 billion over the next five years to create up to 30,000 child care spaces in Ontario’s schools. 
 

Seniors' Dental

We are introducing a new dental program for low-income seniors who lack benefits. Individual seniors with an annual income less than $19,300 -- or couples with combined annual income of $32,300 or less -- who don't otherwise have existing dental benefits, will be able to receive dental services in public health units and community health centres across the Province, including those right here in Etobicoke.

 


Christine in the Community:

 

Throughout April, the community comes together to clean up our parks and natural spaces. Earlier in the month, my team and I joined volunteers who braved the rain and cold to clean up Col. Sam Smith Park. 

There are a number of nature cleanups happening this weeken. My team and I will be stopping into the following events, and enourage you to join us:

  • Saturday, April 27th, hosted by the Mimico Residents Association. Volunteers will be meeting at Amos Waites Park between 10am and 12:30pm.
  • Saturday, April 27th, hosted by the Friends of Humber Bay Park. Volunteers will be meeting at the Mimico Creek Pedestrian Bridge between 10AM and 1PM.
  • Sunday, April 28th, at Long Branch Park. Volunteers will be meeting at Long Branch Park between 11AM and 1PM.