By Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith
As we enter 2023, I thought it would be an appropriate time to reflect on the year that was and the steps we’ve taken as a government to make our communities here in Parry Sound-Muskoka stronger and more resilient.
Much progress was made over the course of 2022 on issues that have long been prevalent in our communities. From healthcare and housing to transportation and daycare, 2022 saw a great deal of new investment into our area that will improve quality of life for current and future generations.
Accessibility to high-quality and timely healthcare is something we all care about deeply. For too long, the residents of Parry Sound-Muskoka have been forced to travel long distances to access critical services. Our hospital was chronically underfunded on an annual basis by the previous government. Under these circumstances, one could not be blamed for feeling as though small-town Ontario was an afterthought to the government of the day in Toronto.
Fortunately, the funding situation was dealt with by this government and the announcement by Premier Ford last spring that both hospital sites – Bracebridge and Huntsville – will be redeveloped, ensures our local healthcare system will remain strong for the entire region, including East Parry Sound. On December 19th, I was thrilled to announce that Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare has been approved for $800,000 in yearly operational funding for an MRI machine, which will be operated out of the hospital site in Huntsville. These are game-changing investments into our communities which will pay benefits for generations.
Alongside access to healthcare, housing affordability is an issue I hear about frequently. Like Ontario and the rest of Canada, our region is growing in population. The supply of housing, however, has not kept pace resulting in a supply-demand imbalance that has driven the cost of home ownership sharply higher. The government recognized that to address the housing crunch, bold action was necessary. As a result, we introduced and passed The More Homes Built Faster Act.
I appreciate that this piece of legislation was controversial for some, and I welcome the feedback I have received from constituents – both in opposition to and in support of, the Bill. Ultimately, the Bill will allow for much-needed homes to be built in our riding and throughout Ontario. Homes for families, for students, for seniors, for newcomers to our country…for everyone.
While there are legislative and regulatory changes being made to allow for this to happen, there is still an important focus on keeping our natural environment safe and healthy. Areas with conservation authorities will see those organizations continue to play an important role in keeping people and property safe. Species at risk legislation is still in place. Wetlands will continue to be evaluated for their ecological significance. We can have both more homes and a strong environment in Ontario.
Along with an increased demand for housing, the growth we are experiencing across Parry Sound-Muskoka has meant parents are finding it difficult to find affordable childcare services. For many families, it’s crucial that both parents work. This is why I was so pleased to recently announce that the provincial government is investing $3.9 billion in provincial and federal funding into Ontario’s licensed childcare sector. This investment will create 438 new, affordable and high-quality spaces across the riding. In total, our plan will see 86,000 cumulative new spaces created across Ontario by 2026. What’s more, childcare costs will have been reduced in cost by 50% compared to 2020 by year’s end.
Lastly, I want to briefly touch on the recent announcement concerning the re-establishment of the Northlander passenger rail service. The provincial government has purchased three new passenger train sets at a cost of approximately $140 million to make this a reality. The government is keeping its promise to central and northern Ontario by bringing back an important service that was taken away a decade ago. This investment is another example of the government’s commitment to small, rural and northern Ontario.
As I conclude, I want to thank the residents of Parry Sound-Muskoka for putting their confidence in me. I know that serving as your MPP is a great privilege and I’m truly honoured to have this opportunity. I want you to know that every day I’m advocating as strongly as I can for the residents of our area and fighting to bring meaningful investment and important services to Parry Sound-Muskoka.
I wish you all a healthy and joyous New Year.
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My opinions on the Provincial Conservative government’s handling of healthcare, the environment, and public education are well known. Equally well known are my views on the poor performance by for-profit long term care, both in facilities and community.
While acknowledging that health care funding is not just a provincial issue, nevertheless healthcare remains primarily a provincial responsibility. I re-iterate. there has been frivolous mis-spending of taxpayer dollars while health care is further and shamefully neglected. If we can’t shine a light on those with primary responsibility, then who/whom?
Thank you Linda Mathers for continuing to bring such issues forward. You have my deepest gratitude.
I suggest it is equally important to shine a light on ODB (Ontario Disabilities Benefits) as well. All other parties, except the Conservatives, stood on the campaign platform of the need to double these benefits to help those to cope with rising costs- e.g. deciding to pay rent or eat. Ford’s answer = 5%.
The number of people who are seemingly completely unaware that every hospital foundation in Ontario is required to raise capital funds for things like machinery is alarming. They moan and groan as if we’re being shortchanged. It’s this way across the province and country. Wake up, folks. News of the MRI funding is tremendously positive and a major accomplishment for our MPP.
Despite what the Ford Derangement Syndrome folks on here think, much of the great news we’ve received in this riding is because we elected MPP Smith. You can bet dollars to donuts that virtually none of it would have happened if we chose to elect the Green candidate. Again, moan and groan about what you feel you’re entitled too but dems the brakes; the facts of life. Graydon gets results. Why? Because he’s capable and hardworking AND he’s a member of the government. That’s the reality.
The malcontents on this forum will evidently never be happy and will always demand more because as we’ve been told repeatedly “healthcare is free in Canada”. It ain’t. It’s super expensive.
Take a look around folks. Every province in this country is experiencing healthcare challenges. I know it’s easy to point the finger at straw men and blame politicians you don’t like, but the system is the issue. Are BC’s health care problems the fault of their NDP premier? It’s systemic. And until we recognize that our system is weak due to our refusal to accept any type of sensible market-based reforms (the type seen all over the Western world, including in the socialist utopias (France, Sweden, Norway, etc.) that only exist in the minds of the frequent commenters on here) the system will continue to crumble.
We’re under the mistaken impression that there’s only two options: Canadian healthcare or US-style healthcare, and we pretend there’s no in-between. But there is a massive middle ground. France has a 50/50 public-private healthcare system and it’s widely ranked and considered the best in the world. It’s sad that the pearl clutchers here in Canada and particularly in the far left-wing community that’s emerged on the Doppler would consider this “US-style healthcare.”
Anyway, kudos to Graydon and the government for delivering the MRI funding. I trust that this community will raise the funds for the machine….just like every other community and hospital foundation does across Ontario.
Just want to add a comment to Brenda’s input. It is my understanding that the province is offer only investment not capital. It is the citizens responsibility to raise the capital to acguire the MRI equipment. Secondly Brenda’s commenton staffing is absolutely correct. We cannot get nurses so where and when will the MRI staff come from. While any step forward is needed, our healthcare is a real mess and we do not need these baby steps but need a comprehensive plan detailing corrective action. This government fights the little fires and igmores the real overall issue
es. So Graydon before you pat yourself on the back you better make sure the true problems are being addressed.
Minister Smith
I take great offense to your New Years letter to your constituents. Each paragraph misrepresents what your government is actually doing.
You say, “the funding situation {in healthcare} was dealt with by this government.”
Your government has seriously underfunded health care driving dedicated, caring professionals to leave in droves. You froze nurses’ wages for years with Bill 124 and now spend millions of taxpayer dollars to replace them with more expensive private agency workers. It would appear your government is creating a health care crisis in order to privatize our public health care system.
You say, “the Bill {Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act} will allow for much needed homes to be built.”
Bill 23 has been reviewed by scientists, including the Muskoka Watershed Council, housing experts, municipal leaders, climate and environmental organizations, and land use planners across the province. Unequivocally they have widely and vehemently criticized this bill as harmful to our communities and to our future. Your government ignored the 29,200 submissions to the Environmental Registry urging its withdrawal.
A handful of wealthy developers (PC party donors) paid millions to purchase never-to-be-developed Greenbelt lands, some as late as this past September, just before Bill 23 was presented. As your leader says, Ontario is indeed “open for business”. An inquiry has been requested to look into this situation.
You say, “the Bill will allow for much-needed homes to be built in our riding … for families, for students, for seniors, for newcomers to our country…for everyone.”
The bill re-defines affordable housing as a residential unit for which rent is 80% or less of the average market rent, or 80% or less of the average purchase price. Rather than creating housing that the people you name above can ‘afford’ to rent or buy, Bill 23 will result in more McMansions and urban sprawl, locking in decades of climate heating fossil fuel emissions.
This is the antithesis of the direction municipalities across the world are going. Ontario is becoming a dead-beat on the climate front completely missing the economic benefits of climate-focused housing solutions for our future.
You say, “there will continue to be an important focus on keeping our natural environment safe and healthy.”
On the eve of the Christmas holiday, your Ministry redefined sensitive wetland areas and privatized oversight, leaving most wetlands vulnerable to development
Wetlands are important carbon sinks; they protect us from extremes of climate such as flooding; they serve as critical habitats ensuring the biodiversity of species essential to our survival.
The 438 childcare spaces you promise by 2026 will not benefit the families who need them today. Like the childcare spots, the train you promise for 2026 will arrive just in time for the next provincial election!
If you truly wish to advocate for your constituents you will listen to the experts in your own community and take their message to Queen’s Park.
Linda Mathers
Port Carling
Mr. Graydon: It is wonderful and welcome news that our hospital is slated to get an MRI machine. Is there anyone on staff qualified to operate one? And, if someone needs to be hired, where will they find affordable and safe housing in Huntsville/nearby surrounding area?
(Staffing, everywhere, is problematic. Thank you, Doug Ford).