The Association of Municipalities of Ontario just released its top 12 priorities for the Provincial Election: Will meet (or beat) promised upload of $1.5 billion in social services and court security costs by 2018 Won’t download costs, or add new ones to Ontario’s limited property tax base Will create a separate, new, predictable and permanent […]

This morning I took part in the announcement of the STEPS program – a new program run by Wyndham House to give marginalized and at-risk youth access to sports and recreation activities. The program will serve all at-risk youth in our community. The Province of Ontario is providing almost $50,000 for the program, and employees of The […]

I just returned from the foundation blessing for two new Habitat for Humanity homes on Bagot Street.  This fall, two families will realize their dream of owning their own home thanks to the vision of Habitat for Humanity and the many volunteers and donors who are involved.  One big donor was Skyline Inc. who has […]

Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis marked International Women’s Day (today) with an event this morning featuring two inspiring individuals.  Lia Grimanis, an internationally recognized businesswomen and philanthropist, left an abusive home as a teenager.  She promised herself at the time that she would rebuild her life and help homeless women and children.  She has founded Up With […]

A constituent recently sent me these statistics on housing that have been published by the Wellesley Institute.  One of the federal policies that Mayor Hazel McCallion is calling for is a national housing strategy. Housing insecurity at record levels One-in-four Canadian households pay 30% or more of their income on housing – that’s three million households, or close to eight […]

I mentioned in a previous blog that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities had prepared a report on housing issues in Canada. Here is a copy of the report that London’s Mayor, Anne-Marie DeCicco-Best, sent to me: fcm-national-action-plan-on-housing and the media briefing document: briefing-on-fcm-national-action-plan-on-housing

I attended the joint meeting of mayors from large urban centres (LUMCO) and regional chairs (MARCO) yesterday. The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Jim Watson, was present to update the group on a number of items. Key issues of concern raised by members of the group included: Housing – the lack of  funding in […]