Happy New Year!
Dear Neighbour,
As we enter 2019 and reflect on the year that passed, London West has a lot to celebrate. We live in one of the greatest cities in Ontario, with access to world-class healthcare and educational facilities. Our unemployment rate is low - just 5 percent in December 2018 - and our hot housing market shows no signs of cooling down.
At the same time, I know as your MPP that too many families in London West are struggling, and too many Londoners are finding it harder to get the support they need. Overcrowding at London Health Sciences Centre remains a major concern, along with lack of access to mental health services, impossible wait lists for long-term care, and a dire shortage of affordable housing. More than 70,000 Londoners live beneath the poverty line, including one in four children. College and university grads hoping to build their future in London face a local labour market where fully half the jobs are unstable, contract or insecure. Parents of students with special needs experience ongoing challenges to get the specialized programs and resources their children need.
After 15 years of Liberal government, Doug Ford's Conservatives are making things worse. In the seven months since the election, we've seen deep cuts to education and community services, further privatization of our healthcare system, the erosion of our social safety net, and the gutting of environmental protections. More troubling, we've seen a Premier who cares more about rewarding his insider friends (putting longtime family friend Ron Taverner in charge of the OPP) and getting back at his enemies (cutting Toronto's city council in half because of his grudge against certain councillors) than about the people of this province.
Ontarians deserve so much better.
As your MPP I am committed to bringing your stories to Queen’s Park to make sure that every member of the Doug Ford government understands the reality of what is happening in London. For example, I shared the concerns of Dan Howard, Principal of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School, on the impact of education cuts on London students. And I shared the passion of Elsbeth Dodman, a young woman with autism who fears for the future of marginalized youth who have lost their voice, because of Doug Ford's decision to eliminate the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth.
We don’t know what the new year will bring. But you can count on me to stand up for the people of London West, to keep fighting on local issues, and to push to make 2019 better for Londoners and all Ontarians.
Sincerely,
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Please join me at my 2019 New Year's Levee & Community Recognition Awards!
On Thursday January 24, residents of London West will gather at the Byron Legion at 6:30pm to usher in the new year and celebrate some of the outstanding volunteers who work tirelessly to make our community a better place.
All are welcome to attend this free event, which includes the presentation of my London West Community Recognition Awards, a delicious light supper prepared by the Byron Legion Ladies Auxiliary, and wonderful musical entertainment by Saunders Secondary School students, local folk roots musicians Scallywag, and singer-songwriter Roxanne Andrighetti.
I hope you can join us!
RSVPs are appreciated by using the button below, or by calling my community office at 519-657-3120.
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Congratulations to last year's 2018 Community Recognition Award recipients!
Back row L-R: Sameer Vasta (Coves Community Association), Barbara Robins (Rotary Club London Hyde Park), Bill Adams (Optimist Club of Oakridge Acres), David Winter (Hyde Park Business Association), Dan Doroshenko (SoHo Community Association), George Sinclair (Old South Community Organization), Brent Woodcock (Kinsmen Club of Greater London). Front row L-R: Larry & Catherine Morrison (Byron Community Organization), Jim Thomas (Rotary Club of London South), Saleem Garba on behalf of Adam Garba (London Multicultural Community Association), Verna McInnis (Optimist Club of Byron), Carol Cooper (Kinette Club of London), Julie McDonald (Women’s Events Committee), Elrah Robinson (Congress of Black Women, London Chapter).
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