Jeff Yurek

The Ontario government is investing $410,000 in one-time combined federal-provincial funding to improve and make upgrades to the Valleyiew Home in the City of St. Thomas, Ontario. With this support, Valleyview will completely replace the HVAC/Air Conditioning System to improve the air quality within the home and reduce energy costs, as the units will be more energy efficient. This project is part of a combined federal-provincial investment of up to $1.05 billion to build or ...renovate health and safety related projects in long-term care, education and municipalities through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream (CVRIS) of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP). More details: https://www.jeffyurekmpp.com/jeff_yurek_mpp_announces_impro

A huge thanks to Minister Lisa MacLeod for taking the time to make a surprise appearance as I shared some exciting news about funding for some of St. Thomas-Elgin’s most iconic non-profit organizations! Thanks as well to the organization representatives and community members who joined us to celebrate these groups remaining fixtures of the community for years to come. More details below: Port Burwell Periscope Playhouse- $150,000.00 Building expansion, creating an outdoor v...enue on the grounds with a new event trailer and purchasing protective equipment for the safe return of patrons. Pearce Williams Christian Centre- $80,000.00 Hiring personnel to implement new fundraising strategies and software, purchasing dismountable bunk beds and health and safety equipment for summer camp reopening. Elgin County Railway Museum- $94,000.00 Hiring staff to design online educational programming, purchase electronics and software solutions to digitize and archive the collection and audiovisual services to develop virtual tours. Port Stanley Festival Theatre- $22,200.00 Hiring staff, upgrading the space and purchasing health and safety equipment and a grant programs database for safe and sustainable delivery of programming. Fresh Start Support Services- $150,000.00 Renovating the group home into COVID-compliant individual supportive apartments to provide safe and affordable housing to vulnerable mothers in need. German Canadian Club - Saxonia Hall- $134,900.00 Renovating the kitchen to increase food production, purchasing protective equipment, electronics and road signage and upgrading the website and ordering system to host virtual cultural events. https://www.jeffyurekmpp.com/ontario_supports_local_non_pro

During the remote learning period, emergency child care will be provided to school-aged children of eligible health care and frontline workers, at no cost to parents. This will support our frontline workers who are helping us defeat #COVID19. To confirm eligibility and register your family, reach out to your municipal service system manager: St. Thomas-Elgin: https://www.stthomas.ca/.../st_thomas.../childrens_services London-Middlesex: 519-661-4834 or [email protected]

The governments of Ontario and Canada are investing up to $16,729,500 in schools in the Thames Valley District School Board and London District Catholic School Board to upgrade infrastructure and protect against COVID-19. The funding is being provided through the COVID-19 Reliance Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The funding for will support building retrofits, updates and upgrades to their school facilities. Projects can include HVAC r...enovations to improve air quality, installing water bottle refilling stations to improve access to safe drinking water, and space reconfigurations such as new walls and doors to enhance physical distancing. More details and a full list of the local projects in the images: https://www.jeffyurekmpp.com/investments_in_ontario_school_

The week of April 11-17 is Medical Laboratory Week. Ontario's team of medical laboratory professionals have been working around the clock to process and analyze almost 12 million COVID-19 in just over a year! Thanks for all you do! #MedLabWeek #MLWON2021 #MedLabThx

This week, over 700 additional pharmacies across the province will begin offering the AstraZeneca vaccine to individuals aged 55+. In total, about 1,500 pharmacies are expected to offer the vaccine by the end of April. New pharmacy locations in #EML below: SHOPPERS DRUG MART #969- 204 FIRST AVE / /ST THOMAS /ON /N5R4P5 HEALTH CENTRE PHARMACY- 230 FIRST AVE / /ST THOMAS /ON /N5R4P5... HIGHLAND DRUG MART- 222 COLBORNE ST / /PORT STANLEY /ON /N5L1C2 WAL-MART PHARMACY- 1063 TALBOT ST UNIT 60 / /ST THOMAS /ON /N5P1G4 DRUGSTORE PHARMACY #551- 50-1063 TALBOT ST / /ST THOMAS /ON /N5P1G4 AYLMER IDA PHARMACY- 6 TALBOT STREET EAST / /AYLMER /ON /N5H1H4 SHOPPERS DRUG MART #1067- 410 TALBOT STREET / /ST THOMAS /ON /N5P1B9 HIGHLAND PHARMACY- 172 CURRIE RD / /DUTTON /ON /N0L1J0 PHARMASAVE ELGIN MALL- 109-A-417 WELLINGTON ST / /ST THOMAS /ON /N5R5J5 HILLS CLINIC PHARMACY- 420 TALBOT ST W / /AYLMER /ON /N5H1K9 ELMDALE MEDICAL PHARMACY- 25 ELM STREET / /ST. THOMAS /ON /N5R1H5 DRUG STORE PHARMACY #4132- 657 JOHN ST / /AYLMER /ON /N5H3J1 Please stay tuned to the site https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations for details on how to register!

Pastor Sandie Thomas and a dedicated team of volunteers are working to establish a safe place for members of London's Black community to come together in support and growth. I was pleased to join them for an exciting virtual project launch this afternoon and affirm my commitment to supporting the initiative however I can.

Local agricultural businesses play a critical role in keeping us connected to our rural roots, putting our communities on the map, and helping us celebrate the very best of our region. I am thrilled that the provincial government is supporting 12 great Elgin-Middlesex-London purveyors of all things local in reaching new markets with over $51,000 in funding to help them capture online sales opportunities. More details: https://www.jeffyurekmpp.com/governments_help_local_agri_fo

I’m proud that the provincial government has heard local residents regarding the need for more affordable housing in Elgin County. This morning, I announced that the province is providing $1.5M in support for a new 23-unit rental complex in Aylmer. This new build, with units priced at 20 per cent below market rent, will help ensure our most vulnerable neighbours have access to the housing they need. More details: https://www.jeffyurekmpp.com/ontario_invests_in_affordable_

If you have a Class G or M licence it is now easier to renew online at ServiceOntario.ca If you must travel outside of Ontario this winter for essential reasons, make sure you renew yourlicence online before leaving. Learn more: https://news.ontario.ca//ontario-making-it-easier-and-safe

The provincial government is responding to ongoing additional needs during COVID-19 by providing additional social services relief funding to support all Elgin-Middlesex-London municipalities. Local allocations are as follows: City of London (which is also the Service Manager for the County of Middlesex): $1,392,000, bringing total SSRF funding to $11,134,465... City of St. Thomas (which is also the Service Manager for the County of Elgin): $335,200, bringing total SSRF funding to $3,391,031 More details: https://www.jeffyurekmpp.com/ontario_helps_protect_vulnerab

We’re making it easier and more affordable to enjoy the health benefits of Ontario Parks by: lowering the price of the 2021 Seasonal Day-Use Vehicle Permits providing more Annual Day-Use Vehicle Permits to borrow from Ontario libraries introducing a new Commercial Day-Use Vehicle Permit for tourism businesses ... Learn how this is part of our Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan commitment: https://news.ontario.ca//ontario-making-it-more-affordable

Christmas cheer and community spirit are needed this year more than ever in our lifetime. I'm excited to present A Thrill of Hope, a stationary Christmas park parade, in partnership with Karen Vecchio, Member of Parliament and with great support from Joe Preston - Mayor ST.Thomas Ontario. Looking forward to seeing you safely soon!

Premier Doug Ford welcomes you to this weekend’s Thrill of Hope stationary parade! Enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas at Pinafore Park this weekend!

Have you forgotten yet? Look up, and swear by the green of the Spring that you'll never forget. - Siegfried Sassoon, 1919

The Ontario government is helping to keep the cost of energy low for families, small businesses and farmers by keeping electricity rates stable and providing customers with more choice and energy assistance programs. Customers eligible for the Ontario Electricity Rebate (OER) will automatically receive a 33.2% reduction off their energy bill when new electricity rates for Regulated Price Plan (RPP) customers come into effect November 1, 2020. At the same time, customers payin...g Time-of-Use (TOU) rates under the RPP will also have the option to switch to tiered rate pricing. Time-of-use electricity rates vary by time of day and are comprised of three different rate periods of off-peak, mid-peak and on-peak pricing. Tiered electricity rates provide customers with a set rate for electricity up to a certain level of consumption. The province has also revised the eligibility requirements for the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) and the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB). Households, small businesses and charitable organizations who made partial payments on amounts owing before the COVID-19 emergency period are now eligible for the CEAP and CEAP-SB one-time on-bill credit to help pay down electricity bill debt. The expanded eligibility also eliminates the requirement for residential consumers to be unemployed when applying for CEAP. Local utilities will re-assess previously rejected applications and start accepting new applications on October 16, 2020. Ontario is also introducing a new streamlined Energy Affordability Program (EAP) for households struggling to pay their electricity bills. Beginning the week of January 4, 2021, EAP will: Provide free electricity saving measures to help participating households manage their electricity-use and lower their electricity costs by up to $1,000 per year; Tailor energy-efficiency upgrades based on household income, home heating system, location, and an energy needs assessment; and, Simplify access to new and updated electricity saving measures through a single program that replaces the Affordability Fund Trust and Home Assistance Program, which are ending in 2020. The Energy Affordability Program is part of Ontario's new 2021-2024 electricity Conservation Demand Management (CDM) Framework, which also offers energy-efficiency programs for on-reserve First Nations consumers and Ontario business and industrial consumers to increase competitiveness and lower electricity costs. The new Framework will come into force January 1, 2021, immediately following the end of the current Interim Framework on December 31, 2020. The province will also introduce on-bill messaging in 2021 that will explain Ontario's rate mitigation programs and how customers are benefiting from Hydro One earnings.

Here's the link to my latest newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/35be/mpp-yurek-newsletter-sept-28-oct-11 Don't forget to add yourself to the list to receive my updates directly to your inbox!

The 2020 Budget is laying the foundation for economic recovery across the province, including people in London, by bringing the city’s Business Education Tax rate to 0.88%-- a 30% reduction. This will allow for savings to be reinvested for job growth and creation in the London region. I'm thrilled that existing commercial property owners will benefit from these savings and look forward to seeing new companies take advantage of this attractive boost for London! More details: https://www.jeffyurekmpp.com/ontario_reduces_business_educa

In #OntariosActionPlan, our government is committing $25 million to help communities improve wastewater & stormwater infrastructure and establish realtime monitoring & reporting of spills & overflows. This will ensure faster, more transparent actions to protect our environment.

Ontario Expanding Access to Mental Health and Addictions Services in Elgin-Middlesex-London NEWS October 13, 2020...Continue reading

The Environment Ontario budget is up $37.5 million as we invest in new initiatives. This includes a $20 million Conservation Partnership with Nature Conservancy of Canada / Conservation de la nature Canada to conserve important natural areas & protect wetlands, grasslands & forests that help mitigate the effects of climate change.

Happy Thanksgiving, #EML! Wishing you a safe and sunny day as we celebrate our many blessings.

Met with Mayor Kelly Linton, MPP Ted Arnott & SaveOurWater.CA in Elora today to reaffirm the government’s commitment that municipal support is needed for permits to take water for bottled water takings. MORE: https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-2422

Reconnect Festival and Event Program Now Open for Applications Government investment will help promote creative and safe programs during COVID-19 NEWS October 8, 2020... ELGIN-MIDDLESEX-LONDON The Ontario government is launching the application process for the Reconnect Festival and Event Program, a new $9-million initiative to help municipalities and event organizers safely reconnect people to their communities through online, drive-through and other innovative experiences. COVID-19 has had an unprecedented and devastating impact on our local festivals and events, said Minister MacLeod. This important investment through the new Reconnect Festival and Event Program will continue to support Ontarians as they reconnect and experience all their local communities have to offer. Funding may be used for eligible expenses such as programming and production, promotion, mobile applications and website development and the implementation of health and safety measures. This funding will be used to ensure public safety requirements are met, while developing creative programs such as virtual Remembrance Day events, holiday parades with drive-by static floats, drive-in music concerts and movies, holiday tree lightings and New Year’s Eve displays that light up iconic buildings. Our government recognizes the important contributions that festivals and events make to Elgin-Middlesex-London’s economy and community identity, said Jeff Yurek, MPP. I am pleased that we are supporting local event organizers in creating safe, innovative experiences that will help reconnect people with their communities and provide a positive economic impact to our community during this unprecedented time. The application period for the Reconnect Festival and Event Program runs from October 8 to December 1, 2020. QUICK FACTS The Reconnect Festival and Event Program is open to organizers with a minimum $50,000 operating budget and the capacity to safely reconnect Ontarians with their communities. Tourism is a key economic driver in Ontario, supporting more than 400,000 jobs and generating over $36 billion in spending.

Today, I joined Minister Bill Walker, Walker Holdings, Comcor Environmental & Enbridge Gas in Niagara to announce that the area will soon be home to the largest renewable natural gas facility in Ontario, which will create local jobs, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Ontario Supports Small Main Street Businesses with $60 Million in Funding through PPE Grant New measures will help businesses reopen safer, rehire faster and recover from COVID-19 October 7, 2020...Continue reading

Thanks to John & Rick of Algonquin Provincial Park for the tour of the park today! Many people still out enjoying nature on a cool & wet day. The fall colours were on full display! Thanks for the informative discussions including your innovative approach to visitor management. Ontario Parks

I was saddened to hear of Justice Marietta Lola Doreen Roberts’s passing this morning. Justice Roberts’s esteemed career includes teaching at Alma College, practicing law in St. Thomas, and serving as the Acting Crown Attorney for Elgin County, Chair of the Elgin County Board of Education, the first female MPP for Elgin, and as an Ontario Court of Justice judge. In September 1987 when the Liberal tide swept across Ontario, electing a majority Liberal government for the first... time in more than 40 years, her election in Elgin brought both refreshing change and a sound local perspective. In all of her roles, she distinguished herself as a strong voice and represented the County with integrity and grace. Elgin County, Ontario, and indeed Canada are all better for Marietta’s service. My deepest condolences to all who knew and loved her. Jeff Yurek, MPP Elgin-Middlesex-London

Ontario Revises COVID-19 Screening Guidance for Schools and Child Care October 1, 2020 Updates Reflect Latest Public Health Advice... TORONTO In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Ontario government is updating its COVID-19 school and child care screening guidance. This additional information will help parents determine when it is most appropriate for students, children and their families to seek a test for COVID-19. The school and child care screening guidance is being updated with two sets of questions about symptoms and information to help parents make informed decisions about whether their children should attend school or child care, need to consult a health care provider, or get tested for COVID-19. The guidance can be found immediately at the COVID-19 Screening Tool for Children in School and Child Care, and the refreshed online tool will launch on Friday, October 2 for download. "Ensuring that children can attend school with minimal interruption is an important part of their healthy growth and development," said Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health. "Based on a review of the current evidence and consulting with paediatric infectious diseases experts, we are updating the list of symptoms in the COVID-19 screening tool for schools and child care to ensure that our children receive the education and care that they need while minimizing the risk of COVID-19 transmission." The first set of questions asks about symptoms such as fever or cough. Students and children with any of these symptoms will still be advised to stay home until they are able to consult with a health care provider and receive an alternative diagnosis or a negative COVID-19 test. The second set of questions asks about other symptoms that are commonly associated with other illnesses, such as a runny nose or headache: Students and children with only one of these symptoms will be advised to stay home for 24 hours, after which they can return to school or child care if their symptoms are improving. Students and children with two or more of these symptoms will be advised to stay home until they are able to consult with a health care provider and receive an alternative diagnosis or a negative COVID-19 test. In addition, based on the latest public health guidance the symptom list for children in school and child care no longer includes abdominal pain or conjunctivitis (pink eye). "We are grateful to Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health for contributing significantly to the development of Ontario's Back-to School Plan," said Education Minister Stephen Lecce. "Our focus continues to be on limiting the spread within our schools by listening to and acting upon the best available medical advice, which includes ensuring all layers of prevention are in place to keep kids safe."

Ontario Provides $461 Million to Temporarily Enhance Wages For Personal Support Workers New Investments Support Province’s COVID-19 Fall Preparedness Plan October 1, 2020...Continue reading

Thank you for an incredible response to our proposed stationary holiday parade in Pinafore Park. We are still looking for both interested organizing assistants and businesses, organizations, and clubs from across #EML who would like to host a float during the event. Please let us know as soon as possible if you’d like to get on board!

Toured Earl Rowe Provincial Park in Alliston this afternoon. Thanks to Jillian, the Park Superintendent, for taking me around to see their fish ladder & dam, day use area, campsites & lookout point. We are lucky to have such beautiful provincial parks to check out the fall colours!