We all have a role to play in building a brighter, stronger future for Ontario.

 It was through the hard work of our seniors generation that we are able to enjoy the Ontario we know today.  But even more impressive is the enormous contributions that they continue to make to their families, communities and province. Their knowledge and willingness to help build a stronger Ontario is an example to all of us.  My mom used to say, there are people who make a noise, and those who make a difference. Our seniors are truly difference makers and deserve the all the recognition we can collectively give to them.

June is Seniors’ Month in Ontario, the annual opportunity to give special thanks to our seniors for their many contributions. That is why I am hosting Honorable Eileen Carroll Minister Responsible for Seniors as special guest speaker for my Seniors Advisory Group.

This month also gives time to reflect on what we can do to help seniors continue to live as independently as possible in their community. That’s why that the Ontario government continues to invest in seniors.

To relieve pressures on ERs we have invested $109 million for more home care funding and new nurse-led outreach teams for long-term care homes. This includes $38.5 million to Community Care Access Centres across the province for increased personal support, homemaking services, and to improve integration with hospitals.

Over fifty per cent more hip and knee joint replacements will be performed than in 2004-05, and 21,900 more MRI scans will be performed as a result of $17 million in funding over the next three years for the operation of additional MRI machines.

Your Ontario government is hiring 9,000 more nurses by 2011-12, and we have committed to hire 2,500 more personal support care workers for our long-term care homes over the next three years.

In the last five years hospital funding in Ontario has increased from $10.9 billion. That is a 31 per cent increase.

The Ontario government is investing $154 million over the next three years to increase early detection and treatment of breast, cervical and colorectal cancers. This will also cover the PSA test used to diagnose and monitor prostate cancer.

We are also offering a new property tax grant for seniors, which when combined with the existing property and sales tax credit will mean low and moderate income seniors will see up to $1,075 in property tax relief in 2009, and up to $1,325 by 2010.

Ontario’s seniors have worked hard to make this province the best place to live in Canada. The best way to repay them is by ensuring they have the opportunity to live their lives with dignity, and with the greatest level of support that we can provide.

Long live our seniors!

To learn more about the various events taking place to celebrate Seniors’ Month, visit www.ontarioseniors.ca .

To you learn more about what our government is doing for seniors, contact my constituency office at (905) 690-6552.