What a year it has been!

As this is my first monthly column for 2008 let me begin by wishing you the very best in this coming year.

Election 2007:

It has now been three months since the last provincial election – one that saw the government re-elected for another four year term. I want to thank the citizens of Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale for your support and for the privilege of serving you once again.

There have been a number of changes in my life. Riding boundary changes have added about 15,000 new Westdale constituents. As a former McMaster grad living in Westdale, I look forward to serving this part of our broader community.

Cabinet Responsibilities:

In addition on October 30, 2007 I was honoured when Premier McGuinty named me as Ontario’s new Minister of Government and Consumer Services and excited about the new challenges that come with this assignment. Having worked as Parliamentary Assistant to the Honourable Jim Watson, Minister of Business and Consumer Services and the Honourable Gerry Phillips, Minister of Government Services the coming together of these ministries and being named the Minister was a bit of a homecoming for me. Both former Ministers are mentors and good friends who continue to offer advice and wise counsel.

The Ministry of Government and Consumer Services is a very complex one. My daily schedule usually involves three to four issue briefings and an intimate engagement with various stakeholders. In a future column, I will share some specific insights related to my responsibilities as Minister.

Local news:

On the local front our government has recently made a number of important announcements. These include $150 million to strengthen competitiveness and assist Ontario cattle, hog and horticulture farmers suffering from multiple financial pressures; investment of $250,000 in support of three local skills training centres to assist apprentices, workers and journey persons develop their skills; additional $11million for the Hamilton’s HSR public transit system; uploading to the province of $10 million of municipal costs; a further $1.5 million investment to strengthen land ambulance service; $73,000 in direct funding to assist area farmers, property owners and businesses to protect local drinking water sources; local Trillium grants to support local community groups and $67 million in capital for a new rehabilitation facility at the Hamilton General hospital bringing new capital investment in local hospital capital infrastructure support to over $1 billion.

In conclusion:

There are many challenges on the immediate horizon. These include continued emphasis on

building a strong and prosperous economy; enhancements in education and health care and partnering with our City Council on their newly defined mission statement “to be the best city in Canada to work to raise a child, promote innovation, engage citizens and provide for diverse economic opportunities.” To the extent that the city is truly on side with this mission statement, I’m on board to assist.

I want to thank you for your encouragement and support. It is with renewed vigor and energy that I move forward to serve all the citizens of this wonderful riding.