Ted McMeekin

Ontario is helping repair and rehabilitate social housing projects in the Hamilton area that will enhance the quality of life and provide real opportunities for local families.

The province is investing over $5.6 million in energy-efficient appliances, new elevators, roof repairs and other repairs at 1,288 existing social housing units at 10 projects in Hamilton. The funding is part of a $100 million investment the province provided to 47 Municipal Service Managers across Ontario to repair social housing units.

Investing in social housing is part of Breaking the Cycle: Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, which will reduce the number of children living in poverty by 25 per cent over 5 years — lifting 90,000 kids out of poverty — by boosting benefits for low–income families and enhancing publicly–funded education.

QUOTES

“Hamilton families have the right to live in homes that are safe, affordable and in good condition. This funding is a significant step in addressing the need for housing repairs to our community’s social housing.”

- Sophia Aggelonitis, MPP for Hamilton Mountain.

“This strategic investment helps greatly to support the poverty reduction strategy by ensuring the upkeep of our social housing units so vital to our community.” Said Hon.Ted McMeekin, MPP Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale.

As the largest social housing provider in Hamilton, we would like to thank the Province for this timely contribution." Mayor Fred Eisenberger said. "As our housing stock ages, we need more funding for repairs. The funds will go a long way in helping us provide better quality and safer housing for our residents."

QUICK FACTS

• Funding was provided to Service Managers based on the number of social housing units in their area that are in greatest need of repair.

• The funding is expected to help repair about 55,650 units across the province.

LEARN MORE

www.ontario.ca/housing

For more information, please contact:

Sophia Aggelonitis, MPP Hamilton Mountain 416-314-7882/905-388-9734

Ted McMeekin, MPP Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborouogh-Westdale 905-690-6552

Ontario is investing $2,726,181 in bridge training projects in Hamilton to help more newcomers get the training and support they need to be licensed and to work in their fields.

Today’s announcement is part of an investment of more than $38 million in provincial bridge training programs. The programs help highly-skilled newcomers get the credentials, local experience and networks they need to get a license and work in their profession faster.

These programs are aimed at internationally trained individuals seeking jobs in biotechnology, engineering and health care. They are part of the Ontario Government’s investment in skills training to create jobs and strengthen the province’s economy.

The 2009 budget included an additional $50 million investment over two years for bridge training programs.

QUOTES

“As the daughter of Greek immigrants, I know the vital contributions newcomers make to our province and our city," said Sophia Aggelonitis, MPP for Hamilton Mountain. "This investment is central to ensuring their success and the growth of our economy and society."

“This investment does so much to enhance economic opportunities for newcomers . I am delighted to see Hamilton and area benefit from this creative training program.” Added Hon. Ted McMeekin, MPP, Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale.

QUICK FACTS

• More than 384 newcomers will benefit from the expansion of local bridge training projects.
• Since 2003, bridge training has helped more than 30,000 individuals.
• About 70 per cent of Ontario’s adult newcomers have post-secondary education or training.

LEARN MORE

• Learn about bridge training projects.

• Learn about working in Ontario..

• Learn about Employment Ontario.

Contacts:

Sophia Aggelonitis, MPP

Hamilton Mountain

905-388-9734/416-314-7882

Ted McMeekin, MPP

Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale

905-690-6552

Hamilton will receive seven new police officers as part of Ontario's share of the federal Police Officers Recruitment Fund that will put up to 329 new police officers in Ontario communities. For Hamilton, this represents $490,000 each year for the duration of the five-year plan.

As part of a commitment in 2006, the federal government pledged to put 2,500 new officers on Canadian streets. The funding ultimately provided falls roughly 70 per cent short of that original commitment. Ontario will continue its campaign to receive its fair share of funding.

The province will receive $156 million in federal funding over five years to hire more officers as its share of the federal commitment of $400 million for all of Canada.

Under the province's five-year plan:

• $78 million will go to employing 125 new Ontario Provincial Police officers

• $58 million will help municipal police services hire up to 164 new officers

• $20 million will fund 40 new police officers for First Nations police services.

QUOTES

"These officers will help make sure our community is a safer place," said Sophia Aggelonitis, MPP for the Hamilton Mountain. "We will continue to pressure Ottawa to permanently and fully fund the additional police officers."

“This investment ensures our province is safer and we will continue to give police the resources they need to do their job and make Ontario safer, healthier and more prosperous.” said Hon.Ted McMeekin, MPP, Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale.

“Our community welcomes this announcement,” said Police Chief Brian Mullan. “It will allow Hamilton Police to put more officers on the beat, and be even more effective in responding to the needs of our citizens.”

“Providing an excellent quality of life for the people of Hamilton and keeping them safe is of paramount importance,” adds Mayor Fred Eisenberger. “We are very grateful to the Government of Ontario for its continued investment in our local police services in the City of Hamilton.”

QUICK FACTS

• The McGuinty government has committed $68 million in annual funding, to help municipalities employ more than 2,000 police officers.

• In 2007, the McGuinty government announced an increase of 200 additional officers for the Ontario Provincial Police to keep Ontario communities safe.

For more information, please contact:

Sophia Aggelonitis, MPP

Hamilton Mountain

416-314-7882/905-388-9734

Ted McMeekin, MPP

Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborouogh-Westdale

905-690-6552

Catherine Martin

Corporate Communicator

Hamilton Police Service

905-546-4764