Ted McMeekin

July 27, 2010

 Crews will use groundbreaking technology to lift, move and replace a dual-span bridge – in just three days over the August long weekend.

Preliminary work on the Aberdeen Bridge has already begun and the rapid bridge replacement process will begin the evening of July 30, 2010. Using innovative technology the old bridge will be lifted away and will be replaced with a pre-constructed bridge that has been built nearby. The process will be completed by August 3, 2010. Traditionally, a complete bridge replacement takes nine to 12 months.

This project is the first time the rapid replacement technology has been used over a major highway in Southern Ontario. During construction, drivers are strongly encouraged to plan alternative routes as traffic delays are expected due to road closures.

This bridge replacement is a part of a larger project to repair or replace eight bridges along Highway 403 in Hamilton. This $35.8 million investment will create or sustain approximately 415 jobs. As part of the Open Ontario plan it will help to stimulate economic growth, create jobs and improve the flow of goods and people along this vital corridor.

QUOTES

“Our continuing support of innovative technology is a part of the Open Ontario plan. Our investment in our integrated transportation network will create jobs and strengthen our economy.”

- Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Transportation

“This is exciting news for the City of Hamilton. The upcoming rapid bridge replacement will highlight the great work that is being done by Ontarians for Ontarians”
- Sophia Aggelonitis, MPP Hamilton Mountain

 “By reducing the amount of time needed to replace the Aberdeen Bridge, we are ensuring a smoother flow of traffic, which will benefit the community and the local economy.”
- Ted McMeekin, MPP Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale

QUICK FACTS

§  For a full list of closures and more information about the rapid bridge replacement, visit the MTO Aberdeen website or MTO’s Twitterstream. 

§  As part of Open Ontario, the Province plans to invest over $32 billion in infrastructure to strengthen the economy.  This is creating and sustaining over 300,000 jobs.

§  Speeding fines are doubled in construction zones.

§  This contract was awarded to Dufferin Construction Company of Oakville, Ontario.

LEARN MORE

See up-to-date information on road conditions and construction projects on major highways online or call the ministry’s road information line at 416-235-4686, toll-free at 1-800-268-4686.

For more information on great Ontario travel destinations, visit Ontario Tourism’s website.

Ontario Government Reducing Time Paramedics Spend In Hospitals

May 17, 2010

Patients who arrive in Hamilton emergency rooms (ERs) by ambulance will find nurses ready to care for them, thanks to new funding from Ontario.

§ The government, which introduced the ambulance offload nurse initiative in 2008/09, is providing a total of $9.6 million in funding to 16 municipalities this year.

§ Since 2003, the government has created more than 10,000 nursing positions and exceeded its goal of creating 900 nursing positions in 2009/2010.

LEARN MORE

Read about the government’s ER Wait Time Strategy.

CONTACT

Ted McMeekin MPP 905-690-6552

Sophia Aggelonitis MPP 905-388-9734

May 17, 2010

The slick and expensive $4 million American style attacks funded largely by big corporate Pharmacies do a disservice to Ontarians. They hide the facts and distort the truth about government efforts at drug price reform.

In 2009, 26 percent of Ontarians in possession of a written prescriptive from their doctor chose NOT to have it filled because they couldn’t afford it. I simply can’t live with that.

If people are forced to choose between putting food on the table or purchasing needed drugs they cannot afford, I'm going to side with my constituents every time. That’s my job and it’s a job I’m proud to do.

Ontario is one of the largest bulk purchasers of prescription drugs in the world, yet we pay many times more than people in other countries. Your government wants to ensure fair drug prices by lowering the cost of generic drugs by half or even more.

 One reason drug costs are so high is because of so-called 'professional allowances' - a $750 million per year payout by the drug companies directly to those pharmacists who agree to stock their drug products.

To be clear: these payments from generic drug manufacturers have been the subject of widespread, unaccountable and inappropriate practices. Among the abuses uncovered to date.

* Based on the documentation provided by pharmacists, 70 percent of these allowances have been diverted from intended patient care and used to increase the bottom line of pharmacy owners.

* In 2009, 750 individual pharmacists either failed to disclose any documentation related to these payments or filed incomplete documentation.

* Of over 200 on-site inspections conducted at Ontario pharmacies in the last two years, there were violations in every single one of them. Common violations included falsified documentation, abuse of the Ontario Drug Benefit Program guidelines and unnecessary dispensing practices intended to boost compensation from the province.

* Investigators have identified that some pharmacies and wholesalers have been involved in a 're-sale scheme' created to secure the payment of professional allowances multiple times for the same product.

Frankly, reform of this regime is not simply a policy option - it is an obligation in the interest of sound administration and basic fairness to taxpayers and patients. Reform of this system must and shall occur. Abuses will be ended and existing loopholes closed.

Your government wants to lower drug costs, enhance transparency, compensate pharmacists for actual services provided and provide additional financial support for pharmacies in rural and under-serviced areas. The government’s proposed changes are supported by CARP, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Ontario Nursing Association and the Ontario Federation of Labour along with numerous health and other associations.

I continue to urge the pharmacists and the government to find a way back into discussion. It's clear that two parties in dispute can never shake hands with a clenched fist. Serious issues are best discussed together. It’s time for everyone to get back to the discussion table.

April 20, 2010

Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale – As residents of Ontario take in the beauty of springtime, many are doing their part to celebrate April 22, 2010 which is Earth Day.

The Ontario government takes environmental issues seriously, because we want our children, our grandchildren, and our grandchildren’s children to enjoy the natural beauty and quality of life that Ontarians currently enjoy.

That is why we implemented measures to protect greenspace with the Greenbelt.  It’s why we committed to eliminate coal generation in Ontario.  It’s why we introduced the toughest pesticide ban in North America.  And it is why we implemented an aggressive action plan to tackle climate change in Ontario including the Green Energy Act.

While we are proud of these initiatives, our government recognizes that there is more to be done.  To assist his riding of Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale, MPP Ted McMeekin is handing out 1,500 white pine seedlings to the students of six local elementary schools.   

Quotes

 “Through the assistance of our youth, we continue to plant trees which replenish our oxygen, improve our health, are vital for the water we drink, cool our cities and provide homes to wildlife, stated Ted McMeekin, MPP.  “Schools have been very supported of this new initiative and we look forward to continuing this program in the coming years.”

Quick Facts

☼       Schools include:  Beverley Central Elementary School, C.H. Bray Elementary School, St. Thomas Elementary School, Millgrove Public School, Prince Phillip Elementary School and Sir William Osler Elementary School.

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For more information:

Ted McMeekin, MPP

Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale

905-690-6552