Newmarket-Aurora MPP, Ontario Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott writes a regular column for NewmarketToday about provincial initiatives and issues impacting our community.
I would like to start by wishing the members of our Newmarket-Aurora community a happy and healthy Lunar New Year. May the Year of the Tiger bring you peace and prosperity as we look to the future with ambition and confidence.
Thanks to the efforts of Ontarians, we are starting to see glimmers of hope. With key public health and health care indicators starting to show signs of improvement, Ontario is beginning to cautiously and gradually ease public health measures.
I recently had the honour of meeting some of the externs at Southlake Regional Health Centre. Ontario’s extern program gives nursing and health professional students the chance to work in hospitals, while building up the province’s health-care workforce to ensure patients can continue to access the health care they need when they need it.
There are over 3,100 externs across the province, including 93 who are currently participating in the program at Southlake. It was great to hear about their experiences and the work they’re doing to provide high-quality care to patients and families in our community.
Our government continues to work with communities across the province to support families, workers, and businesses, including those in Newmarket-Aurora. Locally, this includes a number of organizations that have received grants through the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
The John Howard Society of York Region is a valued part of our community, supporting families during difficult times and helping us to build a strong and safe Ontario. I recently met with them to learn more about the impact of two Ontario Trillium Foundation grants that, combined, provided them with over $405,000. These grants were used to expand their programming for youth and adopt new approaches, so that members of our community can continue to access the services they rely on during the pandemic and in the future.
I also met with representatives from CAYR Community Connections, a local non-profit that creates safe and inclusive spaces for people in York Region to access the specialized services and care they need. In 2020, CAYR Community Connections received a $45,300 seed grant through the Ontario Trillium Foundation to build programs that connect pregnant women and mothers living with HIV, ensuring they have the support they need and empowering them on their journey to wellness.
These are just two of the non-profit organizations that have played a key role in our community. I want to extend my sincere thanks to all the organizations and non-profits who work hard every day to ensure that members of our community can continue to access the supports they need during the pandemic and in the future. Our government is proud to call you valued partners in our work to build strong, healthy communities.
Should you have any questions about this update or other provincial matters, my constituency office is available and can be reached at 905-853-9889.
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