County of Renfrew officials visit Queen’s Park

At Queen’s Park on May 27, the County of Renfrew delegation had a series of meeting with Provincial Ministers, Parliamentary Assistants and policy staff to highlight innovative programs and advocate for funding. Here the group speaks with Minister Paul Calandra, Municipal Affairs and Housing and Associate Minister of Housing Rob Flack (seated at the head of the table). 

RELEASE DATE:

May 31, 2024

County of Renfrew officials visit Queen’s Park to highlight innovative programs and advocate for funding

TORONTO – On Monday May 27, 2024, elected officials and senior staff held a series of successful meetings at Queen’s Park in Toronto, promoting and advocating on behalf of significant strategic priorities with Ministries of the Ontario Government.

Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski served as host for the day as Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon led the group in a series of meetings with Provincial Ministers, Parliamentary Assistants, and policy staff, highlighting the County’s renewed Housing First philosophy through the context of the recently launched Mesa Initiative. The meetings were an effort to seek support for funding to ensure the program can continue to provide services for vulnerable members of the community.

The current affordable housing crisis and the need for additional supports for the most marginalized residents were sprinkled throughout the discussions with the Ministers. The Mesa Initiative, a joint venture between three internal County departments – County of Renfrew Paramedic Services, Community Services and the Development and Property Department – and other community partners, was the common thread throughout.

Mesa was introduced to Associate Minister Michael Tibollo, Mental Health and Addictions; Minister Michael Parsa, and Parliamentary Assistant Laura Smith, Children, Community and Social Services; and Minister Paul Calandra, Municipal Affairs and Housing and Associate Minister of Housing Rob Flack.

On May 27 at Queen’s Park, the County of Renfrew delegation met with Associate Minister Michael Tibollo, Mental Health and Addictions (fourth from right) to discuss the Mesa Initiative. Taking part in the meeting (from left) were Chief Michael Nolan, County of Renfrew Paramedic Service; County Councillor Anne Giardini, Community Service Committee Chair; Director Jason Davis, Development and Property Department; County Councillor James Brose, Development and Property Committee Chair; Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy; Associate Minister Tibollo; Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon; Director Andrea Patrick, Community Services Department and Chief Administrative Officer Craig Kelley. 

Mesa was introduced to Associate Minister Michael Tibollo, Mental Health and Addictions; Minister Michael Parsa, and Parliamentary Assistant Laura Smith, Children, Community and Social Services; and Minister Paul Calandra, Municipal Affairs and Housing and Associate Minister of Housing Rob Flack.

With the Ministers in the room, other topics of discussion included challenges within the local social services sector, affordable housing crisis and providing assistance for vulnerable persons.

The local housing crisis was also addressed with Minister Lisa Thompson, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, including a request to expand the Rural Economic Development (RED) Grants to consider projects or strategies for those communities with a Housing First focus.

Maintaining transportation infrastructure is a key issue facing municipalities. During the meeting with Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma, the County of Renfrew presented a proposal for the implementation of a standardized Pavement Condition Index (PCI) across the province. The County also sought clarification on eligibility for a funding stream for housing-based infrastructure to fund a shovel-ready projects, including a major key intersection project located in the Town of Petawawa, and potential housing developments led by the County in the Town of Renfrew.

The continuing expansion of Highway 17 from Arnprior to Renfrew and alternative solutions for a Highway 17 expansion, including modernization of several signalized intersections from Renfrew to Deep River, was discussed with Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria.

The County of Renfrew group also attended Question Period and was introduced by MPP Yakabuski in the Ontario Legislature.

The County of Renfrew is thankful to MPP Yakabuski for coordinating this opportunity to highlight the great work being done in his home riding.

“We are very pleased with the reception we received from our Provincial Ministers and look forward to a path forward on these key initiatives,” said Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon “MPP Yakabuski played an integral role in arranging these meetings and we cannot thank him enough for his continued support.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Craig Kelley              Chief Administrative Officer                              613-735-7288

Tina Peplinskie        Media Relations Coordinator                            613-735-7288

At Queen’s Park on May 27, the County of Renfrew delegation met with Minister Lisa Thompson (centre), Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, to discuss the local housing crisis. Taking part in the meeting (from left) were Director Jason Davis, Development and Property Department; Chief Michael Nolan, County of Renfrew Paramedic Service; Chair Glenn Doncaster, Operations Committee; Chair Anne Giardini, Community Service Committee; Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy; Minister Thompson; Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon; Chair James Brose, Development and Property Committee; Director Andrea Patrick, Community Services Department and Chief Administrative Officer Craig Kelley.