On Wednesday I presented to the Lanark County Council the findings of a recent Auditor General's report on Conservation Authorities. I provided insight in to the current state of CAs provincially as well as future changes and consultiation. You can watch a recording of my presentation to council in the attached video. You can view the accompanying slideshow above or at this link here.

I’m inviting everyone to my Annual Christmas Hootenanny this Sunday, December 16th at the Grand Hotel from 2-4pm PM in Carleton Place. Join us for some great holiday music with the Bows Brothers where we will serve up some festive treats, take a little time to wish each other well and toast the holiday season! Please RSVP HERE if you plan on attending so we can ensure we have enough food for everyone. Hope to see you there!

Our conservation authorities are ineffective, unaccountable, and constantly expanding beyond their mandate. My office has dealt with numerous issues with CA's providing false technical advice to constituents, major delays in service, and gross misinterpretations of statutory authority, particularly with the Rideau Valley and Mississippi Valley Conservation Authorities.

I have been in contact with the Minister of the Environment to express my concerns and to highlight specific failings and solutions. You can read my letter in full below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 15th, 2018

(QUEEN’S PARK) Ontario’s Government for the People is putting more money back in people’s pockets in Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston by introducing one of the most generous tax cuts for low-income workers in a generation – the Low-Income Individuals and Families Tax Credit (LIFT).

Those who earn $30,000 or less would pay zero personal income tax on their 2019 tax returns. It represents up to $850 per person and up to $1,700 per couple in savings.

“This tax cut will leave more money in the pockets of families and taxpayers,” said Hillier. “I’m proud to be part of a government that is putting people, not the government, at the heart of their fiscal plans.”

The Government’s Fall Economic Statement laid out the government's economic plans which have already included $3.2 billion in savings from efficiencies which paved the way for $2.7 billion in tax savings for people and businesses throughout the province. This also allowed the government to shave down the deficit by $500 million, putting the province back on track to fiscal health.

“The future's looking brighter than ever, we are cutting costs without reducing front-line service jobs, addressing the deficit and debt while supporting job growth in high paying industries such as the skilled trades,” explained Hillier.

“We’re bringing back the prosperous Ontario we all know and love, and it’s clear to everyone that Ontario is open for business,” proclaimed Hillier.

You can view Minister Friedli's speech here and view the Fall Economic Statement in full here.

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Contact: Perth Office 613-267- 8239
Queen’s Park 416-325- 2244
[email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24th, 2018

(QUEEN’S PARK) The Ontario Government has unveiled a bill which, if passed, will take much-needed steps to help Ontario businesses stay competitive and boost their ability to create more, better-paying jobs. Many of the changes the government outlined can be traced back to a number of MPP Hillier’s  Private Members Bills introduced in previous sessions as well as his 2011 White Paper on labour reforms. These include ending card based certification for industries captured in the previous government’s legislation, enabling 1:1 ratios for all apprenticeship positions, and restoring secret ballots for union certifications.

"This has been long overdue, I have been advocating for these changes for a number of years now, and it's great to finally have a government that understands and cares about young people entering the skilled trades," said Hillier. "A number of these changes have long been sought after by both employers and those seeking to enter into the trades,” explained Hillier.

The bill aims to reduce red-tape for all businesses, but has a specific set of reforms aimed at the skilled trades. Many in the industry have been raising the alarm over the lack of new apprentice entering into the skilled trades and how this widening skills gap is keeping Ontario from meeting its economic potential. The bill will now allow for a greater number of apprenticeship positions to open up in shops across the province, providing additional opportunities for women and men across Ontario to gain lifelong, meaningful employment.

Along with giving the skilled trades a much-needed boost, this bill will reverse a raft of hastily thrown together changes the previous government enacted that many in the industry saw as a last-ditch election effort. "I spoke with the different Chambers of Commerce and many businesses throughout my riding when the previous government rolled out their reforms and many admitted they would have to cut jobs just to stay afloat," Hillier explained. "These changes will help businesses stay competitive so they can thrive and create more, better-paying jobs," said Hillier.

“These efforts will help us address the skills gap in the trades, provide a steady supply of good paying jobs and supply employers with a great pool of talented skilled workers to choose from; this is a win for all involved.”

You can view the full bill, including changes to the minimum wage and vacation enhancements, here once published by the Legislature.

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Contact: Perth Office 613-267- 8239
Queen’s Park 416-325- 2244
[email protected]