MAY 2025 COMMUNITY UPDATE
Welcome to my community newsletter. Legislators are back at Queen's Park for the spring session. You can watch some of the action from the legislature here.
Need help? Phone my office, send a message, or see my website before planning your visit to my office. Plan your visit to my office >>
Bienvenue à mon bulletin d'information communautaire. Les député(e)s sont de retour à Queen's Park pour la session de printemps Vous pouvez revoir une partie de l'action de la législature ici.
Besoin d'aide? Appelez mon bureau, envoyez un message ou consultez mon site web avant de planifier votre visite à mon bureau. Planifiez votre visite >>
Here's what you can find in this month's issue:
Across Ontario
Local Stories
In Our Community
Warm regards,
Ted
Across Ontario
Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025
Bill 5 aims to cut red tape to accelerate development projects. It includes sweeping changes to laws and regulations, such as weakening environmental assessment requirements, replacing the Endangered Species Act, and expanding ministerial power to grant certain projects exemptions from any Act or regulation (!). Last month, I said that these changes would reduce transparency and increase the influence of political fundraising.
Since then, The Trillium, reported on one item in Bill 5 -- the Dresden landfill expansion. The local community has been strongly opposed and last year the Ford government promised them a comprehensive environmental assessment. Now Bill 5 would cancel the environmental assessment and break that promise.
The government says this landfill expansion is driven by Ontario’s use of U.S. landfills (they are cheaper) which Donald Trump could cut off at any time. The Trillium revealed that the owners of the landfill are long-time, generous PC donors. People working for their companies attended PC Party fundraisers with $1000 tickets shortly after the promise of an environmental assessment and before a by-election in that riding. This connection is deeply worrying, and I’ve written a letter to the Integrity Commissioner to look into whether there is a violation of the Members’ Integrity Act, 1994. The public deserves confidence that policy decisions are made in the public’s interest, not influenced by political donations.
On Wednesday, May 28, my colleagues and I, in addition to the NDP, successfully led a filibuster to Bill 5 in committee that prevented the government from passing the legislation. I am looking forward to finding additional ways to stop this legislation.
2025 Provincial Budget
On May 15, the Ford government released its 2025 Budget. Ontario’s debt is anticipated to increase to nearly half a trillion dollars in 2027, about $30,000 per person, yet this spending hasn’t done nearly enough to improve life in Kingston and the Islands. Alcohol and cannabis are mentioned more often than poverty or social services, and measures like removing Hwy 407 tolls (“expected to save daily commuters an estimated $7,200 annually”) mean our region will subsidize suburban Toronto.
Despite the Ford government setting a target of building 1.5 million new homes by 2032, Ontario remains among the worst in Canada for new housing starts and is not on track to meet its goal. Every time I knock on doors and people tell me they can’t afford rent, I am reminded that an increase in rental vacancy rates, including building more homes, is what can push rents down, and not just keep them from going up.
One positive budget note is the expansion of the geographic health home model under Dr. Jane Philpott’s Primary Care Action Plan, which I am confident will connect more Ontarians to family doctors over its four-year rollout. But with healthcare funding stagnating, resource-strained hospitals and staff won't see any relief from this budget. The 2025 budget reflects misplaced priorities, rather than a response to the real needs of Ontarians.
If you want more frequent updates about provincial news, subscribe to my Weekly Wrap where I cover five of the top news stories of the week.
Local Stories
Cuts to Colleges and Universities
I recently met with faculty and a student from St. Lawrence College, and employers, to discuss the recent program cuts and their impact on regional employment. One of the programs being suspended, Bachelor of Business Administration, sees nearly all graduates receiving job offers throughout Eastern Ontario. Other cancelled programs, such as the Law Clerk and Masonry programs, are essential to addressing critical skilled labour shortages. Ontario currently has the second-highest unemployment rate in Canada at 7.8%, and without government action to support the colleges that train the workforce and match workers’ skills to employers’ needs, that number is at risk of rising while jobs remain unfilled.
Limestone District School Board (LDSB) Cyber Incident
The Limestone District School Board recently confirmed that last month’s cyber incident involved the theft of personal data. The data in question had information about students, past and present staff, and families. It included sensitive information such as student photos, police checks, addresses, and bus lists. While the board does not feel there’s a high risk of this data being misused, they have urged families to remain cautious of potential phishing scams.
Unfortunately, cyberattacks on school boards are becoming alarmingly common across Ontario. I have been talking about them since I put together my Ontario Liberal leadership platform in 2023. These breaches carry serious risks, yet the government has shown little urgency in addressing them. I will continue to monitor these incidents and push for a comprehensive provincial strategy to strengthen cybersecurity in our education system.
In Our Community
Vancouver Lapu' Lapu' Day Vigil
The tragic events at the Lapu’ Lapu’ Day celebration in Vancouver have deeply affected the Filipino-Canadian community, including here in Kingston. This year in Kingston, Lapu’ Lapu’ Day was marked by grief, as the community came together to hold a vigil to honour and mourn the lives lost. I had the opportunity to attend this vigil and stand in solidarity with those impacted. I am sending strength to everyone affected and hope that you are able to find healing through the support of loved ones and community.
Battle of the Atlantic
Early in the month, I attended an event to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic. This was the longest continuous battle of the Second World War, lasting from 1939 to 1945. As we gathered to remember those who served, I reflected upon my gratitude for the brave sailors who contributed to the war effort.
St. George's Cathedral Tea Room
I had the pleasure of attending the opening of the new tearoom at St. George’s Cathedral. Open for lunch on Tuesdays, this welcoming space is designed to bring seniors and those seeking connection together to share a meal and build community. St. George’s continues to respond thoughtfully to the needs of our city, and I’m grateful for their ongoing service and care.
Police Annual Awards
I had the honour of attending the Police Annual Awards Ceremony, which recognized the outstanding contributions of Kingston police officers and civilian members. The individuals celebrated exemplified dedication to community safety and service, and I appreciate their dedication because I think policing has become more complex in recent years. Thank you to the entire Kingston police community for your continued commitment to protecting and supporting our city.
Kingston Pickleball Club
My team and I were invited to play pickleball at the Kingston Pickleball Club, where we also had the chance to tour the facility and learn more about the economic, social, and health benefits the sport brings to our community. A big thank you to the staff and volunteers for hosting and teaching us. We had a great time!
India-Canada Heritage Showcase
It was a joy to attend the India-Canada Association’s Annual Heritage Day event this month. Events like this are important in keeping traditions alive and passing them on to future generations. Thank you to the Association and its dedicated members for all the work they do to celebrate and preserve cultural heritage in Kingston.
Victim Services of Kingston Frontenac (VSKF)
I joined Victims Services to celebrate their second year of Ontario Trillium Foundation funding, which will help make their services more culturally inclusive. New staff and programs will expand language supports, strengthen cultural sensitivity, and improve community outreach and education. VSKF provides vital services to support those at the lowest moments of their lives, and I’m glad to see them continuing to grow and improve.
Diversity Dinner
I had the pleasure of attending the 8th annual Diversity Dinner, hosted by the Canadian Colours Kingston Foundation. This annual event celebrates Kingston’s rich diversity and fosters meaningful cross-cultural connections. I’m grateful for events like this that help build a more welcoming and inclusive Kingston.
Rotary Club Auction Dinner
I donated a dinner to the Rotary Club’s auction and was delighted to share it with two Grade 11 students from Kingston Secondary School. We talked about their career interests, like air cadets, music, and post-secondary plans, as well as my path into politics and topics like proportional representation. I'm appreciative of the Rotary Club for supporting youth engagement and creating opportunities for these important conversations.
Science Rendezvous
Earlier this month, I attended Science Rendezvous, which is run with the help of a lot of volunteers, especially from Queen’s University. This event is a great way to foster curiosity in children and gives families the chance to explore science together in a fun, hands-on way. I think a day there is better than a day at a science centre because of the science and technology people you get to interact with. It’s always a pleasure to attend, and I’m excited to see what next year’s event has in store.
Sydenham Public School Visit
During Take Your MPP to School Week, I visited Sydenham Public School’s Grade 5/6 class to talk about my work, hobbies, and everything in between. They were very curious students and even asked for an explanation on tariffs and inflation! It was wonderful chatting with these bright, young minds, and I’d like to thank Sydenham Public School for welcoming me into their classroom.