October 2025 community update
Here's what you can find in this month's issue:
Warm regards,
Ted
Across Ontario
Auditor General Special Reports
This month, three special reports from Ontario’s Auditor General highlighted serious gaps in the Ford government’s planning and oversight. Ontario is not on track to meet its $10-a-day childcare target by 2026, with more than 80,000 subsidized spaces sitting unused and nearly half of childcare centres operating below capacity. A severe shortage of early childhood educators and limited funding to retain them have left families facing uncertainty and higher costs.
The Home Construction Regulatory Authority has been renewing and fast-tracking licenses for builders with records of contract breaches and harassment, and in just four years, recorded complaints have grown by more than 1,000%. A lack of enforcement capacity and oversight has caused bad actors to slip through the cracks, putting new home buyers at risk. I see this as part of a continuing pattern in so-called delegated administrative authorities. These exercise provincial regulatory powers, but they are kept at arm's length from government. They are separated from partisan politics, which has its benefits, but they are also less accountable to elected representatives.
Meanwhile, Ontario is also falling further behind on its climate targets. The province is set to miss its 2030 emissions-reduction goal by a wide margin and still has no plan beyond that date. In comparison to the rest of Canada, Ontario is under-prepared to tackle the ongoing climate emergency. Delayed action, poor oversight, and misplaced priorities leave families, homebuyers, and future generations paying the price.
Skills Development Fund
More than half of the projects approved under Ontario’s Skills Development Fund were rated “poor,” “low,” or “medium”, and were manually approved by labour ministry staff, leapfrogging highly rated projects. Many successful applicants were organizations that had either major PC Party donors, ties to senior political staff, or maintained close personal relationships with ministers. The government has refused to explain how applicants were selected, raising serious concerns that funding decisions were based on political connections rather than merit.
I have supported the Skills Development Fund in the past and continue to believe it plays a vital role in strengthening Ontario’s workforce and supporting unions and employers in key sectors. But right now, the Labour Minister is using it to reward political allies, turning it into a “pay-to-play” fund that undermines public trust. If the fund is to succeed in training skilled professionals and addressing labour shortages, it must be administered with transparency and fairness. The blatant mismanagement of this program under Minister Piccini is unacceptable, and to restore confidence in the fund, the minister should resign.
Ontario's Legislature Returns (finally!)
The Legislature resumed on October 20 for the fall session after a lengthy summer break that kept elected Members away from Queen’s Park. In a typical year, we would return by the second week of September, but for the second year in a row, Doug Ford has chosen to delay our return.
Many people don’t realize when the provincial Legislature is sitting or not, so these delays go unnoticed. But by pushing back our return by five weeks, the government avoids five weeks of debate, committee work, and Question Periods, which are all crucial opportunities for opposition parties to demand accountability and ensure legislation receives proper scrutiny.
This delay will make for a compressed fall session, where legislation will be rushed.
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Local Stories
New FLAOHT Funding
Earlier this month, the Frontenac, Lennox, and Addington Ontario Health Team (FLAOHT) was awarded $1.49 million from the provincial government to expand primary care coverage in select communities. This funding came from the province’s first call for proposals earlier this spring, and a second round was also announced. These proposals are part of Ontario’s broader Primary Care Action Plan, led by Dr. Jane Philpott, which aims to expand the health team model, first piloted in Kingston, across the province.
FLAOHT plans to use this funding to connect 3,500 individuals on the official waiting list, Health Care Connect, with a primary care provider by spring 2026. I’m grateful for the FLAOHT and Maple Family Health Team’s dedication in putting forward a successful application, but continued and sustained investment from the provincial government is essential to address the ongoing crisis in family medicine—particularly when it comes to attracting and retaining family doctors, given impending retirements.
In Our Community
It was a busy month in Kingston and the Islands. Here are just some of the events and meetings I attended as your MPP.
Meeting with Queen's Psychologists
I met with psychologists from Queen’s University and the Kingston community on October 8th to discuss recent reductions in the qualifications needed to practice psychology, proposed by the College of Psychologists and Behavioural Analysts of Ontario. We had an in-depth conversation about the potential impacts these changes could have on the quality of care, the mental healthcare system, and knock-in effects in schools and prisons.
Diner's Club (Meals on Wheels)
I recently joined volunteers and guests at the Diners Club luncheon at Bay Park Baptist Church, where VON’s Meals on Wheels program brings seniors together each month for a hot meal and good company. These gatherings are an important way to keep people connected and supported in our community. Socialization is a proven contributor to the well-being of the elderly. A special shoutout to Teresa Small and the dedicated volunteers who make this program such a success.
Providence Village
Earlier this month, I visited Providence Village to learn more about their plans for new affordable housing on their campus. The project faces challenges due to a land transfer tax that significantly raises costs, and I’ve written to the Ministers of Finance and Housing, urging relief from this unnecessary cost.
Sukkah in the Square
It was great to join the Kingston Jewish Council on October 11, for this year’s Sukkah in the Square, an event held in celebration of Sukkot. The sukkah, a temporary structure built for the holiday, is a reminder of gratitude, resilience, and community. I appreciated the chance to celebrate with Kingston’s Jewish community.
Westbrook United Church Fundraiser
Westbrook United Church hosted a music night fundraiser on October 15th, and I was happy to attend and show my support. This year marks the church’s 100th anniversary, and after a challenging year dealing with flooding, I was happy to present them with a certificate commemorating this milestone.
RKUSI Defence and Security Forum
I was pleased to join the Royal Kingston United Services Institute (RKUSI) for their Defence and Security Forum, at the invitation of President, retired MGen Dean Milner. While national security falls outside my responsibilities as an MPP, Kingston has a deep and longstanding connection to the Canadian Armed Forces, and I appreciated the opportunity to connect with serving and former members of Canada’s military and to talk about their needs for skilled labour, which is a provincial responsibility. This year also marks RKUSI’s 100th anniversary!
Beyond the Classroom
The Boys and Girls Club brought classrooms to City Hall for a lesson on the different levels of government and the importance of civic engagement. I had the chance to stop by and speak about the work of the provincial government and my role as an MPP.
It was a pleasure to meet such curious students who are enthusiastic about politics and our democracy. Thank you to the Boys and Girls Club and the class from Truedell Public School for the warm welcome.
10th Anniversary of Nobel Prize
Queen’s University and the McDonald Institute celebrated the 10th anniversary of Dr. Art McDonald’s Nobel Prize in Physics: a discovery that reshaped our understanding of the universe and highlighted Kingston’s role in global research excellence. The event also recognized Canada’s growing leadership in astroparticle physics and the generations of students and researchers building on that legacy.
Diwali Dinner and Dance
The end of October marked the celebration of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. On November 1, I’ll be joining the India-Canada Association for their Diwali Dinner & Dance to celebrate with the community!
Youth Council 2025
Our office has officially assembled this year’s Youth Council, bringing together a diverse group of motivated students from across the riding. I’m looking forward to hearing their ideas on provincial policy, especially concerning the Ford government’s plans for school board trustees, and helping them learn more about how politics and government work.