July 2026 community update
Here's what you can find in this month's issue:
Warm regards,
Ted
Across Ontario
Hotel Expense Scandal
This month, it was revealed that Toronto-area PC MPPs expensed $107,000 in hotel stays in downtown Toronto. Under current rules, MPPs who live within 50 kilometres of Queen’s Park may only claim accommodation expenses in short-term special or unusual circumstances. Following the controversy, Premier Ford announced he would eliminate this exception.
The spending involved 16 PC MPPs. The largest expense claim came from MPP Hardeep Grewal, who billed taxpayers $28,000, followed by Associate Minister of Small Business Nina Tangri at $18,000 and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming Stan Cho at $16,000. Premier Ford has said the MPPs involved will repay the expenses, and since the news broke, Stan Cho has resigned from his cabinet position.
Additional documents have raised further questions about government spending. Labour Minister David Piccini’s riding association was found to have spent thousands of dollars on hotel stays, a limousine, and an exclusive Toronto club.
I think that money has distracted this government’s members from focusing on the things Ontarians really need.
Ontario on Fire
A record number of wildland fires have been burning across Ontario, causing significant loss of forests, severe damage to property and infrastructure in several First Nation communities, and prompting the evacuation of more than 1,800 residents. The hazardous smoke triggered air quality alerts for much of Ontario and parts of the United States. Even though air quality has improved since the height of the fires, we are still in the middle of the fire season. In fact, this year is on track to become Ontario's worst fire season, surpassing the record set in 2023.
My first and foremost concern is for the people directly affected. Homes were lost; families had to flee. There is a long road to recovery, and I will urge the government to provide full support to these communities. Meanwhile, I am deeply aware that devastating fires are more likely because of climate change, as hotter and drier weather creates conditions for a longer and more severe fire season.
Looking at the Ford Government's budget for wildland firefighting for the past 3 years, the province has been underbudgeting – allocating on average $80 million less than the actual firefighting expenditures. This means there have not been sufficient resources dedicated to staffing, maintenance, prevention, and emergency preparedness. Underbudgeting means every fire season becomes an emergency, and wildland fires will continue to cause more damage.
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Local Stories
More Money for Homes
Kingston once again exceeded its provincial housing target last year. On July 10th, Housing Minister Rob Flack came to Kingston to announce that, as a result, we earned $3.2 million from Ontario’s Building Faster Fund. This money can go to support the infrastructure needed to keep building homes in our community. I have a good relationship with Minister Flack, and I will continue to work with him and the City of Kingston to address the housing needs of our community.
Healthcare Update
Midtown Family Health Team has moved to a new permanent location at the former Extendicare site, 2-315 Queen Mary Road! Any questions can be directed to the clinic at 613-542-6793.
The Frontenac Lennox and Addington Ontario Health Team (FLAOHT) should have cleared the Health Care Connect waitlist for everyone who registered before January 2025.
If you registered with Health Care Connect before January 2025 and have not yet been matched with a family physician, please contact my office at 613-547-2385 or thsu.mpp.co@ola.org. We're happy to inquire on your behalf.
Health Care Connect is the provincial registry for people looking for a family physician. Primary care providers in Kingston and the Islands use this waitlist to get new patients. If you aren't already registered, you can learn how to sign up here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-family-doctor-or-nurse-practitioner
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.
Canada Day at Worthington Park
I spent another Canada Day celebrating with the residents at Worthington Park. It’s always fun to chat with this tight-knit community, hear what's on their minds, and talk about how I can continue supporting them. At Worthington Park, residents rent the land their homes sit on, and we talked about some very large Above Guideline Increases they’ve experienced from the new landlord. This Canada Day, everybody was thankful that the small tornado, which passed overhead the day before and damaged many trees, did not injure anyone.
Providence Care
I recently had the opportunity to tour Providence Care Hospital and get a sense of the many facilities located there. CEO Cathy Szabo and I also discussed some of her ideas on how local healthcare providers could work together to improve health outcomes across our community.
OTF Cultivate Art Commons
Cultivate Art Commons launched their new Artists-in-Residence program, which seeks to bring the arts into underprivileged communities. It was a pleasure to join them and celebrate this exciting new program. Congratulations and thank you to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for supporting this important initiative.
Volunteer Service Awards
I had the chance to attend the annual Ontario Volunteer Service Awards ceremony, which formally recognizes and honours incredible volunteers in our riding who have selflessly given their time and energy to our community. Volunteerism has declined in recent years, so I think it’s especially important to recognize volunteer service.
Police Community Fair
This year marks 185 years of service by Kingston Police to our community, and I was glad to join them at their annual Community Fair. It was a great event with activities for all ages and a good opportunity to recognize the longstanding presence of Kingston Police in our community.
Support Small Business!
Want to show your support for local businesses? Pick up a lawn or window sign from my office. Request yours by phone at 613-547-2385, or email at thsu.mpp.co@ola.org.