Ontario’s 42nd Legislature In Review
Dear Friends,
As we await the dissolution of the 42nd Parliament of Ontario, I thought I would take this opportunity to write you this message, outlining our government’s progress and accomplishments.
When my colleagues and I were elected in 2018, we were given a strong mandate by the people and for the people to get Ontario back on track. Over the last four years, we have worked hard to make meaningful changes for you and your family.
Our government put shovels in the ground to build highways and transit projects. We expanded hospitals and created thousands of new and upgraded long-term care beds, with many more on the way. We increased education and healthcare spending to unprecedented levels. And we provided historic investments to protect businesses and jobs. All the while, we made the government more efficient and reduced red tape that was holding our province back.
Indeed, over the last few years, we have faced many unexpected challenges together. But despite these hurdles, Ontario is now prepared for whatever the future may hold. Thanks to the hard work and resiliency of Ontarians such as yourself, I am confident better days are ahead.
Listed below are some of our most significant announcements and accomplishments since 2018, with resources linked so you can read more if you’re interested.
It has been my greatest honour — and one which I have not taken for granted — to serve as your representative at Queen’s Park. I am very grateful for your continual support throughout my term in office. And it is my hope that you will entrust me to continue serving you in the years to come.
Sincerely,
Sheref Sabawy
Member of Provincial Parliament
Mississauga – Erin Mills
Transportation
You don’t deserve to sit in gridlock traffic for hours on end. After years of neglect by the previous government, while population levels continued to increase, congestion has become a significant problem. That’s why the Ontario government is committed to getting people and goods moving again. We created the Greater Golden Horseshoe Transportation Plan, a much-needed long-term plan to get Ontario’s transportation infrastructure on track. We put shovels in the ground to build the Hazel McCallion Line (Hurontario LRT), the Ontario Line, and the Eglinton Crosstown West Expansion. And we are putting money back in the pockets of drivers by providing temporary tax relief at the pumps and refunding license plate renewal fees.
We are getting it done — building highways and critical infrastructure — so you can spend more time with your loved ones. Click the links below for more information.
Greater Golden Horseshoe Transportation Plan
The Hazel McCallion Line (Hurontario LRT)
Highway 413
The Ontario Line
Supporting Mississauga Transit
Affordable Transit Fares
Gas Tax Relief
License Plate Renewal Refunds
Infrastructure
Doug Ford and the Ontario government have a plan to build modern key infrastructure that will revitalize our economy and strengthen our communities. key infrastructure. Over the next ten years, this will see more than $158 billion invested in highways and critical infrastructure. We are building highways and transit projects which will save you time on your commute. We are strengthening Ontario communities by modernizing community centres like the South Common Community Centre. And we’re making housing more accessible by builiding many more affordable homes throughout the province.
We are getting it done — expanding our province’s infrastructure — to revitalize our communities and get Ontario back on track. Click the links below for more information.
Redeveloping South Common Community Centre
Restoring Ontario Place
Housing Supply Action Plan
Transit-Oriented Communities
Healthcare
As we have seen over the last few years, decades of neglect by previous governments have left Ontario’s healthcare system vastly underprepared for the challenges of the modern day. That’s why our government is providing record investments to improve helathcare funding, expand infrastructure, and prepare for whatever challenges the future might bring.
We’re getting it done — strenghtening the healthcare system and building hospitals — so that we can be prepared for whatever the future may bring. Click the links below for more information.
A Plan to Stay Open
Roadmap to Wellness: Mental Health Strategy
Ending Hallway Medicine
Protecting Healthcare for the People
New Hospital in Mississauga
Expanding Virtual Care Options
$5000 Nurse Retention Bonus
Increased Healthcare Funding 2022-23
Critical Hospital Upgrades and Repairs
Adding 2,000 More Nurses
Training More Doctors
Hands-On Training for PSWs
Education
Our government is committed to ensuring that our province has one of the best education systems in the world. We are working hard to give the next generation of Ontarians the skills they need to succeed in the workforce. That’s why we increased education spending to unprecedented levels and provided funding to build and expand schools and child care centres. We reworked and modernized school curriulums including physical education, mathematics, and sciences, abandoning techniques like ‘discovery math’ which were failing students. Our government is also supporting parents, having secured a better deal from the federal government for affordable $10/day child care.
We’re getting it done — improving our education system — so that future generations may be well-equipped for the modern day. Click the links below for more information.
$13.2 BIllion Child Care Deal
Expanding Thomas Street Middle School
Childcare Spaces at Our Lady of Mercy Elementary School
Reworked Maths, Sciences, and Phys. Ed. Curriculums
Revoked Regressive Teacher Hiring Practices
Expanding College Degrees
Decreasing Postsecondary Tuition
Covid-19 OSAP Payment and Interest Moratorium
Seniors and LTC
We are dedicated to making sure that our seniors feel safe and comfortable, while simultaneously keeping them involved in our community. From building over 1880 long-term care beds in Mississauga to providing additional relief for Ontario drug benefit program recipients, we are working hard to make life easier for the elderly. Ontario’s seniors can count on us to know that we’ve got their backs.
We’re getting it done — caring for our seniors — to make life easier for the most vulnerable. Click the links below for more information.
New LTC Home in Mississauga
Expanding Local LTC
Additional Relief for Ontario Drug Benefit Program recipients
Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program
Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit
Home Safety Tax Credit
Supporting the SHUBH Helping Hands Organization
Seniors Community Grant
Economy, Labour, and Affordability
After a turbulent few years, we are getting our economy back on track and making Ontario open for business. Our government has a plan to rebuild Ontario’s economy and put more money in your pockets. That’s why we raised the minimum wage and abolished the carbon tax. Our two ‘Working for Workers’ Acts modernized legislation: creating a framework for digital workers, abolishing non-compete clauses, and requiring employers to create policies about electronic monitoring and after-hours work. After an over thirty percent decline from 2004 to 2018, the government of Ontario is also investing in the manufacturing sector, creating incentives for auto manufacturers and other companies to build their business here.
We’re getting it done — building our economy and providing relief for workers — to make life more affordable for you and your family. Click the links below for more information.
Low-Income Tax Credit
Working for Workers Act, 2021
Working for Workers Act, 2022
Increased Minimum Wage
Supporting Immigrant Workers
Abolished Costly Carbon Tax
Non-Resident Speculation Tax
Better Jobs Ontario
Ontario Automotive Modernization Program
Investing in the Auto Industry
Ontario Clean Steelmaking
Building Digital Ontario
Private Member’s Bills
Egyptian Heritage Month Act, 2019
I was proud to have introduced the Egyptian Heritage Month Act, which became law in 2019. This act reaffirmed our government’s commitment to embracing the multi-cultural fabric of our Canadian identity and acknowledging the great contributions of Egyptian-Canadians.
Received Assent (December 10, 2019)
First Celebrations
Read the full text of the law.
Bill 42 – Ontario Religious Freedom Day Act
Though it did not receive assent during this session, I am nevertheless proud to have introduced Bill 42, the Ontario Religious Freedom Day Act. Canada has served as a beacon of religious freedoms and a safe haven for people fleeing religious persecution. The diversity of this country is one of our greatest strengths. This bill is a reminder of how fortunate we are to live in Canada, and to commemorate those around the world who are victims of religious persecution.
Second Reading (November 30, 2021)
Multiculturalism in Ontario
Read the full text of the proposed legislation.