By Mike Anderson
York-Simcoe MPP Caroline Mulroney made a series of infrastructure and funding announcements on January 28, a day before she began her re-election campaign.
They included increased provincial funding for Southlake Health, a new long-term care facility and French elementary school in East Gwillimbury (EG), and grant funding to support skilled trades training in Georgina.
Mulroney also reaffirmed her government’s commitment to provide $24 million for the construction of a new phosphorus treatment plant for the Lake Simcoe watershed and outlined the progress being made on the Bradford Bypass, which will link the 404 and 400 highways.
“I am very pleased to be able to announce critical project progress on six projects that will make life easier for families right here in York-Simcoe,” Mulroney said.
“This progress represents a combined investment by our government of over $34 million.”
The announcements were made at Mulroney’s Holland Landing constituency office one day before the writ dropped, marking the start of Ontario’s snap, four-week provincial election. Voters are slated to go to the polls on February 27.
As part of her government’s investment in Southlake Health, which includes a base funding increase of $11.6 million, Mulroney said $9.4 million will help fund new mental health and transitional care beds.
“This investment will increase beds and support Soutlake’s operations, ensuring people and families in Northern York Region and Southern Simcoe County have access to high-quality care closer to home,” Mulroney said.
The province has approved a 160-bed long-term care home in EG, which will open to residents in 2027/28.
“I am incredibly excited to announce that we will be building a new long-term care home right here in East Gwillimbury, Mulroney said.
“This new state-of-the-art living facility will provide care for up to 160 residents. It will be open to residents starting at the end of 2027 or beginning of 2028. This is a historic announcement because it is the first long-term care home ever in East Gwillimbury.”
EG is also getting a new French language school, home to École Élémentaire ChantalBenoit.
“This new school will be supported by an investment of $14.5 million and create 262 elementary student spaces and 49 licensed childcare spaces. I am thrilled for families who can now bring their children to learn and thrive in a brand new school,” said Mulroney, Minister of Francophone Affairs.
Mulroney also gave an update on the Bradford Bypass, a project she spearheaded as the former transport minister.
“Today, the province issued two requests for proposal to complete detailed design for both the central and east sections of the bypass,” Mulroney said.
“Once the contracts are awarded, construction will begin on the remaining two sections of the bypass.”
“People across York- Simcoe, including our farmers who feed our country, have been asking for this project for decades. Our government has been unrelenting in our determination to deliver on this project, and we will not stop until it’s done.”
There was also an update on the proposed phosphorus treatment plant for the West Holland River.
The province has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury (BWG), which will own and manage the plant.
“This new project will improve the lake’s water quality and create healthier, stronger communities across the region. We are also reconfirming our commitment of $24 million in capital funding announced in the Ontario 2024 budget,” Mulroney said.
“Lake Simcoe is important to all of us. It’s the crown jewel of the region, and that’s why we’ll continue to invest in its protection,” she said.
Councillor Dave Neeson and BWG Councillor Jonathan Scott, who have been lobbying for the phosphorus treatment plant for several years, were happy to hear Mulroney championing the project, which will also require the federal government to make good its $16 million pledge made in 2020.
“It’s taken a long time to get to his stage. And Bradford was happy to step up and be the proponent because we are committed to seeing this project through,” Scott said.
“Now we’ve got a proponent and a memorandum of understanding to get going; we’ll have shovels in the grounds as soon as we can.”
“It’s a game changer for the lake and the largest undertaking in the province’s history concerning phosphorus removal,” added Neeson.
“With the leadership from Scott, the BWG council and Minister Mulroney, I’m convinced we will continue to see further milestones here very quickly.”
Mulroney said the province will also provide new funding for skilled trades training in Georgina.
Georgina Trades Training Inc. (GTTI), which runs the Skills Training Centre in Sutton, will receive $309,000 in provincial grants to train up to 30 pre-apprentices in general contracting.
“This is great news because this project will deliver a more resilient workforce to build a stronger Ontario right here in Georgina. It’s a great example of how our government invests in the jobs we need to build Ontario,” Mulroney said.
Mayor Margaret Quirk, who the Mayors of BWG and EG joined for the announcements, was glad to hear the province was renewing its commitment to GTTI.
“I know that GTTI has been advocating for this funding. So this is really good news,” Mayor Quirk said.
“Training people is hugely important, and having it in our community is extremely important.”
GTTI Board Vice-Chair Iain Donnell agrees.
He told the Post that the provincial grant would allow the non-profit to regroup and continue its programming, which it suspended last November.
He’s also hopeful that it will trigger additional grant funding from the Town, allocated in the 2025 Budget but conditional on GTTI receiving provincial support.
“We’re helping those forgotten people who are between leaving high school and turning forty, with nowhere to go and no access to training. We offer them hope,” Donnell said.
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