MPP lists 2009 accomplishments

Northumberland-Quinte West M.P.P., Lou Rinaldi released the following list of his government's accomplishments in this riding this year.

2009 - YEAR IN REVIEW

NORTHUMBERLAND-QUINTE WEST - “Despite the serious economic downturn in the global marketplace, we still have plenty to be thankful for here in Northumberland-Quinte West,” said M.P.P. Lou Rinaldi. “2009 has proven to be a year of many accomplishments in my riding as well as province-wide”.

Some of these achievements include:

Tax Reform

One of the most important initiatives our government has undertaken was included in the 2009 Ontario Budget. It will see Ontario move from an inefficient “two tax” system to a single, harmonized sales tax.

Beginning this week, January 1st 2009, through our comprehensive tax package, 93 percent of taxpayers will see a permanent tax cut and 90,000 low-income Ontarians will no longer have to pay Personal Income Tax.

Economist Jack Mintz says our tax compensation package will create 591,000 jobs, leverage $47 billion investment, and increase incomes 8.8%.

The TD Bank estimates the HST will reduce cost of doing business in Ontario by roughly $5.3 billion and that the majority of these savings will be passed on to customers within the first year. In fact, the majority of items you purchase - 85 percent – will see no tax change at all.

Green Energy Act

Another key accomplishment was the passing of our Green Energy Act.

This will help the government ensure Ontario’s green economic future in two ways, by: building a stronger, greener economy with new investment, creating well-paying green jobs and more economic growth for Ontario – a projected 50,000 jobs in the first three years; and by better protecting our environment, combating climate change and creating a healthier future for generations to come.

Full-Day Learning

We are currently in the process of introducing full-day learning in Ontario.

Full-day learning is associated with improved reading, writing and math skills, a smoother transition in Grade 1 and increased high school graduation rates. It will take some time to implement full day learning for four- and five-year-olds in all schools across the province, but we have already committed to moving forward with $200 million in 2010/2011 and $300 million in 2011/2012.

Other Notable Items

We’ve passed our Poverty Reduction Act, which will require governments to take measurable steps to reduce poverty.

We've introduced a new long-term training program for workers who've been laid off. It's called Second Career, and it allows recently laid off workers to get skills training for up to two years -- so they can get the skills they need for their next career. Over 21,000 laid off workers are already retraining through this program.

Our government is reducing wait times in our hospitals, working to ensure that all Ontarians have access to a family doctor, and offering Ontarians new options when it comes to their healthcare.

Our government hosted numerous affordable housing consultations, including two in my riding, to help provide a framework for affordable housing in Ontario over the next 10 years.

The Ontario Child Benefit is almost doubling from $600 last year to a maximum of $1,100 per child this year (2009).

Northumberland-Quinte West has seen numerous successful projects in 2009, including funding of tens of millions of dollars fund by the province:

· New affordable housing starts in Quinte West and Port Hope

· The expansion of services through “Service Ontario” to be delivered through license centre

· Hwy 401 improvements in Quinte West

· Reconstruction of 401 service centres in Quinte West

· $1 million to Northumberland County to expand High speed internet

· $55 million to build broad band infrastructure for eastern Ontario

· Rolled out the Eastern Ontario Development fund which helped a number of industries expand in the riding

· The province uploaded a number of social programs to ease the tax burden on local municipalities

· Unprecedented infrastructure spending to stimulate the economy

We have seen numerous projects started and a number come to fruition with financial support from the provincial government. A few examples are as follows:

· The new YMCA in Quinte West

· The rebuilding of the Smithfield Bridge between Brighton and Quinte West

· The arena expansion and a new recreation centre in Brighton

· New schools in Quinte West, Brighton, Cramahe, and Port Hope

· Reconstruction of waste water treatment plant in Colborne

· Shelter Valley Road reconstruction

· Ground breaking for a multi use recreational facility in Cobourg, including new ice rinks

· Go Green initiative in Cobourg - street lights were replaced with energy efficient bulbs

· Renewal of Vincent Massey Memorial Centre in Hamilton Township

· The official opening of the new Community Health Centre in Port hope

· Approval of CT scanner for Campbellford Memorial Hospital

· Water and waste water upgrades for the Village of Hastings

· Numerous Roads and bridge reconstruction in Trent Hills.