Newsletter | Volume 1 | Issue 2 | December 8, 2025

December 8, 2025

In This Edition

As the holiday season approaches, I find myself reflecting on the many meaningful moments we shared across Carleton throughout November. It has been a month full of community connection, productive work, and a renewed appreciation for the people who make our riding such a welcoming and vibrant place.

As you read through this month’s newsletter, you can use the links below to jump straight to the updates that matter most to you:

• Legislative and Community Recap
  • Remembrance Day Ceremonies
  • Six Ministers in Our Riding
  • Big Win for Carleton Snowmobilers
• Important Constituency Notes
  • Open Door
  • Christmas Break
• News Releases, Funding Announcements, and Statements
• Legislative Business and Government Bills
• Meet the Team
• Helpful Contacts

Legislative and Community Recap

Remembrance Day Ceremonies

Earlier this month, remembrance and reflection were truly at the forefront of our community life. Team Carleton and I were honoured to attend all ten Remembrance Day ceremonies across the riding, each one unique yet united in purpose. From small rural cenotaphs to larger community gatherings, every ceremony offered its own moment of pause, its own reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served and those who continue to serve today.

community to community, reinforced just how strong and connected Carleton truly is. The turnout, the solemnity, and the spirit of these ceremonies reflected a deep sense of unity, one that continues to bind us together long after November 11th has passed.

Six Ministers in our Riding

November also brought a series of important visits and meetings across the riding, including 6 separate Minister visits.

opened earlier this year and is the only shop in Ottawa using sustainable, equitable chocolate sourced from France. Our tour also included Hall of Fades, where the owner, who once worked there himself, took over the business last year, as well as Legacy Small Engines, which was started by its owner when he was just 17 and is now a trusted local service provider. We wrapped up with Tailored Home Improvements which specializes in roofing, siding, and home improvements. This tour demonstrated just how innovative, resilient, and deeply rooted in community Stittsville businesses are.

jobs across Ontario’s tech sector. Through the Invest Ontario Fund, our government is also providing up to $17 million to help drive this expansion and ensure communities like ours continue to attract major global investment.

My work also brought me to Ottawa Victim Services where I joined Minister Parsa in my capacity as Parliamentary Assistant to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services for a tour and meeting with the Executive Director of Ottawa Victim Services. This organization does a lot of important work to support some of the most vulnerable in our city, supporting over 3,755 clients in need, and that’s why it was great to announce a funding increase of $32,500 for their organization this year from our ministry.

From there we joined up with Minister Calandra for a joint tour at Steve Maclean Public School right here in Carleton, to speak with staff and students about the impacts that the Student Nutrition Program has. This year, our government provided an additional $5 million towards the program which provides health meals and snacks to over 800,000 students across the province. The Student Nutrition Program makes sure that children and youth, especially those facing food security challenges, have the food they need to thrive in the classroom.

Another highlight this month was attending the groundbreaking of the first French Catholic high school in Riverside South, a significant milestone for the community. I had the honour of reading aloud a letter from Minister Calandra at the pre-ceremony, which highlighted this provincial investment in the Carleton Riding as a major financial contribution and underscored the importance of providing teachers and classrooms for children in this growing area. The groundbreaking was supported by a $40.8 million investment from the province, reflecting our ongoing commitment to ensuring students and families have access to a high-quality education facility close to home.

Big Win for Carleton Snowmobilers

Throughout all of this, I had the privilege of attending countless community events, markets, and gatherings. From Christmas markets to holiday parades, it has been amazing to join so many residents in celebrating the season and supporting the local groups and volunteers that bring these events and our communities to life.

While my time in the riding was full, Queen’s Park was equally busy. Advocacy meetings, caucus and committee work, and other legislative responsibilities kept the schedule packed. Numerous bills were introduced, and several important bills were passed this month, serving as a clear reminder of the meaningful work taking place at the Legislature alongside our community commitments.

Amid all the activity in November and early December, one announcement was particularly meaningful to me. After a great deal of work and advocacy and drawing on my experience as former President of the Osgoode Carleton Snowmobile Trail Club and former Upper Canada Snowmobile Region District 1 Governor, our government confirmed funding of $3.9 million to ensure that no snowmobile trails across the province will close this year. With snow and cold weather already arriving, it was incredibly rewarding to see this support secured for riders, volunteers, and clubs so they can fully enjoy the network this season. Snowmobiling plays an important role in our rural economies, and being able to contribute to this initiative was especially gratifying.

As we look ahead to December, I am excited to continue celebrating Christmas throughout the riding and connecting with as many residents as possible. This season always brings a renewed sense of gratitude, and I am truly thankful for the opportunity to serve our community.

Important Constituency Notes

Open Door:

My Open Door is coming back! These Open Door sessions were always something I valued while serving as the Ward 20 Councillor, and I firmly believe they are just as important at the Provincial level as well. While I may not be able to hold an Open Door as frequently as before due to Legislative commitments in Toronto, I will do my best to hold them monthly at the Manotick Constituency Office, located at 1128 Mill Street. The first planned Open Door is on Wednesday, January 7th from 1PM to 4PM. Drop in any time during these hours to ask questions, or simply say hi!

Christmas Break:

Please note that the constituency Office will be running on limited resources from December 22nd to January 2nd while Team Carleton takes a well deserved break to spend time with their loved ones. We will continue to monitor George.Darouze@pc.ola.org for emergencies, however, all non-emergency requests will be actioned upon our return.

News Releases, Funding Announcements, and Statements

• Increased Investment to Protect Snowmobile Trails: After hearing many local and province-wide concerns, I am proud to have worked with my colleagues to commit more funding to make sure over 4,500km of snowmobile trails stay open this season.
• 2026 Pre-Budget Consultations: We are seeking ideas from workers, families, business owners, and more to help inform the 2026 budget. You can fill out a survey or provide a written submission here.
• Protecting Families by Holding Impaired Drivers Accountable: Our government announced that we are developing new measures that would require impaired drivers to pay ongoing child support if they kill a child’s parent or guardian.
• Investing $180 Million to Boost Nursing in Long-Term Care: Our government announced more than $180 million to launch new programs aimed at attracting and retaining close to 8,000 highly skilled nurses.
• Expansion of Energy Savings Programs: As part of the plan to keep energy costs down, our government is expanding energy savings programs, including new rebates of up to $200 on energy-efficient appliances including fridges, freezers, and laundry machines.
• Application Period Open – Experience Ontario: Experience Ontario is accepting applications to provide support for festivals and events with a tourism economic impact, the deadline is December 16^th, 2025 at 4PM.
• Investment in Pickering Nuclear Generating Station: Minister Lecce announced our government has approved a plan to refurbish four nuclear reactors at Pickering, which will extend operations to deliver clean, affordable power for up to 38 years, while also creating nearly 37,000 jobs.
• Seniors Community Grant Program (SCGP): The SCGP is accepting applications from community organizations and not-for-profit groups to promote greater social inclusion, volunteerism and community engagement for older adults aged 55+.

Legislative Business and Government Bills

Government Bills Introduced:

• Buy Ontario Act (Bill 72)
  • Bill 72 will require public sector entities (such as municipalities) to implement procurement policies which may require that preference be given to Ontario or Canadian made goods or services
• Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act (Bill 75)
  • Bill 75 will amend the Bail Act to strengthen bail compliance by requiring accused persons or sureties to provide a cash security deposit in an amount ordered by the court
  • Bill 75 also introduces measures to crack down on dangerous driving, including exploring the implementation of a requirement that impaired drivers pay ongoing child support if they kill a child’s parent or guardian
• Barrie-Oro-Medonte-Springwater Boundary Adjustment Act (Bill 76)
  • Bill 76 will transfer approximately 1,673 hectares of land located in the Townships of Oro-Medonte and Springwater to the City of Barrie

Government Bills Passed:

• Supporting Children and Students Act (Bill 33)
  • Bill 33 includes provisions that allow for greater ministerial oversight of school boards if they are not operating in the public interest of students, measures related to merit-based applications at colleges and universities, and amendments related to children aid societies
• Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act (Bill 60)
  • Bill 60 includes a variety of amendments, including amendments to strengthen transparency related to development charges, strengthen regulations to allow for transit-oriented developments, reduce backlogs related to the Residential Tenancies Act and ensure that vehicle lanes are not reduced on streets
• Plan to Protect Ontario Act (Budget Measures) (No. 2) (Bill 68)
  • Bill 68 includes measures that will establish a Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency, amendments to the Election Act to repeal the four-year interval election date on the first Thursday in June (and return to the previous way elections were held), and more
• Resource Management and Safety Act (Bill 27)
  • Bill 27 makes amendments to require enhanced wildland fire management plans in at-risk areas, enacts the Geologic Carbon Storage Act including regulations and enforcement measures, and provides for more Minister oversight to take action to prevent or eliminate hazards to the public
• Emergency Management Modernization Act (Bill 25)
  • Bill 25 makes amendments to the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to ensure that Ontarians are more prepared and protected in the event of an emergency
• Protect Ontario by Securing Affordable Energy for Generations Act (Bill 40)
  • The act makes amendments to include references to economic growth, and reduces red tape for utility installations

You can read all current and passed bills here.

Meet the Team

My last issue highlighted the amazing team I have supporting me. They run the day to day in the Constituency Office and I am incredibly lucky to have each of them.

• Stephanie Nelson – Chief of Staff
• Candice Coates – Executive Assistant
• Owen Murdoch – Policy Advisor
• Jane DiRaimo – Community Liaison
• Ethan Smith – Part-Time Communications Assistant

If you missed the first issue, you can read more about Team Carleton here.

Helpful Contacts

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