Newsletter | Volume 1 | Issue 6 | March 9, 2026
March 9, 2026
In This Edition
This month’s newsletter highlights the many ways we are connecting with the Carleton community, from engaging with local residents and businesses to celebrating milestones like the Osgoode Youth Association’s 20th anniversary. You’ll also read about winter events across the riding, including ice fishing, winter carnivals, and other activities that bring our rural communities together.
We also recap important visits and meetings from the past month, including hosting the Solicitor General at the Ottawa Police Service badging ceremony, connecting with hospital leaders across the region, and participating in business town halls and tours. These moments allow us to better understand the needs of our community and ensure Carleton’s voice is represented at Queen’s Park.
Finally, this edition includes key updates for residents, including changes to recycling collection and replacement bins, upcoming Open Door sessions, and a variety of government announcements and funding opportunities. From supporting postsecondary education and local music organizations to infrastructure and accessibility projects, there is a lot happening across Carleton that you can read about in this newsletter.
Legislative and Community Recap
Minister Visits in Ottawa
It was a pleasure to welcome the Solicitor General, the Honourable Michael Kerzner back to Ottawa to attend the badging ceremony for the 46 new recruits into sworn service with the Ottawa Police Service.
I have had the utmost respect for the men and women of our police service, who put their lives on the line daily to ensure the safety of our families, our friends, and our community. This momentous day for the new recruits is a day that will live with them forever, as they embark on a journey towards community service and protection.
Hospital Visits
It is extremely important to ensure that the stakeholders who provide essential services to our community have easy access to myself and my office, to ensure that their concerns are heard and can be raised.
I took time in March to meet with the Presidents and CEOs of various Ottawa-area hospitals, including Cameron Love at The Ottawa Hospital, Dr. Andrew Falconer at the Queensway Carleton Hospital, and Guy Chartrand at Bruyère Health.
Ottawa is fortunate to have so many amazing medical institutions that serve not only our riding or our city, but a majority of Eastern Ontario. I always appreciate the opportunity to connect with healthcare leaders in the region to ensure that I am hearing their suggestions and feedback directly.
I have always felt that as an elected official it is extremely important to be present and meet people in the community. Visiting every corner of our riding to hear directly from constituents is one of my favourite aspects of this role.
February kicked off with winter themes events in almost every rural village across Carleton. From Marionville, to Manotick, to Burritts Rapids, and everything in between, it was amazing seeing community organizations and families coming together to celebrate this icy season.
I also took some time in February to hit the snowmobile trails, which are an economic driver in our rural communities, to travel from corner to corner in our riding and visit local businesses such as Ashton Brew Pub in Ashton, The Stable in Metcalfe, the Marlborough Pub in North Gower and so much more. It was a pleasure to take Ottawa Police Service Chief Eric Stubbs and Ottawa Fire Service Chief Paul Hutt out on the trails as well.
In addition, I enjoyed ice fishing in Osgoode with the Osgoode Township Fish and Game
Club and participating in a three-government-level Business Town Hall hosted by the Manotick Village Business Improvement Area, alongside local representatives MP Fanjoy and Councillor Brown. This informative meeting allowed us to share what our government has done to support rural village businesses and discuss strategies for keeping them vibrant during challenging times, including the pressures caused by current tariffs.
Another highlight was celebrating a major milestone with the Osgoode Youth Association. This year marks two decades since O-YA opened its doors to local youth for drop-in programs, leadership camps, and more, helping our youth gain the skills and knowledge needed to make their way with confidence. My most sincere congratulations to everyone who played a role in starting O-YA and to those who have continued to grow this organization into what it is today. It is truly a role model for rural village youth groups.
It has been an enlightening month connecting with residents across the riding in the community, as well as having many constituency meetings at my office.
Businesses Around Carleton
Over the past month, I have had several productive meetings and tours with stakeholders across Carleton and the greater Ottawa area. These opportunities provide valuable insight into how our government’s policies are reflected in workplaces and communities, and how we can continue to support key sectors of our local economy. When the Legislature is not in session, it is a priority of mine to connect with local organizations and businesses so I can bring their feedback and priorities back to Queen’s Park,
particularly as we approach Budget 2026 and continue to navigate economic uncertainty from abroad.
One highlight was visiting Nokia’s Ottawa team in Kanata, where more than 3,500 employees are driving innovation in areas such as optics, quantum networking, and next-generation wireless technologies. I also had the chance to meet with BluMetric, a local leader in water technology and purification systems that supports both industry and the Canadian Armed Forces. These organizations showcase the incredible innovation taking place in our region.
Closer to home, I enjoyed connecting with a number of local businesses and community organizations across the riding. This included visiting Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm during their 30th anniversary sugar bush season, touring Boom Box Fitness in Richmond to congratulate them on their recent re-grand opening, and meeting with the team at Ashton Brew Company alongside the Ontario Craft Brewers Association to discuss opportunities to continue supporting Ontario’s growing craft brewing sector.
I also had the opportunity to visit organizations making an important impact in our community, including the Therapeutic Riding Association of Ottawa-Carleton, which recently received funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to support programs for seniors and individuals with disabilities. In addition, I met with the team and residents at Villa Marconi to discuss the important work being done in long-term care and how the province can continue supporting these essential services.
Important Constituency Notes
Recycling Collection Transition
As we transitioned to the new recycling model, your feedback has been heard. Residents can now request replacement recycling bins to be dropped off directly at their home.
Of note, the black coloured bins are being phased out, and while collection will still alternate each week, all residents will now receive bins of the same colour.
Waste collection dates are also changing for many across the city. To find out if you are affected and for more details, please visit this link.
For collection-related questions, residents can continue to contact Miller Waste Systems at 1-888-852-2374 or area2@millerwaste.ca.
Open Door
I look forward to welcoming constituents to my next Open Door session on Wednesday, March 18, from 1PM to 4PM. This is a great opportunity to stop by, share your questions, or simply say hi. No appointment is necessary. Everyone is welcome and I always enjoy this opportunity to connect with members of our community in person.
News Releases, Funding Announcements and Statements
- $6.4 Billion to Support Postsecondary Sector: Our government announced an additional $6.4 billion into our postsecondary sector, bringing annual operating funding to $7 billion, a 30% increase.
- Eastern Ontario Development Fund Intake: The Eastern Ontario Development Fund is accepting applications until May 27th, 2026, for businesses looking to invest in projects that will focus on economic and business development. Learn more here.
- Youth Opportunities Fund: There are multiple Youth Opportunities Fund grants through the Ontario Trillium Foundation, which support community-led projects that play an essential role in empowering youth and families.
- $909,335 Investment in Primary Care: Our government announced over $909,000 to create 9 new nurse practitioner education seats at the University of Ottawa to help enable faster and easier access to care.
- Lieutenant Governor Appointment in Carleton: I was pleased to hear that one of our very own residents in Carleton was appointed to the Order of Ontario, congratulations to Major-General (Retd) Jean-Robert Bernier.
- Ontario Investing Nearly $58,000 for Seniors and Accessibility: Our government announced nearly $58,000 to complete the accessible trail at Baxter Conservation Area near Kars, to ensure seniors and people with disabilities can enjoy our natural spaces.
- Skills Development Fund: The Skills Development Fund is a continuous intake which offers funding to eligible organizations to build new training centres, upgrade existing centres, and more.
- Supporting Local Music: Our government, through Ontario Creates, announced $185,000 in funding to support local music organizations to deliver and promote more live music events.
- Accelerating Plans for the Ring of Fire: Our government announced that the plan to accelerate completion of the roads to the Ring of Fire is five years ahead of schedule, which will unlock economic potential and partnerships with First Nations in Northern Ontario.
- Supporting the Wheelchair Basketball World Championships: Our government is providing $1.5 million in funding to support the Wheelchair Basketball Federation World Championships in Ottawa, which is expected to generate $25 million in economic activity for the region.
All other funding opportunities can be found here.
Legislative Business and Government Bills
No new legislation has been passed since the last newsletter. The house resumes sitting on March 23rd, 2026.
You can read all current bills here.
