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Newsletter | Volume 1 | Issue 8 | May 8, 2026

May 8, 2026

In This Edition

This edition highlights a busy month across both Carleton and Queen’s Park, including ministerial visits, healthcare funding announcements, local business milestones, and community events throughout the riding.

Inside, you’ll find updates on provincial investments supporting primary care, infrastructure, education, economic development, and rural priorities, alongside highlights from community celebrations, local initiatives, and meetings with residents, organizations, and stakeholders across Carleton.

This month’s newsletter also includes information on recent legislative activity at Queen’s Park, government funding announcements and programs, upcoming constituency office opportunities, and preparations underway for Canada Day celebrations across the riding.

As always, thank you for taking the time to stay informed and engaged with the work happening both locally and provincially.

Legislative and Community Recap

April at Queen’s Park

April at Queen’s Park has been especially meaningful, with many opportunities to welcome constituents whose dedication and achievements reflect the strength and spirit of Carleton.

On April 14, I attended the Queen Elizabeth II Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship ceremony, where Carleton local Patricia Scrivens was honoured with this prestigious award. Introducing her in the Legislature earlier that day was a proud moment, but watching her accept the medal, surrounded by family, friends, and fellow recipients, felt especially meaningful. Her decades of volunteer service, from youth programming and senior outreach to emergency response and major fundraising initiatives, have touched countless lives. Through efforts like the Ladies Night Out fundraiser, she has helped raise more than $350,000 for local causes, a true testament to her compassion, leadership, and unwavering commitment to community. Reconnecting with André Levesque during the ceremony added another layer of warmth to an already memorable day.

Just one day later, on April 15, I welcomed Kelly Belair, Executive Director of the Manotick BIA, following the exciting news that Taste of Manotick had earned an Award of Excellence from the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association. Her passion for the village and its businesses is unmistakable, and the recognition speaks to the collective effort of the entire community.

On April 21, Queen’s Park welcomed three Canadian gold‑medal curlers: Collinda Joseph, Jon Thurston, and Mark Ideson. Welcoming Collinda and her husband during Question Period was a privilege, and seeing her receive a standing ovation in the Legislature was truly inspiring. As someone with deep local ties to our community, her achievement has brought tremendous pride across the riding.

These visits have been a powerful reminder of the dedication, generosity, and talent that define Carleton, qualities that continue to inspire me every day.

Ministers in Ottawa

It has been another strong month of ministerial engagement in Ottawa, including a visit from Premier Doug Ford, alongside several other provincial ministers, for announcements, tours, and conversations with local leaders. These visits continue to provide important opportunities to showcase the work happening on the ground, highlight local priorities, and ensure our region remains well represented at Queen’s Park.

I was pleased to welcome Premier Doug Ford to Ottawa for a visit to the Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre, one of 130 primary care teams supported through Ontario’s $3.4 billion Primary Care Action Plan. With $1.15 million in new funding, the team has already connected 1,767 people to care and is well on track to meet its 2029 patient attachment target. Ottawa is also benefiting from investments in several other primary care teams, including Greenbelt Family Health Team, South-East Ottawa Community Health Centre, Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, and others, which together are helping expand access to care across the region. It was also a pleasure to connect with Jill Skinner, Scott Phelan, and CEO Tamara Chipperfield, along with the dedicated team at Pinecrest-Queensway.

Later that day, I joined Premier Ford and Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Future of Business Summit. This important gathering brought together provincial leaders and business voices from across the country to discuss economic growth, interprovincial trade, and Canada’s competitiveness in global markets. It was a valuable opportunity to hear diverse perspectives and explore how we can continue strengthening Ontario’s economy while supporting innovation and investment.

I also want to recognize Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria’s visit to Ottawa for the Mayor’s Breakfast, where discussions focused on major infrastructure priorities for our region, including the future of the ring road, alongside the signing of an agreement between the Province and City to advance the upload of Highway 174 and Ottawa’s LRT system. While I was unable to attend in person due to commitments at Queen’s Park, I was pleased to have a member of my team attend on my behalf to ensure our office was represented and to continue engaging on these important discussions. I appreciate the Minister’s continued engagement and his willingness to work with local leaders on long-term infrastructure needs that will support our growing communities.

Later in the month, I was pleased to welcome Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs, back to Ottawa for productive conversations focused on rural issues and shared priorities across our ridings. These discussions provided an important opportunity to speak directly about the challenges facing rural communities, including infrastructure, agriculture, and local services. I also appreciated the chance to raise ongoing concerns related to recreational access and snowmobile trail networks, and to continue advocating for strong rural tourism and recreation opportunities.

To close out the month, I was proud to join Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, for the grand opening and ribbon cutting of International Business University’s Ottawa campus. This milestone represents an important investment in post-secondary education and workforce development, helping prepare students for careers that will support Ontario’s economic growth. Congratulations to Chancellor Dr. Feridun Hamdullahpur, President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Asima Vezina, and the entire team on this exciting achievement.

These visits are important opportunities to bring provincial leadership into our communities, highlight local successes, and ensure that the voices of Ottawa residents continue to be heard in provincial decision-making.

Expanding Access to Primary Care

I was pleased to formally recognize over $1.4 million in annual funding for The Ottawa Hospital Academic Family Health Team at The Ottawa Hospital on April 27th. This investment will help attach more than 2,600 patients to primary care and ensure more residents can access a family doctor or primary care team when they need it most.

This funding is part of Ontario’s $3.4 billion Primary Care Action Plan, which is working to connect every Ontarian to primary care by 2029. This funding is part of the more than $17 million recently allocated to seven Ottawa-area teams as part of this broader effort to strengthen local primary care capacity.

Since the launch of the plan, Health Care Connect waitlists have been reduced by more than 87% as of March 2026, with continued progress expected in the months ahead. This work is helping ensure families across Ontario can access timely, high-quality care.

Local Business Milestones

Across Carleton, local businesses continue to play an important role in strengthening our communities and creating vibrant main streets. This month, I had the opportunity to celebrate several exciting milestones with local entrepreneurs whose hard work and dedication are helping our communities thrive.

In Riverside South, Re-Read Used Books officially opened its doors, welcoming enthusiastic readers, families, and local authors into the community’s newest independent bookstore. Owners Ray and Trish, both avid readers themselves, built the business around the idea of giving gently used books a second life while creating a welcoming space for people to gather and share their love of reading. Following the success of their original Stittsville location, they expanded to Riverside South to meet the growing demand for community-focused bookstores.

In Manotick Village, I joined residents, community leaders, and local business supporters for the annual Spring Fling and the official ribbon cutting for True Crust. Darren and his family celebrated the opening of their new restaurant by welcoming visitors to enjoy their Mediterranean-style wood-fired pies and desserts in the heart of the village.

I was also pleased to join the Manotick Natural Market for its first ever Tighe Street Block Party and Sidewalk Sale while celebrating the business’s 25th anniversary serving the community. Milestones like these highlight the dedication of our local business owners and the important role small businesses continue to play in keeping Carleton’s communities vibrant and connected.

Supporting Innovation and Manufacturing

I also had the opportunity to tour two Ottawa-based companies doing impressive work in innovation, advanced manufacturing, and technology development.

At Cellusys Communications Ltd., I was given an inside look at their cutting-edge work in anti-fraud signal security technology. With more than $3.6 million invested into their operations and support through the Eastern Ontario Development Fund, Cellusys is expanding its cybersecurity capabilities, developing new technologies, and growing exports across the western hemisphere. This investment is helping strengthen Ontario’s economy while supporting good, high-quality jobs in a rapidly evolving sector. I want to thank CEO Brendan Cleary and the entire team for the warm welcome and insightful tour.

I also visited MDS Aero Support Corporation, a company specializing in the design and construction of advanced gas turbine engine test facilities. With a recent investment of over $5.2 million and support from the Eastern Ontario Development Fund, MDS is helping bring new innovative aerospace technologies to market while strengthening Ontario’s global competitiveness. Their strong partnership with post-secondary institutions also provides students with valuable long-term co-op and employment opportunities in engineering and design fields. Thank you to CEO John Jastremski and the team for the tour and hospitality.

Connecting with the Community

One of the most rewarding parts of this role is the opportunity to be out in our communities, meeting residents where they are, and taking part in the events and traditions that bring people together across Carleton.

Spring is always a busy season for community engagement, and it was great to see so many familiar faces at the Richmond Pancake Breakfast as we wrapped up maple syrup season in true local style. Joined by Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and Councillor David Brown, it was a wonderful opportunity to connect with residents in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. A sincere thank you to the many volunteers who make these kinds of community traditions possible year after year.

In Manotick, I also had the opportunity to attend the annual Spring Fling, where the village was filled with energy as local shops, vendors, and community groups came together to kick off the warmer months ahead. From live music to family-friendly activities and even a visit with the Manotick Legion’s lineup of community displays, it was a great example of what makes local shopping and village life so special. It was also encouraging to see continued collaboration supporting community spaces and local heritage in the village.

Back in Greely, I was pleased to take part in the Greely Scouts’ annual e-waste and recycling drive. After a short break due to volunteer capacity, it was great to see this group up and running again. These kinds of efforts not only support environmental responsibility but also bring neighbours together in a practical and meaningful way. Like many residents, I also took the opportunity to drop off a few items during some early spring cleaning.

I was also honoured to attend the Fire Chief’s Awards at the Hard Rock Ottawa, where more than 450 guests gathered to recognize the courage and dedication of Ottawa Fire Services personnel and community heroes. The evening highlighted extraordinary stories of bravery and service, and it was especially meaningful to see over $122,000 raised for the Children’s Burn Unit at CHEO through firefighter-led fundraising initiatives. It was a powerful reminder of the strength and generosity of those who serve our communities.

Finally, I want to recognize the incredible work of Shroomfest Inc.’s Annual Men’s Night. Each year, this event continues to grow in impact, bringing together volunteers, sponsors, local businesses, and residents in support of organizations and initiatives across our rural communities. What stands out most is not just the scale of the fundraising, but the spirit behind it. Neighbours supporting neighbours and a community that consistently steps up for one another. It is also important to recognize the lasting legacy of the late Judy Graham, whose commitment to community continues to be felt through this event and its impact today.

Alongside these events, I also continue to meet regularly with constituents, stakeholders, and community organizations at my Manotick Constituency Office, ensuring local voices are heard and supported on a wide range of issues.

These moments, both large and small, continue to highlight the strength, generosity, and connection that define our communities across Carleton.

Important Constituency Notes

Upcoming Open Door Session

My next Open Door session is currently scheduled for May 20th from 1PM to 4PM, barring any changes to legislative meetings, and will provide residents with the opportunity to stop by without an appointment to ask questions, share feedback, or raise any local concerns.

As details are finalized, updates will be shared on both the events page on my website and on my social media, so please follow along to stay up to date.

I always truly value the chance to connect directly with residents and greatly look forward to the conversations and feedback that come out of these sessions.

Canada Day Preparations

My team and I have been busy preparing for Canada Day and getting ready to attend celebrations across the riding. Canada Day is always one of the most special times of year, and we are looking forward to spending the day connecting with residents, community groups, and volunteers at events throughout the community. It is a great opportunity to come together, celebrate what makes our communities strong, and recognize the people who help make these celebrations possible. It is a great opportunity to come together, celebrate what makes our communities strong, and recognize the people who help make these celebrations possible.

New this year, my office will be providing Canada Day lawn signs to residents on a first-come, first-served basis. These signs are a simple way to show pride in our community and celebrate the day at home as well. Details are still being finalized, so be sure to keep an eye out for updates on how to request one!

News Releases, Funding Announcements and Statements

Legislative Business and Government Bills

  • Bill 101, Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026
    • This bill, which passed third reading on May 6th, 2026, proposes changes to strengthen governance and accountability at school boards and ensure more consistent learning experiences, with the goal of delivering high-quality education focused on students in the classroom.
    • STATUS: Passed 3rd reading
  • Bill 105, Protecting Ontario’s Workers and Economic Resilience Act, 2026
    • Bill 105 proposes changes which prospectively increase loss of earnings benefit rates from 85% to 90% of the difference between pre-injury net average earnings and post-injury net average earnings, strengthens employee protections, and reduces duplication for planning assessments.
    • STATUS: Referred to Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs
  • Bill 109, Protecting Ontario’s Food Independence Act, 2026
    • Bill 109, if passed, would create restrictions on foreign acquisition of Ontario farmland, expand agricultural production in northern Ontario, modernize veterinary medicine in Ontario, and streamline regulations in the agri-food sector.
    • STATUS: Second reading
  • Bill 110, Building Billy Bishop Airport Act, 2026
    • This bill, if passed, allows the province to take over the City of Toronto’s role in the tripartite agreement that governs the airport and take over the city-owned lands in exchange for fair compensation.
    • STATUS: Passed 2nd reading, referred to Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy
  • Bill 114, HST Relief Implementation Act (Residential Property Rebates), 2026
    • This bill, if passed, will support the implementation of the provincial rebate on eligible new homes, and are required due to the federal government’s participation in this initiative.
    • STATUS: Second reading

All other current bills can be seen here.

Bills Receiving Royal Assent:

Helpful Contacts

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