By MPP Bobbi Ann Brady
Throughout 2024, you, the hardworking people of Haldimand-Norfolk, continued to inspire me to work my tail off, not only in the riding but also at Queen’s Park.
As I said in Part One of my “Year in Review Series,” I drew a lot of attention in the Legislature. What matters to you is always front and centre. Here are some highlights from the second half of 2024.
I didn’t want to cause any commotion with my motions, but I wanted to make sure the government has a record of what you and I want. (A motion is a proposal an MPP makes that requires a decision from the House. The House can agree to the motion, disagree to the motion, or amend the motion.)
My motions included honouring our veterans every single day by compelling municipalities to paint a remembrance crosswalk; helping homebuilders by increasing the Ontario HST Home Rebate to reflect 75 per cent of the HST based on the first one million dollars of a new build instead of the current $400k; to address the teacher shortage, make teachers college one year instead of two; modernize and increase the efficiency of Ontario provincial petitions by following the long-established federal paradigm and allowing electronic petitions; and, penalize with a $2 million fine any Ontario government that breaks the fixed election date by three months or more.
For the fifth time, I stood in the Ontario Legislature asking the Minister of Transportation to provide a start date for the long-overdue Argyle Street Bridge reconstruction. I also asked when the dangerous Highway 6 and Haldibrook Road intersection will be made safe. I will continue to visit the intersection until the ministry takes action.
I’ve received many inquiries asking why the government isn’t encouraging Empire Homes to develop Townsend, rather than the Nanticoke Industrial Park, given many years ago the entire infrastructure for a city was installed. Let me be clear, I’m not advocating for 40,000 people to be dropped into Townsend.
After weeks of non-answers in the House, back and forth between ministries, I finally learned that Infrastructure Ontario owns the lands but are being held by the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and Economic Reconciliation (IAFNER). The Minister of Infrastructure also told me the lands are being held for social purposes. I’ll speculate this land is being held as negotiation for Indigenous issues.
Townsend segues nicely into my ongoing petition “No to the MZO (Minister’s Zoning Order)” at the Nanticoke Industrial Park. Via news release, I provided contact information for multiple ministries so you can join in the massive chorus expressing concerns about the imminent MZO from Empire Homes. If granted, the MZO will green light the development of a city of 15,000 homes, 40,000 people. We must protect the good-paying jobs at Nanticoke.
Countering the lies of those who say having an Independent MPP jeopardizes provincial funding to Haldimand-Norfolk, is the actual 2025 funding. The Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) is the province’s main general assistance grant to municipalities. In 2025, Haldimand County’s allocation is $4,783,600 compared to $4,090,500 in 2024, a 16.94 per cent increase. And Norfolk County’s 2025 allocation is $7,268,900 compared to $5,984,600 in 2024, a 21.46 per cent increase. This compared to similar-sized PC-held counties like Huron, Perth, and Hastings who all had 15 per cent decreases. And we can’t forget the historic $16.5 million to update the Port Dover wastewater treatment plant—funds I advocated for. We’ll talk more about water in the new year…
Coming off the Christmas season one often thinks of humanity. That prompted my year-end question to the premier regarding Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) euthanasia. Despite its mandate for compassion and dignity to those suffering terminal illness, there seems to be a trend of it being used as a substitute for proper counselling and supports. Government should not normalize homicide, and MAID should not be an industry.
There’s so much more, but I only have so many words. If you want more details, please visit bobbiannbrady.com
Bobbi Ann Brady is the MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk