Press Releases

Ontario’s Poet Laureate Nominations – Now Open!

July 6, 2020 - The Legislative Assembly of Ontario is inviting nominations for the province's first Poet Laureate.

The Poet Laureate of Ontario Act (In Memory of Gord Downie) was passed unanimously in the Legislature in December 2019. It honours the late former lead singer of popular Canadian rock band The Tragically Hip, whose poetic lyrics touched the hearts of Canadians from coast to coast.

Upon appointment by the Legislature, the Poet Laureate will report to the Speaker of the Legislature as an officer of the Assembly for a two-year term. Responsibilities will include writing poetry, promoting art and literacy in the province, celebrating Ontario and its people and raising the profile of Ontario poets.

"For the first time in our history, we will be celebrating our literary arts by selecting an Ontario Poet Laureate," said the Legislature's Speaker Ted Arnott. "Poetry nourishes and inspires, and our poets speak to our hearts and souls. This initiative could not come at a better time."

Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson called poetry one of the greatest of the Arts. "It motivates and it sustains us," he said. "Poetry is also practical. It teaches us while it touches our deepest emotions and feelings," he added.

Ontario's Poet Laureate will join counterparts in other jurisdictions, such as Canada's Parliament as well as municipalities across the province including Collingwood, Owen Sound, Barrie and Toronto.
The successful candidate must be a person whose primary residence is Ontario and who has published at least one volume of poetry within the last 10 years or must demonstrate that their body of work has brought honour to themselves and to Ontario.

For more information about nomination procedures and requirements, please visit the Legislative Assembly of Ontario's Poet Laureate website: www.ola.org/en/poet-laureate

Applications for the position are being accepted through to September 15, 2020. Following the acceptance of nominations, a selection panel will prepare a short list of the nominees by December and announce a chosen nominee by February, 2021.

News Release - LCBO Convenience Outlets - Opportunity for Businesses

July 6, 2020 – The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) is opening up opportunities for businesses in five Simcoe-Grey communities. Retailers in Beeton, Craigleith, Hockley, Mansfield and Singhampton are invited to apply for a five year authorization to sell beverage alcohol within their existing retail business premises.

Under the province's Convenience Outlets program, the LCBO authorizes local retailers to sell beverage alcohol in conjunction with other retail goods. The outlets sell beverage alcohol to the public at the same prices charged at regular LCBO retail stores, The Beer Store and other retail outlets.

"Ontario is committed to delivering greater choice and convenience to individuals and families," said Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson. "Living in a smaller or rural community should not be an obstacle to receiving services readily available to those who reside in larger centers."

The LCBO has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) inviting prospective respondents who currently operate an existing retail business in one of the selected communities to submit proposals to establish and operate a Convenience Outlet. The full RFP documents are available at this link. Applications must be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 2 p.m. on Monday, July 20.

Current Convenience Outlet operators and businesses who have previously expressed their interest must submit a new application within the RFP period. There is no fee to apply.

The LCBO expects to begin issuing Authorizations in August.

Successful applicants will be able to begin selling beverage alcohol once they receive their first order of product.

VIDEO: Wilson Updates Wasaga Beach Town Council

(June 30, 2020) – Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson met with Wasaga Beach Town Council on Tuesday to update them on Ontario's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and respond to members' questions. Wilson congratulated the Council on its efforts to keep the community safe and helping citizens and businesses during the disruption. "It's been a co-ordinated effort between federal, provincial and local governments," he said.

The MPP discussed Ontario's Action Plan which includes $3.3 billion of additional resources for health care, $3.7 billion to support people and jobs, and makes available $10 billion for people and businesses through interest and penalty relief measures. He also addressed local conditions.

"Thankfully, due to the hard work of our Health Unit, our hospitals and health care workers – along with the cooperation of our citizens – it appears we are now over the worst of the first wave of the pandemic," said Wilson. "Throughout the lockdown our hospitals actually experienced a decrease in admissions. They had the capacity to deal with the COVID cases that presented themselves," he added.

Mr. Wilson told Council that, with the province now beginning to re-open, visitors want to enjoy Wasaga Beach, one of Ontario's prime vacation destinations.

"With out-of-province travel all but shut down, many people are looking for 'stay-cation' opportunities," he said. "I think – and I hear from many of our small business operators – that we should be welcoming folks to our community. But we need to encourage them to be safe and to follow the rules."

Wilson expressed his disappointment at the government's decision to temporarily close the Nancy Island Visitors Centre but he has been assured by Environment, Conservation and Parks Minister Jeff Yurek that, while there is currently no opening date set for the Center, it will be re-opened to users when it is safe to do so.

You can watch Mr. Wilson's appearance at Wasaga Council. It is the first agenda item here.

Province Investing in Enhanced Public Transit Cleaning

Ontario provides funding to Simcoe-Grey to keep passengers and employees safe

June 29, 2020

Collingwood — Today, Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson announced that the province is keeping transit riders and operators safe and reducing the transmission of COVID-19 by providing municipalities in the riding with more than $80-thousand to cover additional cleaning costs of municipal transit systems due to COVID-19. This funding is part of $15 million in provincial support for 110 municipalities across the province towards enhanced transit cleaning as the province gradually reopens.

Enhanced municipal transit cleaning funding builds upon the recommendations in the recently-released safety guidance for public transit agencies and supports safe and reliable transit public transit that will get people moving, reduce congestion, and drive economic growth.

"Our public transit systems are critical to supporting the economy and getting residents where they need to go as our communities gradually re-open, people return to work and families slowly begin a near-normal lifestyle," said Mr. Wilson.

"We recognize that municipal transit agencies across the province are facing significant financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak," said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. "That is why we are providing funding for enhanced cleaning on public transit systems and continuing to work closely with our municipal partners to support safety on public transit."

Municipal Transit Cleaning allocations within Simcoe-Grey are:

Clearview: $5,657
Collingwood: $13,507
New Tecumseth: $14,130
Simcoe County: $39,084
Wasaga Beach: $9,202

Today's announcement is part of Ontario's Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19. This $17 billion immediate response provides urgent support to help Ontario businesses, workers, seniors, families, students, Indigenous peoples and communities, and vulnerable populations during COVID-19.
The action plan includes $3.3 billion of additional resources for health care, $3.7 billion to support people and jobs, and it makes available $10 billion for people and businesses through interest and penalty relief measures to improve their cash flow, protecting jobs and household budgets.

Additional Resources
• Learn more about A Framework for Reopening our Province.

• Read the guidance for transit agencies and passengers

• Visit Ontario's website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.

VIDEO: "An Important First Step" for Cystic Fibrosis Patients

(June 17, 2020) - Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliot has provided assurances that province's Cystic Fibrosis patients will soon have access to drugs that can enhance their quality and length of life.

The Minister was responding to questions from Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson who congratulated the government for joining its federal and provincial counterparts in beginning negotiations with Vertex Pharmaceuticals on a purchasing price for Kalydeco and Orkambi.

Wilson has led the fight in Ontario for these life-saving medications for almost 10 years. The pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance, which negotiates pricing on behalf of the federal government and the provinces, announced over the weekend it was entering talks with the drug manufacturer.

"Negotiating with the company is an important first step," said Mr. Wilson. "More important is whether the government will list the drugs on the provincial formulary when they become available," he added.

Minister Elliot assured Wilson that the government is doing everything it can to move talks forward as expeditiously as possible. 

VIDEO: Re-opening Tourism in Simcoe-Grey

Picture: Tourism Minister Social Distancing in Thornbury

(June 17, 2020) Ontario Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism Lisa Macleod continued her Re-opening Ontario Tour with a visit to Simcoe-Grey this week. She was accompanied on her travels by MPP Jim Wilson.

While in the area, the pair dropped in to the Thornbury Cider and Brew House, Scenic Caves Nature Adventures, the Scandinave Spa and Blue Mountain Village.

"We're a four season tourist destination," said Mr. Wilson. "As Ontario opens up, many people are planning a stay-cation in the province," he added. "Everyone is welcome here. We just ask that they follow the rules." he added.

Simcoe County is within one of 24 Ontario Health Unit areas that have moved to Phase 2 of the province's plan to lift restrictions on the lockdown that was implemented to help curb the spread of COVID-19. The tourism sector is critical to the region's economy.

As can be seen in this video, tourist operators are ready for visitors as Ontario begins to re-open: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTp89ItFugA

Nicolston Pioneer Cemetary Plaque Dedication

Image: Jim with Essa Mayor Sandie Macdonald and the three Franklins named after founder Franklin Nicol

(June 17, 2020) Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson joined members of the Essa Historical Society, local dignitaries and three generations of the Nicol family on the weekend for the dedication of a plaque commemorating the Nicolston Pioneer Cemetery. The village of Nicolston was founded by John Nicol in 1853 and was home to a sawmill that was later converted to a flour and grist mill.

In 1859, John Nicol deeded property for a cemetery next to Nicol's Mill Presbyterian Church. This was later known as Carluke Presbyterian, Nicolston Presbyterian, and after 1925, Nicolston United.

Wilson commended the Historical Society, the Township of Essa and the Nicol family for their work and dedication in preserving the cemetery, an important part of Simcoe County history.
"Our past makes us the people we are today" said Wilson. "Remembering the pioneers who built our communities helps us to understand the present and prepare for the future," he added.

The mill site is now the location of the Nicolston Dam Campground which was founded 60 years ago and is currently run by the 5th and 6th generations of the Nicol family.

The church was closed in 1957. The cemetery was restored in 1972. A few stones remain standing, but most have been gathered into two rows and set on concrete bases.

Economic Recovery Consultation Held with Simcoe-Grey Business Sector

Ontario gathers ideas on how best to restart the economy

(June 8, 2020) Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson and federal MP Terry Dowdall today held a virtual consultation with leaders from the business sector to learn how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted local businesses and services and to gather ideas as Ontario prepares to restart the economy. Restrictions will not be lifted until the Chief Medical Officer of Health is confident the outbreak is in decline.

Ideas from the consultation will be reported to the Ontario government's Jobs and Recovery Committee which will consider the feedback to identify how best to protect and support people and jobs, restart the economy and move towards recovery across Ontario.

"It is important to hear directly from tourism stakeholders, particularly in Simcoe-Grey where the sector is a critical part of our regional economy," said Mr. Wilson. "By working together with our partners we can support a prudent, people-focused plan that puts our community on the road to recovery."

"Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been happy to work closely with MPP Wilson and his team," said MP Dowdall. "Simcoe-Grey constituents can be assured that we are doing everything we can to get them the support they need."

"The government's number one priority remains the health and well-being of the people of Ontario, even as we restart the economy and drive subsequent recovery," said Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance and Chair of the Jobs and Recovery Committee. "We will need to work collectively to assess the overall impact of the pandemic and the best way to ramp up local businesses and services and rebuild for the benefit of individuals, families and workers."

These consultations reflect a team approach, working across parties and with experts, local leaders and citizens. If you have ideas to contribute and would like to participate, I invite you to do so by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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More Ontario Businesses and Services to Open

Restrictions are being eased for businesses and services in Ontario regions where it is safe to do so.

Beginning Friday, the province will increase the limit on social gatherings from five to 10 people.

Select regions will see outdoor dine-in establishments, some personal care services, recreational facilities, provincial beaches and places of worship re-opened with proper health and safety measures in place.

Read the government's News Release here.

(VIDEO) Wilson asks government about skydiving in Wasaga Beach

June 3, 2020 (Video) Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson is encouraging the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to allow for occasional parachute jumps onto a small portion of the shoreline at Wasaga Beach Provincial Park on special occasions.

"Supporting outdoor recreation opportunities is a key component of the Ministry's mandate," said Mr. Wilson. "Skydiving is a safe, highly regulated and licensed activity," he added.

Wilson commended the Ministry for finally considering the proposal of Wasaga Beach entrepreneur Leslie Farkas after having denied his request to expand his business on several occasions. The MPP says efforts like those of Mr. Farkas can help revitalize the tourism industry which is so important to the economic well-being of communities like Wasaga Beach.

Mr. Wilson says he is looking forward to the day that, when the beach returns and it is safe to do so, a large Canadian flag is allowed to drop from the sky onto the beach to help celebrate an important holiday like Canada Day or Simcoe Day. You can see the MPP's statement to the legislature here.