Press Releases

Queen's Park Report - Wilson pleased with Premier’s visits to Simcoe-Grey to announce support for police and first responders

(October 17, 2018) - During the past two weeks, I was pleased to twice welcome Premier Doug Ford to Simcoe-Grey for two great announcements in support of our police and first responders across the province.

On October 16, I was happy to join Premier Doug Ford in The Blue Mountains for a speech at the Ontario Provincial Police Association Annual General meeting. The Premier’s speech focused on law enforcement’s role in the protection of public health and safety within the province’s tightly regulated private cannabis retail marketplace.

As you all know, the Trudeau government legalized cannabis across the country on October 17. During his speech, the Premier indicated his concern that the federal government is still unable to provide law enforcement with reliable equipment to test for drug-impaired driving.

“It’s been three years since the Prime Minister committed to legal cannabis, yet the federal government cannot give our police a reliable test for drug-impaired driving,” the Premier said. “I’m calling on the federal government to address this critical issue and get our police the tools needed to keep our roads safe.”

I want to ensure anybody with concerns about the federal government’s decision to legalize cannabis that our government is committed to public health, public safety and protecting youth. We are calling on the Federal Government to step up and provide the police with the tools they need to keep our communities safe.

In Ontario, there will be strict enforcement of federal and provincial rules and a zero-tolerance approach for any retailer who provides cannabis to a minor. We will align cannabis consumption rules with the Smoke Free Ontario Act, which outright bans smoking near schools, playgrounds, hospitals, child care facilities and indoors - among other areas.

Our municipalities will have a one-time window to opt out of permitting cannabis retail stores within their municipal boundaries and they can enact bylaws that further restrict smoking cannabis beyond provincial minimum standards in places like parks.

“When it comes to cannabis, we can assure all Ontarians that we’ve done our homework, we are working closely with our police and other partners and no matter what lies ahead, Ontario will be ready,” said Premier Ford.

On October 11, I was thrilled to welcome Premier Ford and the Honourable Michael Tibollo, Minister of Community Services and Correctional Services to Alliston for a very important and historic announcement.

At the Nottawasaga OPP Detachment, Premier Ford announced Ontario’s Government for the People will take immediate action to keep Ontarians safe and protect communities by replacing the province’s  crumbling Public Safety Radio Network, which front-line emergency responders rely on during emergencies.

“This modernization project is long overdue,” said Premier Ford. “Our frontline and emergency responders need to have reliable, modern tools and resources in place to do their jobs and we are going to make sure this life-saving system gets underway.”

I was very proud to have the Premier make this vital announcement in Simcoe-Grey in front of so many of our first-responders, who do amazing work every single day. They deserve to have reliable, modern tools and resources in place to do their jobs and our government is going to make sure this life-saving system gets underway.

Across Ontario, 38,000 front-line and emergency responders including OPP police officers, paramedics and hospital staff, forest firefighters, provincial highway maintenance staff, as well as enforcement and correctional officers can can count on the communications infrastructure, network and equipment they need when responding to emergencies.

We’re going to replace the network’s aging infrastructure with state-of-the-art radio equipment and consoles. The network is to be fully operational by 2023.

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Queen’s Park report: Government will continue working to restore trust and accountability in finances

(September 24, 2018) – Last week my friend and colleague, Finance Minister Vic Fedeli announced the results of the Independent Commission of Financial Inquiry into the previous government’s accounting practices.

The report shows the previous government left a $15 billion deficit and as Mr. Fedeli said: “the Commission report reveals a culture of waste embedded at the highest levels of the previous government. In an election year, they pursued a reckless spree of deficit-financed spending.”

We have also learned that contrary to what the previous government reported, they did not run a surplus in 2017-18, but rather ran up a hidden $3.7 billion deficit.

This report is the first step towards our Government For the People’s pledge to restore accountability and trust in government, respect taxpayers and get our fiscal house in order.

I am happy to say, that after a 15 years of reckless spending and mismanagement, all the people of Ontario have finally received a full, honest and clear picture of the province’s finances. I’m pleased to see that, for the first time in three years, the Auditor General has provided a clean audit opinion on the Public Accounts. This is significant step forward for our province.

This is a positive first step, but the overall numbers remain very troubling. Ontario is $338 billion in debt. That is the largest subnational debt of any province or state in the entire world. It is more than $24,000 for every Ontarian. Last year, we paid $11.9 billion in interest payments to service the public debt. Those payments are more than twice the operating budget of the former Ministry of Children and Youth Services and bigger than the entire operating budget of the City of Toronto.

In 12 out of 15 years, the previous Liberal government ran a deficit. From 2003 to 2018, the Liberals increased the province’s net debt by 160% or almost $200 billion.

As a result of this report, Premier Doug Ford will appoint a Select Committee to investigate how the province’s fiscal situation became so dire. The committee will have the power to call witnesses, compel documents and gather evidence. It’s time for the residents of Ontario to get the answers they deserve.

There is a lot of work to be done to clean up this mess. I can assure everybody the government takes its responsibility to achieve fiscal prudence and sustainable government services very seriously. We’re going to fix this problem and get Ontario’s finances back in good shape, which will help get our province back on the path to prosperity.

We remain committed to balancing the budget as quickly as possible. Now that we have a better understanding of the issues with the previous government’s accounting practices, the line-by-line review being conducted by EY Canada will help us determine a path forward to eliminate duplication and waste in government spending.

There is still a long road to travel, but for the first time in many years, I am confident we are on the right path.

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Wilson congratulates David and Clara Johnson on 60th wedding anniversary

"It was my pleasure to congratulate David and Clara Johnson on their 60^th wedding anniversary at their garden party celebration in Wasaga Beach last weekend. This is an incredible milestone and it was an honour to attend such a special occasion," said MPP Jim Wilson.

Wilson attends Essa Salmon Riverbank Derby

"I had a great time at the 16^th annual Essa Salmon Riverbank Derby on Sunday afternoon. I want to thank the organizers for the invitation and congratulations to all the anglers who participated in the competition," said MPP Jim Wilson.

Minister's Wilson and Yurek in Angus to discuss Ontario Tree Seed Plant

(August 29, 2018) Yesterday, Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson and representatives from the office of Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry were in Angus to tour the Ontario Tree Seed Plant. Following the tour, MPP Wilson and Minister Jeff Yurek, who participated by teleconference, met with industry experts and local advocates to discuss options for the facility moving forward.

Our Government Keeps Promises!

Promise Made, Promises Kept: a review of our top 20 achievements so far

Queen’s Park: Today, Ontario Government House Header, Minister Todd Smith recapped our government’s promises kept since coming to office. Focusing on our top 20 achievements, these historic changes will save families money, make life more affordable and bring accountability back to government.

“During the election, we presented our Plan for the People. Citizens across Ontario supported our plan by sending us to Queen’s Park with a strong majority,” said Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson.

“Since July, we have delivered key initiatives that will help lower gas prices and reduce your hydro bills, restore accountability and trust in government, and send a message to the world that Ontario is open for business,” said Todd Smith, Government House Leader and Minister of Government and Consumer Services.

Since forming government, under the leadership of Premier Doug Ford, we have been busy passing legislation and taking action on many files to improve life for Ontarians, including:

Passing the Urgent Priorities Act, including immediate action to protect students by ending the York University Strike, bring unprecedented transparency and accountability to Hydro One, and cancel an industrial wind turbine project in Prince Edward County that had been improperly approved during the general election.

Passing the Better Local Government Act, which will reduce the size and cost of Toronto’s city council — saving local taxpayers $25 million dollars that can be invested in other priorities. The Act will also prevent gridlock in Peel, York, Muskoka and Niagara by removing yet another layer of elected politicians.

Introducing the Cap and Trade Cancellation Act that, if passed, will save the average Ontario family $260 and bring gas prices down by 4.3 cents per litre.

Overseeing the renewal of Hydro One including the departure of the previous CEO and Board of Directors and instalment of a new Board, backed up by real accountability and transparency measures.

Dedicating an additional $100 million to fight forest fires across Ontario

Introducing a responsible plan for Ontario following the legalization of cannabis that will focus on protecting youth, eliminating the illegal market, and embracing a well-regulated private market.

Challenging the constitutionality of the federal government’s plan to impose a carbon tax on Ontario families, workers and businesses and joining Saskatchewan’s similar challenge of the federal government’s job-killing carbon tax.

Forging a pan-Canadian consensus on the issue of costs associated with illegal border crossings. Every province and territory agreed that it is the federal government’s responsibility to pay for the mess that it has created from its own border policy decisions.

Taking immediate action to clean up the scandals, mismanagement and waste inherited from the previous government by striking an Independent Financial Commission of Inquiry under the leadership of former British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell. We also launched an outside line-by-line audit of all government spending in order to get Ontario’s finances back on track.

Consistently advocating for Ontario jobs, Ontario workers and Ontario businesses threatened by the current trade dispute with the U.S., including direct diplomacy from both the Premier and Jim Wilson, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, south of the border.

Taking urgent and long-overdue action to reform Ontario’s Social Assistance system so that its focus can once again return to helping people get back to work and get their lives back on track.

Cancelling all pre-construction Green Energy Projects as part of the government’s commitment to bringing hydro bills down by 12 per cent.

Announcing the reform of OHIP+ to make it more sustainable by focusing benefits on those who do not have existing prescription drug benefits, while continuing to guarantee that every child and youth still receives the prescription drugs they need.

Leading the fight against gang and gun violence with a $25 million investment that will be directed to the priorities that have been identified by the police themselves.

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Queen's Park Report: Buck-a-Beer is returning to Ontario

(August 8, 2018) - Our new government has fulfilled another one of the promises we made during the election campaign.

This week Premier Doug Ford, Finance Minister Vic Fedeli and Minister of Government and Consumer Services Todd Smith announced that Buck-a-Beer will return to Ontario by August 27.

Premier Ford promised during the election campaign to bring back ‘Buck-a-Beer’ and I am happy to say: Promise made, promise kept.

The government is lowering the minimum price floor to $1 for any beer with an alcohol volume below 5.6%. The minimum retail price for beer was $1 in Ontario from 2005 to 2008 until the previous Liberal government banned Buck-a-Beer by increasing the minimum price.

To encourage brewers to lower their prices in time for the Labour Day long weekend, the Premier formally launched the Buck-a-Beer Challenge. Any brewer who agrees to lower their prices on or after August 27 will, for a limited time throughout the year, receive LCBO promotional considerations such as limited time discounts, in-store displays on end aisles and shelf extenders, or advertising in LCBO flyers and newspaper inserts.

We are not subsidizing brewers, as the opposition claims; we are working with brewers and giving them the option to lower prices for consumers. There are no financial incentives from the government and the tax portion of the cost of beer is not being reduced. Buck-a-Beer does not apply to draft beer sold in restaurants and bars and ciders, wines and spirits.

“We’re going to do this smartly and responsibly,” said Premier Ford. “And we trust Ontario beer drinkers and other consumers to make their own smart, mature and responsible choices.”

I am proud to say that Ontario is open for business. Our government was elected to eliminate job-killing red tape and put people first. Buck-a-Beer is part of our commitment to change alcohol retailing across the province including expanding the sale of beer and wine to convenience stores, grocery stores and big box stores.

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Wilson thanks Minister Yurek for honouring commitment to review Ontario Tree Seed Plant closure

Throne Speech Lays Out Road Map for PCs Plan for the People

Government for the People outlines top priorities for the next four years

QUEEN’S PARK – Yesterday the newly formed Government for the People outlined its plan to deliver real change for Ontario. The Throne Speech identified key issues that Premier Ford intends to address, which include cleaning up the hydro mess left by the Liberals, protecting students, ending hallway medicine and restoring accountability to government.

"We have a clear mandate from the people," said Premier Doug Ford. "We are ending the deadlocked strike at York University so students can get back to school. We are striking the cap-and-trade carbon tax from the books. And we are cancelling unnecessary renewable energy projects to help lower your electricity bills."

After 15 years of Liberal waste and mismanagement, there are a number of pressing issues that need to be resolved. The Government for the People’s Throne Speech made it clear just how serious this government is about bringing relief to the people of Ontario and creating jobs and economic opportunity.

Minister Jim Wilson is honoured to serve the constituents of Simcoe-Grey as their MPP, and the province as Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “I am honoured to be a part of the newly formed Government for the People. I want to thank the constituents of Simcoe–Grey for entrusting me once again to represent and advocate on their behalf. I will work hard to honour the commitments I made to you, both before and during the campaign,” said Minister Wilson.

“As Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, I have started to meet with stakeholders and I look forward to making Ontario open for business. I will work hand-in-hand with Ontario’s business community, job creators, and employees, to make Ontario the economic engine of Canada once again,” said Minister Wilson.

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Wilson thanks voters for support, looks forward to the next four years

(July 3, 2018) - I want to take this opportunity to thank you, the residents of Simcoe-Grey, for allowing me to continue to serve as your Member of Provincial Parliament at Queen’s Park. This is a tremendous honour and I promise to represent you as your voice in the 42^nd Parliament of Ontario.

My reelection would not have been possible without the wonderful support of my volunteers who did so much work on my behalf. I want to thank them for the excellent job they all did over the course of the campaign. Election campaigns require immense amounts of work including: hammering in signs, answering phone calls, knocking on doors and speaking to voters about the important issues facing the riding and the province as a whole.

I also want to congratulate my fellow candidates. Running as a candidate in an election is a tremendous challenge. It requires a deep commitment and a significant amount of time. Those that put their names forward for public office deserve praise and respect.

This is an exciting time for the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario. For the first time in 15 years, we will form a government under the leadership of Premier Doug Ford. I look forward to serving in this new government and I am excited about the future and the opportunities to do great work for all Ontarians. This will truly be a government for the people.

I am proud to be able to serve as Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade in our new administration. It’s always a tremendous honour to be asked to serve in cabinet by the Premier and I look forward to this new challenge.

Our new government has an amazing amount of new and returning talent. The members of our caucus are very impressive and will do an outstanding job on behalf of the people. We are committed to returning trust and accountability to the government, lowering hydro prices, ending hallway health care, reducing gas taxes and making Ontario open for business again.

Locally, my priorities continue to be the redevelopment of Collingwood General and Marine Hospital and Stevenson Memorial Hospital in Alliston. It’s time for these critical projects to move forward. I am committed to reviewing the decision to close the Ontario Tree Seed Plant in Angus. It is also important to get new washrooms built and the waterfront cleaned up in Wasaga Beach. I will continue to advocate in favour of getting the four new hospice beds open at Campbell House Hospice in Collingwood.

Representing you as your MPP is a job that I love. There is a lot of exciting and interesting work ahead and I look forward to taking this journey with all of you by my side. Please, do not hesitate to contact me or my offices if I can help you, your family or your neighbours in any dealings you have with the Province of Ontario.

Once again, thank you for your many years of continued support. I am humbled by the confidence you have placed in me and I will continue to be your voice at Queen’s Park.

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