Looking ahead to 2024 with Perth–Wellington’s MPP

Perth–Wellington MPP Matthew Rae is clear on his goals for the coming year.

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“Affordability is the number-one issue we hear in the office and when I’m out community,” he said. “Ensuring that we continue to provide relief to individuals in the province is essential.”

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As part of this “relief,” Rae said the Ontario government plans to extend its tax cut on gasoline – reduced by 5.7 cents a liter since July 2022 – to June 30, 2024.

Rae also touted the Ontario government’s Guaranteed Annual income System (GAINS) Program that ensures a guaranteed minimum income for Ontario seniors by providing monthly payments to qualifying pensioners.

“In 2024, we’re looking to expand the GAINS program. This program provides seniors and low-income seniors with financial assistance,” the MPP said.

Rae said this expansion will extend program eligibility to nearly 100,000 more seniors across Ontario.

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As far as health care, Rae noted there are challenges, despite the provincial government trying to improve working conditions and increase funding in that sector.

“In health care, especially rural health care, there are gaps, but we’ve invested $200 million to help provide education and internships to nurses, especially those in rural areas,” Rae said.

The MPP said the Ontario Government is also investing in critical infrastructure to help support and maintain municipal water projects in rural communities to help build more housing and spur economic growth.

“Investing in wastewater infrastructure will ensure that small towns can work with non-profits or work with a private developer to build a wide range of housing, and this funding can help facilitate that,” he said.

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As part of its commitment to building more affordable inviting housing, the Ontario Government is also Ontario municipalities to be part of its three-year Building Faster Fund that will share $400 million in new annual funding to jurisdictions that meet set targets, Rae said.

Of that total, Rae noted that $120 million is being set aside for rural municipalities that meet their housing targets.

“There is flexibility into how these funds can be used,” Rae said.

Rae also pointed to Ontario’s Social Relief Fund part of the provincial government’s housing strategy, explaining it’s specifically granted to municipalities to help deliver critical services, bolster long-term housing solutions and promote community safety.

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“That money is essentially a lump sum given to the local service provider. They can decide how they want to allocate the money,” Rae said about the annual fund.

The local MPP also said Ontario is meeting its current targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“I’m very committed to meeting our targets for greenhouse gas emissions. Ontario is on track; we are committed to meeting the federal government targets,” he said.

Rae said rural farmers continue to be top of mind for him, so he will persist in advocating for appropriate business risk management programs for farmers.

“I’ve been working with Lisa Thompson, the Ontario minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs, to ensure we continue supporting our farmers,” he said.

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In 2024, Rae said he will be working on Life Lease, a private member’s bill that is set to go to committee early in the year.

“As we discussed earlier, we are in a housing crisis, and there’s no easy solution,” said Rae. “The Life Leases bill is one way that we can help people get into the housing market and help build equity for those who may not be able to afford a house.”

This legislation, if approved, will act as a housing model between renting and owning.

“I see it as a way to potentially address some of the missing middle in the housing spectrum,” said Rae.

The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

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