Local Press Release

The Ontario government is taking another step forward to get shovels in the ground on the Yonge North Subway Extension by issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the contract to design and build the subway’s tunnels. The Yonge North Subway Extension is one of Ontario’s four priority subway projects for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and will deliver much-needed rapid transit between York Region and Toronto.

Ontario is committing to new expanded mandatory learning on Holocaust education in the compulsory Grade 10 History course. This addition will be implemented for September 2025 and complements new mandatory learning on the significance of the Holocaust in Grade 6 Social Studies.

MPP Laurie Scott, Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, and MPP Laura Smith, Thornhill, tabled a joint Private Member’s Bill today to stop convicted offenders under Christopher’s Law from legally changing their names in Ontario. This bill, if passed, will prevent sex offenders who have committed horrific crimes the ability to hide their identities.  

The Ontario government is making investments in York Region to connect local residents and families to faster, more convenient public health services and emergency care in their communities.

From October 1-8 they are partnering with Restaurants Canada on a new campaign called Dine
Ontario (#DineOnt), and all restaurants are invited to participate! Dine Ontario will provide free
promotional materials to restaurants that feature an Ontario food or seasonal dish special during
this time period, and we encourage, where possible, including a feature beverage such as
Ontario wine, beer, cider or spirits. This could include highlighting current Ontario menu items or
a new creation for this week.

Funding for new video surveillance equipment and technology will help police fight crime THORNHILL – […]

Today, Laura Smith, MPP for Thornhill announced that the new E.J. Sand Public School will be welcoming students in September for the 2023-24 school year. This project is a part of Ontario’s ongoing efforts to build and improve local schools, with the province providing the York Region District School Board with $19.2 million to build the school in Thornhill.

Scarborough-Agincourt MPP, Aris Babikian was joined Parliamentary Assistants to the Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport, Dave Smith and Laura Smith at the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the end of the renovations to the community gym facility at OneChurch.to.

The Ontario government is providing new student supports and updating curriculum for the 2023-24 school year. These actions will refocus school boards on the development of foundational skills in reading, writing and math, supported by almost $700 million more in base education funding, $109 million in a new strategy to boost literacy rates, and the hiring of 2,000 more educators.