Local Press Release

The Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) is launching the new OVIN Demonstration Zone in partnership with the City of Vaughan and the City of Markham. This new $7.3 million project includes $2.5 million in support from the Ontario government through OVIN and $1.4 million in combined funding from the City of Vaughan and the City of Markham.

On Wednesday, MPP Laura Smith and Nalin De Silva, an Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) volunteer were at the Clark Avenue Campus for DANI (Developing and Nurturing Independence). Last year, DANI received a $96,000 Capital grant from OTF to help it renovate their social-enterprise kitchen to help it continue to meet the growing training/employment needs of the neuro-diverse community.

Laura Smith, MPP for Thornhill, a tireless advocate in government for education to combat antisemitism, was pleased to join Premier Doug Ford on Friday to announce that Ontario is contributing $500,000 in funding for the newly opened Toronto Holocaust Museum to support educators, education programs, partnerships with community organizations and security.

On Friday, MPP Laura Smith met with the team at Clarico Place of York Region to hear from them about the difference that a $91,400 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) will have over the coming year.

MPP Laura Smith, Thornhill, and MPP Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Mississauga-Centre tabled a joint Private Members’ Bill today to start a meaningful conversation about how Ontario can provide better care for seniors, and those living with Alzheimer’s Disease Related Dementias (ADRD).

MPP Michael Parsa and MPP Laura Smith met with the team at the Alzheimer Society of York Region to hear how a $149,500 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is making an impact.

The Ontario government is providing up to $1.5 million this year to not-for-profits and organizations across the province so they can develop tools and educational resources to raise awareness about the value and benefits of accessibility and help make Ontario open to people of all abilities.

Today, the province issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Advance Tunnel Contract, marking a significant milestone in its plan to reduce gridlock, connect people to jobs and make travel between York Region and Toronto faster and easier.

On Friday night as the cast for Opera York’s production of Mozart’s Magic Flute were readying to take the stage, Philip Trow, President of Opera York welcomed MPP Laura Smith and MPP Daisy Wai to say a few words about the impact of a $36,000 Resilient Communities Fund grant that the group received last year from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). 

The Ontario government is providing more money to support the expansion and improvement of public transit services in York Region. The funding is part of the province’s gas tax program which will allocate more than $379.5 million to help 107 municipalities operate and improve local transit.