NEWS November 20, 2009

The opening of a Health Card Services office at Westdale Mall is the first step to a fully-integrated ServiceOntario centre offering a full range of services, Government Services Minister Harinder S. Takhar announced today.

Mississauga residents will be able to make one trip for health card, driver’s licence, vehicle registration and other government services once the ServiceOntario office is fully integrated next year. By the end of 2010, Mississauga will have five integrated ServiceOntario centres offering both health card and drivers licence services under one roof.

The Mississauga ServiceOntario centre at Westdale Mall currently offers all health card services and provides extended hours four evenings per week – Monday to Thursday until 7:00 p.m. with an appointment. The site is fully accessible and offers ample free parking close to the building.

The opening of the Mississauga office is another step in ServiceOntario’s plan to build a one-stop services network in which 95 per cent of Ontarians will be within 10 kilometres of a fully-integrated ServiceOntario centre.

QUOTES

“I am delighted that Mississauga residents will soon be able to get integrated health card, driver’s licence and vehicle registration services at one counter. Ontarians deserve excellent customer service and ServiceOntario is making it easier for people in this community.”
— Honourable Harinder S. Takhar, Minister of Government Services

QUICK FACTS

? Access to health card services will expand from the current 27 OHIP offices to all 300 integrated centres.
? Address changes, birth certificates and outdoors card renewals are just some of the services offered online by ServiceOntario.
? In rural communities, access to health card services will expand from two to 163 ServiceOntario centres. In northern communities, access to health card services will expand from six to 67 ServiceOntario centres.

LEARN MORE

About the services offered by ServiceOntario
Find the location closest to you

McGuinty Government Encourages Ontarians To Support Our Troops

New Ontario licence plates featuring the Yellow Ribbon – Support our Troops logo are being introduced to honour the Canadian Forces.
Starting February 1, 2010, these regular, personalized and sample licence plates can be ordered through select ServiceOntario locations and driver and vehicle licence issuing offices across the province. Personalized licence plates with the new logo will also be available for order online at www.ServiceOntario.ca and by phone at 1-800-AUTO-PL8.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the licence plates will go the Canadian Forces Personnel Assistance Fund, which helps current and former members of the Canadian military and their immediate families.
This new licence plate complements the existing veteran’s plate, which features a poppy in honour of those who have served or are currently serving in the Canadian Armed Forces.
QUOTES
“This is a fitting tribute to the heroism of those who served in our armed forces and those who continue to risk their lives as part of Canada’s military mission.”
– Harinder S. Takhar, Minister of Government Services
“Just as the poppy symbolizes remembrance of Canadian soldiers, the yellow ribbon honours the ongoing efforts of our troops around the world. These plates remind us that we live in peace and freedom because of their sacrifices.”
– Jim Bradley, Minister of Transportation
“We appreciate the provincial government’s show of support for Canadian Forces’ members and their families, and we’ll use the royalties received to continue to provide necessary financial assistance to those who need it.”
– André Bouchard, President of SISIP Financial Services
QUICK FACTS
CANEX and the Canadian Forces Personnel Assistance Fund (CFPAF) applied for a Yellow Ribbon – Support our Troops graphic licence plate through the government’s Graphic Licence Plate Program.
The Graphic Licence Plate program was re-launched by ServiceOntario in June 2009 with new processes, participation criteria and contract management practices.
LEARN MORE
Learn more about CFPAF
Learn more about ServiceOntario

NEWS
August 20, 2009
Internationally trained newcomers to Ontario will have greater opportunities to work in their fields as a result of expanded bridge training programs at York University.

The province is investing $5.2 million towards the university’s new bridge training programs for information technologists and business professionals, in addition to an existing nursing program.

Bridge training programs help newcomers trained overseas get the local training they need to find a job in their field and contribute to Ontario’s economy. The programs provide a variety of transitional supports such as international skills assessment, technical training, local work experience, occupation specific language training and mentorships.

Support for these programs is part of the government’s plan to strengthen the economy by investing in the skills and knowledge of Ontarians.

QUOTES:

“Newcomers often face challenges in finding appropriate and suitable employment.” “This new funding will go along way to help newcomers bridge the gap between their foreign credentials and the local experience.”
- Harinder Takhar, MPP for Mississauga-Erindale and Minister of Government Services.

Ontario’s newcomers are both educated and skilled. This investment in bridge training will help employers access their qualifications and talent sooner.”
- Michael Chan, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

“Once again, the McGuinty government has shown it understands that an investment in postsecondary education is an investment in Ontario’s future. This funding is a vote of confidence for internationally trained newcomers and for York University.”
- Mamdouh Shoukri, President and Vice-Chancellor of York University

QUICK FACTS

? Since 2003, bridge training programs have helped more than 30,000 newcomers get jobs and get licensed in their field.
? About 70 per cent of Ontario’s adult newcomers have post-secondary education or training.

LEARN MORE
? About bridge training programs.
? About working in Ontario.

NEWS August 21, 2009

All Ontario parents can now use an online service to register their baby’s birth and apply for a birth certificate and Social Insurance Number, all at the same time.

The Newborn Registration Service lets parents combine three separate processes into one easy-to-use online form. This reduces the amount of waiting and processing time, and saves parents the fee that some municipalities used to charge for birth registration.

This online service is a joint project between ServiceOntario and Service Canada and was first launched in 2007. It is now available in all Ontario communities.

QUOTES

“Just a few years ago, getting these documents meant form after form and weeks of waiting. Combining them into an all-in-one system makes it easier for families and is part of our ongoing plan to make services faster, friendlier and easier to access.”
– Ontario Government Services Minister Harinder S. Takhar

“Ottawa families want their government to deliver better service, and work together to make things easier for them. This is one great example where we are innovating to make it easier to get things done.”
– Ottawa Centre MPP Yasir Naqvi

“Parents of newborns have enough to think about when a baby arrives. And so it makes sense for our federal and provincial governments to work together to provide better services to Canadian families, to reduce duplication and red tape whenever we can.”
– MP Royal Galipeau on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development

“This service is so easy to use, that it was obviously designed with parents in mind. It may seem like a small thing, but to the busy parent having quick access means a lot.”
– Ottawa Hospital Birth Unit Patient Information Representative Dana Mitchell

QUICK FACTS

? More than 89 per cent of Ontario parents used the online version instead of the paper-based system when given the option.
? So far, 102,000 parents have used the online service in 92 communities across Ontario.
? Most parents that use the Newborn Registration Service receive their baby’s birth certificate in five days.

LEARN MORE

Use the service online, around the clock.
Read what parents who have used the service have to say.

Ciaran Ganley, Communications Branch, 416-325-8659
Sarbjit Kaur, Minister Takhar’s Office, 416-327-0125 ontario.ca/government-news
Disponible en français

These projects will enhance local facilities and services and create local jobs.

“Under the leadership of Premier Dalton McGuinty, Ontario is leading the way,” said Hon. Harinder Takhar, MPP Mississauga-Erindale “We are creating jobs and the decisions announced today will soon lead to improved transportation and enhanced facilities and services in our community. Our governments are working together to modernize infrastructure – creating a competitive advantage that attracts business and strengthens our economy today and into the future.”

“In times of adversity, Canadians have always pulled together as all three levels of Government have done today in announcing joint funding for important infrastructure projects in Brampton, Mississauga and Peel Region.” Said Bob Dehcart, MP Mississauga-Erindale. “Prime Minister Harper has shown real leadership in providing historic federal Government funding for these important investments which will create much needed jobs now in Mississauga and enhance our quality of life, our economy and our environment for decades to come.”

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $ 46.2 million in the project. The City of Mississauga will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $ 46.2 million.

“This is fantastic news for the City of Mississauga. It just proves that when the three levels of government work together anything is possible,” said Mayor McCallion.  “Council and I will work hard to deliver on the projects and do our part to stimulate the local economy as we revitalize our infrastructure.  It’s a great day for the citizens and businesses in Mississauga.”

These projects are a part of 1373 across the province that will break ground thanks to joint federal and provincial funding. Together with funded applicant contributions, the total investment in local infrastructure improvements under this intake exceeds $ 3.4 billion in Ontario. The governments of Canada and Ontario have taken steps to get shovels in the ground and to flow money faster for targeted infrastructure projects starting in the 2009 construction season.

LEARN MORE

Learn how the Government of Canada is investing in Ontario infrastructure.

Learn how the Government of Ontario is helping to build and revitalize infrastructure across the province.

The University of Toronto will boost the number of first year medical students by 35 over two years beginning in September 2010:  

- seven spaces at the St. George campus, and  28 spaces at the Mississauga Academy.  The Mississauga campus will open in September 2011 and will have a total of 54 first year students studying there.  

U of T will receive $15.6 million over three years to complete the new facility in Mississauga.  

FYI Additional details:

Of the 28 spaces to be located at Mississauga, 19 spaces will be introduced at the St. George campus in 2010-11 and transferred to the Mississauga Academy in 2011-12 and nine in 2011-12. 

This is part of the government’s commitment to improve access to doctors by creating 100 new first year spaces at five medical schools over the next three years. 

QUOTES

“This is great news for Mississauga. By training more medical students in our community, we’re helping to ensure we will have the doctors we need for the future.”

- Harinder Takhar MPP for Mississauga-Erindale

“Ontario must train more doctors, and we’re helping meet that demand by adding 100 new first-year medical spaces at our medical schools. We’re creating more opportunities for medical students to train closer to home, connect with the local medical community and prepare for careers where they study.”

- Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities John Milloy. 

QUICK FACTS

§         By 2011, the government will have created 260 new first year medical school spaces, a 38 per cent increase since 2004-05.

§         Ontario’s six medical schools will welcome 952 first year students when the all of the new seats are added by September 2011. 

§         New spaces are being created at five medical schools and nine locations. In 2006, Ontario announced new community-based medical education campuses in Kitchener-Waterloo, St. Catharines, Windsor and Mississauga to train doctors in more communities and improve access to health care across the province.  

§         The province is investing $35 million over three years to help medical schools build the specialized rooms, labs, and equipment they need to train our future doctors.

LEARN MORE

Find out more about working in healthcare in Ontario.

Explore what Ontario’s universities have to offer.

MORE MISSISSAUGA NEWCOMERS TO GET LICENSES AND JOBS

McGuinty Government Invests in Skills Training And Expands Opportunities To Work

Ontario is investing in bridge training projects in Mississauga to help more newcomers get the training and support they need to be licensed and to work in their fields.

Today’s announcement is part of an investment of more than $38 million in provincial bridge training programs. The programs help highly-skilled newcomers get the credentials, local experience and networks they need to get a license and work in their profession faster.   

These programs are aimed at internationally trained individuals seeking jobs in Bio-Technology, and are part of the McGuinty Government’s investment in skills training to create jobs and strengthen Ontario’s economy.  

The 2009 budget included an additional $50 million investment over two years for bridge training programs.

“It’s critical for Ontario’s economy and newcomers that they are able to put their expertise to work as quickly as possible.  Bridge training programs have proven successful in making this happen.”

- Michael Chan, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.
 

“Our goal is to help connect newcomers with careers in their fields of expertise. These training programs go a long way to bridge the gap.” Said Harinder Takhar, MPP. Mississauga-Erindale.

§         More than 40 newcomers in Mississauga will benefit from the expansion of local bridge training projects.

§         Since 2003, bridge training has helped more than 30,000 individuals.

§         About 70 per cent of Ontario’s adult newcomers have post-secondary education or training.

LEARN MORE

§         Learn about bridge training projects.

§         Learn about working in Ontario..

§         Learn about Employment Ontario.

NEWS

February 24, 2009

Ontario students, who hope to find a summer job they love, will have a chance to be their own boss this summer thanks to the Summer Company program.

Summer Company is a unique program which assists young entrepreneurs with starting and running their own eight to 12-week business over the summer. The program provides practical hands-on business training, mentoring and the essential business skills they need to thrive.  The government expects to accept between 300-400 students into the program in 2009.

Key elements of the Summer Company program are:

§         Students between the ages of 15 and 29 are qualified to apply

§         Students can receive up to $1,500 at the start, and up to an additional $1,500 on successful completion of the program

§         Application deadline is May 4, 2009 (or earlier if the program is oversubscribed).

QUOTES

“Summer Company gives our young people the practical, hands-on knowledge and experience they need to view entrepreneurship as an attractive and viable career choice,” said Harinder Takhar, Minister of Small Business and Consumer Services.

“Summer Company was a great opportunity to help turn my business idea into a reality,” said Joseph Moncada, a 2006 program participant and current owner of the Sweet Tooth Candy Emporium network.  “It introduced me to new marketing connections that have endured. I am proud to have been part of a leading youth entrepreneurship program such as Summer Company.”

“I don’t think there has ever been a better time for programs like Summer Company,” said Carol Ann Walker, Executive Director of Business Advisory Centre Durham in Oshawa. “We’re seeing a tremendous increase in interest from youth this year.  I think they realize that Summer Company has a lot to offer besides the funding.”

QUICK FACTS

§         Students who participated in the program from 2001-2006 generated an estimated $11.4M in revenue in 2007

§         Summer Company program has supported almost 2,000 students since 2001

§         In 2008, a record number of 368 students completed the program

§         Small and medium-sized businesses represent 99 per cent of all businesses in Ontario.

LEARN MORE

Summer Company interviews and B-roll clips are available.

Read Summer Company Yearbooks and success stories.

Find out about the Ontario government’s other youth programs

Ontario is taking steps to provide additional protection for users of payday loan services.

Beginning April 1, 2009, users of payday loans will benefit from stronger consumer protections in the Payday Loans Act, 2008. The legislation will:

• Require payday lenders and loan brokers to be licensed, starting on April 1, 2009.
• Prohibit certain industry practices, including “rollover” loans, effective July 1, 2009.           
• Give payday loan borrowers a two-day “cooling off” period to cancel a loan with no reason without incurring a penalty, effective July 1, 2009.
• Establish an Ontario Payday Lending Education Fund, paid for by licencees.
• Set a maximum total cost of borrowing cap for payday loan agreements in Ontario of $21 per $100 borrowed, as recommended by Ontario’s Maximum Total Cost of Borrowing Advisory Board.   

The legislation also provides for enforcement and prosecution of violations and the ability to revoke, subject to appeal, the licenses of payday lenders and loan brokers.

“Ontario is taking a balanced approach to payday lending. Social advocacy groups have stated that Ontario’s payday lending industry serves an important need for people who need immediate financial assistance.  We are making sure those who need access to credit have options and protections available to them.”

- Harinder Takhar, Minister of Small Business and Consumer Services

“I applaud the licensing of payday lenders in Ontario. A cooling-off period is essential for consumers to have an opportunity to cancel these loans and a cap on lending is a necessary component to this legislation.  We believe these steps give consumers the protection they need when dealing with payday loans.”

- Laurie Campbell, Executive Director, Credit Canada

“The regulation of payday lenders is a positive step forward for Ontario consumers. We are encouraged by the protections and look forward to reviewing this cost structure as the industry adjusts to the new regulations.”

- Roy Anderson, Leading Member, Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN)

·         Ontario has about 750 payday loan storefronts.

·         British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have passed payday lending legislation. Nova Scotia proposes to charge $31 per $100 borrowed for payday loans; Manitoba proposes to charge $17 per $100 borrowed; British Columbia proposes to charge $23 per $100 borrowed. 

·         Ontario requires federal designation before the maximum total cost of borrowing cap for payday loan agreements will come into force.

LEARN MORE

Read about the Payday Loans Act, 2008 and its regulations

Read about the Maximum Total Cost of Borrowing Advisory Board’s report on an upper limit to the total cost of borrowing for payday loan agreements in Ontario.

Ontario is taking steps to provide additional protection for users of payday loan services.

Beginning April 1, 2009, users of payday loans will benefit from stronger consumer protections in the Payday Loans Act, 2008. The legislation will:

• Require payday lenders and loan brokers to be licensed, starting on April 1, 2009.
• Prohibit certain industry practices, including “rollover” loans, effective July 1, 2009.           
• Give payday loan borrowers a two-day “cooling off” period to cancel a loan with no reason without incurring a penalty, effective July 1, 2009.
• Establish an Ontario Payday Lending Education Fund, paid for by licencees.
• Set a maximum total cost of borrowing cap for payday loan agreements in Ontario of $21 per $100 borrowed, as recommended by Ontario’s Maximum Total Cost of Borrowing Advisory Board.   

The legislation also provides for enforcement and prosecution of violations and the ability to revoke, subject to appeal, the licenses of payday lenders and loan brokers.

“Ontario is taking a balanced approach to payday lending. Social advocacy groups have stated that Ontario’s payday lending industry serves an important need for people who need immediate financial assistance.  We are making sure those who need access to credit have options and protections available to them.”

- Harinder Takhar, Minister of Small Business and Consumer Services

“I applaud the licensing of payday lenders in Ontario. A cooling-off period is essential for consumers to have an opportunity to cancel these loans and a cap on lending is a necessary component to this legislation.  We believe these steps give consumers the protection they need when dealing with payday loans.”

- Laurie Campbell, Executive Director, Credit Canada

“The regulation of payday lenders is a positive step forward for Ontario consumers. We are encouraged by the protections and look forward to reviewing this cost structure as the industry adjusts to the new regulations.”

- Roy Anderson, Leading Member, Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN)

·         Ontario has about 750 payday loan storefronts.

·         British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have passed payday lending legislation. Nova Scotia proposes to charge $31 per $100 borrowed for payday loans; Manitoba proposes to charge $17 per $100 borrowed; British Columbia proposes to charge $23 per $100 borrowed. 

·         Ontario requires federal designation before the maximum total cost of borrowing cap for payday loan agreements will come into force.

LEARN MORE

Read about the Payday Loans Act, 2008 and its regulations

Read about the Maximum Total Cost of Borrowing Advisory Board’s report on an upper limit to the total cost of borrowing for payday loan agreements in Ontario.