30 August 2011
Looking Back at the 39th Parliament
Seniors' Fair marks end of session

HAMILTON—It was a wonderful day! Despite stifling heat, 120 seniors made their way to the Stoney Creek Legion Branch 622 on June 8th for my second annual Seniors’ Fair. Twenty-five local organisations that provide services to seniors had tables set up to provide information on the many enhanced and new services available to help us age better than ever. The day was made more pleasant with music provided by DJ Ronald McGuigan who can be heard regularly at Legion events.

I want to extend my thanks to the many seniors who braved the hot summer weather to attend the Seniors’ Fair, the service providers for bringing their information and good cheer to everyone who attended and a huge thanks to the Stoney Creek Legion Branch 622 Women’s Auxiliary for once again providing us with an excellent lunch.

The day would have been complete if we had been able to bring good news about my Bill 92, Mandating Sprinklers in All Ontario Retirement Homes Act, 2010. Unfortunately we could not get the government to co-operate and bring forward this legislation which was supported by the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, the Fire Fighters’ Association of Ontario (part-time and volunteer fire fighters), The Co-Operators Insurance Company, the National Fire Protection Association, and the former Ontario Fire Marshall, as well as by several Coroners’ Inquests. It will be a priority of mine to bring forward this life-saving legislation when the new session of Parliament resumes.

We had a wonderful Speaker of the Legislative Assembly in MPP Steve Peters. He brought a fair hand to decisions in chairing the legislative process in the Chamber. MPP Peters also brought the office of the Speaker to the people in a more visible way than I can remember. He came to the ridings of any MPPs who requested him to and educated whomever he visited about the role of the Legislative Assembly in their daily lives and in particular the role of the Speaker. Steve is an avid history buff, who has lead several tours through the Legislative Assembly and the area around the building, known as the Precinct Properties. MPP Peters has decided not to run for re-election in October; he will be very much missed by MPPs from all three political parties.

It has been a wonderful experience representing Hamilton East – Stoney Creek in the Ontario Legislature. Along with the seven private members’ bills that I introduced, I was able to bring your issues and perspectives to the debate at Queen’s Park and make sure that your agenda was moved forward wherever possible.

It is a privilege to represent you at the provincial level and I want to thank each of you for your interest in our community and bringing those interests to my attention.

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Media Contact: Paul Miller (905) 545-0114

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