Update from Doug Shipley
Dec 11, 2025 – The holidays always get here faster than we think they will. Even the most organized of us will rush to get last minute things checked off the list. I hope that in the next few days you make some time to relax a little, chat with friends and neighbours, share a hot chocolate with your family, or maybe bake some cookies with your kids.
We all need the gentle reminder to take time for ourselves, whether that is time alone to read, start a new hobby, hike a local trail, or have a nap. How ever you choose to spend your time leading up to or during the holidays, I hope you make some good memories, laugh out loud, hug the people you love, and celebrate the season with a smile. This Christmas, I look forward to spending time with my wife and my sons, and our dog Ollie. We’re going to watch some of our favourite movies, eat too much, and likely shovel some snow, maybe a lot of snow. I’m also going to walk our dog on the amazing trails near our home, hopefully in softly falling snowflakes rather than a blizzard. Either way, Ollie needs to spend time outdoors.
As 2025 winds down, we should embrace the highs of the past year and learn from the lows, which I know is much easier to say than it is to practice. To help practice embracing the highs, let’s get out there and celebrate life, celebrate the holidays, and celebrate our communities. I wish you and yours a spectacular Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year. I hope to see you around town or maybe on the trails.
As always, my staff and I are available to discuss any federal matters that may be of concern to you and your family. Please do not hesitate to get in touch by phone at 705-728-2596 or email at Doug.Shipley@parl.gc.ca.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Doug Shipley
Member of Parliament
Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte
Taking Next Steps to Unlock Free Trade Within Canada Mutual recognition of goods and services will reduce costly trade barriers and build a more competitive and self-reliant economy
By Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade December 15, 2025
TORONTO — As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario and unleash its full economic potential, the province is taking the next steps to implement mutual recognition of goods and services from other reciprocating Canadian jurisdictions by publishing a draft regulation under the Ontario Free Trade and Mobility Act, 2025 (OFTMA). Building on Ontario’s national leadership in supporting free trade and labour mobility across Canada, the mutual recognition of goods and services will play a substantial role in supporting economic integration across Canada and removing internal trade barriers that cost the economy up to $200 billion every year.
“For decades, red tape and burdensome regulations have held Ontario’s economy back, increasing the cost of goods and services for manufacturers and families alike and limiting the ease with which Ontario-made products could be traded with our provincial and territorial partners,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Mutual recognition will play a pivotal role in unlocking new market opportunities for Ontario goods and services, and further advance Ontario’s leadership in strengthening trade security and diversification.”
A key component of the government’s Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, 2025, which was passed in June 2025, Ontario’s approach to mutual recognition ensures that if a good or service meets the regulatory requirements in other parts of Canada, it will be recognized here in Ontario. To activate its mutual recognition framework, Ontario has introduced a new draft regulation that will allow the province to recognize goods and services from other Canadian jurisdictions, provided those jurisdictions are taking similar actions at home. Ontario’s approach to mutual recognition is designed to be both ambitious and reciprocal:
Goods approved for sale or use in a reciprocating jurisdiction will be treated as if they have met Ontario’s standards and will not require additional testing, approvals or fees.
Businesses that are authorized to provide a service , in a reciprocating jurisdiction will be entitled to the equivalent authorization in Ontario.
The regulation will clarify that OFTMA’s mutual recognition rules will prevail when there is a conflict with other Ontario laws.
The regulation will set out parameters to guide implementation of mutual recognition and clarify that Ontario laws on how goods are sold or used will continue to apply.
The draft regulation is posted on the Ontario Regulatory Registry and is open to feedback from the public, regulators and industry stakeholders through a 45-day consultation period.
“By implementing mutual recognition under the Ontario Free Trade and Mobility Act, we’re moving at speed and encouraging a pan-Canadian pivot to mutual recognition which will unlock new domestic markets for Ontario businesses,” said Stephen Crawford, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement. “This means less paperwork and lower costs, faster approvals and market entry, and more customers across Canada for Ontario-made products and services. Our Team Canada approach accelerates growth and jobs while keeping clear rules in place for safety and for how goods are sold and used.”
While Ontario’s new mutual recognition rules will focus on goods and services, the province is also making significant progress as a national leader when it comes to streamlining labour mobility to help workers from other parts of Canada work and live in Ontario. Opening up opportunities for in-demand professions will create a more unified and competitive Ontario and Canadian workforce. This means that qualified doctors, architects, engineers, land surveyors, electricians and more can practice their profession in Ontario for up to six months while completing registration with their respective regulatory body.
These expanded “As of Right” rules also help strengthen Ontario’s health-care workforce by making it easier for skilled health professionals to work in the province while also supporting patients who will benefit from faster access to care and a more robust health-care team across settings such as hospitals, long-term care homes and community settings.
Starting January 1, 2026, Canadians in certified professions will be able to begin working in Ontario within 10 business days, once a regulator confirms credentials and requirements. “As of Right” rules will apply across professions covered by more than 50 regulatory authorities and 300 certifications, including 16 additional health regulated professionals.
The proposed regulation on mutual recognition builds on the momentum of November’s Committee on Internal Trade meeting, at which federal, provincial and territorial partners signed the Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement on Goods under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement and Ontario affirmed its commitment to make free trade a reality across the country. Ontario will continue working with other provinces and territories and the federal government to fully implement this agreement, and in the meantime will continue moving forward to implement mutual recognition with reciprocating jurisdictions.
As Canada’s largest interprovincial trader, Ontario is unlocking access to new internal markets and customers in the face of global market instability and volatility. By eliminating the need for businesses to meet multiple sets of regulatory requirements, Ontario is reducing red tape and accelerating market access for Ontario businesses. Mutual recognition slashes compliance costs, speeds up approvals, drives efficiency and increases competitiveness for businesses. The province encourages all Canadian jurisdictions to follow with the same degree of speed and ambition as Ontario.
Message from MPP Dunlop – By Office of MPP Jill Dunlop, Dec 15, 2025
(North Simcoe) I’m pleased to share some of the key provincial initiatives from the past month that are creating real benefits for families, businesses, agriculture and communities across our region. As we enter the holiday season, it’s also a perfect time to reflect on what we’ve achieved together and look forward.with hope for the year
Earlier this month, the government released the 2025 Fall Economic Statement: A Plan to Protect Ontario which sets out investments and tax-relief measures to help workers, families and businesses.
- Tax deferral measures for some 80,000 businesses, providing up to $9 billion in liquidity relief, helping companies to retain jobs and weather challenging times.
- An expansion of tax-credits and enhanced supports for manufacturing and innovation, including increased flexibility in the Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit.
- A rebates and relief focus: for example, the full provincial portion (8 %) of the HST will be rebated for qualifying first-time buyers of new homes up to $1 million, a big win for families looking to take their first step into home ownership.
- Significant infrastructure and community investments, including more than $201 billion in capital investments over 10 years to strengthen roads, housing, transit and municipal services.
For agriculture and rural communities, we’re also seeing meaningful supports that help strengthen the backbone of our region:
- The province recognised the 2025 Excellence in Agriculture Awards, honouring 12 winners and 7 honourable mentions for their innovation and leadership in Ontario’s ag-food sector.
- Earlier in the year the federal-provincial investment of up to $14.6 million through the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP) was announced, helping farmers improve soil health, build natural infrastructure on their lands, and enhance long-term sustainability.
These initiatives reflect our government’s commitment to keep costs down for families, support local businesses, reinvest in our infrastructure and help our agricultural sector remain competitive and resilient.
As we look ahead to the new year, I invite you and your family to join me for some fun community activities! Come out and enjoy our Free Skating Events across Simcoe North on January 2nd, and don’t miss our Free Roller-Skating Event on Family Day.
Wishing everyone a joyful holiday season and a happy, healthy New Year!
MPP Dunlop Announces Ontario Continuing to Support Hospitals in Simcoe North
Investment of $3,650,000 to support 20 hospital beds at Champlain Manor Retirement Residence
By Office of MPP Jill Dunlop, Dec 9, 2025
ORILLIA – The Ontario government continues to build hospital capacity across the province by investing $3,650,000 this year to support 20 hospital beds in Orillia, ensuring people and families have ongoing access to high-quality care, close to home,
“This investment in Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital and Champlain Manor is a clear demonstration of our government’s commitment to strengthening care close to home,” said Jill Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe Noth. “The 20 existing beds funded through the bedded capacity initiative helps reduce pressure on the hospital and ensures seniors receive the appropriate level of care they deserve. This funding supports a more seamless transition for patients and enhances the overall quality of our local healthcare system. I’m proud to stand behind this initiative, which will bring meaningful, lasting benefits to families across our community.”
This funding is part of Ontario’s investment of over $229 million this year to support the continued operation of over 3,500 acute, post-acute and critical care beds across the province. This is another step the government is taking to improve access, expand capacity and decrease wait times at Ontario’s hospitals, building a health care system that better serves patients both now and into the future.
“Our government is making historic investments in Ontario’s hospitals to ensure people and families have access to fast and convenient care, where and when they need it,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This investment builds on our work to enhance capacity in our hospitals and will provide communities with the beds they need to deliver high-quality health care close to home, for years to come.”
Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, Ontario is making it easier and faster for people of all ages to connect to the care they need, where and when they need
Annexation means Barrie Country Club to get a new Barrie address – By: Wayne Doyle, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Source: BarrieToday.com, Dec 13, 2025
Barrie’s newest golf course is one of the area’s oldest.
Originally founded more than 100 years ago on a tract of land that is now Sunnidale Park, the Barrie Country Club moved to its current location in the southern-most part of Springwater Township in the late 1960s.
On Thursday, Bill 76 – Barrie-Oro-Medonte-Springwater Boundary Adjustment Act, 2025 received Royal Assent. The annexation, which goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2026, will move the club from Springwater Township into the City of Barrie.
While the new address won’t have any impact on how the members play the course, it will impact how much they pay to play the course.
“Our taxes at the club will be going up by about 50 per cent and that will be phased in over five years,” Michael Keogh, president of the Barrie Country Club told BarrieToday during a recent interview. “While it sounds like an enormous amount of money, it will cost each member about $50 a year.”
According to Keogh, the initiation fee for an individual is $15,000. Annual dues are about $5,000 and there is a minimum food and beverage charge of about $1100 per year.
Keogh noted the initiation fee for a couple is $22,500.
The increase probably won’t cause any of the 600 or so members to abandon the club.
“This has been going on for over two years and we’ve had a few members express concerns with the city annexing the property,” Keogh said. “But it’s a case of ‘what can we do about it?’”
Keogh said the biggest concern he’s heard is what’s going to happen to the property that sits in front of the club – between the parking lot and St. Vincent Street.
It’s owned by Sean Mason, principal of Sean Homes.
According to the sean.ca website, Mason has three developments currently for sale in Barrie – two on Rainwater Lane and another on Essa Road.
BarrieToday reached out to Mason for more information on what type of development would be built on the St. Vincent Street property and what the projected timeline would be.
He didn’t respond with any details.
Keogh said the country club leadership is more than willing to work alongside Mason to create something that benefits both parties.
“The challenge for us is we’re going to probably have construction out there for two or three years,” Keogh said. “What that looks like we’re not sure.
“Our concern is how do we put ourselves in a position to have the least amount of impact on our members,” he added.
Keogh described the club’s membership as “very blue collar.”
He said it’s made up of regular folks – plumbers, firemen, police officers and even a journalist – who love to play golf on a great track and enjoy time with pals.
“The atmosphere here is pretty laid back,” Keogh said. “It feels like you’re going out to have a beer and a round of golf with your buddies, which is what it should be.
“I’ve been here 15 years now and I love it.”
Changes in province-led recycling transition goes into effect January 1, 2026 – By County of Simcoe
Midhurst/December 10, 2025 – Residents and businesses within Simcoe County are reminded of upcoming changes to recycling services beginning January 1, 2026, as part of the province-wide transition to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). These changes are being implemented under a provincial mandate, requiring municipalities to adjust their programs. As directed by the Province, this includes changes to curbside collection for businesses and institutions as outlined below. Additionally, a new disposal fee system for recycling dropped off at County waste facilities will be implemented.
New recycling drop-off fees
Effective January 1, 2026, recycling drop-off at County transfer stations will include a disposal fee. This change is necessary because the County will no longer receive provincial funding to offset recycling costs. As a result, the County must now cover the costs of hauling and processing these materials to maintain service.
- Minimum charge: $10
- Rate: $200 per tonne
- Fee applies to all residents who currently receive curbside recycling collection services and all industrial, commercial, and institutional properties.
- Learn more details by clicking here.
Reminder for businesses and institutions
Starting January 1, 2026, businesses and institutions will no longer receive curbside recycling collection, as mandated by the Province under Ontario’s transition to EPR. Businesses wishing to remove their carts can contact the County directly. While garbage and organics collection provided by the County will continue as usual for this sector, recycling must still be separated from garbage and disposed of properly. IC&I properties can drop off recycling at County waste facilities, subject to the fees described above, or arrange for private collection.
Simcoe County, along with many other municipalities, strongly advocated for the continued curbside recycling collection of small Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional properties. Despite this advocacy, the Province confirmed through formal notification in October 2025 from the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks that Circular Materials would not be able to accommodate this direction.