Update on Doug Shipley MP
Labour Day got here faster than we expected or wanted. I hope you were able to enjoy all the wonderful things the summer months offered – sunshine, ice cream cones, time with loved ones, and backyard barbecues. Summer is a great time of year as it is equal parts relaxing and busy. I hope when you were relaxing it was in your favourite spot, and when you were busy it was with your favourite people.
September brings the end of summer and the start of the new school year, which can be exciting and stressful for our students. Students of all ages are looking forward to the school year, learning who their new teacher is, figuring out where their classes are, meeting new friends, and seeing old ones, but they may be a bit worried about changes to their routines and classwork. With the preoccupation of getting into the swing of the school year and all the extra traffic September brings to our roads, let’s all remember to pay special attention to school zones, crosswalks, and the flashing lights on school buses.
As we all enjoy the remaining warm days ahead, let’s get out into the community and make the best of this time. Get out on the water, enjoy a night under the stars, or have family and friends over for a potluck dinner or BBQ, and create a few more memorable moments. I encourage you to stop in at one of the many farm stands to pick-up some fresh corn, and maybe some tomatoes and zucchini for that last minute get together. We are fortunate to live within a robust farming community, so let’s show our support by buying local.
I hope you have a safe and happy start to the school year and enjoy the remaining warm sunny days in our beautiful region. As always, if you have questions or concerns with any federal matters, please contact my office at 705-728-2596 or email Doug.Shipley@parl.gc.ca.
Ontario Providing Record Supports with New School in Oro-Medonte
August 28, 2025
ORO-MEDONTE – Today, Doug Downey, MPP for Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, announced that the new Horseshoe Heights Public School will be welcoming new students in September for the 2025-26 school year. This project is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario and prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow.
The province is providing Simcoe County District School Board with $30 million to build the new school and community centre in Oro-Medonte, including $8.5 million from the Town of Oro-Medonte. This project delivers 570 elementary spaces and a new community centre for local families for the 2025-26 school year.
“The completion of the new Horseshoe Heights Public School and new community centre in Oro-Medonte is very welcome news for our community,” said MPP Downey. “This investment will ensure families and students have access to a quality learning environment in the years ahead.”
Ontario is providing $23 billion to support school construction, renewal and improvement over 10 years. Since 2018, the government has approved or supported the development of approximately 300 school-related projects including child care, of which more than 100 are actively under construction.
“Our goal is clear: to provide students with the opportunity to succeed and grow, and ensure teachers have the resources and environment they need to inspire learning and help students thrive,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “We will continue to invest in safe, modern schools while strengthening accountability and transparency across Ontario’s education system to ensure that every dollar invested is preparing students with practical skills for good-paying, stable careers.” While Ontario is delivering record education funding this school year of $30.3 billion, we are making sure every dollar is spent responsibly and directed to the classroom by strengthening accountability across school boards, supporting teachers, and most importantly, benefiting students.
“Under Premier Ford’s leadership, we’re building modern schools to support the needs of Ontario’s students, families and growing communities. By investing in new and innovative
learning spaces, we’re ensuring students have access to the best education that will equip them with lifelong skills and education,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “These investments are part of our more than $200 billion capital plan to protect Ontario by getting shovels in the ground faster on the projects that matter most to Ontario families.”
“It is an exciting time for students, staff, and the Oro-Medonte community as we prepare to open the Simcoe County District School Boards’s newest elementary school – Horseshoe Heights Public School – on Sept. 2,” said Dawn Stephens, Director of Education. “This spectacular facility can accommodate 570 students and has an oversized gym and community centre, thanks to a partnership with the Township of Oro-Medonte. We are grateful for the support from the Ministry of Education that made this new school a possibility. We appreciate the dedication of the SCDSB’s Design and Construction team, the hard work of all contractors, and the commitment of Principal Dianna Wright-Drzazga and her staff.”
Horseshoe Heights Public School and the new Community Centre are located at 739 and 737 Horseshoe Valley Rd. W. in Oro-Medonte.
Quick Facts:
– Over the past two years, the government has committed $1.3 billion annually to support new school buildings, school expansion and renovations across the province — the highest level of school capital funding in Ontario’s history.
– Since 2018, the government has supported about 300 school-related projects including child care, of which more than 100 are actively under construction.
– The government has introduced Bill 33: Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025 that, if passed, would strengthen oversight of school board finances, governance and program performance and grant the Minister of Education the authority to act swiftly in matters of public interest.
– When school boards fail to meet their responsibilities, the government has not hesitated to act. Supervisors have been appointed to five school boards to address concerns related to growing deficits, depleted reserves and mismanagement.
OFFICE OF MPP DOUG DOWNEY Keeragh Robertson 705-726-5538 Doug.Downey@pc.ola.org
MPP Jill Dunlop Announces Ontario Investing Over $6.3 Million
in Hospital & Health Infrastructure By Offic of MPP Jill Dunlop Sep5, 2025
SIMCOE NORTH — The Ontario government is continuing to protect local health care by investing $6,358,964.00 through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund to upgrade/repair infrastructure at Georgian Bay General Hospital, Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, and Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, and $214,690.00 through the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund at Canadian Mental Health Association Simcoe County Branch, Seven South Treatment Centre and Wendat Community Programs. This is part of a broader $257 million investment to support critical infrastructure upgrades and repairs at 126 hospitals and 66 community health-care facilities across the province.
Funding is being delivered through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund (HIRF) and the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund (CIRF), helping ensure Ontarians can continue to access the care they need in safe, modern environments.
“As our communities grow, it’s essential that our local health care facilities have the infrastructure they need to provide safe, high-quality care,” said Jill Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North. “I’m proud to support this provincial investment in Georgian Bay General Hospital, Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, and Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care to help ensure patients and families can access care in more comfortable, modern spaces and I look forward to continued collaboration with these incredible organizations as we work together to improve health outcomes across our region.”
The HIRF and CIRF programs enable health-care system partners to address their urgent infrastructure needs, including upgrading or replacing roofs, windows, security systems, fire alarms and emergency generators. This year, the Ontario government increased funding for these programs by 12.3 per cent.
“Our government is continuing to make historic investments to protect Ontario’s health-care system, ensuring that more people in Simcoe North can connect to the care they need, where and when they need it,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Supporting infrastructure upgrades at local hospitals and community organizations across Simcoe North is another way our government is ensuring people can receive high-quality care, closer to home.”
Ontario continues to make historic investments in health care. Over the next 10 years, the province is investing nearly $60 billion on major health infrastructure. This is part of the Ontario government’s plan to get shovels in the ground on more than 50 major hospital projects across the province, which will deliver approximately 3,000 new hospital beds and build a connected, people-first health-care system.
Through Your Health: A Plan For Connected and Convenient Care, Ontario is expanding and modernizing hospitals and building new health-care facilities, making it faster and easier for people of all ages to connect to the high-quality care they need, where and when they need it.
MPP Jill Dunlop Announces Ontario Boosting Francophone Arts and Culture in Penetanguishene
By Office of Jill Dunlop, August 27, 2025
PENETANGUISHENE – The Ontario government is investing $9,000.00 in Penetanguishene to support good jobs and help local Francophone artists and community arts and culture organizations thrive.
La Clé d’la Baie en Huronie – Association culturelle francophone will receive $9,000.00 through the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. The announcement was made by Jill Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North.
“Our government understands the important role that the arts play in fostering dynamic and thriving communities across Ontario,” said Jill Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North.
The Diffusion – projets francophones program grant is designed to maximize the positive impact of Ontario’s cultural sector in local communities throughout the province. The program provides artistic programming support as an incentive for not-for-profit Francophone organizations, cultural centres, festivals and presenters to showcase Ontario Francophone arts and artists to a wide range of audiences in their communities. In Penetanguishene, this funding will enable La Clé d’la Baie en Huronie – Association culturelle francophone to Offrir une programmation artistique variée afin de sensibiliser la communauté du Comté de Simcoe aux arts de la scène tout en soutenant des artistes franco-ontariens.
The funding is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by supporting workers, businesses, communities and jobs in the face of ongoing economic uncertainty, while creating a solid foundation for a strong, resilient and competitive future.