| If you require immediate assistance, please email us at jfraser.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org or call us at 613-736-9573. |
| Free Tax Clinic Mark your calendars. Our office is hosting 2 Free Tax clinics on March 23, and April 20. To book an appointment between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM of those days please either send an email or call our office. **Please note that the tax clinics are meant for low to modest income households with a simple tax situation.** |
Free Flu Shot and New COVID-19 Vaccines Available for All Ontarians
Starting October 30, Ontarians will be able to receive their free flu shot and the new, most recent COVID-19 vaccine at local pharmacies, public health units and primary health care providers across the province. Staying up to date on vaccinations continues to be the best way for people to stay safe and healthy this respiratory illness season and avoid unnecessary visits to the hospital.
You can book a COVID-19 vaccine through participating pharmacies, through public health units or via our website or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007 toll free) from Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Eastern Time.
Ottawa Food Bank – February 9th
It was great to join team members at the Ottawa Food Bank to announce that they received $100,000 from the Resilient Communities Fund from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to help support their efforts.
Herongate Winter Fun Day – February 10th
I was so nice to meet and chat with neighbours at this year’s Herongate Winter Fun Day – even though it wasn’t feeling like winter that day.
Hunt Club Park Winter Festival – February 10th
It was great to stop by and see neighbours at the Hunt Club Park Community Association’s Winter festival.
Riverview Park Winter Carnival – February 11th
Had a nice afternoon chatting with neighbours at Balena Park. Thank you to the Riverview Park Community Association for organizing this great event.
Riverview Park Winter Carnival – February 11th
Had a nice afternoon chatting with neighbours at Balena Park. Thank you to the Riverview Park Community Association for organizing this great event.
Ottawa Scottish Society Great Canadian Kilt Skate – February 18th
I had a great time celebrating the opening of the 10th anniversary of the Great Canadian Kilt Skate Day with Mayor Sutcliffe, Councilor Dudas and members of the Scottish Community here in Ottawa.
MPP Family Day Breakfast & Skate – February 19th
Thank you to everyone who came out to our Family Day Pancake Breakfast and Skate at Jim Durrell Rec Centre. It was great to meet new neighbours and see old friends.
South Keys/Greenboro Community Association’s Winter Carnival – February 19th
Happy to serve some hot chocolate on a cold day to the big crowd of residents in South Keys/Greenboro.
Stand with Ukraine Rally – February 24th
I joined Bonnie Crombie, MPP Lucille Collard and friends and colleagues from all levels of government on Parliament Hill to stand in solidarity with Ukraine as we mark the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
On February 26th, I asked the Premier a question about why he is trying to appoint partisan judges to Ontario courts.
I sat down with Habitat for Humanity alongside Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie to discuss how our team can support them in addressing the housing crisis right across Ontario.
I participated in an Ontario Chamber of Commerce panel discussion with my caucus colleagues MPP Adil Shamji and MPP Andrea Hazell to discuss the importance of small businesses as part of our economy.
Support Access to Spine Care Petition:
Our office has taken on a constituent’s request to collect signatures to support the calls to the government to increase support for people suffering from conditions like scoliosis.
To help and sign the petition, please download the PDF file, print it out, and collect physical signatures so that MPP Fraser can present this petition to the Legislature.
Ontario Celebrates the Accomplishments of 20 Outstanding Seniors
Seniors Community Grant Program Applications Now Open
Ontario Releases 2023–24 Third Quarter Finances
Ontario Empowering More Black Youth and Young Professionals
Ontario Introducing Mandatory Black History Learning
Your vehicle must have a valid licence plate and be insured to drive legally in Ontario. The licence plate renewal period varies depending on type of vehicle and if you choose to renew for 1 or 2 years. Renew online at: Vehicle registration | ontario.ca or visit a Service Ontario location.
When you renew:
- you will no longer receive a sticker
- you do not have to pay licence plate renewal fees
- law enforcement will be instantly aware your licence plate was renewed
Get ServiceOntario digital reminders!
Get free reminders by email, text message, or phone call 60 and 30 days before it’s time to renew your licence plate, driver’s licence, health card, or Ontario Photo Card.
Mailed renewal notices for driver’s licence holders and vehicle owners will continue for:
- individuals aged 70 years and older
- individuals with a driver’s licence class A, B, C, D, E, or F
Apply online: Get ServiceOntario digital reminders | ontario.ca
The Order of Ontario
The Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat of the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism delivers honour and award programs that celebrate Ontarians’ outstanding achievements and recognize individual contributions to a variety of sectors and communities.
The Order of Ontario is the most prestigious honour we administer. As the province’s highest civilian honour, the Order of Ontario is reserved for Ontarians from all fields of endeavour and backgrounds whose excellence has left a lasting legacy in the community, province, Canada and around the world. Each year, a select group of individuals are appointed to the Order. They represent the best of our province.
Among our goals for delivering the Order of Ontario program is ensuring those appointed to the Order represent the full breadth and depth of the people who make our province great. That is why we are encouraging you and/or your organizations to nominate an individual for this honour. The deadline for the 2024 nominations is March 31, 2024.
Please consider drafting and submitting a nomination for someone in your community who you feel merits this important honour. For more information or to make a nomination please visit: The Order of Ontario | Ontario.ca.
Please also consider nominating individuals for other honours and awards at: www.ontario.ca/page/honours-and-awards.
What do the arts in Ontario look like, sound like, feel like? We’ve aimed to provide an answer in just 60 seconds, with Arts for All Ontarians – a video that provides a whirlwind tour of what Ontario Arts Council (OAC) funding has helped make possible since our founding in 1963. Featuring grant recipients from across the province and the decades, the video is a highlight reel of how OAC’s investments have benefited Ontario’s communities, economy, quality of life and identity as a province.
The Ontario government is investing an additional $50 million in the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP), and is increasing the income eligibility thresholds for the program by up to 35 per cent in order to provide thousands of additional low-income families access to the program’s on-bill credits and help make electricity more affordable. The updated OESP income thresholds will come into effect on March 1, 2024.
Upcoming grant application deadlines
Capital stream: March 6, 2024 at 5 PM ET
Seed stream: June 26, 2024 at 5 PM ET
Grow stream: November 6, 2024 at 5 PM ET
System Innovations Grant:
• Application deadline: March 6, 2024 at 5 PM ET
Youth Innovations and Family Innovations Grant:
• Expression of Interest deadline: April 17, 2024 at 5 PM ET
• Application deadline: July 10, 2024 at 5 PM ET
Visit otf.ca for more information about our grants, resources and supports.
Ottawa ACORN Eco-Tenant Survey – Closes on March 3rd
Ottawa ACORN invites you to complete this survey if you are a tenant living in Ottawa! Information gathered will help inform Ottawa ACORN’s work on tenant rights, retrofits, climate change and healthy homes. For more information on, please visit ACORN’s website here.
211 is completely free, confidential and calls are answered 24/7 in 150+ languages. If you prefer, you can also text the number 2-1-1 or use the online chat at 211ontario.ca Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
How your property is assessed
We determine the assessed value of each property based on several variables, and we use different approaches to value properties depending on the property type. Click on the links below to learn more:
- Residential property (Urban)
- Residential property (Rural)
- Multi-residential properties
- Farm properties
- What makes property assessment fair?
- FAQ – is your assessment fair?
Property assessment and taxation toolkit
To better help property owners understand the relationship between property assessment and taxes, as well as the key roles different levels of government play, MPAC has developed a toolkit.
View the toolkit here.
When everyday people step forward to make a lifesaving connection, the impact is significant Lives are changed. Lives are saved.
Book now at Blood.ca
OrKidstra:
Music: the power to change lives, OrKidstra is an Ottawa-based charity which helps empower kids and build community through music!
Make music, make friends with OrKidstra!
Starting April 2024: Join us for our FREE and fun after-school music programs in the heart of Heron Gate!
Contact OrKidsra at 613-897-5437 or visit their website at www.orkidsra.ca for more information.
Advancing the wellbeing of Ottawa’s older adults.
As a bilingual and inclusive Council, their vision is respected, informed and engaged older adults living in an age-friendly city.
Visit them at 217 – 815 St. Laurent Blvd. Ottawa, Ontario K1K 3A7 and for more information give them a call (613) 789-3577, send them an email coa@coaottawa.ca or visit their website at The Council on Aging of Ottawa – The Council on Aging of Ottawa (coaottawa.ca).
If your child has missed a vital immunization required for school this fall, we can help! The Kids Come First Health Team, has launched their Vaccination and Up-to-Date campaign to tackle just that, and they are taking appointments now!
Find out the requirements and book your child’s vaccination today!
Ottawa Police Service Community Equity Council seeking new applicants
(Ottawa)—The Ottawa Police Service Community Equity Council (CEC) is seeking applicants with an interest in building stronger relationships between the Ottawa Police Service and Indigenous, racialized, and faith-based communities in Ottawa.
The CEC works within an intersectional framework and is made up of community members, Indigenous Elders, and senior members of the Ottawa Police Service.
The council helps to develop critical partnerships within Ottawa’s many diverse communities to help strengthen relationships and build trust.
The committee is looking for people who meet the following criteria:
Community Identity:
- Indigenous status
- Faith-based community
- Racialized community
- Gender (recognition of gender fluidity)
Relationship/strategic skills:
- Critical Thinking
- Communication Skills (Active Listening)
- Ability to Build Trust
- Cross-sector skills working with a range of community members
The CEC meets every second month for 3 hours. Members are expected to be on one committee that meets monthly or bi-monthly and participate in learning opportunities, community, and strategy meetings, as needed.
Applications can be submitted online with full supporting documentation. Successful candidates will be required to do a police background records check and sign a confidentiality agreement.
For more information about the CEC and a link to the application form, please visit opscommunityequitycouncil.com
Fraud Alert: Can your HVAC save you money?
(Ottawa)—The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) Fraud Unit, and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are warning residents of the greater Ottawa area about fraudulent calls where someone posing as an investigator offers to inspect your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment to save you money.
In this type of fraud, a scammer claiming to be from Consumer Protection Ontario or something similar will claim that they can assist you in removing Notice of Security Interests (NOSIs), more commonly known as liens, to lower your monthly payments.
The fraudster may also propose to attend your property and take photos of your HVAC to determine if you qualify. The suspects use the opportunity to canvass your home and indicate they can help you get out of payments or consolidate your debt through a short-term high-interest loan or mortgage against your home (see more about this scam).
Before you let anyone in your home, do your due diligence, check directly with the service provider that is supposedly contacting you.
If you have received such a phone call, please contact Consumer Protection Ontario. They can be reached toll-free at 1-800-889-9768 or toll-free TTY at 1-877-666-6545. You can also contact them via their website at Ontario.ca/scams
If you were a victim of this scam, please make a report online with the Ottawa Police Service or contact the Ontario Provincial Police.
We also encourage anyone who has been affected by the fraud to contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by phone at 1-888-495-8501 (toll-free).
If you need help determining whether something is a scam or not, you can always contact our partners at Community Navigation of Eastern Ontario by dialing 211.
| An Update from Ottawa Public Health on the Respiratory Virus Season The levels of COVID-19 circulating in our community are high and similar to last week. Influenza activity in Ottawa is high and decreasing since last week. RSV activity is moderate and similar to last week. Ottawa Public Health wants to remind individuals, especially people at higher risk, to prioritize their health by taking proactive measures and making informed choices. Vaccination continues to be one of the best ways for people to help protect themselves against severe outcomes from COVID-19 and flu, including hospitalization. It’s not too late to get these important vaccines to help protect yourself and your family. Residents can get their vaccines at their local pharmacy. Please contact your local pharmacy, regular health care provider or visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca for vaccine appointment bookings. Your actions matter – every action taken to reduce the spread of viruses helps. By doing your part to protect you and your loved ones from respiratory illness, you’re also reducing the pressure on our local hospitals. Stay up to date on your vaccines – including your updated COVID-19 vaccine and annual flu vaccine. Stay home when sick – stay home until you are fever-free (without the use of fever-reducing medications) AND your symptoms have been improving for 24 hours (48 hours for vomiting/diarrhea). Do not visit loved ones in hospital, long term care or retirement homes when you have symptoms. Wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Disinfect high-touch surfaces in your home and workplace. Wear a mask – wear a mask to protect yourself from respiratory viruses, to protect others at high risk, and when recovering from illness. Visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/RespVirus for more information on reducing the spread, vaccines, and what to do if you’re sick – including where to get treatment (like Paxlovid) for COVID-19. Ontario Health 811 A free, secure and confidential service you can call or access online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to get health advice from a registered nurse or to find health services or information. Toll free TTY line: 1-866-797-0007. You can visit Health 811 for more information. |
| Helpful Links – Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Use Health Stop Overdose Ottawa Webpage: StopOverdoseOttawa.ca Public Online Learning Platform: OLearn (Ottawa.ca) Ottawa’s Overdose Response Strategy: What is Ottawa’s Plan?Harm Reduction Services: Ottawa Public Health – Harm Reduction Services Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Use Health Resources:English – Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Use Health Resources ListFrench – Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Use Health Resources ListEnglish – African, Caribbean, Black (ACB) Mental Health and Substance Use Resources ListFrench – African, Caribbean, Black (ACB) Mental Health and Substsance Use Resources ListOttawaPublicHealth.ca/WellnessResourcesAndServices: Additional resources for children, youth and young adults, parents, newcomers, older adults, postpartum families, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, 2SLGTBQ+ communities, people experiencing violence, people experiencing loss, people looking for suicide prevention supports, health care workers, and people who are deaf and hard of hearing.Discarded Needles in Our Communities: Discarded Needles – StopOverdoseOttawa.caSafe Handling and Disposal of Sharps (Training Video)Needle Drop-BoxesReturning Medical Sharps to PharmaciesIntegrated Strategies to Collect Discarded NeedlesWorking with Individuals Who Use NeedlesWebsite for Parents: Youth and Opioids – What parents need to know – Parenting in Ottawa Multilingual Print Resources: Ottawa Public Health – Opioid Signage Multilingual Opioid Overdose Recognition Cards:English – Signs of an Opioid Overdose CardFrench – Signs of an Opioid Overdose CardArabic – Signs of an Opioid Overdose CardSomali – Signs of an Opioid Overdose CardOverdose Detection Technologies Cards:English – National Overdose Response Service (NORS) & The Brave App CardFrench – National Overdose Response Service (NORS) & The Brave App Card |
Recognition
Have a special day coming up? Commemorative Scrolls are available from the province of Ontario to recognize events and special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries or other notable events like the anniversary of a church, a major act of heroism, recognizing outstanding community service, or winning provincial championships.
For 60th wedding anniversaries and 100th birthdays, greetings from His Majesty the King can also be obtained, but a minimum of eight weeks advance notice is required as well as proof of birth or marriage.