December 31, 2024

Monthly Newsletter

  • Community Update

Our office is closed from December 24, 2024 until January 6, 2025.
 
If you require immediate assistance, please email us at jfraser.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org or call us at 613-736-9573.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

During the festive season, I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas filled with joy, warmth, and love, surrounded by family and friends.

Happy Holidays!
John

New Year’s Levee!

Join us on Sunday, January 5th, 2025 for our annual New Year’s Levee!

RSVP!

Read the following news release for more information on this change.

Ontario Begins Automatic Licence Plate Renewals | Ontario Newsroom

Meeting with the Grinch – December 14th


I was pleased to meet with and hand out gift bags to Confederation Court residents and I tried to make the Grinch smile during the holiday fun!

Community Christmas Parties – December 15th


I had a great time joining local Ottawa Community Housing residents for their holiday parties. It is always nice to spread some holiday cheer in our community.

Councillor Riley Brockington’s Holiday Dinner – December 19th


It was great to join friends and colleagues at Councillor Riley Brockington’s holiday dinner. I got to visit and chat with members of our community over some great food.

Holiday Pancake Breakfast – December 21st

It was a pleasure to host my annual Holiday Pancake Breakfast for the first time since the pandemic. Thank you to all those who came to join us Saturday morning.

On December 2nd, I asked the Premier why he still isn’t focusing on the Family Doctor shortage in Ontario.

On December 9th, I joined MPP Stephen Blais for our final press conference of 2024 to discuss the rising unemployment numbers across Ontario.

Provincial Updates. Government of Ontario.
Provincial News

Ontario’s Most Popular Baby Names for 2023

Ontario Investing $20 Million to Revitalize Downtown Ottawa

Ontario Awards Contract for Return of Northlander Passenger Rail Service

The Legislative Assembly of Ontario’s Women’s Forum will bring together 124 young women and gender diverse individuals from across Ontario for a full-day program in Toronto to promote active citizenship and public engagement through education and empowerment. The forum will feature a variety of engaging events, including panels, workshops, and networking opportunities.

Applications are currently open and we encourage you to share the attached information in your riding.

Please stay tuned for updates, and mark your calendars!

About the Order of Ontario

The Order of Ontario is the province’s highest civilian honour. It is awarded to an Ontarian who has shown the highest level of excellence and achievement in their field, and whose impact has left a legacy in our province, in our country and around the world.

Members of the Order are a collective of Ontario’s finest citizens, whose contributions have shaped — and continue to shape — the province’s history and place in Canada.

Excellence in any field

You can nominate someone for achievements and excellence in any field. Some examples include:

  • business and technology
  • healthcare and medicine
  • education and academia
  • engineering and architecture
  • skilled trades
  • mining
  • arts and culture
  • sports and entertainment
  • law and social justice
  • media and journalism
  • social and community services
  • science and aerospace
  • literature and writing
  • environment and conservation

Eligibility

The person you nominate (the nominee) must be:

  • a long-term or former resident of Ontario (the nominee does not need to be a Canadian citizen)
  • someone whose career, in any field, has had a major impact or influence on the province, Canada and around the world
  • living at the time of nomination

People who are not eligible

You cannot nominate:

  • yourself
  • someone who has passed away
  • an elected federal, provincial or municipal politician currently in office
  • a sitting judge of any court
  • one of Ontario’s legislative officers while in office:
    • auditor general
    • ombudsman
    • information and privacy commissioner
    • financial accountability officer
    • integrity commissioner
    • chief electoral officer
  • a volunteer
  • someone for acts of bravery

No person may be appointed to the Order posthumously, unless death occurs following the council’s recommendation for appointment.

Deadline

Nominations are now open.

The deadline to nominate someone is March 31, 2025.

Please visit www.ontario.ca/page/honours-and-awards to learn more about other Honours and Awards programs and how to nominate individuals deserving of recognition

As Ontario is in the midst of respiratory illness season, we are taking this opportunity to remind all individuals aged 65+ to get their updated COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot to protect yourself against currently circulating variants.

Vaccination continues to be the best way for people to remain protected against severe outcomes from respiratory viruses. It is safe and convenient to receive both the updated COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot at the same time, reducing the need for multiple visits.

You can book a COVID-19 vaccine through:

You can book a flu shot through:

You can also speak to a health care provider about potential antiviral treatments for COVID-19 and influenza if you become ill.
If you have received the updated COVID-19 vaccine since September 30, 2024, guidance for vaccination in Spring 2025 will be available closer to then.

Thank you,

Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health

You may be receiving this message more than once if your email was used to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment(s) for an individual(s) aged 65 years or older.
Please note that this email address was collected from (or confirmed with) you at the clinic where you received earlier doses. You would have been advised about the purposes for collecting your email address at that time.

If you want to stop receiving email communication, please contact the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 to change your email preferences.

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.

Value Matters – Awareness Campaign

MPAC recently launched Home Values Matter, a new awareness campaign that aims to help homeowners and prospective homeowners better understand the role MPAC plays in property assessment.

We’ve launched a new Home Values Matter page to host helpful resources for Ontarians and have started promoting these tools with our new Home Values Matter YouTube video.

You can view our recent social media posts on this campaign at the below links. X (Twitter), Linked-In, Facebook.

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: 

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.

Home prices are top of mind for property owners throughout Ontario. That’s why MPAC recently created the Property Pulse dashboard which can be accessed through mpac.ca. This free new resource allows users to access the very latest residential sales data so they can research price changes throughout the province.

Users can search through their own neighborhoods or explore the entire Province by comparing up to 5 municipalities simultaneously. The data is updated monthly which allows users to monitor how the property landscape continues to shift over time. Property owners can visit mpac.ca to create an AboutMyProperty™ account and view the new dashboard.

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

More than 90% of Ontarians are in favour of organ donation.

However, only one in three Ontarians have registered their consent to donate. It only takes two minutes to register…

BeADonor.ca is the simple, electronic and quick way for you to register your consent for organ and tissue donation. It only takes a moment to register with results that will be long-lasting and positive. Register today.

__

In an innovative new collaboration between Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) and the provincial and federal governments, millions of Ontarians will be one step closer to saving and improving lives.
 
Through this initiative, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has included a question to the federal annual income tax return that allows Ontario taxpayers to indicate their interest in receiving information about organ and tissue donation and transplantation. The question will appear on tax forms each year moving forward, with the goal of raising awareness and increasing donor registrations.
 
As a result of this initiative, this fall, over 2.1 million Ontario taxpayers who expressed interest will receive an email from TGLN with information about how to register as a potential donor.
 
Learn more about organ and tissue donation and transplantation and take 2 minutes to change someone’s life by visiting beadonor.ca.

In our community. Ottawa South

Empowering youth to achieve their life and career goals.

Your Job Story is a 10-week program to help support and guide marginalized youth to overcome barriers to employment or pursuing life goals.

Participants receive hands-on career exploration opportunities and develop life and leadership skills. There is no cost to participate.

Earn while you learn! Participants will create their own Job Story in this unique program designed to give youth the tools to succeed in life and on the job, while earning minimum wage to participate in training.

Personalized Support

  • Dedicated staff available to help reduce, eliminate, or navigate barriers to employment
  • One-on-one appointments with Your Job Story staff to offer ongoing support

Paid Training (4 weeks)

  • Participants receive 4 weeks of paid training at minimum wage. 

    Training covers:
    • Free certifications, such as First Aid/CPR, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), Service Excellence, and others relevant to your career goals.
    • Sessions on Financial Literacy, Job Search Skills, and Life Skills.
    • Opportunities to meet and network with local employers.

Transition to Employment (6 weeks)

  • 6 weeks of support, after training, to continue job searching & settle into employment

Participants must be:

  • Between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive).
  • A Canadian citizen, permanent resident or a protected person as defined by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
  • Legally entitled to work in Canada.
  • Legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial/territorial legislation and regulations.
  • Able to commit to full-time attendance for the entire 10-week program. This includes 30 hours per week of classes for the first 4 weeks, followed by at least 30 hours a week for 6 weeks of employment support.
  • Currently not employed or enrolled in full-time education.

Participants in receipt of EI are eligible to participate in the program; however, they must first consult with their Service Canada office before participating.

Join OrKidstra in Heron Gate: make music, make friends!’

OrKidstra is an Ottawa-based social development program that empowers kids and builds community through the universal language of music.

Join OrKidstra’s FREE and fun after-school music program in the heart of Heron Gate, complete with healthy snacks! Programming includes KiddlyWinks (a fun music and movement program for kids ages 5-8) and KidSingers (an innovative choir program for children and youth ages 8+). KidSingers will also be introduced to the wonderful world of instruments through our KidStarters program. OrKidstra’s After-School Program in Heron Gate will run on Mondays and Wednesdays between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM from October 16, 2024, through June 2025.

Location: Heron Gate Community Hub (2850 Cedarwood Dr., rear entrance)

Ready to join in on the musical fun? Apply today at orkidstra.ca/apply.

If you have any questions about the OrKidstra program, please contact OrKidstra at programadmin@orkidstra.ca

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).

Cheo - Kids come first.

Catching up on routine immunizations

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!

Festive RIDE 2024: Drive sober this holiday season

(Ottawa) —This holiday season, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) will be conducting RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) programs and is reminding drivers to celebrate responsibly and keep our roads safe.
The OPS’ municipal and policing partners, like the RCMP, OPP, MADD Ottawa and the Ottawa Insurance Brokers Association, will also be involved in the RIDE campaign.
During the program, RIDE checkpoints will be present at various times throughout the city.
“We all have a responsibility to keep our roads safe,” says Acting Sergeant Amy Gagnon with the Impaired Countermeasures Section. “During this holiday season, we want everyone to make it home safely to their loved ones, and we are asking our community to drive sober and plan a ride home.”  
We continue to work hard to address impaired driving, even more so during the festive season. Year to date, we have seen:

  • 752 drivers charged with impaired driving related offences, 299 of those charges were as a result of calls to 9-1-1;
  • 195 collisions;
  • In 2024, as of early November, there were 12 fatal or life-threatening collisions where alcohol or drugs were determined to be a factor (of the 195 collisions).

If you are going to consume alcohol or cannabis, plan a safe ride home, like a designated driver, a taxi, rideshare or public transit.
As a reminder, since 2018, officers can demand that a driver provide a sample of their breath into an approved screening device without first suspecting that the driver had been drinking.

Let’s all do our part to keep our roads and community safe this holiday season.

If you suspect someone is driving impaired, call 9-1-1. 

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca

Coping with Cold Weather

Cold Weather 
Winter and its cold weather are around the corner. The City of Ottawa and many community agencies and partners work together to share cold weather injury prevention messages and ensure options are available for people to come in from the cold and access services. Cold weather-related injuries and deaths are preventable. With preparation, everyone can experience winter in Ottawa without getting too cold. Stay safe and check in on family, friends and neighbours who may be at greater risk.

What is the risk of cold weather?
Cold weather temperatures can result in frostbite, hypothermia, slips and falls, and even death. According to Health Canada, the general risk of injuries like windburn and frostbite increases when the wind chill reaches minus 27 and below. Everyone is at risk if not dressed appropriately. However, some people are more quickly affected by the cold – particularly young children, older adults (65+), people experiencing homelessness, outdoor workers, and those with certain medical conditions

What is Ottawa Public Health’s role?
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) uses its website and social media posts to share information on how to prepare for cold weather. Extreme Cold Warning alerts are issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) when the temperature or wind chill is expected to reach minus 35 C for at least two hours. OPH shares these alerts via social media to notify the public and community agencies that assist people at greater risk of cold weather injuries.

  • Visit www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca/ColdWeather.
  • Follow OPH on X (formerly Twitter) @OttawaHealth, Facebook (Ottawa Public Health) and Instagram (OttawaHealthSante) for information on public health topics such as being prepared for cold weather.

Be winter ready!

  • Download the WeatherCAN app to get directly notified of ECCC alerts.
  • Get advice and support:
    • Call 2-1-1 to reach Community Navigation of Eastern Ontario (CNEO). CNEO provides social services assistance (e.g., accessing warm clothing, contacts for community outreach services)
    • Call 3-1-1 for information and assistance on helping someone get out of the cold, including transportation to shelter.
    • Call 8-1-1 Health Connect Ontario for non-emergency medical advice such as concerns about mental health and wanting to speak with a professional.
    • Call 9-1-1 for a medical emergency such as frostbite or hypothermia.
  • Visit www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca/ColdWeather to find information on cold weather and resources in our community, including an interactive map of Places to Warm Up in Ottawa.
  • Visit www.cneo-nceo.ca/publications-and-lists to find CNEO’s List of Out of the Cold locations (Ottawa) 2024/2025. CNEO also has local social service and support information.

Did you know?

  • The City of Ottawa has a Minimum Heat Requirement by-law. It requires landlords who normally cover heating expenses to maintain adequate and suitable heat at all times – at least 16.67°C (62°F) at night and at least 20°C (68°F) during the day.
  • Air Source Heat Pumps are available through Save ON Energy.
    • The Energy Affordability Program offers free cold climate air source heat pumps to income-eligible households with electric heating. Visit SaveOnEnergy.ca to find out more

Ottawa Public Health’s “Strong and Steady” program! 
 
Falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults, but they don’t have to be. Ottawa Public Health’s (OPH) “Strong and Steady” program is a free, 10-week fall prevention exercise initiative designed to help older adults aged 65 and up improve their strength, balance and mobility. This program is a resource for our community, aiming to reduce the risk of falls and enhance the quality of life for older adults. Visit OPH’s website for more information on how to prevent falls. 

The Strong and Steady program will be taking place near you this winter 2025:

  • WHERE: The Albion-Heatherington Recreation Centre, located at 1560 Heatherington Road 
  • WHEN: January 8 to March 5
  • DATES: Wednesday and Friday from 1 pm to 2 pm

Spaces are limited, so register soon through the City of Ottawa’s Recreation, Culture, and Facility Services (RCFS). To learn more on how to register, visit Register Ottawa video and FAQs

The Strong and Steady program is designed for: 

  • Older adults aged 65+ at risk of falling 
  • Older adults living in underserved or equity-denied communities 
  • Older adults with language barriers who want to improve their strength, balance and prevent falls

The benefits of joining: 

  • Free Classes: There is no cost to join. 
  • Designed for Beginners: The program is tailored to help beginners build strength and balance. 
  • Prevent Falls: Participants learn simple exercises that can keep them safe. 
  • Qualified Trainers: Classes are led by certified fitness instructors or in-house certified Leads specializing in fall prevention. 
  • Weekly Key message: Share weekly tips on how to stay safe and prevent falls.

Don’t miss this opportunity, take the first step toward a stronger, safer future. For more information, visit Strong and Steady! 
In Ontario, all children going to school need to be vaccinated against certain diseases. These vaccines are offered at no cost and are given to protect children and youth from serious diseases like measles and meningitis. The summer is a great time for families to catch up on any missed vaccines before the next school year.

What can parents/caregivers do to make sure their child(ren) are up to date?  

  • Check their child’s vaccine record: compare the records they have with the Publicly  
  • Funded Immunization Schedule to make sure it is up to date. Speak to their child’s health care provider about any vaccines their child needs. 
  • Report their child’s vaccine(s) to Ottawa Public Health (OPH): It is possible that the child (ren) are up to date on their vaccines, but OPH was not notified. Health care providers do not report vaccinations to OPH, so even if they are up to date, OPH might not have this information.  
  • If they need a vaccine: OPH is working with the Kids Come First Health Team and other partners to make it easier to get children vaccinated. For children without access to a primary care provider or an Ontario Health Card (OHIP), parents or guardians can book an appointment to have their child’s vaccine record reviewed or to receive a vaccine.   
  • Routine childhood vaccines are also offered on a drop-in basis at the Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs

For any additional questions about immunization records or accessing a clinic, parents can call Ottawa Public Health, Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 613-580-6744.

Protect yourself against influenza (flu) and COVID-19 by getting your vaccines
 
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) recommends that everyone 6 months and older get the annual flu vaccine and the updated KP.2-containing COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. OPH is anticipating an active respiratory illness season with flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) circulating in the community at the same time. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are particularly recommended for people at high risk of severe illness

Effective October 28, 2024, flu vaccines and the updated COVID-19 vaccines are available for all residents. There are many options for getting your flu and updated COVID-19 vaccine: 

  • Visit your nearest pharmacy (pharmacies continue to be the main point of access for flu and COVID-19 vaccines). 
  • Check with your regular health care provider to see if they offer the vaccines. 
  • Visit an OPH Community Clinic to get your vaccines. 
  • Visit an OPH Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hub, if you face barriers to access, for vaccines on a walk-in basis, as capacity allows

To book your appointment for the updated COVID-19 vaccine: 
COVID-19 vaccine appointments at OPH Community Clinics can be booked through the Ontario COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007).

To book your appointment for your annual flu vaccine: 
Flu vaccine appointments at OPH Community Clinics can be booked through the Ottawa Public Health website

To book the RSV antibody immunization appointment for your infant:
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a respiratory virus that infects the nose, throat, and lungs resulting in cold-like symptoms. RSV infection can happen at any age but is particularly severe in infants, often leading to serious lung infections requiring hospitalization. RSV immunization appointments, for eligible infants and children, can be booked through the Kids Come First webpage.
 
For more detailed information, please review the Public Service Announcements on the updated COVID-19 vaccine, the annual flu vaccine and the provincial RSV prevention program.

Respiratory Virus Prevention 
Ottawa Public Health wants to remind Ottawa residents that there are simple and effective ways to help protect yourself, your families and our communities against respiratory illness. Using the following layers of protection helps keep everyone safe: 

  • Stay home when sick until you are fever-free (without using fever-reducing medication AND your symptoms have been improving for 24 hours (or 48 hours for vomiting/diarrhea).  
  • Wash your hands (or use hand sanitizer) 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.  
  • Keep your vaccinations up to date, including getting your annual flu vaccine and your updated COVID-19 vaccine.  
  • Avoid visiting people at high-risk of severe illness when you are sick (including people living in long-term care, retirement homes or in hospital).  
  • Wear a mask:  
  • To protect yourself from viral respiratory illnesses.  
  • To protect others at higher risk of severe respiratory illness.  
  • When you’re recovering from illness.  
  • Use local monitoring indicators, updated weekly on our dashboard at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/VirusReport to help you assess your level of risk.

Rapid Antigen Test Kits
Rapid Antigen Test Kits are no longer provided to Ottawa Public Health for distribution by the province. The Ontario Ministry of Health announced a new COVID-19 testing strategy which focuses on the testing of individuals who are highest risk and are eligible for COVID-19 treatment. For more information on who is eligible for publicly-funded testing, where to access testing, and what treatments are available, please visit the provincial website COVID testing and treatment.  
 
For information on what to do if you believe you have COVID-19, see the provincial site for more tailored advice.  
 
For more information on respiratory illness, including fall vaccines, please visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/RespVirus, or call 613-580-6744 and follow the prompts for immunization support.

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:

Discarded Needles in Our Communities: Discarded Needles – StopOverdoseOttawa.ca

  • Safe Handling and Disposal of Sharps (Training Video)
  • Needle Drop-Boxes
  • Returning Medical Sharps to Pharmacies
  • Integrated Strategies to Collect Discarded Needles
  • Working with Individuals Who Use Needles

Website 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:

Overdose Detection Technologies Cards:

MPP John Fraser congratulatory scrolls.

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.

For older posts, please visit our website

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