BuildingAllofOntario Government'sinvestmentssupportingeconomicgrowth, protectingjobsandbuildinginfrastructureinruralcommunities

The Ontario government is working with its rural municipal partners to build housing, encourage economic growth and development, reduceredtape,strengthentheagri-foodsectorand promoteruralmunicipalitiesasgreatplacestolive, workanddobusiness.

“Ourgovernmenthasaplanthat'sbuilding all of Ontario,” said Premier Doug Ford. “No matter the size of your community or where you live, we're making sure every inch of Ontario benefitsfromourinvestmentstosupporteconomic growth and protect jobs, including by building

Obituary

David Tremblay

Passed away suddenly surrounded by his family at the Chapleau Health Services on Friday January 20, 2023 at the age of 58 years. Beloved husband of Joanna for 33 years. Lovingandcherished father of Brendan (Jaime) and Kealan (Tamara). Proud grandfather of Isaac, Lenora andAlethea. David was excited for the arrival of his fourth grandchild that is expected in May. Dear son of Therese and the late Rene Tremblay. Dear brother of Lisa (Jesse), Denise(Marc)andBrian(Carmen).Son-inlaw of Laura and the late Neil Morris. Brother-in-lawofBrian(Kerry)andMelanie (Lee). Dave will be remembered by his aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial mass will be held at SacredHeartChurchonThursdayJanuary 26, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Michael Asorgoe officiating. Following the memorial mass, a luncheon will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #5. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations made totheKidneyFoundationortotheDiabetes Association would be greatly appreciated bythefamily.Thefamilywouldliketothank Dr. S. Saari, Dr. B. Tissot, the nurses in Chapleau and the SAH Renal Unit nurses for their outstanding care given to David. (Arrangements entrusted to Kerry Funeral Home Ltd., Wawa, 1-8000-439-4937). www.kerryfuneralhome.ca infrastructureinruralcommunities.Wewantevery partofOntariotobethebestplacetolive,workand raiseafamily.”

During the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference, Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, announced that the government is providing more than $936 million in much-needed funds to municipal service managers and Indigenous program administrators in 2023-24 and 2024-25 through initiatives under the National Housing Strategy to maintain and create more community housing. This includes an increase of over $23 million in funding under the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit for women and children fleeing violence. These funds are the result of Ontario's ongoingadvocacyandrecentnegotiationswiththe federal government to help ensure our partners in the housing sector have the resources needed to protect, renew and expand community housing acrosstheprovince.

Minister Clark also announced the province is extending the deadline for implementation projects approved under Intake 3 of the Municipal Modernization Program (MMP) tostreamline,digitizeandmodernizetheirservices, includingmanagingandapprovingapplicationsfor residentialdevelopments.Ontarioisalsoextending thedeadlineforfinalreportsforprojectsunderthe StreamlineDevelopmentApprovalFund.

“Rural communities are the backbone of Ontario's success and key to the province's economy,” said Minister Clark. “Our government sees a bright future for rural Ontario with opportunities for growth, enhanced education and training,andincreasedworkforceproductivity–all while providing a high quality of life and housing optionsthatOntariofamiliescanafford.”

Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, FoodandRuralAffairsalsoannouncedthelaunch of a new intake of the Rural Economic Development(RED)program.The RED program supports projects that help increase economic opportunities, create and retain jobs, and support the economic growth and resilience of rural and Indigenouscommunities.Applicationsforthenew RED intake will be accepted until February 23, 2023. This program aligns with the government's priorities of removing barriers to investment, openingdoorstoruraleconomicdevelopmentand creatinggoodjobsacrosstheprovince.

The ROMA conference is an important opportunityforprovincialandmunicipalleadersto discuss and collaborate on rural priorities. This year'sconferencewasheldin-personinTorontofor the first time since 2020, and rural municipal officialshadanopportunitytointeractface-to-face with Ministers, Associate Ministers and Parliamentary Assistants. They exchanged ideas, discussed opportunities and identified ways to address some of the key priorities facing rural municipalitiestoday,includingincreasinghousing supply,strengtheninglocalinfrastructure,tackling homelessness, improving mental health supports, economicdevelopmentandmore.

“Rural Ontario has always played an essentialroleintheprosperityofthisprovince.The Rural Economic Development program provides ruralmunicipalities,Indigenouscommunities,and not-for-profitswiththetoolstheyneedforprojects that contribute to local economic vitality,” said Minister Thompson. “Going forward our government will continue to build on rural successes.”

“Rural communities and those who call them home are what make Northern Ontario an incredible place to live, work and raise a family,” saidGreg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development and Minister of Indigenous Affairs. “Our government is focused on a robust approach to promoting economic development across the North and we are supporting rural businesses as theylooktogrowtheiroperationsandworkforces.”

“RuralOntarioisfullofuntappedpotential. ROMAhasspentthepasttwoyearsexploringways to ensure rural municipalities recover from the pandemic and realize their promise,” said ROMA ChairandMayoroftheVillageofWestport,Robin Jones. “We thank the Ontario Government for participatingintheROMAconferenceandwelook forwardtopartneringtofindcreativesolutionsthat will strengthen our communities for a more prosperousOntariowherenooneisleftbehind.”

PublicHealth&SudburyDistrictsConfirms XXB COVID-19

VariantsDetectedinOurRegion

Cont’dfromP.1

!Reportregularlytounderstandyourlevelofrisk. Ifyouareeligibleforthevaccine,pleasebook yourappointmentbycalling705.522.9200(tollfree: 1.866.522.9200). The call center is open Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and is closed on statutory holidays. Alternatively, book online by visiting covid19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine.

For more information or if you have questions, please talk to trusted sources such as Public Health, health care providers, and pharmacists. You can also visit phsd.ca or call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200(toll-free1.866.522.9200).