Council hit with unexpected costs

July 4, interim Ontario PC Leader Jim Wilson announced the critic portfolios for the Ontario PC Caucus, and with that announcement, local MPP Jim McDonell received a new portfolio.

Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry MPP McDonell was named critic for Children and Youth Services Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy. “Our interim Leader, Jim Wilson, recognized that our region requires a strong focus on childhood achievement and early development,” said McDonell. 

This is the third portfolio for McDonell since he was first elected in 2011, having formerly served as Critic of Consumer Services and then as Critic of Municipal Affairs and Housing. 

Steve Clark, MPP for neighbouring Leeds-Grenville was named Opposition House Leader. 

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Recently elected MPP for SD & SG, Jim McDonell made an appearance in Williamsburg on November 25th for the Williamsburg Non-Profit Housing Corporation’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.

In a free moment, the Leader was able to speak with McDonell about his time in Toronto. He revealed, “there’s lots of reading to get up to speed.”

As for the environment, he said, “people are friendly and helpful.”

“You need alliances on both sides of the house. Friendships cross the party line. We have the same goals, just a different way of getting them done. Everyone is there for the right reason.”

“It’s busy though. They’re talking in the House about sitting at night now.”

As for residents in SD&SG, McDonell has an office in Cornwall on Montreal Road. Right now, he said, “we’re getting organized. We’re starting to bring some of the concerns of the residents to the government.”

To contact the Cornwall office, phone 613-933-6513 or email at jim.mcdonellco@pc.ola.org.

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It only took about 30 minutes from doors opening, to the parking lot of the Matilda Hall being full, as area residents came out in force October 16, for the first Dundas County 50+ Wellness Day.

The J.W MacIntosh Seniors Support Centre, Carefor Nor-Dun Seniors’ Support Centre, Municipality of South Dundas, MP Guy Lauzon and MPP Jim McDonell joined forces to organize and host the event.

Free admission and a free lunch, sponsored by MP Lauzon and MPP McDonell, were part of the attraction to the event, that provided a day filled with presentations, and exhibits showing all kinds of relevant services that are readily available in this community.

“We had a similar event last year, in Williamsburg, and we needed a bigger venue,” said Janet Levere of the J.W. MacIntosh Seniors Support Centre in Williamsburg. 

At the same time the MP and MPP were looking to host a Wellness Day, so the organizations all joined forces to make it happen.

Over 30 exhibits and nine topics were made available for the event.

“A lot of people are not aware of all of the services that are available, so we worked to put this day together, that serves as a one stop shop for information,” said North Dundas mayor Eric Duncan, who served on the committee.
“It’s really part of our jobs as pubic servants,” said Duncan.

The lunch was paid for by the MP and MPP, and catered by the local United Church, Iroquois-Matilda charge.

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