September 2022 Newsletter
I hope you are enjoying this month as students settle back into schools and all of us settle back into our Fall routine. I am pleased to send you my first e-newsletter as your Member of Provincial Parliament for Don Valley West.
(If you hear of a neighbour or friend who did not receive this email, please do forward it to them. Anyone who is interested in staying connected, can add themselves to my email list by signing up here.)
I want to begin by expressing my heartfelt condolences to The Royal Family and everyone around the world mourning the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her steadiness through life’s turmoil and her commitment to service touched so many, and she will be missed greatly.
This has been a very busy summer, as my team and I have been transitioning into our constituency and Queen’s Park offices; and because the Ford Government recalled the Ontario legislature early on August 8. I have also been meeting with constituents and attending various virtual/in-person events throughout our riding. I want to give a special shoutout to my staff who have been working very hard to support me in this new role and help me respond to constituents’ concerns. Thank-you team!
For all those who have written to me, thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas for building a better Ontario. My new role has been a professional and personal adjustment, and every day I am reminded of the residents I have the privilege to serve. If you scroll below, you can read more about my activities in the riding and at Queen’s Park!
My constituency office will remain the same location as former MPP Kathleen Wynne’s office. It is located at Suite 101 – 795 Eglinton Ave E, Toronto ON M4G 4E4. While walk-ins are not yet available, appointments can be made. You can get in touch with my constituency office by calling 416-425-6777 or by emailing Sbowman.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org. I wish you and your loved one's good health and a wonderful autumn season.
Warm regards,
Stephanie Bowman
I am honoured to have been named the critic for Finance; Infrastructure; Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. We are a small but mighty caucus.
Inaugural Speech
On August 25th, I gave my inaugural speech at Queen's Park. The inaugural speech is an important occasion in the career of a parliamentarian. It is the first formal opportunity for new Members to address the House at length and represent their constituency in the legislative chamber. By parliamentary convention, all Members will listen respectfully to the speech, refraining from the partisan interjections typical of debate in the Legislature. In return, convention dictates that the inaugural speech will be non-controversial. Learn more here.
$10-a-day Childcare
Childcare operators in Don Valley West have reached out to me with many questions about the $10-a-day childcare agreement. They cannot get the info they need to decide about signing on to the childcare agreement. I called upon Minister Stephen Lecce to provide more information to childcare operators or delay the deadline for operators to sign up. Update: Daycare operators initially had until Sep. 1 to indicate whether they intended to opt into the program. The deadline has been extended to Nov. 1. Ontario was the last Province to sign the childcare agreement with the federal government and as a result parents have seen a delay in the relief offered by the government's childcare prog. I expect the government to move forward more quickly in solidifying the framework of this agreement so childcare operators and parents can have more certainty about how this program will run in the future.
Repeal Bill 124
I, along with our caucus have been strongly opposed to the government's approach on healthcare from emergency room closures to Bill 124 to Bill 7. During Question Period, I called on Minister Sylvia Jones to explain how the government has been fiscally responsible by not repealing Bill 124 and instead spending more money by having to pay private agencies for nurses - at 3X the cost - and giving private agencies a healthy profit.