Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and MPP Andrea Khanjin’s March Newsletter

Dear Barrie and Innisfil residents,

The month of March is dedicated to celebrating our province’s rich cultural diversity in the local communities. I encourage residents of Barrie and Innisfil to explore local events and businesses, that reflect our multicultural mosaic, and provide an opportunity to bring our community together.The Ontario government will continue to support and create culturally safe spaces for everyone in our province. 

The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, Former 18th Prime Minister of Canada, Passed Away

I am deeply saddened by news of the Right Honorable Brian Mulroney, Canada’s former 18th Prime Minister, passing away. His legacy is embedded into Canadian history via The Clean Air Act, NAFTA, and opposing the apartheid regime in South Africa. The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney made Canada recognized worldwide through his unique combination of exemplary leadership qualities and dedication to our country’s future. I express my deepest condolences to my colleague MPP Caroline Mulroney, and the entire Mulroney family.

City of Barrie $6.34 Million: Funding Announcement

Great news for the City of Barrie: our province is contributing $6.34 million through Building Faster Fund for exceeding 2023 provincial housing targets! I was happy to welcome Premier Doug Ford, Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall, Ministers Paul Calandra and Jill Dunlop, along with MPP Doug Downey, as we announced the wonderful news to Barrie resident

NG-9-1-1 Funding Announcement  

I was proud to announce our government’s message for ensuring public safety in our community’s emergency communications systems for 911 services.  The Ministry of Solicitor General is investing $1.4 million in the Barrie Fire and Emergency service, nearly $1 million has been allocated to Barrie Police Services, and over half a million to South Simcoe Police to advance New Generation 9-1-1 communications technology.

RVH PET-CT Scanner Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

I was happy to welcome Ontario’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Hon. Sylvia Jones, together with my colleague MPP Doug Downey, for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of our region’s first and only PET-CT scanner at the Royal Victoria Hospital. The PET-CT scanner is a highly advanced diagnostic imagining device, which detects early signs of cancer. Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is committed to bringing world-class healthcare to the local community residents.

International Women’s Day in Barrie Our community hosted multiple events for International Women’s Day, and I was honored to attend and speak at several of them.Barrie Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted 7th Annual Women in Business Awards, and it was a great success, as always. I would like to congratulate all the finalists and the winners for their exceptional leadership, innovation, and forward thinking. Our community is inspired by your work ethic and determination, and thank you for making the world a better place!As we celebrate and recognize all the hard-working ladies, our government continues to support women entrepreneurs and women in the skilled trades. I was honoured to be a part of the She-Roes Gala in Innisfil as a panelist, alongside other outstanding female leaders in our community. We laughed and cried together, listened to each other’s stories of success and adversity, and rejoiced at the opportunity to share this experience during the She-Roes Gala. Thank you to the Innisfil Indian Association for celebrating and recognizing the achievements of our local female community leaders in their respective fields, and for inspiring the next generation of young women to be resilient and fearless.  Black History Month: Barrie’s Afro-Caribbean Multicultural Association honored influential African-American trumpet players by bringing Brownman Ali’s show “Trumpet Masters” to Five Points Theater.  Did you know Lincoln Alexander was the first Black-Canadian Member of Parliament in the House of Commons, and the first Black-Canadian to become Lieutenant Governor of Ontario? He was honored with a statue at Queen’s Park, and Toronto Metropolitan University’ Law School has been named after him.  Barrie’s Poet Laureate, Ty the Poetess, closed Black History month with a spoken word about the beauty and pain of navigating racial identity, dedicated to her daughter and the next generation. Looking Back: Family Skate-2024    Thank you to all who joined the Family Skate, which I co-hosted with MP John Brassard at Innisfil YMCA! The Family Skate was a free drop-in annual skating event, and I was pleased to meet and connect with local community members. Remember to join the Family Skate next year!