Wilson speaks out for autistic children

(May 18, 2016) Yesterday in the Ontario Legislature, Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson called on the Liberal government to restore IBI therapy funding for autistic children age 5 and older.

‎Wilson's remarks were part of a special Opposition Day Motion that called for the return of IBI funding for older children.

In speaking to MPPs, Wilson told the story of 8-year-old Beeton resident Adam Laver.

The youngster was on the wait list for IBI funding, but due to a change in the rules he no longer qualifies for assistance.

To review Wilson's full remarks, click on the link.

Unfortunately, at the end of the debate, the Liberals defeated the motion.

"While I'm not surprised by the government's actions, I am terribly disappointed," Wilson said.‎ "We are allowing children in Ontario to fall behind and that's just wrong."

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For more information call:
Michael Gennings
Office of Jim Wilson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey
416-325-2069
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Wilson and stakeholders discuss wind turbines with media

(April 21, 2016) Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson and local stakeholders met with Queen's Park media this afternoon to discuss why the Wpd wind turbine proposal should not be allowed near the Collingwood Regional Airport.

To view the press conference, click on the link. The press conference starts at the 3:09 mark.

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For more information call:
Michael Gennings
Office of Jim Wilson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey
416-325-2069
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Liberals putting pilot safety at risk: Wilson

(April 21, 2016) Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson asked the environment minister during Question Period this morning if the Liberal government was finally willing to admit it's putting pilot safety at risk by allowing the Wpd wind turbine project to go ahead next to the Collingwood Regional Airport.

Wilson also asked if the government would do the right thing and scrap the wind turbine project.

Despite the questions, Environment Minister Glenn Murray refused to give a straight answer.

"This government just baffles me," Wilson said afterwards. "They just don't seem to get the threat that these turbines pose to planes using the airport."

To see the full exchange, watch the clip.

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For more information call:
Michael Gennings
Office of Jim Wilson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey
416-325-2069
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Wilson pays tribute to late NDP member Peter Kormos

(April 20, 2016) Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson paid tribute to former NDP member Peter Kormos in the Ontario Legislature this morning.

Wilson's remarks, made at the start of Question Period, were part of a series of tributes in memory of Kormos, who died in March 2013.

Kormos served as an MPP for Welland from 1988 until his retirement in 2011.

"It was a real privilege to speak about Peter today. His contributions as an MPP were valued by so many," Wilson said.

After leaving provincial politics, Kormos was elected to Niagara Regional council.

"Peter was very passionate about helping the people he served as an elected official. He is missed so much by everyone who knew him," Wilson said.

To see Wilson's full remarks, watch the clip.

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For more information call:
Michael Gennings
Office of Jim Wilson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey
416-325-2069
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VIDEO: Wilson fights for students attending demonstration schools

(April 14, 2016) Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson stood in the Ontario Legislature today during Question Period and advocated for families with children attending demonstration schools across the province.

Yesterday, the Liberal government stated it was keeping demonstration schools open for 2016-2017 but it left many questions unanswered.

Wilson told the house about the Bourachot family from Collingwood, who have a son attending Trillium Demonstration School in Milton.

"Last fall, Nathaniel was accepted to the Trillium Demonstration School in Milton. Ruth (his mom) tells me he entered Grade 7 this school year with zero ability to read. Today, he has now surpassed Kindergarten reading and is moving to Grade 3 reading. Ms. Bourachot states her son's success at Trillium is incredible. And I agree."

Wilson then shared with the legislature Ms. Bourachot's concerns in regards to the government's announcement yesterday to keep the demonstration schools open for another year.

"Speaker, Ms. Bourachot told The Toronto Star yesterday and I quote: 'They can open the applications and close the door again. They haven't told the teachers they'll have their jobs back in September, they haven't told the counsellors and support (staff) they'll have their jobs back in September.'

"Mr. Speaker, will the premier please explain to educators why these issues remain unanswered and why she's leaving such uncertainty out there? Have a heart and clean it up today," Wilson demanded.

However, Premier Kathleen Wynne did not answer Wilson's question, but rather gave a rambling response about how the Liberal government wants the best for all Ontario students.

To see the full exchange, watch the clip.

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For more information call:
Michael Gennings
Office of Jim Wilson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey
416-325-2069
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Wind turbine company's cash influenced Liberal government: Wilson

(April 13, 2016) Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson, today during Question Period, pointed out that his constituents can't be blamed for thinking that Wpd Canada's donations to the Ontario Liberal Party influenced the government's decision to approve the wind turbine company's project near the Collingwood Regional Airport.

Wilson provided three examples of how the Ontario Liberal Party accepted donations from the company during the approval process for the wind turbines.

Wilson questioned Environment Minister Glen Murray about the matter, asking him to explain the government's actions.

Murray defended the approval process, saying that in no way did he get involved, adding it was wrong to suggest otherwise.

Wilson pressed the minister in a follow-up question, asking: "Does the Minister seriously expect the people in my riding to believe that these donations had absolutely nothing to do with his approval of Wpd's project?"

To see the full exchange watch the clip.

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For more information call:
Michael Gennings
Office of Jim Wilson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey
416-325-2069
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Wilson making progress for Wasaga’s Parkbridge residents

(March 24, 2016) Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson is getting help for Parkbridge residents in Wasaga Beach who are dealing with unaffordable land-lease fees and maintenance fees, as well as a lack of transparency regarding these charges.

"My constituents need the government to come up with a creative solution," Wilson told Premier Kathleen Wynne during Question Period today. "Will the premier please commit to tackling this issue?"

Wynne referred the question to Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Ted McMeekin, who agreed with Wilson that the concerns must be addressed.

"The Premier will commit to tackling this issue, I can assure you," McMeekin said, later adding: "There are situations where this is a serious problem. We need to have serious people sit down and look for some serious solutions. I can commit to the honourable member that we're doing exactly that, and I hope that in the not too distant future, we can together come up with a solution that will work for your constituents and others who are in these situations."

Wilson thanked the minister and asked what the timeline might be. McMeekin replied he didn't know at this point.

"I can assure the member opposite that we're looking at it. We're looking at it seriously. We do think it's something that needs to be addressed. There are different ways to address it. You may know the Landlord and Tenant Board and how that operates is in fact a function of the Attorney-General, so we're working inter-ministerially to look at the potential answers," McMeekin said.

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For more information call:
Michael Gennings
Office of Jim Wilson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey
416-325-2069
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VIDEO: Wilson calls on Liberals to stop wind turbine project

(February 23, 2016) The Liberal government should do the right thing and stop Wpd Canada from building eight wind turbines near the Collingwood Regional Airport, Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson said in a Member's Statement today.

"Mr. Speaker, I don't understand why the government is putting the lives of people at risk," Wilson said inside the Legislature. "These turbines are a bad idea. I'm calling on the government to do the right thing and put a stop to this lunacy today, before someone is killed. It's not a matter of if that will happen, Mr. Speaker, but rather a case of when."

The Liberal government recently approved the wind turbine project, despite calls against it by Wilson, municipal officials, airport board representatives and members of Ontario's flying community. They all say the turbines pose a serious risk to planes taking off and landing at the airport.

To see Wilson's full remarks, click on the link.

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For more information call:
Michael Gennings
Office of Jim Wilson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey
416-325-2069

VIDEO: Wilson demands answers on wind turbines

(February 22, 2016) Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson demanded answers today on why the Liberal Government approved the Wpd wind turbine project in Clearview Township when it clearly puts the lives of pilots using the Collingwood Regional Airport at risk, and will hurt the local economy.

"Mr. Speaker, given all these points, can the premier tell us why her government is ignoring the safety of the people of Simcoe-Grey, Canada's pilots and the local municipality, and allowing this project to proceed?" Wilson asked during Question Period.

Premier Kathleen Wynne turned the question over to Environment Minister Glen Murray, who replied that Nav Canada did not express any concerns about the turbines and their impact on the nearby Collingwood Regional Airport.

"The minister doesn't know what the heck he's talking about on this issue," Wilson said. "NavCan told me a year-and-a-half ago...that they didn't have any rules for this sort of situation because they didn't think any government would be stupid enough to build eight 500-foot wind turbines...close to a regional airport."

To see the full exchange, click on the link.

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For more information call:
Michael Gennings
Office of Jim Wilson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey
416-325-2069

VIDEO: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

(December 15, 2015) I am pleased to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.