Catching up with Anthony Leardi – MPP for the riding of Essex

By: Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter

We recently sat down with Mr. Leardi to talk about some current provincial issues facing the Riding of Essex.

1. Talk about current housing initiatives and the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF)

“We have to create more housing as over the last three years we have added more than 3 million people to the province of Ontario resulting in a spectacular population growth. The construction industry is having trouble keeping up with the demand, so we need to create more supply. The way we create more supply we do two things. Lower costs and alleviate the red tape. Some of the ways the government is lowering costs is by eliminating the provincial sales tax on purpose-built rentals. For example, if you are building an apartment complex, the sales tax is eliminated. The federal government has co-operated with us on that…which has led to a boom in new builds. For Essex County, we have invested in the infrastructure in the building of homes. That infrastructure is expensive when building – so the province has invested multi millions of dollars to the municipalities in the region to the amount of $9,859,700 across the riding of Essex through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF). This funding will be given to municipalities to support local infrastructure projects in five municipalities and the County of Essex, helping to build and maintain key community assets. This funding is also helping with the widening of Hwy. #3, assisting the greenhouse industry, which sends over 2000 trucks a week over the border.”

2. Speak to new local Seniors Active Living Centre (SALC) Program launched across Essex County

 

“Seniors Active Living Centre programs promote wellness, social interaction, and education to help seniors stay active, independent, and engaged. There are four new Seniors Active Living Centres added in the region to provide older adults a dedicated place to host additional activities. One in Amherstburg, Kingsville, and a couple in Lakeshore. We realize that isolation is enemy number one, and this way our seniors can be connected, stay involved and stay active. There are now 316 Seniors Active Living Centre programs across Ontario.”

Seniors and caregivers can use the www.ontario.ca/page/find-seniors-active-living-centre-program-near-you to find a program in their community.

3. Talk about the expansion of high-speed internet, especially in our rural areas.

“Well, everyone is looking for solid internet service in our region. Some reasons include that it’s good for students to be able to complete their homework and businesses to reach their customers. Which is why the Ontario government has made it a priority to expand high-speed internet across the entire province.  Our government is investing more than $34 million to bring reliable high-speed internet access to more than 3,000 homes and businesses in hard-to-reach areas across southwestern Ontario.

Having a strong internet connection makes life easier for families at home. By installing new broadband infrastructure in Essex County, we’re building Ontario and strengthening our rural communities.”

4. Addiction services across the region is top of mind. Tell us about the Provincial Government’s plan to address this important issue.

“As part of a comprehensive system of care that prioritizes community safety and focuses on giving people their lives back through treatment and recovery, as well as upstream investments in prevention, the province is investing $378 million in 19 new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs.

We don’t need more drug injection sites, we need less. I am opposed to providing free needles and free supervision for people to consume illegal drugs. Drugs from these sites are being trafficked and mixed with lethal drugs like fentanyl. We don’t want any of this in Essex County.

If you wish to get on the road to recovery, we can assist you. Often, homelessness accompanies addiction. We can work to address that issue as well.”

5. You have a new role within the provincial government. Tell us about that.

“I am the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Health within the legislature in debate with the opposition party and the role as Deputy House Leader, who controls what the party does inside the legislature. I’m the House Leaders Deputy and I deliver the Leaders instructions. I now spend a lot of time inside the Legislature. It’s my responsibility to carry the government’s agenda through the Legislature”.