The MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound says as he reflects on 2022 he’s thankful for being given the opportunity to serve.
Rick Byers will be approaching seven months since being elected for his first term as the provincial representative for the riding as the calendar flips to the New Year today (Sunday, Jan. 1).
The Progressive Conservative member says some of his thoughts have been with two others who served in the role him as he looks back on 2022.
“Bill Walker for his service to our community over 11 years,” Byers says of the former MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound who he succeeded. “And, of course, Bill Murdoch, who left us this year. And what an absolutely extraordinary service he gave over five terms as an MPP. But, also in the community in so many ways. I think about those two as well as I reflect on the opportunity to serve.”
Byers says one of the highlights of his short term to date has been being able to travel and observe the organizations and meet the people who provide services in our communities in the region.
He recalls attending Hope Haven Therapeutic Riding Centre near Markdale — as part of a $25,000 provincial funding announcement in the fall — and found it fascinating to see the work those types of services provide in the region.
“This is a facility that helps those in need and assists in physical and mental (challenges) … it was just amazing to see the work they did and the service they’re providing,” Byers says.
Looking ahead to 2023, Byers acknowledges healthcare has been a major concern and there is a staffing challenge that will need to be dealt with. In our region, South Bruce Grey Health Centre has had to temporarily close its emergency rooms at hospitals in Chesley, Durham, Walkerton and Kincardine due to nursing staff shortage. The Chesley Hospital emergency department, most often, has had service disruptions at its emergency department.
Byers says broadly “we’re doing things in the long term to try to increase education” and mentions the new program at Georgian College in Owen Sound as one example that could help.
“It’s an ongoing challenge and key priority,” Byers says.
He says one of the biggest agenda items of the Progressive Conservative government moving forward is to address the “critical housing shortage and affordability of housing in Ontario.”
The province already advanced some of its legislative agenda on this issue in 2022 — passing Bill 109, the More Homes For Everyone Act, and Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act.
Byers says he looks forward to making sure new units are built and the housing issue is being dealt with.
“There’s a risk our younger generation simply doesn’t have the same opportunity for housing that we’ve had, and we want to fix that,” Byers explains. “It’s a very big priority for the government.”
One of the first items Byers will be dealing with in the New Year though will be pre-budget consultations. The Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP is also parliamentary assistance to the Minister of Finance. He has trips planned to Kenora and Sioux Lookout in early January as part of the pre-budget process.
