Leading Women, Leading Girls, Building Communities

The Leading Girls, Building Communities and Leading Women, Building Communities Awards recognize and celebrate girls and women who demonstrate exceptional leadership in working to improve the lives of others in their communities.

For further information, please call my constituency office at 416-297-5040.

OBJECTIVE

The Leading Women, Building Communities Recognition Program acknowledges and celebrates women who demonstrate exceptional leadership in working to improve the lives of others in their communities.

NOMINATOR

MPPs nominate women from their constituencies to the Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues.

Nominations require a minimum two letters of support of the nominee e.g. community member, employer or mentor. Please do not include letters of support from family members.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Nominees must be female and 18 years of age or older at the time of nomination.

Nominees will have demonstrated exceptional community leadership to improve the lives of others through one or more of the following ways:

1. Bringing people together to build stronger communities and to create positive social change.
2. Supporting the participation of women from diverse ethno/racial/cultural communities in the social and economic life of the community.
3. Taking initiative to foster communities where women and children can live free from violence.
4. Promoting women’s and girls’ health and well-being through education, community service and/or research.
5. Providing young women with mentoring, guidance, coaching, and opportunities for self-improvement.
6. Supporting women’s participation in their chosen field or endeavouring to remove barriers.
7. Promoting women in political life and encouraging women and girls to participate in any part of apolitical process.

PROCESS

Nomination forms can be completed in print or electronically and must be submitted to:

Bas Balkissoon, MPP
Scarborough-Rouge River

4559 Sheppard Avenue East

Scarborough, Ontario

M1S 1V3

My office can provide copies of the nomination forms.

DEADLINE

The completed nomination forms must reach the Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues by January 27, 2012, therefore please ensure I receive them by January 23^rd.

A Certificate of Recognition and a letter from the Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues will be provided for each recipient.  

UPDATE: The deadline for submitting completed nomination forms has been extended to February 10, 2012  and should be sent to my office by February 6th.

 PROGRESS REPORTS 2011

The government issued a series of Progress Reports which show what we’ve been achieving, together.  Ontarians are working hard to build a brighter future the Ontario way — by continuing to invest in people and by working together.

Ontarians work hard and they work together. They work together in our schools and in our hospitals. They build our infrastructure and clean energy. They grow our businesses and create jobs for families. In every walk of life, Ontarians are doing their part. Our government is proud to work with them.

Together, we've put Ontario back on track. And we need to keep Ontario moving forward, together.

To view the complete report in each sector, please click on the links below:

Education

http://www.ontario.ca/en/initiatives/progressreport2011/ONT05_039131.html?openNav=education

Economy and Families

http://www.ontario.ca/en/initiatives/progressreport2011/ONT05_039144.html?openNav=economy_and_families

Electricity

http://www.ontario.ca/en/initiatives/progressreport2011/ONT05_039143.html?openNav=electricity

Infrastructure

http://www.ontario.ca/en/initiatives/progressreport2011/ONT05_039142.html?openNav=infrastructure

Community

http://www.ontario.ca/en/initiatives/progressreport2011/ONT05_039145.html?openNav=community

Health

http://www.ontario.ca/en/initiatives/progressreport2011/ONT05_039136.html?openNav=health_care

Giving Bullied Students Hope

McGuinty Government Joins The “It Gets Better” Project

Today, Premier Dalton McGuinty delivered a simple message to Ontario students who are bullied or feel alone: it gets better, and we can make it better, together.

The Premier met students at L’Amoreaux Collegiate Institute in Toronto, where he also released his “It Gets Better” video, which encourages students, teachers, parents and community members to do their part to help end bullying and intolerance.

New legislation, to be introduced today would, if passed, help make Ontario schools safer and more accepting places to learn by proposing:

 §         Tougher consequencesfor bullying and hate-motivated actions — up to, and including, expulsion.

 §         Requiring all schools to support any students who want to lead activities that promote understanding, acceptance and respect for all.

 §         Requiring school boards to develop policies and guidelines that include greater supports for students.

 QUOTES

 “For our kids to learn and reach their full potential they need to feel safe, secure and free to be who they are in our schools. Too many of our kids are being bullied and we all need to do more than just tell them it gets better — we need to work together to make it better now.” 

 — Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario

 “We have taught our children three fundamental “Rs” in school — Reading, Writing and Arithmetic — but now we need to also focus on the fourth “R” – Relationships.” 

 — Laurel Broten, Minister of Education

 QUICK FACTS

§       Ontario was the first province in Canada to legally require school staff to report serious student incidents to principals.

§         Bullying is a form of repeated, persistent and aggressive behaviour intended to cause fear, distress, or harm to another person’s body, feelings, self-esteem or reputation. 

§         A 2011 national survey found that 64 per cent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) students and 61 per cent of students with LGBTQ parents feel unsafe at school.

 LEARN MORE

 Watch Premier McGuinty’s It Gets Better video.

 To find out more about combating bullying visit Ontario.ca/acceptingschools.

 See more of the It Gets Better project.

Bas Balkissoon joins Premier McGuinty; Best, Duguid, and Wong on tour of Scarborough Solar Power Plant

September 15, 2011

(from left to right) , Liberal candidate for Scarborough-Agincourt Soo Wong, Minister of Health Promotion and Sport Margarett Best, Premier Dalton McGuinty, Minister of Energy Brad Duguid, and Liberal candidate for Scarborough-Rouge River Bas Balkissoon.

Scarborough’s economy has embraced green technologies to stay ahead and keep creating jobs for its residents, says Bas Balkissoon, Liberal candidate for Scarborough-Rouge River.

“Within Scarborough we have innovative firms creating the jobs of tomorrow today”, said Balkissoon. “They recognize that green technology is the wave of the future, and if all businesses in Scarborough do the same, our region will be the leader in job creation in the coming years.”

“This will continue to build on the positive work achieved by our government in creating green jobs”, added Balkissoon.

Balkissoon made these comments as he toured Eclipsall Energy Corp, a solar power manufacturing plant located in Scarborough-Rouge River, with Premier Dalton McGuinty, Minister of Energy Brad Duguid, and Minister of Health Promotion and Sport Margarett Best, and Liberal candidate for Scarborough-Agincourt Soo Wong.

Premier Dalton McGuinty announced today that the Ontario Liberal Plan has delivered 20,000 new clean-energy jobs for Ontario families and is on track to create 50,000 by the end of 2012.

“Our plan is building the most knowledgeable, highly skilled workforce around — and that’s helping to create a clean-energy economy,” said McGuinty. “Eclipsall has not only chosen to be part of what we’re building, they’re preparing to grow with us, choosing a site with extra room to expand as they find more customers and create even more jobs.” 

Eclipsall are creating 100 new jobs and have entered a long-term partnership with an international solar development company to manufacture modules for solar projects across North America. This expansion will create 200 jobs, which is why they’ve chosen a 120,000 square foot manufacturing facility with room to grow.

“Our bold plan will position Ontario to become North America’s biggest manufacturer of clean technology. Only Ontario Liberals have a plan to keep Ontario moving forward, together,” said McGuinty.

Improving Services For Kids And Families In Malvern

McGuinty Government Investing In New Infrastructure

August 15, 2011

Kids and families in the Malvern area of east Toronto will soon benefit from a new multi-purpose resource centre that will help make services more accessible and better coordinated.

The province is providing the land and will help fund construction of a new facility that will enable the Malvern Family Resource Centre to move its five current locations under one roof. The new site will meet the growing and changing needs of families in the area.

This investment is part of Building Together, Ontario’s long-term infrastructure plan. Ontario will continue to make significant investments in public infrastructure over the next decade to build strong communities and improve the quality of life for families.

Quotes

“The new home of the Malvern Family Resource Centre will be a welcoming place for children, youth, seniors and families, and it will ensure that residents in this community can easily access the services they need well into the future.”
— Bas Balkissoon, MPP Scarborough Rouge-River

“We want to give kids the help and support they need to learn, grow, and reach their full potential and we recognize the importance of providing that support as close to home as possible.”
— Laurel Broten, Minister of Children and Youth Services

Quick Facts

• Ontario will contribute $800,000 in 2012-13 toward construction of the new building to be built on vacant government land.
• The Malvern Family Resource Centre has been providing services to area families since 1983. It serves about 3,000 children and 2,800 parents or caregivers a year.
• The Malvern Family Resource Centre is the lead agency for the Scarborough-Rouge River Ontario Early Years Centre. (link to Early Years Centres webpage)

Learn More

• Find out more about the Malvern Family Resource Centre.
• Read about the government’s early years programs.
• Learn more about how Building Together will guide infrastructure planning and investment decisions in Ontario for the next decade.

Bas Balkissoon Office Launch A Great Success: Many Thanks to All Those Who Came Out!

August 8, 2011

Bas speaking at his campaign office launch on August 7th, 2011 at 5635 Finch Avenue East (Finch and Tapscott)

Yesterday afternoon saw Bas Balkissoon officially open his campaign office with much success. The event saw over 150 people turn out and lend their support to Bas' re-election campaign. Among those who attended were Derek Lee, former MP for Scarborough-Rouge River, Alvin Curling, former MPP for Scarborough-Rouge River, and Soo Wong, Liberal candidate for Scarborough-Agincourt.

Those who attended were entertained with a DJ and enjoyed a BBQ cooked and served by diligent volunteers. The successful campaign serves a strong platform for the several volunteers working hard to re-elect Bas as your MPP for Scarborough-Rouge River. If you are interested in volunteering, donating, or putting an election sign on your property, please click on the Contact link above or phone (416)-754-0868.

Supporting Scarborough's Non-Profit Infrastructure

McGuinty Government Helps Deliver Services To Diverse Communities

August 4, 2011

Ontario is strengthening the social and economic development of Scarborough by supporting infrastructure projects for non-profit organizations that serve cultural communities.

Through the province's Community Capital Fund (CCF), non-profit organizations across the province are renovating buildings and updating equipment which will offer community members a wider range of cultural activities and make community spaces able to better accommodate more learning and skills development and recreation programs.

Through the CCF, the province is providing a $489,300 grant to Sri Sathya Sai Baba Centre to help them complete construction of their community centre serving the South Asian community in Scarborough. The centre will provide expanded spaces for programs in health, youth, culture, and social services.

Administered by the Ontario Trillium Foundation on behalf of the government, the CCF supports the McGuinty government's plan to create and support new and existing jobs for Ontario families and to strengthen local economies.

Quotes

"Local non-profit organizations deliver programs that people depend on to improve their quality of life. This provincial support is helping the Sri Sathya Sai Baba Centre continue its important work in helping individuals contribute more to our community."

— Bas Balkissoon, MPP Scarborough - Rouge River

"The McGuinty Government is helping to strengthen one of our strongest assets – our people. These community groups will now be able to better serve their community members and connect them to services that will help create a strong workforce and a prosperous Ontario."

— Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism and Culture

Quick Facts

• The Community Capital Fund is a one-time investment and is administered by the Ontario Trillium Foundation on behalf of the government.
• All capital projects funded must be completed by December 31, 2012.

Learn More

• Learn more about the Sri Sathya Sai Baba Centre
• Read more about the Community Capital Fund and eligibility guidelines
• Learn more about the Ontario Trillium Foundation

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The Scarborough Hospital – Birchmount Campus Celebrates!

 July 28, 2011

Scarborough Hospital – Birchmount Campus was the only hospital in the GTA that could not provide MRI services.  This meant that patients had to be transported to another hospital to receive these services.

I strongly advocated for this service in 2010, alongside the Chief Administration Officer, Dr. John Wright and other hospital staff including many doctors with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC).

I am pleased to report that in December 2010, the MOHLTC announced the funding approval for the operating costs of MRI services.  This service will be available as soon as the hospital completes the installation of the MRI equipment; projected to be completed by the end of 2011.

New Community Health Centre in Malvern!

July 28, 2011

TAIBU is a Kiswahili word, used as a greeting by well-wishers, that means, “Be in Good Health”.What a perfect name for the new community health centre in Scarborough-Rouge River at Tapscott Road.

On April 13, 2011, I was honoured to be part of the official grand opening of the new home of TAIBU Community Health Centre (CHC) in the Malvern neighbourhood.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) approved $3.2 million for the implementation for the TAIBU community health centre project.

The ground breaking took place in July 2009 and I am really proud to see the project completed.  Since 2005, I have worked closely with TAIBU administrators and the MOHLTC to ensure completion of the centre.

TAIBU CHC is a multidisciplinary, not-for-profit, community led organization that provides comprehensive primary healthcare, mental health support, social services combined with health promotion programs and activities to all the residents of Malvern.

Recently, TAIBU received a base funding increase to ensure that Scarborough residents have access to diabetes education and services.

I hope you have a chance to stop by and visit the centre!  You will be greeted by professional, friendly and caring staff that will ensure you are looked after.

Full Day Kindergarten in Scarborough-Rouge River

July 28, 2011

Studies have proven that early learning puts our youngest learners on the path to success. This September, full-day kindergarten will be available in a total of 800 schools across Ontario, benefiting 50,000 four- and five-year-olds.   

In 2010, the government announced 9 elementary schools in Scarborough-Rouge River would have full-day kindergarten available in those schools starting in September 2010.

The following schools currently offer full-day kindergarten:

In September 2011, two more schools will offer full-day kindergarten.

Starting with the 2012 school year, the following schools will offer full-day kindergarten.

By September 2014, full-day kindergarten will be available in every school across Ontario; a full year ahead of schedule.

In total, nearly a quarter of a million children will benefit from the program, getting the best start possible.

For more information on how we are creating more educational opportunities for Ontarians, please contact my office or visit http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/