Tax Cuts for 2010:

On January 1st, our government cut personal income taxes for 93% of Ontario taxpayers. This permanent income tax cut is part of the package of tax reforms that will make Ontario's economy stronger and more attractive to new employers. A recent report says that our entire package of tax reforms, including the HST, will create 591,000 jobs and bring new business investment to our province. I encourage you to use our online calculator to determine how these tax cuts will help you. www.ontario.ca/taxsavings

Full Day Learning:

Our government is moving forward with full-day learning in Ontario. Up to 35,000 four-and five-year-olds in almost 600 schools will attend full-day learning this September. Full-day learning for four- and five-year-olds will better prepare Ontario’s children for Grade One. That gives them a better chance of finishing high school, going on to postsecondary education and becoming gainfully employed. This is an essential program in building the kind of workforce necessary to compete in a economy.

Canada and Ontario Partners with Native Child and Family Services of Toronto and Children's Aid Society of Toronto to Make Important Renovations:

Canada and Ontario recently announced an investment in partnership with Native Child and Family Services of Toronto and Children's Aid Society of Toronto which will build a 2-storey Aboriginal Family-Life Centre in Scarborough-Guildwood and upgrade the existing Children's Visitation Centre in Scarborough. This total investment of $2,957,026 will help to create local jobs in Scarborough and supports children in need and families in the community.

Supporting Local Hospitals:

In November 2009, the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care announced additional base funding to our Local Health Integration Network (LHIN). This funding will be provided to the Rouge Valley Health System and The Scarborough Hospital for services increase, facility costs, start-up and amortization.

Supporting Centennial College:

Ground Breaking for New Library and Academic Facility:

October 23^rd marked the official groundbreaking for Centennial's new Library and Academic Facility at Progress Campus. This $46-million addition to Progress Campus will house a new library, 22 additional classrooms, lab space, a living bio-wall and a large lecture theatre. The LEED Gold-certified building will form the new "front door" of the flagship campus. The project received federal and provincial funding totalling $35 million through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program and Ontario's 2009 Budget.

Ontario Gives Scarborough Students Tools for Success

Ontario is equipping Scarborough students for success in tomorrow’s economy. New equipment and tools machines such as special configured light microscopes, incubators and health studies lab information technologywill help Centennial College students graduate with solid skills for in-demand jobs. The new equipment and tools will also help colleges continue to meet industry standards in many professions. Ontario is providing Centennial College with $1,990,530for new equipment, and upgrades to classrooms and labs.

Here are a few areas with which my office would be happy to assist you:

• Birth, death or marriage certificate inquiries
• Driver’s license inquiries
• Family Responsibility Office (FRO)
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
• Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
• Trillium Drug Plan
• Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
• Commission documents (eg. Immunization exemption form, true copies, delayed birth registrations etc.)

THE 'BEST' REPORT- NOVEMBER 2009:

Dear Constituents:

We have made unprecedented strides in the community, education, research and public service this year. I would like to take this moment to celebrate these accomplishments, as we look forward to the holiday season. I would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the Scarborough-Guildwood community for making this progress possible. You can stay updated on what I am doing by visiting my website www.margarettbest.ca. Please remember to sign up for my electronic mailing list to receive updated information!

Expanding Opportunity for Scarborough-Guildwood Youth

Students in Scarborough-Guildwood will be given the opportunity to improve their personal health and wellness, while staying off the streets, through the province’s After-School Initiative. Programs under this initiative will be available at more than 270 sites in priority neighbourhoods across Ontario, benefiting 15,500 children and youth from grades one to twelve.

Community USE of Schools

Starting this fall, the following schools in the Scarborough-Guildwood area will provide not-for-profit groups access to facilities outside of school hours. These programs will help bring communities together and keep our young people active and engaged:

Making It Easier To Register Newborns in Scarborough-Guildwood

Parents in Scarborough-Guildwood can use an all-in-one service to register their child’s birth and apply for a birth certificate and Social Insurance Number online. The Newborn Registration Service is available for all new parents across Ontario and lets them complete all three processes in one easy-to-use online form.

Harmonized Sales Tax Will Create Jobs

Thank you for all for all of your communications with me about the single sales tax. It is important to understand why we are making these important changes. It is all about building a stronger economy for Ontario. Merging the GST and PST on July 1, 2010, is an important step in making Ontario more attractive to businesses and to create jobs. By doing this now, the Ontario’s government will help the Ontario economy recover faster. . If you are looking for more information about all the tax changes coming, you can find it at www.ontario.ca/taxsavings.

As your M.P.P. it is my job to serve you. Should you require my assistance, please contact my Constituency Office, at 4117 Lawrence Ave. E., Unit 109, Scarborough ON M1E 2S2, by phone at 416-281-2787, by fax 416-281-2360, or by e-mail at mbest.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org