Carleton Community BBQ a Success Despite Rain

By Goldie Ghamari, MPP for Carleton

A little bit of rain won’t stop the people in Carleton from celebrating their community.

Neither will a lot of rain!

Despite the downpour on Saturday, Sept. 7, there was still a strong turnout at the Richmond Fairgrounds for my annual Carleton Community Barbecue. I enjoyed seeing the many people who attended to enjoy a hamburger or a hot dog, a cob of corn, veggie spring rolls, veggies and dip, and ice cream.

What we learned was that no matter how bad the weather is that everyone, especially the kids, love ice cream!

I was able to speak personally to more than 100 people at the barbecue. I was truly humbled by the many comments of support and encouragement I received by the constituents who attended the barbecue.

An event like a free barbecue does not come without a lot of hard work and planning, as well as the support of volunteers. I would like to publicly say thank you to all of the volunteers who worked tirelessly before, during and after the event.

Richmond Fair

The 180^th Richmond Fair takes place this weekend at the Richmond Fair Grounds from Sept. 19-22.

The Richmond Fair means different things to different people.

To some, it is a time to network, a time to enjoy friendships, and a time to celebrate the local agricultural community.

But what the Richmond Fair means to every family is the magic of fun. It’s a level of fun that makes forever memories. We often hear parents talk about the excitement of bringing their kids to the fair, and they reminisce about how they attended the fair when they were kids. Now, of course, the rides are better, the food is better, and the entertainment is better, and there is such a thing as wi-fi and QR codes. But regardless of the technological advances, the Richmond Fair will always be the Richmond Fair.

That could not happen without the incredible support from the Richmond Agricultural Society, the Richmond 4-H Club, the Richmond Lions Club, and the many other volunteers. From the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of the Government of Ontario, I would like to say a big thank you to all of the volunteers and organizers for making the Richmond Fair one of the biggest and best rural fairs in Ontario!

Governments Investing in Innovation to Strengthen Ontario’s Agri-Food Sector

Since we are talking about agriculture, here is something that might be of interest to local residents involved in the farming and agriculture sectors.

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing an additional $3.5 million in the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) to support the development and adoption of new technologies for farmers, food processors and agri-businesses that will enhance their competitiveness and growth. Funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) between Ontario and Canada, this additional intake will support investments in the applied research, pilot and demonstration, and knowledge translation and transfer streams. The Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub (GOAH), which provides advisory services to agri-food companies, will continue to be available.

Over 100 research and innovation projects and activities have received funding through the latest intake, which includes 67 applied research and pilot and demonstration projects and 10 commercialization projects. More than 30 businesses are also receiving specialized expert mentoring through the Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub.

Examples of projects funded under the last OAFRI intake include:

• A digital animal biosecurity product for swine and poultry farmers
• Developing solutions to detect contamination at food processing plants and large farms
• Improving data management and communication for Ontario dairy farmers with a digital platform to boost efficiency.

The Sustainable CAP is an investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.

Quick Facts

• The next OAFRI applied research, pilot and demonstration and knowledge translation and transfer (KTT) streams will open on October 15, 2024. The applied research and pilot and demonstration streams are expected to be further targeted compared to the earlier intake. More information will be available on the OAFRI website.
• Bioenterprise Canada Corporation delivers the Commercialization stream and the Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub. The Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub is open on a continuous basis until all spots are filled. The next Commercialization stream intake will open on October 2, 2024; more information is available online.
• Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO) provides strategic advice on research and innovation activities that contribute to a prosperous, competitive and sustainable agricultural and food sector.

Ontario Introducing Over 35,000 Students to Careers in Skilled Trades

The Ontario government is expanding its successful Level Up! skilled trades career fairs to more cities this fall, introducing over 35,000 students to exciting, in-demand careers in the trades. For the third year in a row, these fairs are helping find and inspire the next generation of workers to build the homes, highways, hospitals, schools, and community infrastructure the province needs.

Level Up! is a series of dynamic, multi-day career fairs highlighting the 144 skilled trades, including automotive service technicians, boilermakers, and carpenters. Over 35,000 students in grades 7 to 12, as well as parents and young jobseekers, will have the opportunity to learn about these trades through interactive exhibitions and safe, hands-on activities while hearing directly from tradespeople and local employers. The first fair kicks off on September 12 in Cobourg and will continue over the next 12 weeks in communities across the province.

The Level Up! Career Fairs are a part of the government’s plan to grow Ontario’s workforce by encouraging the next generation to start careers in the skilled trades and ensuring workers have the training and skills to build Ontario’s bright future. That includes the successful Skills Development Fund (SDF) which, in partnership with local employers and labour organizations, has helped nearly 600,000 people train or up-skill for in-demand careers in their community, including construction, manufacturing, and technology.

The Level Up! skilled trades career fairs are open to all students. Last year, 30,680 students, parents, friends, and teachers visited the fairs. Grade 7 to 12 students interested in attending the career fairs are encouraged to contact their school board’s Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) recruiter, a teacher or school guidance counsellor to register.

Organizations can support the Level Up! career fairs as potential exhibitors or sponsors. Interested organizations can contact Levelup@ontario.ca for more details.

Roughly one in three workers in Ontario with an apprenticeship or trade certificate was aged 55 or over and nearing retirement in 2021.

The Level Up! Career fair in Ottawa is scheduled for October 10-11.

The Skills Development Fund Training Stream is supported through labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

Inspiration for the week

“If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you have never done.”

• Thomas Jefferson

Office Notice:

My office is open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm. If you require assistance on any matter, please contact me at any time. My staff and I will be happy to assist. Even if it’s not a provincial issue, I’ll make sure to connect you with the proper office.

Goldie

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