Ted McMeekin

Starting with the new school year next week, GO riders will benefit from expanded services from McMaster University.

Changes to some buses which run from McMaster will give a greater service delivery to students who rely on public transportation.

QUOTES

“Beginning next week, this additional services by the GO bus public transportation network offers our community more and better choices. This is great news for McMaster University.” Said Hon. Ted McMeekin MPP Ancaster Dundas Flamborough Westdale.

"Increased GO service from McMaster will help me commute back to Mississauga and Brampton," said Kyle Balkissoon, a fourth year Economics student, "seeing family and friends back home is an important part of my experience at McMaster".

QUICK FACTS

2009

• April 2007: Opening of new GO Bus Terminal at McMaster University, to accommodate more than 2,000 riders per day with five bus bays, heated shelters, and other amenities (provincial investment of $750,000);
• April 2002: Extension of Hwy. 407 West GO Bus Service to Hamilton GO Centre and McMaster University. Hwy. 407 GO Bus Service offers service to locations in Hamilton, Halton, and Peel, as well as to York University. Trip frequency has increased continuously each year since introduction.

LEARN MORE

http://www.gotransit.com

for further information, please contact

Ted McMeekin MPP 905-690-6552

A new ServiceOntario kiosk is now open for business in Hamilton.

ServiceOntario is making it easier for Hamilton residents to get fast, friendly and easy access to a number of government services including:

· Renewing vehicle plate stickers

· Ordering an abstract for a vehicle

· Renewing your Outdoors Card

· Changing your address on an Ontario Health Card, Driver’s Licence, Vehicle Registration or Outdoors Card

The new ServiceOntario Hamilton kiosk is located at Jackson Square and is open Monday to Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. as well as Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Hamilton has one other ServiceOntario kiosk, located at Limeridge Mall.

QUOTES

“Hamilton residents have high expectations for excellent quality, cost-effective public services. With this new ServiceOntario kiosk in Jackson Square, people can get the services they need when and where it’s convenient for them”, says Ted McMeekin, Minister of Government Services and MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale.

QUICK FACTS

• ServiceOntario has 70 self-serve kiosks across the province (one of the largest self-serve kiosk systems in North America). Locations can be found at www.ServiceOntario.ca.

• ServiceOntario also conveniently offers a wide range of services online at www.ServiceOntario.ca.

• In addition to the kiosks, ServiceOntario also oversees about 280 private issuer offices (which offer driver and vehicle licensing services), 54 land registry offices and partners with 390 public libraries across the province.

LEARN MORE

To find a ServiceOntario kiosk near you, visit www.ServiceOntario.ca.

Learn more about ServiceOntario by visiting www.ServiceOntario.ca or call 1-800-267-8097.

Hamilton— Provincial support through the gas tax is getting more people out of their cars and onto public transit.

This year, Hamilton Street Railway will receive $11,119,297 in gas tax revenues. Last year Hamilton received over $11.2 M in gas tax funding. Last years funding assisted the city offset fare increases, make capital bus purchases and improve technical support.

Ontario shares two cents per litre of gas tax revenues with municipalities for public transit. The government has provided municipalities with more than $1.3 billion in gas tax funding since 2004, including more than $321 million this year.

The Ontario government’s investments in public transit have helped expand and improve transit services in Hamilton and across Ontario - increasing ridership by 102 million passenger trips since 2003. This took 85 million car trips off our roads.

QUOTES

“The gas tax is paying off for Hamilton, allowing Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) to make significant improvements,” said Sophia Aggelonitis MPP for Hamilton Mountain.

"The gas tax has made a real difference to municipal transit. Since 2004 this provincial investment has helped HSR purchase buses and enhance overall public transit services to our Hamilton community." Said Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger

“This funding helps municipalities deliver public transit here in Hamilton and across the province. Since 2004 Hamilton has received over $48 million for the HSR. ,” said Ted McMeekin, MPP Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale. “Our record investments in public transit strengthen our local economy by helping people get to work, school, and shopping while reducing gridlock.”

QUICK FACTS

§ One bus takes up to 40 vehicles off the road, and keeps 25 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions out of the atmosphere each year.

§ Since gas tax sharing began in 2004, public transit ridership has increased by 102 million people provincewide.

§ With the 2009 allocation, Ontario has provided municipalities with $1.3 billion in gas tax funding for public transit.

LEARN MORE

Read about how the government invests in Ontario highways.

Learn more about how the Ontario government is investing in infrastructure as part of a five-point plan for the economy.

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Contacts:

Ted McMeekin, MPP

905-690-6552

Residents of Hamilton and area will benefit from federal and provincial infrastructure funding to upgrade and improve facilities announced Sophia Aggelonitis MPP, David Sweet MP and Hon. Ted McMeekin, MPP. This project is just one example of both governments’ commitment to stimulating the Ontario economy through the creation of jobs in our communities.

These projects will enhance water and waste water capacity, improve community facilities and create local jobs.

"This is more great news for the Hamilton area," said David Sweet. M.P. for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale. "Going back to February there has been over a quarter of a billion dollars in infrastructure funding for local shovel-ready projects by the federal and provincial governments."

"Strong infrastructure means strong communities," said Sophia Aggelonitis, MPP for Hamilton Mountain. "This investment is central to improving Hamilton's competitive edge to attract and sustain business and to create jobs. When all three levels of government work together, we know that Hamilton will continue to grow."

“We are creating jobs and the decisions announced today will soon lead to enhanced facilities and services in our community. Governments working together to modernize infrastructure are creating a competitive advantage that attracts business and strengthens our economy today and into the future.” said Ted McMeekin MPP.

"We are pleased that both the Provincial and Federal government recognize the importance of investing in municipal infrastructure. This funding will go towards a variety of projects, including two of the City’s key priorities. With the building season underway, strategic infrastructure work can now start." said Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger. "By investing in our Water Treatment Plant, green energy projects and recreational facilities, we will ensure Hamilton’s future growth and prosperity."

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest over $61 Million in the project. The City of Hamilton will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of over $184 Million dollars.

This project is one of 1173 across the province that will break ground thanks to $2.4 Billion in joint federal and provincial funding. Together with funded applicant contributions, the total investment in local infrastructure improvements under this intake exceeds $184 million for the Hamilton area. The governments of Canada and Ontario have taken steps to get shovels in the ground and to flow money faster for targeted infrastructure projects starting in the 2009 construction season.

LEARN MORE

Learn how the Government of Canada is investing in Ontario infrastructure.

Learn how the Government of Ontario is helping to build and revitalize infrastructure across the province.

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