In light of the terrorist attack in Quebec, isolated acts of hate crimes in Ontario and the change of direction in American politics, I want to take this opportunity to take a stance and let my constituents know who and what I stand for. I know many have a sense of foreboding and fear, and I want to assure the Brant community that we are and always will be a place of acceptance, inclusion and peace.
I also want to convey this sentiment to any other immigrant, refugee or newcomer to Brant. I will do everything in my role as MPP to support anyone experiencing anxiety and trepidation as a result of their faith, background or ethnicity. As your MPP, I am elected to represent all people of Brant, regardless of religion or country of origin.
Ontario is the most multicultural province in Canada, where half of all new immigrants make their home.
Ontario has been and will continue to be a land of opportunity. We are a prosperous and democratic society built on the hard work of immigrants. At this time, we need to recognize the foundations of our rich heritage and culture. We need to proclaim the values of acceptance, tolerance and multiculturalism in direct defiance of the politics of hate, division, segregation and fear.
As Pierre Elliot Trudeau stated, “A society which emphasizes uniformity is one which creates intolerance and hate.” The constitution of Canada protects against intolerance and hate by guaranteeing everyone the freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief, opinion and expression. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice. Everyone does truly mean everyone.
Whether you are a multi-generational Canadian, a new Canadian, an immigrant or a refugee, you have the right to life, liberty and security, and the freedom to practice any religion. No matter where you come from, if you are in Canada, you are protected by these rights.
I became an MPP in order to make Brant the best place to live, work, play and raise a family. I believe that this includes making Brant a place of multiculturalism, acceptance and tolerance. I believe that there is no room for hate at all. Love uplifts the soul. We must stand united in defense of this great beacon of hope in the world. Reject hate: embrace love. For the Silo, Dave Levac.
Thank You
I never grew up wanting to be a politician however; I knew I wanted to serve my community, my province and my country through public service. My parents raised me to believe that I could be whatever I wanted to be, as long as I worked hard and thought of others. That’s why I went into teaching, and after teaching, went into politics. It gave me the opportunity to serve. When I started as MPP for the great riding of Brant in 1999, I could never have imagined the impact this position would have had on me and the many lessons I would have learned along the way. All I ever wanted to do was to live my values, maintain my integrity and represent Brant to the best of my abilities. Throughout this journey I have been inspired and touched by those who have both supported and motivated me. They have been a source of comfort over the years.
No one achieves what I have throughout my career by themselves. They work with those closest to them. Throughout out my time as MPP for Brant and as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario there are so many people that I would like to thank as I retire.
To the people of Brant, thank you. Serving the riding of Brant has been one of the greatest honours and privileges of my life. During my time as MPP, the love and kindness extended to me by my constituents provided me with great strength. My life has been blessed by this opportunity to serve you and I never take that for granted. To the many supporters and friends through the many elections, in-between times and after, thank you. Together we were able to accomplish many things that make Brant and Ontario the best place to be.
To the people who did not vote for me but kept me challenged and engaged in civil discourse, thank you. It is important to reflect diverse and contrary opinions. It should and can be done with civility. I hope I was able to participate in those discussions and debates in a respectful and engaging manner so that your opinions were heard. We may have had diverging opinions on many topics but we were united by our passion to achieve our goals and help the people of Brant and Ontario.
To my fellow MPPs, thank you for putting your trust in me all these years and electing me as Speaker. I will always cherish my time as Speaker and the immense confidence that you placed in me throughout these years which has been truly touching. It has been a privilege and an honour to serve in this role. Becoming the longest serving Speaker in Ontario’s history was never the goal, the goal was to get up every day like you do and serve – serve the people of this great province. I know the hard work day in and day out that you have put into representing your constituency. It is work that is sometimes overshadowed by the often-harsh political climate. The support I received from you allowed me to serve effectively. Like I said in our last Question Period together, “I consider you all family and that means my doors are always open to you”.
To the staff of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, thank you for keeping the building running so efficiently and thank you for always engaging me in conversation and sharing a friendly smile in the hallways. During many of the events that I have hosted over the years, I have had the privilege of speaking and getting to know many of you and learning about all that you do. The commitment and dedication you show on a daily basis does not fail to impress, and it definitely makes me proud to have worked alongside you.
To my colleagues in Canada and around the world, I have enjoyed the opportunity to meet and to learn about your respective parliaments. Our shared goals of spreading democratic values have allowed us to develop strong ties. I thank you for allowing me to share my perspectives on a wide array of parliamentary procedures as a representative of Ontario. I leave this office knowing that Ontario and Canada is highly respected in the world.
To my various staff members both present and past, you are amazing and did a great job. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have been on this roller-coaster ride with me. I have never seen myself as your boss; I have always seen us as a partnership. A partnership that has served the people of Brant and Ontario for all these years. Your advice and guidance has been critical during my career. I will forever be grateful for everything that we have accomplished together.
Most importantly to the individuals that have kept me going for all these years – my family. Through good times and challenging times, you were there. Rachel, Nicole and Joe, I am so proud to be your father and the strength you have given me to work hard for those in our community has always driven me. To my rock and my guiding light, my wife Rosemarie, you were the first person that knew that I wanted to run in 1999 and you were the first person to support me and give me advice. Your heart is full of love and affection and I could never have gotten this far without you. Thank You Rosemarie, there are no words that can express how lucky I am to have you in my life. My family has been my inspiration and reason to wake up in the morning. I love you all dearly, thank you!
I have always tried to live my life by one simple philosophy “do good”. It has always been that simple. We often complicate things in life and make excuses for not living by such a simple philosophy of “do good”. Doing good requires you to consider the consequences that every decision that you make will have on others. This philosophy has allowed me to live my life with integrity and compassion towards others.
I want the people of Ontario to continue to demand from their politicians that they represent them to the utmost of their abilities- they work for you. Be respectful and never lose your voice. The province of Ontario continues to be a place that people from all over the world want to be a part of to enjoy our great democracy. Democracy works when we collectively stay politically engaged and hold those who serve us accountable. After all, your voice is loudest when you take action in a civil manner to express your opinions. Please take advantage of the full spectrum of roles, responsibilities and privileges you have as citizens of this great province and country. I look forward to continuing to serve my community as an individual citizen in the years to come and working towards making Ontario the most inclusive and prosperous province for individuals to live, work, play and raise a family.
Dave Levac MPP Brant
Brantford to Gain Jobs and New Economic Opportunities
Ontario Partners with Innovative Businesses to Support Hundreds of Local Jobs
February 10, 2017 12:20 P.M.
Ontario is helping to create more than 61 jobs and retain 310 others in Brantford by supporting local businesses to innovate, grow and pursue new markets.
Premier Kathleen Wynne made the announcement today at Apogee Ceramic Inc., one of three Brantford-based manufacturers benefitting from support from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF).
Apogee Ceramic Inc. manufactures ceramic components for the space heating, food service equipment and foundry industries. It supplies residential, commercial and industrial markets in North America, Europe and Asia. With Ontario’s support, Apogee will invest in a fully automated kiln system and other equipment to improve energy efficiency and increase productivity. This will create 11 jobs and retain 17 more positions over five years.
Blastech is a custom industrial coating contractor that specializes in heat-resistant coating and corrosion protection for the mining, oil and gas industries. Blastech will create 35 jobs and retain more than 140 jobs over the next five years with support from the fund. Ontario’s investment will allow Blastech to establish a service line for coating and lining new tanker railcars, and retrofitting existing railcars.
Ontario’s support has also helped Hartmann Canada Inc., which produces sustainable, recyclable egg packaging for egg producers, supermarket chains and other companies throughout Canada and the United States. With funding from the program, Hartmann has been able to add a production line to its Brantford facility and purchase equipment to increase production capacity, creating 15 jobs. The company now has a total of 168 positions.
Investing in Ontario businesses is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.
QUOTES
” By supporting local companies, we are bringing new investment to communities across the province and creating good jobs that will make a difference in the lives of workers and their families. We are working to make sure that everyone, in every region of the province, is able to benefit from the growth happening in Ontario’s economy.”
– Kathleen Wynne
Premier of Ontario
” I am pleased our government is partnering with these three companies through the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund to make investments in their facilities. We’re proud that we are helping to create good jobs in Brantford at companies that see the value of pursuing innovation to help them stay competitive.”
– Brad Duguid
Minister of Economic Development and Growth
” These three companies are important employers in Brantford and it is great to see the Ontario government support their growth plan that will strengthen our region’s economy. This reaffirms the importance of supporting local businesses and creating further opportunities for the people in my riding.”
– Dave Levac
MPP, Brant
QUICK FACTS
Ontario is investing more than $1.8 million to help three Southwestern Ontario companies expand and create jobs: Hartmann Canada Inc. $840,743; Blastech, a TF Warren company $803,651; and Apogee Ceramics Inc. $188,900.
Since 2013, the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund has helped to create and retain more than 29,000 jobs and attracted approximately $1.3 billion in investment in the region.
The SWODF funding covers up to 15 per cent of eligible project costs, with the recipient company funding the remainder from its own resources.
LEARN MORE
Southwestern Ontario Development Fund grant recipients
Business Growth Initiative
Disponible en Français
NOUVELLES
Cabinet de la Première ministre
Création d’emplois et de nouvelles possibilités économiques à Brantford
L’Ontario fait équipe avec des entreprises novatrices afin de soutenir des centaines d’emplois locaux
10 février 2017 12h20
L’Ontario apporte son aide pour créer plus de 61 emplois et en conserver 310 autres à Brantford en donnant un coup de pouce aux entreprises locales qui veulent innover, croître et cibler de nouveaux marchés.
La première ministre Kathleen Wynne a fait cette annonce aujourd’hui à Apogee Ceramic Inc.*, qui est l’un des trois fabricants de Brantford qui profitent du soutien du Fonds de développement du Sud-Ouest de l’Ontario (FDSOO).
Apogee Ceramic Inc. fabrique des éléments en céramique pour le chauffage, l’équipement des services d’alimentation et les industries de la fonderie. Cette entreprise approvisionne des marchés résidentiels, commerciaux et industriels en Amérique du Nord, en Europe et en Asie. Avec le soutien de l’Ontario, Apogee investira dans un système de four entièrement automatisé et d’autres équipements pour améliorer l’efficacité énergétique et pour accroître la production. Ceci créera 11 emplois et permettra d’en conserver 17 autres pendant cinq ans.
Blastech est un entrepreneur en revêtement industriel sur mesure qui se spécialise dans les revêtements résistants à la chaleur et anticorrosion pour les industries minières, pétrolières et gazières. Blastech créera 35 emplois et en maintiendra plus de 140 au cours des cinq prochaines années avec l’aide de ce Fonds. L’investissement de l’Ontario permettra à Blastech de mettre sur pied une ligne de service pour le revêtement et le doublage des nouveaux wagons-citernes de même que la rénovation des plus anciens.
Le soutien de l’Ontario a aussi aidé Hartmann Canada Inc.*, qui produit des emballages durables et recyclables pour les producteurs d’oeufs, les chaînes d’alimentation et d’autres entreprises dans l’ensemble du Canada et des États-Unis. Avec le financement de ce programme, Hartmann sera en mesure d’ajouter une chaîne de production aux installations de Brantford et d’acheter de l’équipement pour accroître la capacité de production, ce qui créera 15 emplois. L’entreprise a maintenant un total de 168 postes.
Investir dans les entreprises de l’Ontario, cela fait partie de notre plan visant à créer des emplois, à stimuler notre économie et à améliorer la vie quotidienne de notre population.
* Sites en anglais seulement
CITATIONS
« C’est en soutenant les entreprises locales que nous apportons de nouveaux investissements aux collectivités de l’ensemble de la province et que nous créons de bons emplois qui feront toute la différence dans la vie des travailleurs et de leur famille. Nous travaillons pour faire en sorte que tout le monde, dans toutes les régions de la province, est en mesure de tirer avantage de la croissance qui anime actuellement l’économie de l’Ontario.»
– Kathleen Wynne
première ministre de l’Ontario
« Je suis heureux que notre gouvernement fasse équipe avec ces trois entreprises par l’intermédiaire du Fonds de développement du Sud-Ouest de l’Ontario qui investit dans leurs installations. Nous sommes fiers d’aider à créer de bons emplois à Brantford au sein d’entreprises qui comprennent la valeur de l’innovation pour demeurer concurrentielles.»
– Brad Duguid
ministre du Développement économique et de la Croissance
« Ces trois entreprises sont d’importants employeurs de Brantford et il est remarquable de voir le gouvernement de l’Ontario soutenir leur plan de croissance qui renforcera l’économie de notre région. Ces investissements démontrent notre engagement envers le Sud-Ouest de l’Ontario et réitèrent l’importance de soutenir les entreprises locales et de créer de nouvelles possibilités pour la population de ma circonscription.»
– Dave Levac
député provincial de Brant
FAITS EN BREF
L’Ontario investit plus de 1,8 million de dollars pour aider trois entreprises du Sud-Ouest de l’Ontario à prendre de l’expansion et à créer des emplois : Hartmann Canada Inc. 840 743 $; Blastech, une entreprise TF Warren, 803 651 $ et Apogee Ceramics Inc. 188 900 $.
Depuis 2013, le Fonds de développement du Sud-Ouest de l’Ontario a aidé à créer et à maintenir plus de 29 000 emplois et a permis d’attirer environ 1,3 milliard de dollars en investissements dans la région.
Le FDSOO couvre jusqu’à 15 % des frais admissibles d’un projet et l’entreprise doit fournir le reste du financement par ses propres ressources.
POUR EN SAVOIR DAVANTAGE
Bénéficiaires du Fonds de développement du Sud-Ouest de l’Ontario
Initiative pour la croissance des entreprises
Disponible en ligne
Available in English