Hello to everyone.  As our Learning Symposium is taking place next week, please note that there will not be an edition of the E.D. Letter until the week of June 24^th.  We will continue to monitor provincial affairs and share any relevant time-sensitive information with members over next week as needed.

Dear OMSSA delegates and friends: 

I am pleased to let you know about some exciting updates to our June Learning Symposium in Ottawa starting on Sunday the 16^th, detailed in the OMSSA Highlights section at the end of this letter.  Here are a few key highlights:

FLS Commissioner Publishes the Government’s Responses to the Recommendations of his 2011-2012 Annual Report

French Language Services Commissioner François Boileau published the government’s responses to the recommendations of his 2011-2012 Annual Report, Straight Forward, as well as his comments and analysis.

Ontario Avoids a Spring Election as NDP Supports the Liberal Budget

Earlier this week, Ontario’s New Democrat Leader, Andrea Horwath confirmed the NDP will vote in favour of the 2013 budget, stating that the budget meets enough of her party’s demands to warrant their support.

Regional Accessibility Forums 2013:  Engaging Effectively with your Community

An update from Diya Gill, Manager of Education

I am pleased to give readers and update on the Regional Accessibility Forums being hosted by the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario (ADO) in partnership with OMSSA, as well as to draw your attention to the guides OMSSA has developed in conjunction with this work.

I am pleased today to welcome Lilian Cheung to our staff team.  Lilian will be working with us in the role of Executive Assistant to myself and Petra Wolfbeiss, Director of Policy and Public Affairs.  Lilian can be reached at lcheung@omssa.com or 416-646-0513.  You will start to see emails from Lilian regarding policy department logistics as well.  Welcome Lilian!

Minister of Finance, Charles Sousa, will deliver the Provincial Budget today, Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 4:00 p.m.  OMSSA will be in the budget lock-up ahead of time, as well as in the Legislature to hear the Budget Speech read.  This is the first time that OMSSA has been invited into hear the Speech, and I will share a report with members as part of our summary and analysis in the next few days.

Dear OMSSA members and friends, 

As in every life, cycle or organization, change must come. It is no different for OMSSA, and I write today to tell you that after sixteen years of service, Julia Frost has retired from OMSSA.

Ontario Investing in Settlement Services, Strengthening Communities 

The Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration announced that Ontario is increasing support for settlement programs and helping more than 80,000 newcomers get the services they need to settle and find jobs. Through the government's Newcomer Settlement Program, 98 organizations across the province will receive support over the next two years to help connect new immigrants with language and job training, and other community services. Details of the resources that support this effort are being confirmed.

Regional Accessibility Forums 2013: Engaging Effectively with your Community 

The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario (ADO) in partnership with the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA) is hosting six (6) Regional Accessibility Forums this spring.