December 30, 2016

Ms. Harinder Malhi
Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport
900 Bay Street
9th Floor, Hearst Block
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 2E1

Dear Ms. Malhi:

I am honoured to have you as my parliamentary assistant, and thank you for the valuable support that you will provide me in this crucial role. I welcome you to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and look forward to working closely with you to ensure that both ministry and overall government objectives are achieved.

At this mid-point of our mandate — and after having achieved two years of real and tangible progress — we are redoubling our efforts to deliver on our top priority — economic growth and good jobs. Our balanced plan to build Ontario up for everyone will deliver real benefits and more inclusive growth that will help people in their everyday lives. We will do this by continuing to invest in better infrastructure, more affordable and accessible postsecondary education, a competitive, low-carbon economy and improved retirement security.

Responsible fiscal management remains an overarching priority for our government, and, thanks to our disciplined approach, we are on track to balance the budget next year, in 2017-18.

The mandate letter I received in September from Premier Wynne sets out my specific priorities as minister for the coming two years. Parliamentary assistants play a key role in meeting these priorities and in helping put our government’s plan into action.

The sectors supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport are significant economic drivers for our province. The Premier recognizes this vital fact, and her mandate letter to me sets out an ambitious agenda for our ministry to work to deliver top experiences to Ontarians and visitors, and to promote these important sectors that drive economic growth.

Our ministry is committed to advancing a long-term Strategic Framework for Tourism as a tool for industry and government to maximize the growth and competitiveness of Ontario’s tourism sector.

We will move forward with implementing Ontario’s first Culture Strategy and work with partners and communities, including Indigenous partners to, among other things, promote cultural engagement and inclusion, strengthen culture in communities and fuel the creative economy. Together through the implementation of Game ON – the Ontario Government’s Sport Plan, we will continue to encourage increased participation in sport, recreation and physical activity by all Ontarians.

Ontario and Canada will commemorate the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017. To recognize this, we will coordinate cross-government efforts and work with community organizations to celebrate our history and our collective vision as a province. We will also take advantage of the opportunity to invest in the people and infrastructure that will define the next 150 years in Ontario.

As Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, your specific responsibilities include:

  • Growing tourism in Ontario and supporting initiatives that celebrate Ontario 150.
  • Supporting the implementation of Ontario’s Culture Strategy to ensure that Ontario’s cultural workforce is positioned to succeed in the creative economy. Supporting the priorities in Game ON to increase participation and grow an inclusive sport culture.

A tremendous opportunity lies before us — to ensure that our ministry’s mandate is fully and effectively implemented, to continue to build Ontario up and to deliver real benefits to all Ontarians.

All my best,

Original signed by

The Honourable Eleanor McMahon
Minister