December 30, 2016

Mr. Lou Rinaldi
Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs
777 Bay Street
Suite 2302, 23rd Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 2E5

Dear Mr. Rinaldi:

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 back to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, 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.

Together, we will work to build safe and strong urban and rural communities with dynamic local economies, abundant greenspace and a quality of life that is second to none.

As Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs, your specific responsibilities include:

  • Taking a leadership role with respect to the consultations on the joint review of the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) with the Ministry of the Attorney General. You will help ensure that the voices of Ontario’s communities and stakeholders are heard as we consider the OMB’s scope and effectiveness.
  • Continuing your ongoing good work in ensuring an appropriate rural and agricultural focus in the coordinated review of the Provincial Growth and Greenbelt Plans.
  • Working with me to continue to facilitate the strong relationship between the province and municipalities, including the ongoing implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), as well as the Toronto-Ontario Co-operation and Consultation Agreement. You will continue to help bring a particular focus on rural perspectives to the table.

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.

Sincerely,

Original signed by

The Honourable Bill Mauro
Minister of Municipal Affairs