It was a very different experience, but Tyler Allsopp had positive words to share about Belleville as he appeared at his first New Year’s Levee as an MPP in the city he used to represent as a Councillor.
Allsopp says it was a “pleasure” to represent the province at the event and speak to the crowd, and said he shared many of Mayor Neil Ellis’ positive impressions about the previous year and the road ahead in 2025.
He began by echoing Ellis’ comments on the widespread construction of new apartment buildings throughout the city including one signficant project north of the 401. Allsopp says the Planning Committee and City Staff should be congratulated for getting the zoning and permits approved and helping to get those projects moving forward, and that the province is looking forward to supporting more of those efforts in 2025.
Allsopp says he was impressed with Belleville’s doctor (and nurse practitioner) recruitment efforts under Karen Poste and that the province is working hard to increase the number of new doctors by opening up two new medical schools.
On the issue of homelessness, he says he has another conversation with Mayor Neil Ellis and assured him that he remains focussed on this issue and addressing concerns about homelessness, mental health and addictions. Allsopp says the new HART hubs will make a diffference in this area and he is speaking to people at Queen’s Park regularly about Belleville’s application. He also added that this has been an area of concern/focus for him dating back to before he ran for council, as he previously was the Treasurer at the Enrichment Centre for Mental Health.
Overall, Allsopp says he has a positive feeling about 2025 and that he looks forward to working collaboratively with Mayor Ellis and Council and that while there will be challenges, he is confident we will find solutions by working together.
