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I want to be a strong voice for Halton families: Naidoo-Harris continued from p.12 The Province intends to have Naidoo-Harris build on work to date in several areas, including: · Putting in place a renewed and co-ordinated system of Ontario Early Years Child and Family Centres to better serve families and communities; · Ensuring child-care policies align with government efforts in areas such as addressing the gender wage gap; · Working with the federal and provincial and territorial governments on a national early learning and child care framework. "This is going to be an important portfolio; it's a responsibility I take very seriously," said Naidoo-Harris. "I've always said to the people of Halton that I want to be a strong voice for the families that live here, and I think this new role only helps me be that strong voice." Among the congratulations that poured in for Naidoo-Harris after the announcement was a tweet from Milton Town and Regional Councillor Colin Best, who said he also hopes the MPP's new position "can help with funding the three new schools Milton needs now." But Naidoo-Harris told the Metroland West Media she thinks the Ministry of Education is already doing the best it can to keep up with the demands of Milton's rapid growth. "I'm pretty proud of what the ministry has been doing to respond to the fast-growing needs of the community, and I will work hard to ensure that continues," she said. She noted since 2011, the Province had owed $141 million to the Milton area to fund 26 school projects, which includes new schools, additions and infrastructure for full-day Kindergarten. And since 2003, the two Halton English school boards have received more than $860 million in capital funds, she said. Naidoo-Harris' former cabinet position overseeing the ORPP was deemed unnecessary very shortly after she received the title in June in light of the federal government's decision to enhance the Canada Pension Plan, negating the need for an Ontario-based plan. 13 | Thursday, September 8, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com This is going to be an important portfolio; it's a responsibility I take very seriously. Halton MPP and Associate Minister of Education Follow Oakville Beaver staff on Twitter: @OakvilleBeaver, @NewsHooked, @DavidLea6, @JuliaLeReporter, @HerbGarbutt, @PostBeaverSport Indira Naidoo-Harris CONCRETE McTavish Travel 44 TRANSAT EARLY BOOKING GLOBUS HAWAII & SOUTH PACIFIC 19722016 Transat is enticing travellers to book their vacations early by adding to its Early Booking promotion. 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