June 10th Newsletter

Dear Neighbours,

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As we head into Summer, our government continues to work around the clock to get legislation passed before this session ends. This week has been packed with important meetings on top of my regular house duties, which have allowed me to meet Canadians working to find solutions to many of the current issues facing our country.

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Monday marked the one year since the London, Ontario attack that left four members of the Afzaal family dead and orphaned their young son. When the attack happened, many of us came out in support of Canada’s Muslim Community, and I am encouraged to know that much of that momentum has continued.

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Many of my colleagues and I attended Ottawa walks for our London Family on Monday, where we honoured the Afzaal family’s lives and all who have been victims of Islamophobia in Canada. Before attending the walk, I met with members of the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), who traveled to Ottawa to discuss ways we can combat Islamophobia. In the past five years, crimes against Muslims have risen to concerning levels, and this doesn’t account for the harassment that goes unreported.

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Speaking with members of the NCCM, they have serious concerns and fears about the increasing level of violence and harassment directed against their community. I, too, share these concerns and believe it is

time to combat the root causes of Islamophobia and hate. Canada should be a country where all feel welcome, included, and safe. To know that many in Canada’s Muslim Community don’t feel welcome

shows that we have a lot of work to do to make Canada an even more inclusive country.

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I want to thank the delegates from the NCCM for coming to speak to my colleagues and I. Your input and your stories will provide the government with a roadmap on how we can best combat Islamophobia and hate so that Canada can be a nation that accepts people of all faiths and ethnicities.

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I attended Research Canada’s Gamechangers in Health Research and Health Innovation Luncheon on Wednesday. It is encouraging to see the meaningful solutions found through the great work done by

Canadian researchers. These community-based and culturally sensitive solutions will be vital in solving current and future health challenges while improving the quality of life for all Canadians.

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As a member of the Agriculture and Agri-food Committee, I was especially interested in the work being done by Dr. Kelly Skinner, who has been studying food security in Canada’s northern communities.

Issues like climate change and high food prices have increased the number of people experiencing food insecurity in Canada’s north. It was interesting to hear some of the innovations and solutions she and

her team implemented that have improved food security in the communities studied.

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As the war in Ukraine, climate change, and global supply chain challenges threaten food security, finding solutions and adaptations to combat these problems will be crucial. Thank you to all those who

presented, especially Dr. Skinner, whose research can be used to find ways to continue improving food security in Canada’s northern communities.

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Also, on Wednesday, I attended the 2022 Canadian Apprenticeship Service Reception. The Canadian Apprenticeship Service and Support Ontario Youth are organizations dedicated to getting more young

Canadians into the skilled trades. I want to thank them for their invitation and the lively discussion on what can be done to attract more Canadians to the trades. As the chair of the Social Innovation caucus, I

have a keen understanding of how social enterprise groups like the Canadian Apprenticeship Services and Support Ontario Youth can have when it comes to improving the lives of those in need. The benefits that these two organizations provide are vital to bolstering Canada’s skilled trade workforce.

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In the next five years, many tradespeople will either retire or leave the profession, and it will be essential to have more people in the trades to offset those who leave. Our government’s ambitious climate and infrastructure projects will be unachievable without skilled tradespeople, so I commend both the Canadian Apprenticeship Service and Support Ontario Youth for giving young people the training and opportunities to enter the trades.

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This week at the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, we began an urgent study on global food insecurity. Ukraine is a large supplier of grains and is very important to the global food supply.

Russia’s illegal and unwarranted invasion of Ukraine has jeopardized the global food supply, leaving many worldwide wondering how they will eat and feed their families. This will not only affect food-insecure

countries but will also negatively affect Canada.

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We heard from Ukrainian MP’s Ministers and stakeholders who explained to the committee the challenges that Ukrainian farmers currently face in storing and exporting their products. As a committee,

we are exploring ways Canada and our agricultural sector can help not only in the short term to fill the gaps that exist as a result of the conflict but also how Canada can assist in the longer term to reduce reliance on fertilizers and other products from Russia. We heard very clearly that the sanctions Canada has put on Russia are appreciated and effective and how Canada can further assist with the dangerous situation on the ground in Ukraine.

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This week at the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, we reviewed Bill C-14, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (electoral representation). This legislation ensures that when the number of members of the House of Commons and the representation of the provinces in that House is readjusted on the completion of each decennial census, a province will not have fewer members assigned to it than were assigned during the 43rd Parliament.

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It also includes transitional measures for applying that amendment to the readjustment of electoral boundaries under the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act following the 2021 decennial census. This ensures that we continue to provide representation that reflects the population changes in each province while also ensuring that smaller provinces or ones with unique cultural importance to Canada,

such as Quebec, do not lose their voice in the House of Commons. We also continued to study the expansion of the parliamentary precinct.

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I voiced my support for our Government’s Budget Implementation Act (Bill C-19) in the House. Budget 2022 provides a comprehensive and ambitious action plan to address climate change and Canada’s carbon emissions while creating new jobs and a strong economy and making life more affordable. In reality, climate change is not something off in the distant future; its effects are at our doorstep. Extreme weather events like the storms that hit Ontario in late May directly result from 30 years of inaction in combating climate change.

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Budget 2022, in combination with the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, provides a roadmap for how we lower emissions and build a strong economy. The government is investing in innovative, green technologies that will make Canada a world leader in the fight against climate change. These new technologies will require new jobs that we hope will exist for generations to come.

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We are continuing to work through the busiest time on the Hill, and my staff is available to help you with any federal matters. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my team and I, and we will be ready to assist you with whatever you need.

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Warmest Regards,

Xxxx Xxxxxxx

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Canada-California Climate Action and Nature Protection Partnership

Since our government was elected in 2015, we have taken bold steps to reduce Canada’s carbon emissions and fight climate change. Our 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan not only works to cut our CO2 emissions to 40% below 2005 levels but also speeds Canada’s transition to a green economy that will create jobs and make life more affordable. However, fighting climate change cannot be done alone. We will need strong international partners with shared values to work with us and stave off the worst effects.

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That is why the Prime Ministers’ announcement of the Canada-California Climate Action and Nature Protection Partnership is an important development in our fight against climate change. Canada and California will work collaboratively to reach our shared zero-emission transport goals and emission reduction targets. We will collaborate on regulatory measures to prevent pollution, adapt to climate change, and conserve nature.

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Canada and California also aim to mandate that 100% of vehicle sales are Zero-Emission vehicles by 2035. We will share technologies and innovations to help us reach our climate goals and build strong green economies.

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This agreement shows that collaboration in fighting climate change will be vital to fostering innovations and creating healthy, vibrant communities for generations.

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Learn more about the Canada-California Climate Action and Nature Protection Partnership here

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Age Well at Home

Many seniors prefer living independently at home rather than in long-term care. Unfortunately, many previous policies have not allowed this to be an option. That is why the Minister of Seniors, Kamal Khera, announced the launch of the Age Well at Home initiative to support seniors who choose to live their retirement years in their homes and their communities.

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Budget 2021 invested $90 million over four years starting in 2022-2023 to create the Age Well at Home initiative. This program will give seniors the support they need to complete everyday tasks. The project

will accept funding applications from organizations that provide services to seniors. Organizations can apply under the In-Home Support Pilot Projects stream or the Scaling up for Seniors stream.

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In-Home Support Pilot Projects applicants need to have experience providing one or more volunteer-based services to seniors. Scaling up for Seniors applicants must have demonstratable results from their

program and propose delivering these services in multiple provinces. We know that seniors want to be able to live independently at home for as long as possible, and we believe that the Age Well at Home initiative will give them the opportunity. There are many groups in this country providing essential services, and through government collaboration, we will improve the quality of life for Canada’s senior citizens.

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Learn more about Age Well at Home and find out how to apply for funding here

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Independent Special Interlocutor

Wednesday, the government announced that Kimberly Murray has been appointed as Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites associated with

Residential Schools. She will work with Indigenous leaders, communities, residential school survivors, and experts to find culturally appropriate treatments and protections for unmarked graves and burial sites.

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We are committed to doing the critical work to bring the truth to light and allow reconciliation and healing. As we continue to discover unmarked graves at the sites of former residential schools, the Special Interlocutor will guide the process of identifying, protecting, and preserving while working to facilitate the potential repatriation of remains.

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Our government is guided by the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We continue to lift boil water advisories in Indigenous communities across Canada, compensate nations for the broken treaty promises made by previous governments, and bring the truth to light by confronting the legacy of residential schools.

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We must confront the realities of Canada’s history while acknowledging and correcting the impacts of colonialism on indigenous people.

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Learn about the Special Interlocutor and their important work here

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Pride Flags

June is Pride Month. Over the month, we will celebrate the contributions and impacts of LGBTQ2 communities across the country. It is an opportunity to reflect on our progress to expand and protect LGBTQ2 rights in Canada, commemorating the work done by activists and acknowledging the work that still needs to be done.

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Our constituency office will offer Pride posters for Xxxxxx residents who want to celebrate Pride Season with us. If you would like to request a poster, please email xxxx.xxxxxxxx@parl.gc.ca with your name and address, and we will send one. I look forward to continuing to work hard to make Canada a more equitable and inclusive place.

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Canada Day

With Canada Day quickly approaching, I am offering Canada Day signs for any resident who may be interested. If you would like a lawn sign, head to my website at https://xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.ca/canada-daysigns/

and signup with your name and address. I hope you have a wonderful Canada Day.