MESSAGE FROM YOUR MP
A year ago, the residents of Ottawa-Vanier renewed their trust in me to represent them in the Canadian Parliament. I want to thank you very much for believing in me. This very enriching experience allows me to put my talents and knowledge at your service to build a better community for Ottawa-Vanier and a better country for all of us. I appreciate your ideas and feedback and strive to be visible, accessible and available to better serve you even in this time of a pandemic where physical distancing is needed.
Since September 23, our activities in the House of Commons have resumed, some days I represent you in person, other days I attend the sittings of the virtual Parliament.
In the past weeks, I have stood in the House several times to defend your interests, the interests of the middle class and those of our small and medium-sized businesses, and I will continue to do so every moment of my mandate.

SMALL BUSINESS WEEK
Here in Ottawa-Vanier and across Canada, small businesses are at the heart of our communities. Since the beginning of the pandemic, these businesses have faced daily hardships and uncertainties, especially as we face this second wave of COVID-19.
On the occasion of Small Business Week, let us show our support and love for small businesses and let us be aware that by buying locally, we may be allowing our neighbour or our friend  to keep their job.
Let us stand together during these difficult times.

RETRAITE EN ACTION VIRTUAL FORUM: DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION OF SENIORS
In an effort to deepen its knowledge and open itself to racial and cultural diversity, Retraite en Action (REA) is organizing a virtual forum, thanks to a grant from the Ottawa Bilingual Program of the Association des communautés francophones d'Ottawa (ACFO), and the Government of Canada. The Forum will be held in two phases, Tuesday, November 3 and 10, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Recognizing that this two-part forum is virtual, none of the presentations will be very long. Registration is free and help is available to access the WEBEX video conference.
To register: www.retraiteenaction.ca

For more information: Nicole Beauchamp  [email protected] or 613-850-0141 and Anne-Marie Laurendeau  [email protected] or 613-860-1099 ext. 1

LOWERTOWN COMMUNITY CENTRE UPDATE
Thank you to the Lowertown Community Centre for effectively adapting to the pandemic and continuing to provide support services to Lowertown residents.
Thanks to his team of youth workers, they were able to serve 41 families, by preparing weekly healthy snacks and organizing several fun activities to do at home from March to August. In addition, over the past 6 months, their food bank has served 1,047 individuals and 476 households.
Congratulations to the employees and volunteers of the Lowertown Community Centre, you are making a positive difference in our neighbourhood and our city. Your actions matter.

ENHANCING CANADA’S CAPITAL PATHWAY NETWORK
The National Capital Commission’s (NCC) Board of Directors recently approved the new Capital Pathway Strategic Plan, which will revamp its popular network of multi-use pathways over the next 10 years. Adaptations to the network include those that will address climate change, increased and diverse usage, collaborative management, and enhanced safety.
  
Highlights of the new Capital Pathway Strategic Plan include the following:

• adding 90 km of new pathways to create links within the existing network, largely connecting the Greenbelt Pathway east to west
• improving access to community facilities, schools and transit hubs
• separating pedestrians from cyclists in busy areas
• designs to better resist flooding, and using durable and green building techniques
• ensuring that key destinations are identifiable by assigning municipal street addresses, and ensuring ease of navigation and drop-off for Para Transpo and paratransit services
• supporting a diverse range of active winter uses.