Message from your Member of Parliament
Dear neighbours,
I hope you are well and that you have been enjoying the good weather over the past few days as summer approaches. These last few weeks have been difficult for our region and our country, and it is a time of reflection for Canadians in light of the discovery of the 215 children at the Kamloops residential school and the terrorist attack on a family taking a Sunday night walk in London, Ontario.
It is a sad reminder that there is still much to be done in Canada for those who were here before us, as well as for the diversity that shapes Canada today. Our government will continue to work with Indigenous peoples and Muslim communities across the country to develop solutions to today's discrimination and to continue our reconciliation efforts with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities.
In these final days before the end of the parliamentary session, our government continues to propose concrete actions to protect Canadian culture and artists, for more ambitious targets to combat climate change, to ban conversion therapy and to implement Budget 2021 - an ambitious, historic document that supports Canadians through the economic recovery.
As the summer season begins, let's remember to follow the public health guidelines, wear our masks, and keep our distance.
I wish you a great month of June, a healthy summer, and lots of good weather!
Mona Fortier
Kamloops Tragedy
As the horrific discovery in Kamloops a few weeks ago reminds us, the history of residential schools is as recent as it is traumatic for generations of Indigenous peoples. Like all Canadians, I was shocked and deeply upset by the events, and my thoughts are with the members of the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation and all Indigenous peoples affected by this tragedy.
In recent weeks, it has been difficult and disappointing to see parties in the House of Commons politicize a tragedy that challenges all of us - regardless of our party - to think and work together towards lasting solutions for Indigenous peoples in Canada.
That is why the Government of Canada has acted through the Ministers of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Indigenous Services, and will continue to work directly with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities to ensure that supports and resources are available to help them overcome the intergenerational trauma caused by the residential school system.
We are fully committed to justice, healing and reconciliation for former students of all residential schools. With 96% of all claimants from St. Anne’s Residential School having received compensation, we continue our work to provide fair and equitable compensation for all those impacted by residential schools.
We are engaging with Indigenous communities across Canada on how best to provide support in finding their lost children and have provided $27 million of readily available funding to be distributed urgently to assist in the search. We will also continue to work with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation on the registries of death, burials, and cemeteries.
We know there is still much to be done for First Nations, Inuit and Métis children and families, and we will continue to work with Indigenous partners and communities to find long-term solutions to achieve reconciliation.
Attack in London
My heart breaks for the friends and loved ones of Talat, Salman, Madiha and Yumna - and especially for the young boy who is the sole survivor of last week's terrorist act in London. On Sunday evening, June 6, he and his family were walking through the city they called home when their lives were cut short by a horrific and cowardly act.
A friendly man in love with his garden, proud of his roses and even more so of his family. A young artist who painted a mural at her college and was always there for her classmates. A teacher who was described by her colleagues as brilliant and generous.
Upon their arrival to Canada, all members of the Afzaal family became involved in their community - something as generous as it is common among Canadian Muslim diasporas. They gave their time, effort, and energy to make our country a better place to live.
It is in this same spirit of empathy that London's Muslim community has comforted and pledged to be there for the young boy, now without family, who is still recovering from his injuries.
I can't imagine the number of Muslim Canadians this week who drove instead of biked, who didn't want to leave their homes, who took time off work because of the grief of this act, or who asked themselves questions that no one should have to ask.
No one in Canada should feel unsafe or have to worry about terrorism and hate-motivated attacks against them and their loved ones. No one in Canada should have to look over their shoulders worried as they walk the streets of our country. No one in Canada should have to worry about who they are, and until that is the nation we live in, we know that the fight is far from over and that there is still a long way to go.
It is the responsibility of each of us to speak out against these acts and to support the Muslim community. We need to remember what happened and, in our reflection, find solutions to the systemic issues facing the community. Islamophobia has no place in our communities, and we must continue to work every day to make our country safer for all.
The end of the parliamentary session
Since the beginning of our first mandate in 2015, our government has worked tirelessly to provide Canadians with ambitious programs and a government that is inclusive, green, and ready to put Canada on the right track.
In recent weeks, my colleagues and I have been working in the House of Commons to ensure that important legislation is passed before the end of the session. The anti-conversion therapy Bill that our government is pushing forward is an essential step to protect the LGBTQ2+ community, and Bill C-10 will modernize the Broadcasting Act to encourage our artists, promote our official languages and Canadian cultures, and ensure that the web giants pay their fair share.
In addition, the 2021 Budget presented on April 19 is currently being considered by the House. It focuses on investing in small and medium-sized businesses, our infrastructure, fighting climate change, supporting visible minorities and Indigenous peoples, and new measures to ensure Canadian families get through the final months of COVID-19.
These are essential measures for an inclusive, comprehensive, green, and ambitious recovery. We know that these supports are important to the residents of Ottawa-Vanier and across the country, and that is why we will continue to work hard for our communities and for all Canadians.
Sunshine on Beechwood
The Sunshine on Beechwood event will take place this Saturday, June 19, between 11am and 1pm! This is a great opportunity to chat with our merchants behind our masks and purchase products from small local businesses.
Sunshine on Beechwood is also hosting a photo search and scavenger hunt on Instagram for youth while also taking into account public health guidelines. They are also setting up a party atmosphere with live music. Having worked with them for years, I know our local business owners are ready for us after this year of challenges and perseverance.
I will be joined by my provincial and municipal colleagues Lucille Collard, Mathieu Fleury and Rawlson King who will be helping me distribute local organic strawberries to passers-by. Especially now, in the final months of the pandemic, let's make sure we support our small and medium sized businesses in Ottawa-Vanier. I look forward to seeing you there!
Ottawa-Vanier Youth Council
It is always a pleasure to connect with the Ottawa-Vanier Youth Council and hear the perspectives and opinions of our youth on the challenges we face.
This month we had a virtual visit from Manock Lual, a builder, entrepreneur, athlete and inspiration to our community. He told us the story of Prezdential - a non-profit organization that organizes activities, training and educational programs, and mentoring opportunities for visible minority youth in the nation's capital.
During our conversation, we discussed the many challenges faced by entrepreneurs, youth, visible minorities, and low-income Canadians.
Manock has taken many actions in recent years to combat social inequality and discrimination - investing in the potential of our youth regardless of their background, knowing that their success is the success of the entire community. When I think of Prezdential's activities and close collaboration with the young people they mentor, I see a recipe for achievement for our children and for combating the obstacles they face.
Thank you for all you do, Manock - as the council said, you are a role model and inspiration for a new generation of ideas and leaders!
Vaccine information
Over the past few weeks, our immunization campaign has not been slowing down - with very encouraging results. Thanks to the efforts of front-line health care workers and public health officials, almost 73% of eligible Canadians have already received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and we’ve surpassed our fellow G20 and G7 countries for share of the population that has received at least one dose – and millions of doses are still on their way!
To continue this upward trend and get us back to normal life faster and healthier, I encourage you to get vaccinated as soon as it is your turn. You can now get vaccinated at the following vaccination sites located in Ottawa-Vanier and our nation's capital. Together, we will beat COVID-19 and win the fight against the virus.
Register for your appointment at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/ or call 1-833-943-3900 from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.
Call Ottawa Public Health at 613 691 5505.
Pharmacies
Vaccination clinics:
- Eva James Memorial Centre: 65 Stonehaven Drive
- Canterbury Recreation Complex: 2185 Arch Street
- St. Lawrence Complex: 525 Côté Street
- Horticulture Building: 1525 Princess Patricia Lane
- Queensway-Carleton Hospital: 3045 Baseline Road
- Ottawa City Hall: 110 Laurier Avenue West
- Nepean Sportsplex: 1701 Woodroffe Avenue
- Ruddy Family YMCA-YWCA: 265 Centrum Boulevard
Hospital:
- The Ottawa Hospital - Civic Campus: 1053 Carling Avenue
