Word from your MP
Dear constituents,
I hope you’re doing well and are getting the most out of the summer – one which is beginning to look brighter and brighter with every week that goes by. The Canadian vaccination campaign is continuing its steady rise and record-breaking pace, and provincial governments are beginning to lift restrictions slowly but surely as we get ready for a two-dose summer.
I was happy to see small businesses open their patios and people getting together to both reflect on and celebrate our history on Canada Day this year. Seeing families together commemorating and learning about our nation’s past brings me great hope for the years ahead, and with the historic nomination of Mary Simon as our next Governor General, I’m confident Canada is on the right path to reconciliation, and getting there faster.
In the past few weeks and months before the parliamentary session ended, our government passed more ambitious climate targets, adopted the United-Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples, and passed Budget 2021 to ensure no Canadian is left behind as we beat the fight against Covid-19 and build back better.
With Budget 2021 having now received Royal Assent, we are there to support families and businesses through the last leg of Covid-19 and through our complete, green, and inclusive recovery. I’m looking forward to seeing Ottawa open and vibrant again!
My team and I are always available to answer your questions and concerns. Have a great summer and enjoy the warm weather!
Mona Fortier
End of the Parliamentary Session
The end of the parliamentary session in Ottawa saw the passing of some of the most important pieces of legislation our government recently tabled. The 2021 Budget, which was written over months of consultations with Canadian workers, small businesses, stakeholders, community organizations, and municipalities, is a historic investment in our economy and the people who make it work.
From the numerous Covid-19 support programs we’re extending to September to new hiring and investment programs for small businesses and emerging sectors; from important investments in visible minorities and Indigenous Canadians to ground-breaking infrastructure and climate initiatives, we’re setting Canada on the right track for a full recovery.
Our government also worked hard in the past few months to pass a ban in the House of Commons on conversion therapy as well as introduced reforms to strengthen bilingualism and protect la Francophonie in Canada through modernizing the Official Languages Act. To ensure that artists could make it through lockdowns and confinement, we also passed Bill C-10 to reform the Broadcasting Act, promote our national culture and arts sector, and deliver results for Canadians. Our government will continue to fight to protect Canadians’ lives and jobs.
Getting your second shot is now easier and quicker
I was so happy to receive my second dose of Moderna after my AstraZeneca first dose at City Hall! I felt an excess of joy and relief, knowing the people around me and my family are better protected when we all do our part and get our shots.
Our government has been working tirelessly with municipal, provincial, and territorial partners to contain the spread of Covid-19 during the pandemic and deliver ground-breaking results in vaccinations for our national Capital.
Our diversified vaccine portfolio has helped accelerate deliveries and, as a result, Canada has been breaking records around the globe, recently becoming the country with the most first doses administered relative to population, and quickly growing our statistics for those having received two shots.
When you’re eligible, I strongly recommend you book an appointment and get vaccinated to protect you, your loved ones, and the people around you. Together, we can beat this pandemic and save lives.
Ottawa Community Housing Announcement
Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home in Ottawa-Vanier and in this country. When we arrived in government, we developed the National Housing Strategy to tackle problems in the housing market and build new affordable homes for Canadians, and we’ve been building on those investments since then – including in the 2021 Budget.
I was thrilled to join Minister Ahmed Hussen, Minister Catherine McKenna, Councillor Mathieu Fleury, and Executive Director to Ottawa Community Housing Stephane Giguère to announce $300 million in funding over nine years for over 800 infrastructure projects that will provide affordable housing here, in our national capital.
This is another historic investment that will bring down the cost of homes for families looking for a place to live, renovate, and refurbish existing infrastructure into affordable housing while also creating good paying jobs in the process.
High-Frequency Rail between Toronto-Quebec
The new high-frequency line our government laid the groundwork for last week will lower commute time between Quebec and Ontario’s busiest commercial and tourism hubs, all while stimulating the local economy here in Ottawa.
I was proud to join Minister Alghabra, David McGuinty, Chandra Arya, and Mayor Watson to announce the launch of the procurement process to build a new train service in the Toronto to Quebec City Corridor. This passenger track will use electrified technology and it will allow a travel speed up to 177-200 kilometers per hour (or 110-124 miles per hour), which will result in reduced travel times of up to 90 minutes on some routes, such as Ottawa to Toronto.
With faster service, people throughout Canada’s most populous provinces will be able to save time on commuting and spend greater time with their families and professional counterparts on business trips.
Our government knows that fighting climate change, creating good paying jobs, and advancing economic opportunities for Canadians all go hand in hand. That’s why we’re going to continue to invest in ambitious projects that bring us all closer together while fighting climate change and building economic opportunities.
The High Frequency Rail proposal will be the largest transportation infrastructure project seen by Canada in decades and it will meet the transportation needs of travellers, while also creating jobs and economic growth.
Beacon Hill Community Centre expansion
Our local community centres are a cornerstone in our community and essential to cultural activities and get togethers in the riding. That’s why the Government of Canada is investing over $3.1 million through the Covid-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream to improve 16 infrastructure facilities in Ottawa, including the Beacon Hill North Community Centre, which will see the addition of a new multi-purpose room, a full-sized kitchen, universal washrooms, and new windows to allow for more natural light.
This funding is an example of the decisive action taken by all levels of government to support families, businesses, and communities as we look ahead and continue to support Canadians during the economic recovery.
In the photo (left to right): Jeremy Roberts (MPP for Ottawa West-Nepean and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services), Mona Fortier, and Tim Tierney (City Councillor for Beacon Hill-Cyrville).
Federal support for individuals, businesses, and non-profits
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
You can also answer a few questions here to get a list of benefits and supports tailored to you.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES AND NON-PROFITS
To avoid layoffs, rehire employees, and create new jobs:
For financial support, loans, and access to credit:
Support for Indigenous businesses:
For youth
For marginalized communities
To promote Culture, Arts, Sports
VACCINE AND COVID-19 TESTING INFORMATION
