Happy New Year dear constituents!
On behalf of my family, my team and I, I want to wish you a happy new year filled with joy and good health! The new year offers us an opportunity to refocus our goals and redouble our efforts. It offers us an opportunity for reflection and renewal as we look back on the past year and prepare for the year ahead.
Though the past several months have been challenging for all of us, there is a lot for us to be proud of. Through these uncertain times, we must remember the resilience of our community and of communities from coast to coast as we begin an exciting new chapter in 2022.
In the past year, Ottawa's residents and small businesses have stepped up to the challenge with great empathy and strength—with some getting involved with charitable causes and even putting their enterprises to work for the most vulnerable. In the past year, millions of Canadians from coast to coast also did their part in the fight against Covid-19 by getting vaccinated to relieve pressure on our hospitals and prevent more variants—a team effort that saw Canada become the top vaccinated among G7 countries. As we cross into the new year, Canadians are once again lining up to receive booster shots to protect against the severe and long-term impacts of COVID-19 and its variants. These milestones are each a testament to our ability to work together to overcome even the toughest obstacles.
I encourage you all to get your vaccines if you haven’t at this time and to get your booster as soon as it is possible. Thank you to the Ottawa Public Health and health care workers for working tirelessly in our community and for your efforts to get vaccines in arms as quickly as possible.
There is promise on the horizon as well: Canada has now recovered over 106% of the jobs lost since the start of the pandemic and our economic growth has surpassed our forecasts from previous budgets and economic updates.
In the Fall Economic Update delivered on December 14th, our government committed to investing in key areas that support a stronger economy, like optimizing supply lines, helping small businesses access ventilation upgrades, and supporting a vibrant arts & culture scene, alongside measures like supporting a safe return to school and reducing financial hardship for low-income seniors. And, to help Canadians face the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, we are extending the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) and Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) until May 2022 and temporarily expanding eligibility for the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit to include workers in regions with capacity-limiting restrictions of 50% or more.
Every step of the way, we will be there to support the hardest-hit businesses, families, and individuals still impacted by COVID-19 as we work towards a green, inclusive, and sustainable economic recovery.
But the best way to keep our economy growing and make life more affordable is by ending COVID-19. If we get the job done on vaccines, we will avoid future lockdowns, get Canadians back to work, and make life more affordable. With this in mind, let's be COVID wise by continuing to follow the public health advice of our municipal, provincial, and federal officials. Canadians have been smart and attentive throughout this pandemic, so let’s make sure we continue these amazing efforts as we head into 2022!
Happy healthy New Year!
Update on COVID-19 In Canada
On December 23rd, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer delivered an update on the COVID-19 situation in Canada. Key points include:
- The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) continues to monitor trends related to the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Although the situation is not the same everywhere, the Omicron variant has been found to spread quickly and the situation at the local level can get out of hand and overwhelm hospitals and testing facilities in the affected areas. Increased vigilance is needed across Canada now and in the coming weeks.
- In response to emerging evidence on the effectiveness of vaccine protection over time, the National Advisory Committee for Immunization updated their guidance regarding booster doses of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine for adults 18 years of age and over.
- In addition to getting fully vaccinated and getting a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose as recommended, individuals are encouraged to get up-to-date with vaccines for other common respiratory illnesses, such as the flu shot and other routine vaccines for children and adults.
- As well, given the risks and uncertainties linked to the Omicron variant, individuals are advised to avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada at this time. If you must travel, be aware of current and evolving requirements for travel to other countries and returning to Canada.
For more information, visit:
A message from Ottawa Public Health
On December 22nd, in response to the rapid rise of the Omicron variant, Ottawa's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Vera Etches released updated guidance on COVID-19:
- Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should notify their high-risk contacts and alert them of possible exposure to the virus.
- Ottawa’s testing sites are prioritizing health care workers at this time to help prevent staff shortages. Drop-ins at testing sites will be declined testing due to capacity constraints so that testing remains available to essential workers and healthcare workers.
- Individuals that test positive for COVID-19, as well as everyone in their household, must self-isolate for 10 days except to get tested.
To read the complete statement:
December 22, 2021 - Special statement from Dr. Vera Etches: www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/novel-coronavirus.aspx#December-22-2021-Special-statement-from-Dr-Vera-Etches
Canada Summer Jobs 2022
As a reminder, the Canada Summer Jobs 2022 application period for employers is open until January 25, 2022.
The CSJ program provides wage subsidies to employers in the not-for-profit, public and private sectors to connect young adults with good summer job opportunities and valuable work experience. The Government of Canada is working to ensure that quality job placements occur in inclusive, safe and respectful work environments, and that young people--particularly those facing barriers to success--get the chance to achieve their goals and develop their skills in today’s rapidly changing labour market. The Government of Canada will further support the program by creating 100,000 more CSJ jobs for youths in 2022.
My office will be holding a training session in each official language for those seeking to learn more about the program and have the necessary information to write your proposal. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for the date of our training session.
For more information, visit www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/canada-summer-jobs.html.
Summer Leadership Program 2022: Get a unique experience working on Parliament Hill!
The Summer Leadership Program (SLP) is a unique political internship opportunity developed to invest in the future success of youth in this country. SLP gives young people across the country vital job experience serving in the offices of Members of Parliament, Ministers, and even the office of the Prime Minister.
Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic and in order to follow all public health and safety measures, the Summer Leadership Program 2022 will be administered in a hybrid form, allowing individuals to experience their work placements remotely and in-person, where permitted by public health measures.
Applications for summer internships will close on January 14, 2022.
To apply, visit https://slp2022ple.infolib.ca.
Let’s Go Outside and Explore Ottawa in the New Year!
Source: National Capital Commission.
Looking for safe and fun activities to do in the new year? Take advantage of gorgeous seasonal weather by enjoying the outdoor attractions Ottawa has to offer. Check out these attractions while you have the chance!
- See the Christmas Lights Across Canada
Grab a cup of hot chocolate and see a gorgeous arrangement of lights decorating downtown Ottawa. Free. Lasts until January 7, 2022. Click here for more details. - Visit the Rink of Dreams at City Hall
Enjoy free outdoor skating with the family in front of City Hall. Skating is open during the day, 7 days a week. Skate rentals and sharpening service are available. Click here for more details. - Take a winter walk along Ottawa's scenic multi-use trails
Take part in some snowshoeing or cross-country skiing near the Ottawa River, on the SJAM Winter Trail, or venture out to Ottawa's Greenbelt and explore the city's network of multi-use trails. Click here for more details.
Please note that Ottawa's Chief Medical Officer of Health introduced a capacity limit on outdoor recreational activities as of December 26, 2021. Please respect indoor and outdoor capacity limits, practice two-metre physical distancing, and be considerate of others in public spaces.
Reminder: The New Year’s Levee will be Online!
To ensure we have a safe get-together next Sunday, January 16, 2022, between 1:30pm and 3:30pm, we’re moving our New Year’s Levee will be online, as many of you and our government is concerned with the recent rise in COVID-19 cases and the Omicron variant.
We’re looking forward to seeing you there, behind your cameras, as we’ve been gathering for most of the year. Limiting our gatherings and in-person events is one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of the pandemic in Canada, but on the bright side, this does mean we’ll have more room on Zoom! See you in January! 😊