Canadians joined the world in mourning Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during commemorative services held simultaneously this week in the United Kingdom in Canada and fellow Commonwealth countries. I stood with my fellow parliamentarians at Ottawa's Christ Church Cathedral to observe the final commemorative service.
Queen Elizabeth II frequently visited Canada, travelling to our shores more than any other country in the Commonwealth. She visited every province and territory during her 22 official visits to Canada, famously proclaiming that "it was good to be home" in our beautiful nation. Her legacy and her affection for Canada will be dearly remembered.
Anyone wishing to pay their respects is invited to sign the online book of condolences.
A commemorative ceremony honouring Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa.
While we mourn this loss, we must also look toward the future with the proclamation of His Majesty King Charles III as Canada’s new sovereign. His Majesty has close ties and a long history with Canada, having visited our nation on many occasions—most recently during a royal tour this spring in honour of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, where he made a stop in Ottawa's historic ByWard Market.
His strong commitment to education, the environment, and supporting future generations is closely aligned with Canada’s values. Canada affirms its support as he enters the role and as we enter a new chapter in our nation's history.
Pictured with Canada's current sovereign, His Majesty King Charles III during his most recent royal visit in honour of Queen Elizabeth's 70 years on the throne. His Majesty visited multiple stops in Ottawa, including the ByWard Market.
It's also the beginning of a new chapter in Ottawa: Parliament is back! On September 20th, MPs from across the country reconvened in Ottawa to represent their constituents in a new session of Parliament. We are advancing many of the priorities of Canadians and parliamentarians that will be debated over the coming months.
Several priorities for Canadians and Parliamentarians will feature in debates throughout the coming months.
On Tuesday, we presented Bill C-22 in Second Reading to create Canada's first national Disability Benefit. This federal benefit will complement funds received through other disability supports, like the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), to make life more affordable and strengthen the financial security of millions of people with disabilities.
In the coming months, you can also expect to see progress on advancing reconciliation, helping low-income renters, and delivering dental care to children (12 years and under) as we work to pass other major legislation in the House of Commons.
Meeting the team behind the new Pirurviapik Childcare Centre and hearing about the programs and services they will offer Ottawa’s Inuit families.
I recently got the chance to visit and participate in the opening of the Pirurviapik Childcare Centre on St. Laurent Boulevard.
This community-led childcare centre for Inuit children will provide care while honouring their distinct heritage, stories & traditions in a safe, inclusive, and culturally relevant environment. I'm pleased to see everything the Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families, its parent organization, has accomplished in building and running this centre.
Housing is an important building block to success. With stable and affordable housing, people can save money, build better lives, achieve their goals, and fulfill their dreams. For 30 years, Coop Voisins has provided this opportunity to so many people in our diverse community. I got the chance to catch up with the housing coop's residents to celebrate this amazing milestone.
Meeting the residents that make Coop Voisins such a great place to live. They are not only residents—they're volunteers, neighbours, and friends.
Thank you for creating a safe and inclusive space where people can thrive, get to know their neighbours, and contribute to the future of their living situations. The work you’ve accomplished to serve our diverse and bilingual community over the years is truly remarkable.
What a great group of contestants! I was at the 7th annual ByWard "Barket" event recently, where I got the chance to meet fellow pet lovers in the community, support local vendors, and be a judge for the event's dog fashion show competition. It was challenging to pick a favourite because they are all winners!
Thank you to the ByWard Market BIA for putting this event together.
Meeting the cheerful contestants of the ByWard Barket dog fashion show. There is only one prize, but they were all winners!
Franco Ontarian Day is on Sunday, September 25th. Many events will be held in the city and throughout the province this weekend. I hope to see some of you as we celebrate francophone heritage in the community!
Pictured celebrating Franco Ontarian Day at the Monument de la francophonie in 2019.
It's so important that we uplift and celebrate our diverse Francophone community in Ontario and the many economic, social, and cultural contributions that Francophone Canadians have made in our province and across the country! And thank you to all the francophone organizations that continue to serve and support our community.
This weekend is the re-opening of Riverain Park!
There will be a free BBQ and a full day of music and activities for people of all ages. My constituency team will be there with Rideau-Vanier Councillor, Mathieu Fleury, to serve the food:
Re-opening of Riverain Park (plus, free BBQ!)
Saturday, September 24th, 2022
At 10:00 AM (BBQ starts at 11:30 AM)
We hope to see you there!
Meet your peers, share your opinions, and take part in a unique civic learning experience right here in our community.
If you are between the ages of 16 and 24 and live in Ottawa–Vanier, I encourage you to apply to join the Ottawa-Vanier Youth Council.
To present your nomination, fill out the registration form by October 18th, 2022. The first official meeting of the Ottawa–Vanier Youth Council is expected to take place on October 26, 2022.
If you have any questions, please call the Ottawa–Vanier constituency team at 613-996-1860 or email at [email protected].
I look forward to meeting the members of our new council!
Join us on September 29 for an information session with Service Canada agents who can guide you through a variety of questions related to programs and services delivered by Service Canada.
Service Canada Information Session
Thursday, September 29, 2022
6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
At Raymond-Delage Hall at 270 Marier Ave.
Reserve your spot by sending an email to [email protected].
After a lifetime of hard work, seniors deserve a secure and dignified retirement. But as they age, many seniors face increasing financial pressure and struggle to pay for everyday needs.
We are taking action: seniors aged 75 years and over can expect a total of six increased Old Age Security (OAS) payments this year. No additional steps are required for eligible seniors to receive the upcoming enhanced OAS payment on September 27, 2022.
For more details on OAS payment amounts, see Government of Canada: Old Age Security Overview.
September 30th is the Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada.
Our government announced $4 million in federal funds to support initiatives related to this year's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, to raise awareness of the history and impact of residential schools and right historical wrongs by promoting greater healing for the survivors of residential schools, their families, and their communities.
This federal funding will support:
For more details, see Government of Canada: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
