Newsletter

Dear Residents,

The past few months have been busy in the House of Commons, with preparations for Budget 2024, which was presented on April 16 by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. Here are some highlights from her presentation:

Firstly, we are building more affordable housing. We are streamlining administrative procedures and reforming zoning to build more apartments across the country, and using public lands and vacant offices. For renters, we are paving a path to homeownership. We are creating more tax-free tools to help you save for a down payment. We are ensuring that rent paid by tenants counts towards their credit score. 

We are reducing the cost of living by strengthening Canada's social safety net for every generation. We are introducing new programs aimed at helping to cover the costs of dental and pharmaceutical care, including contraceptives and insulin, providing more financial support for those in need. Our national school food program will bring a healthy meal to 400,000 children around the country, and have a real impact on schools in Ottawa-Vanier and allow families to save money on their food budget.

We are boosting the economy in an inclusive way. We have a plan that will increase investment, enhance productivity, and encourage innovation. We are working to give more of our top entrepreneurs and innovators the means to turn their ideas into reality.

Finally, Canada's economic situation is improving and is exceeding expectations. The IMF and OECD project that Canada will have the strongest economic growth rate of the G7 in 2025. Despite interest rates, Canada has avoided the recession predicted by some. Canada maintains the lowest net debt-to-GDP and deficit-to-GDP ratios in the G7.

To read the 2024 Budget, click here!

Have a great weekend! 

Call for Nominations for the 11th Parliamentary Poet Laureate

I am pleased to announce the launch of the nomination period for the 11th Parliamentary Poet Laureate. Nominations will be accepted until June 17th 2024 and can be submitted by parliamentarians as well as qualified candidates, members of a literary or writing organization, or members of the public.  

Selected by the Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Parliamentary Poet Laureate is an individual who has made a significant contribution to Canada’s literary community. The selected candidate, who will work primarily in English, will be named in late 2024 or early 2025 and appointed for a two-year term (2025–2026). 

For more information about the nomination process, please visit the Parliamentary Poet Laureate program web page. 

Public Consultations by the NCC: What We Heard

The National Capital Core Area Plan has been shaping major projects on federal lands in the capital’s core area. The current plan’s vision, policy and project horizon extend until 2025, but much has changed since its approval in 2005. We are now reviewing the plan to adapt it to current needs as we consider new priorities and challenges.

The NCC has committed to engage with members of the public and stakeholders throughout the review process for the National Capital Core Area Plan. Engagement aims to receive and consider perspectives on the plan and promote awareness of the review process.

To learn more, click here.

The NCC contracts for the provision of goods and services, coordinates the use of all federal lands in Canada’s Capital Region, and offers partnership opportunities. One of the major property owners in the Capital Region, the NCC leases properties and issues permits for the use of NCC land.

To learn more, click here.

As the warmer days approach, you will notice the remnants of winter's waste scattered throughout the city. Twice a year, thousands of residents help to keep our community spaces clean and green as part of the Capital Cleanup, and you can join them by signing up for the Spring 2024 campaign!

Click here to sign up! 

Beacon Hill Cleanup

There's no better way to show your Beacon Hill pride than to help keep our neighbourhood clean, green, and beautiful.

Come out to the Beacon Hill clean-up on April 27 with your clean team.

Register your team before April 25 by emailing [email protected] with your Team Name, Team Leader, and where you'll focus your cleaning power. We'll fuel your cleaning with doughnut holes and pizza. RSVP on Facebook to stay in the know!

Beacon Hill Garage Sale! 

The Big Beacon Hill Garage Sale will take place on May 25!

Once again this year, we’ll set up a handy-dandy map so you can plan your route! If you’re planning to participate as a seller, you can enter your information at https://BHCA.ca/bbhgs before May 23 at 5 PM to make sure you’re a part of the map!

Urban Nature Challenge

The City Nature Challenge is an international effort for people to find and document plants and wildlife in cities around the globe.

The challenge offers a great outdoor family activity. Which city will upload the most observations of wildlife using iNaturalist Canada? Join the challenge! It’s a fun, easy, and family-friendly opportunity to get outside and connect with nature by documenting local biodiversity.

To learn more, click here!