June 15, 2024

A word from your MP

We are fast approaching the end of the parliamentary session, with just one week left before the House of Commons adjourns for the summer. We have continued to debate Bill C-69, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 16, 2024, so that we can implement Budget 2024 and build more housing as well as make renting or buying a home easier for all generations. This is why we have also announced the launch of the Cooperative Housing Development Program, endowed with $1.5 billion. By focusing on people rather than profits, non-profit cooperative housing manages to keep housing affordable in the long term. This program is the largest investment in cooperative housing in 30 years and will help create a new generation of cooperative housing across Canada.

We also debated and adopted Bill C-70, An Act to Combat Foreign Interference. This legislation is essential in our ongoing efforts to protect Canadian democracy from foreign interference.

At the beginning of the week, I participated in the unveiling of the new giant floor map – “Protecting Nature and Culture with Parks Canada and the Royal Canadian Geographic Society.” This new 88-square-meter map is an educational tool that teachers can use to teach students about our vast natural and cultural heritage, discover the many national parks across our country, and gain knowledge about Indigenous partnerships and the importance of conservation! Teachers can reserve the map for a temporary period and use it for interactive lessons.

This Sunday is Father's Day! I'd like to take a moment to thank all the fathers in Ottawa-Vanier and the National Capital Region. I hope you'll be able to celebrate with your loved ones. Happy father's day!

As Canada Day approaches on July 1, you can pick up a Canadian flag poster for your yard to show your Canadian pride.
To order a poster, contact our office at 613-998-1860 or by email at [email protected].

Have a good weekend!

Unveiling of Mauril Belanger's portrait at Beechwood Cemetery

In honour of my friend, mentor, and predecessor Mauril Bélanger, I participated in the unveiling of a portrait alongside Greg Fergus and Catherine Bélanger generously donated by Marie-P. Poulin and by Bernard Poulin (artist painter) at Beechwood Cemetery. Mauril’s engagement to improving his community of Ottawa Vanier and making Canada a more inclusive place set an example for all of us to follow. I am proud to advance his legacy.

Share your thoughts: Helping 2SLGBTQI+ Older Adults to Age in Place

About this consultation

The purpose of this consultation is to gather information to increase understanding of the experiences of older adults who are Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex, or who use other terms related to gender and sexual diversity (2SLGBTQI+) and living at home. The information gathered could support policy development as part of the commitment of the Government of Canada's first Federal 2SLGBTQI+Action Plan. The action plan aims to advance rights and equality for 2SLGBTQI+ people in Canada.

Who is the focus of this consultation

This consultation aims to learn from people who are:

Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and/or intersex, or who use other terms related to gender and sexual diversity (2SLGBTQI+)
aged 55 and over
currently residing in Canada and
living at home (for example, excludes long-term care or acute care facilities)

How to participate

Share your ideas online

Complete this anonymous online questionnaire.

It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete the questionnaire.

REMINDER

Nominations for His Majesty King Charles III's Coronation Medal

Nominations are now open for the Coronation Medal of His Majesty King Charles III! As Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier, I am delighted to participate as a nominating partner with 20 medals awarded to deserving recipients from our community.

Eligible candidates must meet the following national criteria:

Have made a significant contribution to the country, a province, a territory, a region or a community, or have accomplished something abroad that brings credit to Canada, and
Be alive on 6 May 2023, the date of Her Majesty's Coronation. The medal may be awarded posthumously, provided the nominee was alive on that date

Members of the community are invited to nominate outstanding candidates who have made a difference in the community for the King Charles III Coronation Medals. Nominations will be accepted until July 31, 2024.

I was interviewed by students from Samuel-Genest Catholic College. The topic was missing Indigenous women and girls in Ottawa, an important subject that everyone should be aware of.

Congratulations to Alessio and his team for this excellent documentary on a dark but extremely important subject. I thank them for their commitment to bringing this story to light.

I invite you to watch their documentary below: The Mystery of Missing Indigenous Women in Ottawa.

In the community

New live entertainment venue to open at 47–57 Rideau Street

National Capital Region — The National Capital Commission (NCC) is excited to announce that it has signed an offer to lease agreement with Live Nation Canada, a global entertainment leader, for the operation of a live music and entertainment venue at 47–57 Rideau, the former Chapters bookstore site.

This mid-size music venue will bring renewed life to the downtown core by bringing thousands of people to a variety of live events at the site each year. At a time when downtown cores are seeking new amenities and destinations to increase urban vibrancy post-COVID, the opening of this concert venue will be a welcome addition to the City’s entertainment and hospitality offerings by offering a range of different artists and musical genres. The expected opening date is in late 2025, after the necessary renovations are made to the building.

Located on Confederation Boulevard, bordering the ByWard Market and Parliamentary Precinct and steps way from rapid transit, the site is adjacent to the NCC’s heritage properties along Sussex Drive known as the Mile of History and across the street from the Rideau Centre.

“The NCC is pleased to play a positive role in the collective efforts of local partners to revitalize the downtown core of the Capital post-COVID. This new state-of-the-art live music and entertainment venue in the heart of downtown will be a great destination for residents and visitors, contribute to increased economic activity for local restaurants and shops, and generate vibrancy and excitement for the National Capital Region as a whole.”

—Tobi Nussbaum, NCC Chief Executive Officer

“Ottawa remains one of the country’s most important markets for live music and our goal is to create a vibrant space where artists and fans can come together to enjoy an unparalleled live entertainment experience. This new establishment will undoubtedly become a cornerstone of the local entertainment scene and a beloved destination for years to come.”

—Wayne Zronik, President of Business Operations, Live Nation Canada

About 47–57 Rideau Street:

The 47–57 Rideau Street property offers 3,805 m2 of space above ground and an additional 2,230 m2 of basement space in a building formerly occupied by the Chapters bookstore. This building is considered to be part of the National Interest Land Mass (NILM) due to its prominent location along Confederation Boulevard and its proximity to many Ottawa landmarks.

About Live Nation Entertainment:

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Media & Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.

VISIT THE LEARNING LAB

Have you visited our Learning Lab yet? Located at the NCC River House, this space is perfect for curious minds of all ages to learn about the Ottawa River watershed, the amazing wildlife and ecosystems that call these waters home, and the threats they face.

Come by to speak with our staff and volunteers, and engage with the various learning opportunities available. Ask about the turtle eggs incubating in our Science Lab, discover how we monitor water quality at beaches, and much more! From a hands-on demonstration of our road salt testing program to a kid-friendly model of how water moves through a watershed, there’s plenty to see.

The Learning Lab is open from 1-4 PM on Saturdays and Sundays until June 27th. After that, we'll be open from 1-6 PM on Thursdays through Saturdays, and 1-4 PM on Sundays for the rest of the summer.

Now open | Take in the views and see what’s new at the NCC River House!

501 Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway

Swimming open daily: Lifeguards on duty daily from 7 am to 7 pm

Food services open daily from 11 am to 9 pm
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New this year

Water taxi: Tuesday to Friday: 12 pm to 7 pm. Saturday and Sunday: 11 am to 7 pm

Greyline Bus Tours: Hop-on, hop-off tours Monday to Thursday. Buses run every hour.

Bike parking: Two new bike parking lots; additional bike racks added.

Changing facilities: Universally accessible showers, lockers and family change room.

Universal access to the water: A new chair lift has been installed for safe water access.
See you on the docks!
More details: https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/ncc-river-house...

NextUp Prezdential Basketball

NextUp is Prezdential Basketball’s brand new program to help teens reach their full potential. Sessions include 1 hour of basketball training and 1 hour of life skills with a focus on essential skills rarely taught in classrooms such as organization, financing, mental health, and cooking. The program is co-run by Bhanu Loganathan, a university-level basketball player and Nick Cholmsky, a professional mental health at McGill University. Our program provides teens with the tools necessary to transition to the next stage of their lives, whether that be high school, post-secondary education, or the workforce.

Who: Teens in age groups: 13-15 and 16-18
When: Fridays 9 - 11am (4 sessions beginning July 5th)
Where: Ottawa Technical Secondary School
Cost: Free!
Click here to register