Mona Fortier

Newsletter

August 23, 2024

A word from your MP...

Since my return from vacation, I've been to many meetings and events in the constituency. I started with a visit to STEM camp, where I met the founder, Kevin Cougler, and some of the young people hired through the Canada Summer Jobs program. It’s inspiring to see how young minds are being shaped through hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics activities, helping them develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity. Thank you, Kevin, for this enriching visit and for the impact of this program in our region!

On Wednesday, the annual Partage Beechwood fundraising event was held by the Vanier BIA, and over $65,000 was raised to support Partage Vanier, the local food bank serving 14,000 visits a year by the families within Vanier that are most in need.

On Thursday, I was at Petrie Island, where I attended the annual release of the turtles! It is always a memorable experience to be able to witness the baby turtles being released after being in incubation at the Ottawa Riverkeeper! It’s a great opportunity to learn about the species of turtles that inhabit our region, and the work that goes into their preservation. A big thank you to the whole team at the Ottawa Riverkeeper and Friends of Petrie Island for their crucial work!

And good news! I announced on behalf of Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev) that CÉSOC will receive $589,590 in funding to support up to 100 francophone entrepreneurs and 50 businesses through their CACIA-IDE program (Communauté d'affaires du CÉSOC pour l'incubation et l'accélération d'entreprise - Initiative de développement économique). This program offers tools and resources to francophone and newcomer entrepreneurs in Eastern Ontario, as well as access to experienced mentors and a leadership program for young entrepreneurs with training and interactive workshops. As a Franco-Ontarian, I'm proud to contribute to the vitality of our Francophone communities and to see them thrive in Eastern Ontario!

And finally, I look forward to welcoming you on Saturday, August 24th, to my community BBQ starting at 11 a.m. at 689 St. Laurent Boulevard, behind Queen Elizabeth Public School. There will be food, drinks, more than a dozen local organizations, as well as an Ottawa Police patrol car, a fire truck from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Cappy, the Ottawa Titans mascot, and more! It's a great opportunity to meet your neighbors and your elected officials while enjoying the summer. We will also be organizing a food drive for the Rideau-Rockcliffe Emergency Food Bank. Please bring non-perishable food items to help the members of our community in need.

Hope to see you there!

Minister Miller announces new Francophone Students Minority Communities pilot program and 10 New Welcoming Francophone Communities

Francophone immigration plays a critical role in strengthening local economies and building up French-speaking minority communities across the country. It’s why today, Minister Miller announced a new Pilot Program for Students in Francophone Minority Communities, as well as the addition of ten new communities to the Welcoming Francophone Communities Initiative.

The new Pilot Program, launching on August 26, 2024, will help ensure that the Canadian International Student Program is more equitable for international students from Francophone countries with low study permit approval rates destined for eligible Designated Learning Institutions, while also promoting Francophone immigration outside of Quebec.

Welcoming Francophone Communities Initiative - ten additional Francophone host communities

Earlier this year, Minister Miller announced the renewal and expansion of the Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative. We are happy to share that 10 new communities will be joining the initiative, in addition to the 14 existing communities whose contribution agreement was recently renewed in order to expand the range of services available to French-speaking newcomers and help them settle and build their new lives in Canada.

Click here to learn more about these announcements.

Government of Canada launches call for proposals for community projects to help seniors

Canadians deserve to age with dignity. That comes down to choice, to affordability, to inclusion, and to community. For 20 years, the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) has helped the Government of Canada deliver on that promise to Canadian seniors by supporting those organizations working to make their lives better.

The government launched the 2024–25 call for proposals for community-based projects through the NHSP.

Organizations can apply for funding to deliver projects that will help seniors be more connected and active members of their communities. Organizations are encouraged to reflect the four national priorities for this cycle as part of their projects:

supporting healthy aging;
preventing senior abuse;
celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion; and
supporting financial security.

The NHSP funds a wide variety of projects, such as online computer classes, financial literacy and fraud prevention education, meal deliveries, and the purchase of equipment to help keep seniors informed, connected and engaged.

The call for proposals is open until September 12, 2024. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications electronically on the Grants and Contributions Online Services portal. Creating an account is a one-time process that allows organizations to apply for various Employment and Social Development Canada funding opportunities in a secure web environment. Organizations serving seniors can access support to prepare their application by contacting their nearest NHSP office. For details on how to apply, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/new-horizons-seniors.html.

Launch of public consultations on Canada’s approach to partnerships in Africa

Canada has been actively reviewing its approach, in line with the feminist foreign policy and feminist international assistance policy, to engaging with African countries and institutions to build stronger, expanded and more visible partnerships.

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, and the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced public consultations on Canada’s approach to partnerships across the African continent. These consultations will complement discussions held with trusted partners, international counterparts, and key stakeholders in the humanitarian, economic and foreign policy space.

The African continent is a dynamic continent of growing geopolitical and economic importance – a continent with which Canada shares strong people-to-people ties. The Government of Canada is seeking input on the renewed approach for partnerships across the African continent.

The consultation will serve to gather feedback on proposed themes including building shared prosperity, reducing poverty, assisting in humanitarian crises, and supporting women and youth, collaborating on global priorities, protecting and advancing shared values and interests, and strengthening peace and security.

Global Affairs Canada invites participation and comments from the public and stakeholders, including:

the Canadian public, including African diaspora communities
academics and experts, and civil society organizations
provinces, territories and municipalities
industry associations, labour organizations, and small, medium-sized and large enterprises

To participate in the consultation, interested parties are encouraged to review the consultation information and background information and provide feedback by e-mail or mail. The consultations will be open until September 15, 2024.

As Canada and our African partners strengthen ties, we will continue to collaborate to advance shared priorities and foster mutual prosperity.

In the community...