Mona Fortier
Hon. Mona Fortier
Member of Parliament for Ottawa—Vanier
Newsletter
October 4, 2024
A word from your MP

Dear residents, 

The week in the House of Commons was busy, marked by debates on various bills, including Bill C-319, An Act to amend the Old Age Security Act. I continue to advocate for the priorities of our riding, including affordability for families, health and mental health, including dental care and pharmacare, investments in housing access, and solutions for a cleaner, greener future.

On Monday, September 30th, we commemorated the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Beechwood Cemetery. This day is an opportunity to reflect on past injustices and acknowledge their impact on Indigenous communities. During the event, we attended a screening of the short film Spirit Bear: Echoes of the Past in the sacred space of the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, followed by a reconciliation tour on the grounds. This tour allowed us to learn about historical figures involved in residential schools, as well as the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.


Furthermore, I had the honor of representing Minister Pascale St-Onge at the inauguration of the Residential School Memorial at the Canadian Museum of History. Designed by Kwaguʼł artist Stanley C. Hunt, this monument pays tribute to Indigenous children who were taken from their families, reminding us that every child matters.
Wednesday, October 2, marked the beginning of Rosh Hashanah celebrations. This time is an opportunity for families and loved ones to come together for prayers and festive meals, and to reflect on the past year while sharing their hopes for the future. I had the pleasure of visiting Temple Israel alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ministers Karina Gould and Ya’ara Saks, as well as my colleague Yasir Naqvi, MP for Ottawa Centre. Many thanks to Rabbi Mikelberg for his warm welcome.

This afternoon, I met with members of the Ottawa-Vanier Seniors’ Council. Our discussions focused on issues such as the cost of living, accessibility to affordable housing, public transit, and access to healthcare. I am grateful for their ideas and their commitment to improving the well-being of our community. Thank you to the team at Stonemont Residence for their warm welcome!

With our plan to build housing on federal lands, we are constructing 200,000 units across the country, including in Ottawa-Vanier. Thanks to this initiative, we are building 495 new homes in Wateridge Village. To learn more about this initiative, I invite you to watch my video, filmed in Wateridge Village, where I discuss our efforts to build more housing across the country.
Wishing everyone a great weekend! 
Travel advisory for Canadians in Lebanon

The Government of Canada urges all Canadians to avoid travel to Lebanon due to the worsening security situation, the risk of terrorist attacks, and the ongoing conflict with Israel.

We strongly recommend that Canadians leave Lebanon immediately by commercial means if it is safe to do so. 

Stay informed by checking the latest travel advisories and registering with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service.

Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses

What is the Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses

The Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses is a refundable tax credit announced in Budget 2024 to return a portion of federal fuel charge proceeds directly to eligible Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs).

Who is eligible

To be eligible for the retroactive payment with respect to the 2019-2020 to 2023-2024 fuel charge years (a fuel charge year runs from April 1 to March 31), a CCPC must:
  • Have employed one or more persons in a designated province in the calendar year in which the fuel charge year begins
  • Have had 499 or fewer employees throughout Canada in that calendar year
  • Have filed a tax return for its tax year ending in 2023 no later than July 15, 2024

CCPCs do not have to apply for this rebate. Once the Minister of Finance has specified the payment rates for each designated province for an applicable calendar year, we will calculate and automatically issue the rebate amounts to eligible CCPCs.

How the rebate will be calculated

The total rebate amount will be equal to the number of employees the eligible CCPC had in the designated provinces between 2019 and 2023 inclusively, multiplied by a payment rate for each of those provinces and years.

Click here to learn more. 
 


Now Accepting Applications Canada Community Security Program

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, launched the new Canada Community Security Program (CCSP), and announced that the program will be ready to receive funding applications from eligible organizations as of October 1, 2024.

The CCSP replaces and enhances the Security Infrastructure Program (SIP) to support communities by investing in security measures that will help keep them safe. Eligible measures include security equipment and hardware, minor renovations to enhance security, security and emergency assessments and plans, training to respond to hate-motivated events, and time-limited security personnel.

The federal government has listened to organizations and partners and has designed the CCSP to be more responsive to community needs and provide more flexibility to organizations seeking financial support. Under the CCSP:

  • Eligibility for funding has expanded to include office and administrative spaces, cemeteries, and child care centres.
  • Up to 70% of a project’s eligible costs may be covered, an increase from 50% of the cost under the SIP.
  • Funding for time-limited third-party licensed security personnel is now a permanent feature of the program.
  • The maximum level – or stacking limit – of total government assistance (across federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal sources) has been removed, which opens up more opportunities for organizations to apply for other sources of funding.
  • Application requirements have been changed to reduce administrative barriers.
  • Organizations can apply for funding at any time throughout the year through a continuous intake application process.
  • Organizations may apply for funding and deliver projects on behalf of affiliated eligible recipients.

Taken together, these measures will make it easier for organizations to fund their projects and protect their community gathering spaces. 

To learn more about how to submit an application, click here! 
 


In the community 

Sandy Hill Food Truck Festival

Join us for the second annual Sandy Hill Food Truck Festival! This year, the festival will be located on Chapel Street between Laurier and Wilbrod. Bring your kids to play in Cindy Mitchell Park while you enjoy your food. There will be delicious fare served up by Lou Fast Food, Mr. Churritos, Seoul Dog, and more!


Tickets are now on sale for the annual VOscars Volunteer Awards Gala, the highlight of the year for the city’s volunteers and not-for-profits. Come celebrate the individuals, organizations and businesses that are making a difference in our community and enjoy live entertainment from Duo Pleiades, a multi-course meal from Preston Event Centre, and of course — the awards ceremony itself! 
 
The Gala will start at 5:00 PM on Thursday, October 24 at the Preston Event Centre, 523 St Anthony St, Ottawa. Winners will be announced live during the Gala.
 
Tickets are $150 each.  Purchasers will receive a $50 charitable donation receipt.
 
Unable to attend this year? You can support VO and Ottawa’s volunteers by donating a ticket on Canada Helps! Donated tickets will be offered to local non-profits and charities to allow their staff and volunteers to join the celebration.
VCA Fall Cleanup

Lets come together and clean up Vanier! 

Join us for a community cleanup and help make our neighbourhood shine! Your support makes a difference!

Saturday, October 19, 2024 | 11:00 am
Marier Avenue Park, 239 Marier Avenue, Vanier

For more information, please contact: [email protected]


Halloween in the forest

The Museopark, in collaboration with the Vanier Optimist Club, invites kids and grown-ups to take a stroll in the Richelieu Park forest to celebrate Halloween. Little monsters can take part in several activities and collect treats along the way. A volunteer from the Lire et faire lire program will also read stories around the camp fire!

  • When: Saturday, October 28, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or until we run out of stock)*
  • Where: Richelieu Park forest (300 des Pères-Blancs Ave.)
  • Cost: Free activity. No registration needed.

Don’t forget to wear a costume for the occasion.

* In case of rain, the activity will take place inside the Richelieu-Vanier Community Centre, in the Accueil Hall.

Main office - Ottawa-Vanier
233 Montreal Road
Ottawa, Ontario
K1L 6C7

Telephone:
613-998-1860

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Hill Office
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Telephone:
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Fax:
613-992-6448
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