I hope you're enjoying the start of November, with weather that's milder than expected! As the month progresses, I'm continuing to work hard to represent you actively both in the House of Commons and in our riding.

I wanted to share some highlights from the past week with you. As always, I'm here to listen to your concerns and to move our shared priorities forward.

To begin the week, I was a panelist in a great discussion with parliamentary colleagues and teachers from Ottawa-Vanier and across the country. I shared my journey to becoming an MP and highlighted my priorities and the issues that matter most to me, such as the importance of ensuring that French communities in a minority setting have access to the resources, they need so we can help our language continue to thrive, grow, and be accessible to all.

Tuesday, alongside my colleagues, Minister Petitpas Taylor, MPs Yasir Naqvi and Marie-France Lalonde, and in the presence of City Councillor Rawlson King, we announced that the government of Canada is partnering with Ottawa Innercity Ministries and Veterans’ House Canada to support at-risk veterans experiencing homelessness in Ottawa with a $4M investment. Veterans’ House Canada will receive $2.6M to provide financial assistance to veterans, through rent supplements or access to support services. Additionally, $1.4M will be allocated to Ottawa Innercity Ministries to support the Operation Road Home project, enabling it to continue offering community-based services, rent assistance, and accompanying services.
 

  
 

I also had the pleasure of meeting with the members of the Ottawa-Vanier Youth Council. Our discussions focused on food insecurity and food banks in Ottawa-Vanier—an issue that sadly affects too many families in our community. To enrich our conversation, we were joined by Jean-Michel Rousseau from Partage Vanier, who shared valuable insights on the reality of food insecurity in our area.

On Wednesday, I had the privilege of meeting Liane Roy, President of the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne (FCFA) du Canada. To better support Francophones across the country, it is crucial to listen to Franco-Canadians from all regions. We discussed the challenges and opportunities faced by our Francophone communities. Her expertise and commitment are invaluable in strengthening the voice of Franco-Canadians and promoting their well-being in our nation.

On Wednesday evening, I briefly attended the 30th anniversary celebration of the Ottawa-Carleton Economic and Social Council (CÉSOC).  A big congratulations on 30 years, and a heartfelt thank you to the entire team for their steadfast commitment to supporting Francophone immigrants in our region. For three decades, CÉSOC has empowered newcomers through economic, social, and cultural integration, becoming a cornerstone of community strength and diversity.

In this milestone year, as we also mark National Francophone Immigration Week, let’s continue to champion the invaluable contributions of Francophone immigrants in Eastern Ontario. Thank you for having me and thank you for your work!

On Thursday afternoon, alongside Ministers François-Philippe Champagne and Jenna Sudds, my colleague MP Marie-France Lalonde, and the Mayor of Ottawa Mark Sutcliffe, we announced an investment of $79.1 million from the Strategic Innovation Fund to support Ericsson’s $634.8 million project to develop 5G, AI, cloud, and quantum technologies. This investment will advance communications technologies, create hundreds of highly skilled jobs and internships, and further strengthen Canada's leadership in next-generation communications.

  

This weekend, many events will take place to honor Remembrance Day, which will be observed on Monday, November 11. During this Veterans' Week, we come together to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by those who served our country with courage and dedication. Let’s take a moment to remember and express our deep gratitude to the veterans who contributed to preserving the peace and values we hold dear today.

I encourage the residents of Ottawa-Vanier to attend one of the commemorative services organized throughout the constituency and city to honor those who served and sacrificed for our freedom. Ceremonies will be held at Beechwood Cemetery, the Royal Canadian Legion, and the National War Memorial. Lest we forget.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend, and thank you for your ongoing commitment.

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, announced the launch of the application process for funding under the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS). Eligible organizations will be able to apply for funding from November 1^st to December 20^th, 2024. An estimated $123.5 million will be available over the next five years.

Organized crime groups and gangs are increasingly recruiting among youth. By investing in prevention, we’re meeting young people where they are so that organized crime groups and gangs can’t get to them in the first place.

This investment will support community-led crime prevention efforts tailored to at-risk and vulnerable youth, particularly Indigenous and racialized youth, youth involved in violence, and youth with repeat contacts with the criminal justice system.

Specifically, funding will be focused on initiatives aimed at stopping crime before it occurs by reducing the risk factors that lead youth to get involved in violent criminal activity, such as gun violence and auto theft.

In addition, an annual $700,000 portion of NCPS funding will be available for projects that focus specifically on preventing bullying and cyber bullying.

By investing to counter crimes and giving every youth the tools to be law abiding and to lead productive lives, we are investing in a safer and more inclusive future for all.

Click here to learn more.

Launch of the Call for Proposals for the Mental Health of Black Canadians Fund

The Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, is launching an open call for proposals to allocate $1M under the Mental Health of Black Canadians Fund. Community-based organizations can apply for up to $100,000 to support projects that seek to build organizations’ capacity to develop and deliver programs that promote the mental health of Black people in Canada. The deadline to submit a proposal is November 15, 2024.

You can find the full NR here.

This open call for proposals is part of the $4M committed in Budget 2024 for the Promoting Health Equity: Mental Health of Black of Canadians Fund. This funding is designed to support community-based, culturally focused projects that aim to increase health equity and address the underlying determinants of mental health, including anti-Black racism.

You can find more information on eligibility for this open call and how to apply, here.

CRA Consultation on Service Improvements 

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is committed to providing a high-quality service experience for taxpayers and benefit recipients. To deliver on these efforts, the CRA is launching public consultations to hear from individuals, non-professional representatives, and tax intermediaries about their experiences with CRA services.

The CRA service consultations 2024 will play an important role in further understanding the experiences of those who rely on CRA services, and identifying areas where improvements are needed. As the CRA adapts to an ever-changing environment, ensuring our services remain accessible, responsive, and tailored to the evolving needs of clients is our top priority.

Click here to learn more. 

How to participate
From September 25 to December 2, 2024, individuals, non-professional representatives, and tax intermediaries have the opportunity to share feedback on their experiences interacting with CRA services through an online questionnaire. The CRA will also hold both in-person and virtual consultation sessions with members of these groups by invitation, allowing for more in-depth discussions.

To participate, click here! 

Every voice matters: participate in the online questionnaire to share your feedback and help shape the future of CRA services.

To ensure the privacy of participants and that a wide range of perspectives is captured, the recruitment of participants and reporting will be managed by an independent third party.

Montfort Strategic Plan Launch Event

For the first time, a unique strategy will guide three entities of the Montfort family: Hôpital Montfort, Institut du Savoir Montfort and Santé Montfort.

The hospital has invited members of the community to inaugurate this new chapter and discover how, together, they will build a promising future for Montfort and our communities.

• Wednesday, November 27, 2024
• 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
• Montfort Auditorium, with simultaneous online streaming

The event will take place at the Montfort Auditorium and will be streamed online. Please select the ticket category that corresponds to how you would like to participate in the event; in person or virtually.

Click here to register.

In the community
National Military Cemetery's Annual Remembrance Day Service

Military members of the National Capital Region and their families and friends are invited to observe the Remembrance Day Ceremony at the National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Forces. 

Where: National Military Cemetery at Beechwood
When: 11/11/2024 - 10:45:AM

All who wish to show their support for the Canadian Armed Forces are welcome.

Eastview Legion Branch 462

The Royal Canadian Legion’s Eastview Legion will host a Remembrance Day ceremony in Vanier on Monday, November 11^th, starting with a parade that will leave from the Legion at 294 Cyr Avenue at 1:30 p.m. and end at the Cenotaph for 1:40 p.m. The Cenotaph is located the corner of Hannah Street and Marier Avenue.

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