Newsletter

On November 10^th, at Beechwood Cemetery, we gathered in remembrance of those who served to protect the freedoms we cherish. I had the privilege of representing Canada at the AMICITIA France-Canada Monument and attending the RCMP Veterans’ Week Memorial Service and also the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. We honour their sacrifices and reaffirm our commitment to peace, liberty, and the enduring bonds that unite us.

While on November 11^th, many ceremonies took place in Ottawa-Vanier to mark Remembrance Day. The community gathered at the Veterans House, the Eastview Legion, the Vanier Cenotaph and Beechwood Cemetery to honour the memory of those who served with courage and dedication. Their sacrifice remains in our hearts and inspires our commitment to peace. Lest we forget. 

On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to visit the team at Centre espoir Sophie, which has been providing essential support to vulnerable women since 1994. Through its services—from listening and emotional support to food and clothing assistance—Centre espoir Sophie helps women overcome challenges such as poverty, violence, and isolation, while promoting independence and well-being.

As the only French-speaking drop-in centre in Ottawa, Centre espoir Sophie is a vital resource in our community. You can support their work by volunteering or donating to help them continue offering these critical services to the women who need them most. Learn more by clicking here.

The same day, I experienced a very special moment I will never forget—I joined my father, Normand Fortier, for a radio interview on Unique FM 94.5 to share his recent tribute from the Telfer School of Management last Saturday during the 20th-anniversary celebration of Place à la jeunesse.
Thank you, Michel Picard, for welcoming us to the studio!

You can listen to the interview here!

On Wednesday afternoon, alongside my provincial colleague, MPP Lucille Collard, we brought together dozens of organizations to showcase the wide range of services available to new Canadians in our community. From settlement support to language programs and career guidance, it was truly moving to see our community come together to learn about the resources available to help newcomers thrive in our city. I would like to thank all the organizations that participated and everyone who joined us! Together, we continue to build a stronger, more inclusive Ottawa.

On Thursday, I took part in two announcements. The first took place at Collège La Cité, where, on behalf of Minister Arif Virani, I announced funding of $68,589 for the college to conduct a feasibility study aimed at addressing the shortage of French-speaking legal assistants in minority francophone communities.
This funding will help improve access to justice in both official languages here in Ontario and across Canada and I’m proud to support initiatives that strengthen bilingualism and celebrate our francophone communities!

The second announcement, made yesterday at Carleton University, highlighted a major investment by the Government of Canada. Minister Jenna Sudds, MP Yasir Naqvi, and I proudly shared that $638 million will be invested into research and innovation at universities across Canada, including significant funding for research at the University of Ottawa! This funding will support breakthroughs in areas such as 5G, AI, green tech, and quantum computing, while also strengthening local research capacity. It’s an exciting step forward in advancing health, equity, and economic growth, with tangible benefits for our communities.

  

On that day, I also had the pleasure of meeting Bobby Bourdeau, the new president of the Association des communautés francophones d'Ottawa (ACFO Ottawa), who provided me with an update on the sixth round of the Ottawa Bilingual program, as well as ongoing initiatives to promote the French language in our region.
We discussed ACFO Ottawa's efforts to strengthen the vitality of the francophone community and encourage active participation from both Francophones and Francophiles in various areas. It is a pleasure to support projects that celebrate our linguistic diversity and strengthen the presence of the French language in the daily life of our capital!

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!

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.

📣 ATTENTION - Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) 2025 - Employer Application Period
Employers in Ottawa–Vanier, take note!

The application period for Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) 2025 will open on November 19, 2024 and close on December 19, 2024, at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). This program provides a fantastic opportunity for businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and public sector employers to receive funding to create summer jobs that give young people aged 15 to 30 valuable work experience.

Each year, CSJ supports the creation of thousands of quality jobs across Canada, playing a key role in strengthening our local economy. Don’t miss this chance to invest in the future of our community while meeting your workforce needs.

👉 Mark your calendars and get your application ready! For more information, click here: Canada Summer Jobs

New Federal funding for Kids Help Phone

The Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced $7.5 million in funding for Kids Help Phone to continue its work providing mental health counselling and crisis support. This funding comes from the Budget 2024 commitment to invest in the mental health and wellness of Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

Click here to learn more.

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.

The Vanier Museopark, in partnership with the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est, the St-Laurent branch of DeSerres stores , and the Vanier Community Service Centre, is proud to present the 3rd edition of "Creating Christmas Magic",
a community and family celebration that collects new, unwrapped toys, gift cards and monetary donations for Vanier children and families in need.

 Sunday, December 8, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
 Richelieu-Vanier Community Centre and Vanier Sugar Shack (300 des Pères Blancs Ave.)
 On the menu: A festive and caring atmosphere, a chance to meet Santa Claus, hot cocoa and a Christmas music show by Céleste Lévis!
 Free activity in exchange for a new toy or a donation
 To donate  https://museoparc.ca/activities-and-events/christmas-magic/

SAVE THE DATE AND DONATE GENEROUSLY!

Holiday Pancake Breakfast with Councillor Tim Tierney

Sunday, November 17 at Colonel By Secondary School—mark your calendars, because you won’t want to miss this one! Councillor Tim Tierney is hosting a morning filled with delicious pancakes, holiday cheer, and very special guests. If you saw our video, you already know who’s coming, but for those who missed it—get ready for the big reveal: Elsa, The Grinch, and Bluey will all be there to join in the fun! ❄️💚💙

Yes, you read that right! Elsa will be bringing her magical winter vibes, The Grinch will be spreading his own brand of holiday cheer (but we know he’ll warm up by the end!), and Bluey, everyone’s favourite cheeky Aussie pup, will be adding even more joy to the festivities. It’s going to be a magical morning full of photo ops, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Bring the whole family—it’s the perfect way to kick off the holiday season! 🎉📸

There will be pancakes galore, plenty of holiday fun, and so many reasons to celebrate with your neighbours. We can’t wait to see you all there, enjoy some tasty treats, and make festive memories that will last long after the pancakes are gone. It’s going to be one for the books, so get your holiday spirit ready—we’re about to make this breakfast one to remember! 🥳🎁

Event Details
📅 Date: Sunday, November 17
⏰ Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
📍 Location: Colonel By Secondary School

In the true spirit of the season, donations for the Gloucester Emergency Food Cupboard (GEFC) will be collected. If you can, please bring a non-perishable food item to help ensure everyone in our community has a joyful holiday season. It’s a wonderful way to spread kindness and make a difference together.

Stay tuned for more updates as we head into the rest of November and beyond! For now, let’s get ready for this exciting pancake-filled celebration. We can’t wait to see you there for a morning of food, fun, and festive community spirit! 🎅✨

Let us know if you’ll be joining—we’d love to see you there! https://www.facebook.com/events/1074990704222878/