Mona Fortier

Newsletter

November 29, 2024

A word from your MP

As we enter the month of December, the holiday season is officially underway! To kick off the festivities, I had the pleasure of attending the launch of the ByWard Winter Market and the lighting of the Christmas tree, alongside Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. The outdoor market will be open from Thursday to Sunday, from November 22, 2024, to January 5, 2025. But the excitement doesn’t stop there! From January 9 to 30, we invite you to join us every weekend for seasonal celebrations, featuring performances and special events. I encourage you to shop local and support our small businesses in the riding.

November 25 marked the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This important period encourages us to raise awareness and reflect on the urgency of ending all forms of violence. This year’s theme, “Come Together. Act now.” highlights the importance of collective action and reminds us of the vital role everyone—especially men and boys—can play in transforming harmful attitudes and behaviors. Between now and December 10, let’s join forces to support victims, call out injustices, and build a future where violence has no place.

On Wednesday evening, I had the pleasure of delivering a speech alongside His Excellency Kanji Yamanouchi, Ambassador of Japan to Canada, at a reception celebrating the return of participants in the JET program, as well as alumni of programs such as the MEXT Scholarship, the Kakehashi Project, and the Ship for World Youth. These initiatives are essential for strengthening relations between Canada and Japan, fostering cultural exchange, and creating lasting friendships. In Ottawa-Vanier, we are privileged to host educational institutions that deepen our connection to Japanese culture, such as the Ottawa Japanese Language School and Japanese courses at the University of Ottawa.

Another piece of good news for small businesses in Ottawa-Vanier this week: payments for the Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses began on November 25 and will continue until December 2. This tax credit aims to return a portion of the proceeds from the Carbon Rebate directly to Canadian small businesses, with the funds deposited directly into the bank accounts of eligible businesses. On Thursday, I visited Louis' Pizza, a renowned restaurant in the area, and was pleased to learn that it will receive a significant payment through this program. This initiative ensures that small businesses in our riding receive support while continuing to contribute to the local and Canadian economy.

Finally, we debated and passed Bill C-78: An Act to Implement Tax Relief for All Canadians. From December 14 to February 15, essential goods will be exempt from GST/HST across Canada. This is excellent news for consumers, who will see savings on food, restaurant and takeout meals, children’s clothing, and many other products. In these challenging times, despite encouraging signs in the Canadian economy, the Government of Canada is ensuring that you keep more money in your pockets, providing relief from the cost of living. This will help you better cover your essential needs, save money, and enjoy the holiday season even more.

I wish you a great weekend and invite you to share any concerns or suggestions with me via email or at my office.

9-8-8 Ligne d'aide en cas de crise de suicide

On Saturday, November 30, 2024, our government will be marking the one year anniversary of the 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline.

The 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline is a lifeline for those who are feeling like they have lost hope and are struggling to cope, are dealing with thoughts of suicide, or are worrying about someone else who may be in distress. When an individual reaches out, they are met with a trained responder who will listen without judgement, provided with support and understanding, and told about resources that will help.

Every Canadian deserves to be heard during difficult times, which is why the 9-8-8 helpline is available 24/7. With the recent announcement of $7.5 million in funding for Kids Help Phone, we continue to strengthen our support for mental health services across the country.

To learn more about this announcement or the 9-8-8 helpline, please use the links below:

Canada Summer Job (CSJ) 2025

I am pleased to inform you that the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) 2025 application period for employers has officially begun. From now until 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on December 19, 2024, employers from not-for-profit organizations, the public sector, and private sector organizations with 50 or fewer full-time employees across Canada can apply for funding to hire young Canadians next summer.

If you are interested in applying for funding, you can submit your application via the Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS) portal. Creating a GCOS account is a one-time process that allows you to apply for various funding opportunities with Employment and Social Development Canada in a secure web environment. Once the GCOS account has been created, employers can submit their CSJ application.

CSJ supports employers like you to create quality summer work experiences for youth aged 15 to 30.

Each year, the Government establishes national priorities for CSJ to reflect Canada’s diverse population and evolving needs. The national priorities for CSJ 2025 are:

opportunities for youth with disabilities or with organizations that provide services to persons with disabilities;
opportunities for youth that are under-represented in the labour market, including:
- Black and other racialized youth
- Indigenous youth
- 2SLGBTQI+ youth
opportunities for youth in rural areas, remote communities, or official language minority communities;
opportunities with organizations in the housing construction sector; and
opportunities related to sustainable jobs that support climate change mitigation and/or adaptation or protect the natural environment.

Assessment of applications will take into account support of local priorities established for each constituency by Members of Parliament. In Ottawa - Vanier, local priorities include,

Support for a specific type of project - Projects supporting community-based organizations
Support for a specific type of project - Projects supporting small businesses
Support for a specific type of project - Projects supporting local and regional tourism development
Support for projects that offer programs and/or support to specific target groups - Visible minorities / racialized youth
Support for projects that offer programs and/or support to specific target groups - Persons with disabilities

I encourage you to submit applications that support and complement this year’s national and local priorities.

I am sure that, as an employer, you understand the value a summer job can bring to a young person’s career journey. Such experiences help foster independence, teamwork and resilience. Through your participation in CSJ, you will be helping young people in your community develop the confidence and skills needed to succeed in the workplace, while also meeting the needs of your organization. Everybody wins.

For more information about the CSJ 2025 program, including the eligibility criteria and the applicant guide, go to Canada.ca/canadasummerjobs, visit a Service Canada office or call 1‑800‑935‑5555.

I will be hosting CSJ 2025 Information Sessions for Ottawa Vanier as follows:

ENGLISH

Friday December 6, 2024 at 11:00 – 12:00 PM

Places are limited, first come first serve. Please RSVP to [email protected]

Youth Mental Health Fund Call for Proposals Launch

The Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, launched the open call for proposals under the Youth Mental Health Fund.

This open call for proposals is part of the $500 million investment over five years committed in Budget 2024 to develop the Youth Mental Health Fund, which will help create lasting and meaningful improvements in the mental health of youth and their families.

The call for proposals is open now and closes on January 22^nd, 2025. Details on the application for the call for proposals can be found here

You can find the full news release here

School Health Grant for Youth Program

The Public Health Agency of Canada has launched the next solicitation for the School Health Grant for Youth program.

Through this program, students ages 16 – 19 who are enrolled in secondary or post-secondary school are invited to apply for $1,500 in grant funding to promote healthy living in their school. The overarching goal of the grant is to empower youth to develop their own initiatives that encourage and promote healthy living in their schools and communities. Eligible applications will be approved on a first-come first-served basis until funds are fully expended, or until December 20, 2024, 11:59 AM Eastern Standard Time.

For more information on this program, click here.

In the community

Christmas Concert

I am pleased to invite you to the Christmas Concert of the Orchestre symphonique des jeunes de l’Ontario français (L'OSJOF), the orchestra of the Centre for Artistic Excellence at De La Salle Secondary School.
The concert will take place at the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica in Ottawa,
on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 7:00 PM (doors open at 6:30 PM).
Ticket prices: Adults $12, Students $7.

Tickets are now available for purchase at: https://lepointdevente.com/tickets/ceao-entre-passion-et-foi

Program: Mendelssohn’s triumphant 5th Symphony, known as the Reformation, and the passionate suite from Romeo and Juliet by Tchaikovsky.

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!