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Dear residents,
Happy International Women's Day!
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of hosting, for the 3rd year in a row, a breakfast to recognize women and girls who are leaders in Ottawa-Vanier. I had the honour of celebrating 11 exceptional women whose leadership, dedication, and commitment make a real difference in our community.
On this important day, let’s take a moment to highlight their contributions and those of all women who make our society stronger.
Congratulations to the recipients!
- Ginette Goneau
- Anna Tosto
- Sarah-Jane Smith
- Arcelia Marileidy Flores Rubalcava
- Lily Tran
- Minarwa Shrestha
- Kyrstin Dumont
- Anna Bélanger
- Kelly Weiss
- Dr. Anita E
- Priscilla Kukshuk
I was also delighted to participate in the International Women’s Day Breakfast at CRC Rideau-Rockcliffe, where I presented certificates to 18 more incredible women who enrich their neighbourhood every single day.
The passion, resilience, and contributions of these women help build a stronger and more inclusive community. Let’s continue to celebrate the women who play such a key role in the progress of our communities!
 
Thank you to Lucille Collard, MPP for Ottawa-Vanier, and Councillors Stéphanie Plante and Rawlson King for their presence and support.
Details on the announcements
Thank you to the Association francophone à l’éducation des services à l’enfance de l’Ontario (AFESEO) for hosting us for this important announcement as part of the Francophone Immigration Support Program (FISP). We are investing over $2.8M to strengthen francophone immigration and address labor shortages, particularly in early childhood education. Congratulations to the beneficiary organizations:
Société économique de l’Ontario - $909,000
Réseau de développement économique et d’employabilité Canada - $836,000
Commission nationale des parents francophones - $592,000
Association francophone à l’éducation des services à l’enfance de l’Ontario - $525,000
These projects will help attract, integrate, and retain more skilled workers in our minority francophone communities, improving access to quality childcare services and supporting the professional development of workers.
 
And on the same theme, this week, alongside my colleagues Marie-France Lalonde and Yasir Naqvi, we announced over $60M in funding to support early learning and child care in Francophone minority communities across the country!
🔸 $47.7M for the Commission nationale des parents francophones (CNPF) to strengthen access to quality child care services and support Francophone cultural identity through the creation of a Network of Early Childhood Professionals.
🔸 $16.3M for the l'Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne (ACUFC) to improve the training of early childhood educators in Francophone minority communities.
Congratulations to Martin Norman (CNPF) and Jean-Luc Racine (ACUFC) for their leadership and the incredible work they do! Together, we are investing in our children, our culture, and the vitality of our language! 👶🌍
Click here to learn more!
Additionally, I had the pleasure of joining my colleague, Minister Steven MacKinnon, to announce funding to support the vitality of Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs). Nadia Jacquemet from the Société Économique de l'Ontario and Yann Plante, President and CEO of RDÉE Canada, were present to represent the organizations benefiting from this investment.
The Government of Canada is investing $20.5M in an indexation initiative to support these communities, on top of the $74.5M renewed for 2023-2028. This funding will strengthen economic development, human resources, and partnerships, while promoting inclusive local labour markets in OLMCs across the country.
The Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities (EF-OLMC) supports a network of 14 organizations, helping to enhance the vitality of OLMCs and promote the equality of official languages across Canada.
We remain committed to supporting the growth of OLMCs — including our own Francophone community right here in Ottawa-Vanier — to ensure their continued success within Canada’s rich and diverse social fabric!
Click here to learn more!
 
Urgent Connexions
Wednesday, I joined my colleague Yasir Naqvi, Minister Jenna Sudds, Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, city councillors at the Somerset West Community Health Centre for an important announcement with the City of Ottawa about the Urgent Connections project, supported by nearly $4M in federal funding to address Ottawa’s toxic drug crisis.
This project will strengthen outreach services, improve harm reduction services, and provide better access to health and social supports in the most affected neighbourhoods, including the Byward Market and Sandy Hill. It will also create pathways to safe spaces and essential care.
By working together, we ensure that more people receive the support they need, at the right time.
Click here to learn more!
New Horizons for Seniors
Along with my Ottawa Centre colleague Yasir Naqvi, we gathered at the Good Companions Senior’s Centre to announce 27 community projects funded through the New Horizons for Seniors Program!
Among these projects, 16 are located in Ottawa-Vanier, representing an investment of over $342,000. These initiatives aim to support our seniors, promote their well-being, and foster their social inclusion within our community.
Congratulations and thank you to all the organizations for your dedication helping to build a more inclusive, connected, and vibrant community for our seniors!
Click here to learn more about this program.
On another note, I also had the pleasure of attending an unforgettable event on Thursday evening: Espoirs Culinaires, a true culinary adventure through Spain!
This event not only showcased the impressive talents of the participating students, but also raised funds to support the essential services offered by the Vanier Community Service Centre.
Thank you to the Ambassador of Spain to Canada, Alfredo Martínez, and to the Honourable Marie-P. Charette-Poulin, Parliamentarian in Residence at Saint Paul University, for their partnership and commitment to this event. A big thank you as well to Lynn Casimiro, President of Collège La Cité, for organizing this evening. Your support for our #OttawaVanier community is truly invaluable.
Congratulations to the winning teams and to all participants for your creativity and passion! A delicious culinary and cultural journey we won’t soon forget!
 
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© 2026 Mona Fortier
