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September 13, 2022

Infoletter – September 13, 2022

Word from Your MP

Dear constituents,

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we learned of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II last Thursday. Canada is in mourning following the passing of our longest-serving sovereign.

Throughout her life, Queen Elizabeth II embodied stability, honour, and service. She touched the lives of so many Canadians throughout her 70-year reign, travelling the country from coast to coast and being part of Canada’s major milestones.

Beyond her role as Canada’s sovereign, she was known for being kind, relatable and down to earth by the people around her, by many Canadians, and by people around the world. Such is the nature of her impact and legacy in Canada and throughout the Commonwealth.

My thoughts are with the members of the Royal family and everyone close to her in this difficult time. She will be dearly missed.

While we continue to mourn, we must also look toward the future: on September 10th, the Governor General, the Rt. Honourable Mary Simon, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Honourable Justin Trudeau and members of Cabinet met at Rideau Hall to sign the proclamation of the accession to the throne to Canada’s new sovereign, His Majesty King Charles III. Canada, with its close and enduring ties to the Commonwealth, will continue to support its new sovereign during this time of transition and into the future.

 

 

I also want to take a moment to recognize the horrific and heartbreaking attacks that occurred in Saskatchewan that left 11 people dead, and even more people wounded. My heart goes out to the victims, their loved ones, and everyone affected by this tragic loss.

This kind of senseless violence is not who we are as Canadians, and it has no place in a safe and inclusive society. Violent acts can arise from multiple, complex factors and no single strategy can tackle the challenge of preventing violence in our communities.

Canadians around the country are in mourning following this tragic news. For those experiencing distress at this news, please remember that you are not alone, and that help is available to support you in this difficult time. As always, Wellness Together Canada is here to help you access remote or in-person counselling—no matter what you are going through. You can contact Wellness Together Canada anytime:

 

 

The month of September, and the change in weather from summer to fall and also represents back to school for many families and students,. This time of year is a good opportunity to reflect, do a mental reset and take stock of goals to achieve in the coming months.

This time also marks a renewal of our government’s commitment to engaging with Canada’s generation of young leaders and innovators. Last week, the Prime Minister reconvened the PM’s Youth Council in Ottawa to give highly engaged youths from around the country the opportunity to make their voices heard.

At a meeting with young community leaders at a meeting of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council on August 30th.

As MP for Ottawa-Vanier and President of the Treasury Board, I was fortunate to meet the motivated, young Canadians at the council table to discuss the issues that matter to them and their communities such as cost of living, mental health, climate change, economy and social justice.

In the coming weeks, I hope to have similar discussions with young Canadians living, working, and studying here in Ottawa–Vanier. I am re-launching the Ottawa–Vanier Youth Council to hear about issues Ottawa-Vanier youth care about, learn about Canada’s political system and government, and discover more about the stakeholders and community members of Ottawa-Vanier and the National Capital Region.

If you are between the ages of 16 and 24 and live in Ottawa–Vanier, I encourage you to apply to join the Ottawa-Vanier Youth Council. Come meet your peers, share your advice and opinions, and take part in a unique civic learning experience right here in our community.

To apply, fill out the registration form before September 27, 2022. I look forward to meeting the members of our new council! If you have any questions, please call the constituency team at 613-996-1860 or email at [email protected].

 

In the Community

The Annual Beechfest festival (September 10, 2022)

The team was in high spirits at the annual Beechfest festival this past weekend. It was great to take part in our community spirit and connect with the residents, vendors, and colourful performers in and around Beechwood Avenue in Vanier!

The highlight of the day was, by far, the corn roast feast with special guests Mathieu Fleury (Councillor for Rideau-Vanier), Rawlson King (Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe) and Lucille Collard's team (Member of Provincial Parliament for Ottawa–Vanier). What a great way to celebrate the end-of-summer harvest with some fresh, local produce!

 

Have Your Say: Big Changes for the Ottawa–Vanier Riding

The Ottawa–Vanier riding could be changing!

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario (OEBC) is seeking comments from the public on its proposed redistribution of federal electoral boundaries for constituencies throughout the province.

Under the proposed plan, the Ottawa–Vanier riding would expand eastward to include Blackburn Hamlet and new boundaries along Innes Road and Blackburn Hamlet Bypass. You can view the current and proposed boundaries through the interactive map tool on their website.

This is the time to make your voice heard! You can participate by:

[email protected]
Ms. Paula Puddy
Commission Secretary
Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario
PO Box 37018 Southdale
London, Ontario N6E 3T3

For more details, see Federal Electoral Districts Redistribution 2022: Public participation – Ontario.

 

Upcoming Service Canada Information Session

Join us on September 29, 2022, for an information session with Service Canada agents who can guide you through a variety of questions related to programs and services delivered by Service Canada.

Service Canada Information Session
Thursday, September 29, 2022
6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
At Raymond-Delage Hall at 270 Marier Ave.

Reserve your spot by sending an email to [email protected].

 

Update on Government Programs and Services

Making life more affordable for Canadians

Canadians are feeling the rising cost of living, particularly through higher grocery bills and rent. While inflation is a global challenge driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, we are helping families weather its impacts by putting money back in the pockets of those who need it most.


Today, the Prime Minister announced additional relief to help those struggling with the rising cost of living. The announcement includes:

  • Doubling the GST tax credit for six months to put up to $234 back in the pockets of single Canadians without children;
  • Providing up to $1,300 over the next two years for dental care for children under 12, starting this year;
  • Delivering $500 to qualifying low-income renters this year, including students.

Canadians are looking to their government to find ways to make life more affordable and we are focused on delivering real, concrete results. Together, we’ll continue to build a future that works for everyone.

For more details on this announcement, see Government of Canada: Making life more affordable for Canadians this year.

 

Government of Canada Announces $2 Billion to Build 17,000 More Homes:
Affordable Housing Innovation Fund & the new Rent-to-own Stream

Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home, but many Canadians are finding it challenging to find one in the current housing and rental market. We are making historic investments into housing to double our rate of housing construction across the country to meet our housing needs over the next decade.

The Prime Minister announced an investment of over $2 billion to support three of Canada’s key housing initiatives that, together, will contribute to building nearly 17,000 homes across the country, including thousands of affordable housing units.

This funding will go toward:

  • Creating 4,500 additional affordable housing units by extending the Rapid Housing Initiative for a third round. This will include women-focused housing projects and projects supporting those experiencing or at risk of homelessness;
  • Creating at least 10,800 housing units, including 6,000 affordable units, by funding new funding models and innovative building techniques in the affordable housing sector; and
  • Creating a new, five-year rent-to-own stream to help housing providers develop rent-to-own projects to help renters across the country transition from renting to owning a home.

To apply to the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund and Rent-to-own stream:
Applications are OPEN for the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund and its new rent-to-own stream.

These initiatives build on the progress we have made to increase Canada’s housing supply and build more affordable housing from coast to coast. To date, we have helped more than 1.2 million Canadians find a place to call home, including through the Rapid Housing Initiative.

For more details, see Government of Canada: Creating nearly 17,000 homes for Canadians across the country.

 

Establishing a National Mental Health Crisis and Suicide Prevention Line

Last Saturday, September 10th, was World Suicide Prevention Day, an important opportunity to develop our awareness and understanding of suicide. An average of 10 people die by suicide each day in Canada and 90% of the approximately 4000 suicides each year are related to struggles with mental health.

We are taking a big step to make it easier to access mental health and suicide prevention assistance. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced its plan to adopt 988 as the phone number to call or text for individuals experiencing mental health distress and who need immediate mental health crisis and suicide prevention support and intervention.

Once the national crisis line is established, all calls and text messages to the number will be directed to crisis and suicide prevention counselling services, available 24/7 and at no cost.

While there is work ahead, the CRTC has accelerated its timelines to get the national crisis line up and running as soon as possible. While the national crisis line is being established, help is available in the meantime:


For details, see CRTC to implement new 9-8-8 number for mental health crisis and suicide prevention.

 

Help Resources

Mental Health Supports

Wellness Together Canada provides counselling and other mental health supports, no matter what you are going through (available 24/7).

Kids Help Phone is available to youths on multiple platforms.

  • text CONNECT to 686868 (available 24/7);
  • Talk to someone via Live Chat; or
  • Dial 1-888-668-6810 (available 24/7)

Talk Suicide Canada:

  • Dial 1-833-456-4566 (toll-free)
  • Send a text message to 45645 (text service available evenings from 4:00 PM to midnight Eastern Time)

Hope for Wellness is available to Indigenous peoples across the country for counselling and crisis support (available 24/7).

Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health provides in-person crisis support to Ottawa’s Indigenous residents by appointment or walk-in (Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5:30 PM).

  • Visit wabano.com for more details; or
  • Visit their location at 299 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON K1L 6B8

Food Bank services in Ottawa-Vanier

For food assistance, you can access help from the following food banks in the area:

 

Contact us!

The Honourable Mona Fortier, P.C. M.P. Ottawa-Vanier

Constituency Office:
233 Montréal Road
Ottawa (Ontario)
K1L 6C7
613.998.1860
[email protected]

© 2026 Mona Fortier