Infoletter: November 24, 2022
November 24, 2022
Photo from the housing announcement at the Mikinak housing development in Ottawa–Vanier on November 14, 2022.
A Word From Your MP
It's National Housing Week, the perfect opportunity to highlight the importance of making housing accessible and affordable so everyone can have a warm, safe place to call home. We have taken concrete steps to address housing supply and affordability:
- Just last week, we announced a $78 million federal investment in the Mikinak housing development to support the building of 271 affordable units in our community;
- We just announced an additional investment of $90 million to build more than 270 affordable housing units throughout the City of Ottawa;
- We are providing a tax-free payment of $500 through the Canada Housing Benefit to nearly 2 million renters struggling with rent in December;
- We extended the Rapid Housing Initiative for a third round to support building more homes in Ottawa and 40 other major Canadian municipalities;
- We’ve expanded the Rapid Housing Initiative with new funding streams, like a new Rent-to-own stream.
Access to safe and affordable housing also directly benefits the lives of Canadians in other ways. Safe and affordable housing can help people escape violence or help someone turn their life around from debilitating substance use.
This week is also National Addictions Awareness Week, an opportunity to end the stigma surrounding substance use addictions and learn how we can offer more effective, compassionate support to help others overcome addictions. This week, our government announced over $15 million in federal funding to support 24 community-led projects across Canada through the Substance Use and Addictions Program.
Tomorrow is also the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Intimate partner violence affects millions of Canadians, many of them women, and disproportionately affects those living in poverty.
We are helping to lift people up in ways that improve their lives across the board, whether it’s building more affordable housing, making mental health support accessible to Canadians, or providing compassionate supports to help people battle addictions.
In the Community
More Funding to Support Youth Mental Health in Ottawa–Vanier
The Vanier Community Services Centre provides crucial support to vulnerable children and youths in our community who are struggling with mental health issues.
On Saturday, I was at the Ottawa-Richelieu Community Centre to announce a federal investment of $447,000 for the Centre’s community-based approach to supporting youth mental health. The Centre works with families, children and youth and connects them with wellness and mental health resources to support their overall development and positive mental health outcomes.
Talking Mental Health with the Canadian Mental Health Association
The Canada Mental Health Association in Ottawa–Vanier provides long-term support for individuals struggling with severe mental illness and chronic substance use, many of whom experience homelessness.
The meeting was a great opportunity to discuss how we can improve access to mental health services and improve wellness outcomes for our community.
We launched Wellness Together Canada to make mental health support more accessible to Canadians. You can access help at any time by texting WELLNESS to 741741 or downloading the PocketWell App on iOS and Android.
Upcoming: Information Session on OAS and Pensions
My office will hold an information session to offer more information on Old Age Security (OAS) and pensions.
Get Involved This Winter with Rideau Winter Trail!
On Wednesday, November 30th, Rideau Winter Trail will hold its annual Public Information Session to mark the beginning of the Rideau Winter Trail’s winter season and provide more information to volunteers about what’s ahead. The session is open to all. Consider joining the event if you want to get involved this winter!
Rideau Winter Trail Public Information Session (virtual)
On Wednesday, November 30th
At 7:30 PM
The meeting will be held online
RSVP: send an email to [email protected].
Federal Government Updates
We’re Delivering Help to Renters this December
We are delivering a one-time, top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit for low-income renters struggling with the cost of housing. You may be eligible for a tax-free payment of $500 based on your income and rental costs.
Find out if you qualify. Applications open on December 12, 2022.
Ukraine Sovereignty Bonds are now available for Canadians to purchase
Canada continues to stand with Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.
The Government of Canada has launched Ukraine Sovereignty Bonds, allowing Canadians to directly support the people of Ukraine by purchasing bonds in denominations of $100. The bonds will help the Government of Ukraine continue its operations and allow the Ukrainian people to access essential services like fuel and pension payments to support them through the winter months.
You can purchase this bond by contacting your investment advisor or financial institution until November 29, 2022.
Canada continues to stand with Ukraine. Photos from one of many meetings between Canadian and Ukrainian representatives, in April 2022.
Canada’s Leadership on Global Climate Action
Climate action is more important than ever, but it's something we can't tackle alone. International cooperation is needed to tackle this global problem.
At the recent COP27 conference, Canada rolled out the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge—a Canadian-led initiative calling on countries to adopt pollution pricing so we reach our goal of covering 60% of global emissions by pollution pricing by 2030.
Canada also plays a role in the global movement to phase out coal. We’re making progress in getting countries to sign on to the Powering Past Coal Alliance, which commits to phasing out 75% of coal power sources internationally by 2030.
Canada will continue to be a global innovator by promoting greener alternatives and effective, evidence-based strategies like pollution pricing.
Additional Support for Charities and Non-profit Organizations
Charities and non-profits are at the forefront of our community, serving the needs of our most vulnerable, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. But many of them are struggling to recover.
This week, we announced that the Community Services Recovery Fund will be administered nationwide through the Canadian Red Cross, the United Way Centraide, and Community Foundations of Canada.
These organizations will help local and regional charities and non-profit organizations get the help they need to recover and adapt to the current needs of our community and communities across Canada.
Canada Announces Additional Sanctions on the Iranian Regime
Canada stands with the people of Iran as they continue to stand up for human rights.
Canada has designated the Islamic Republic of Iran as a regime that has engaged in terrorism and systematic human rights violations. This distinction means that tens of thousands of senior members of the Iranian regime, including many members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, are prohibited from entering Canada.
Photos from a protest for human rights with the MP for Kanata—Carleton, Jenna Sudds, in Ottawa in October 2022.
Share Your Thoughts on a New Pan-Canadian School Food Policy
Last week, we announced the launch of a public consultation questionnaire to inform our work on a new Pan-Canadian School Food Policy that will guide school food programs across the country.
The questionnaire will be open until December 16, 2022.
