Mona Fortier

Newsletter

October 25, 2024

A word from your MP

This week has been particularly active as we returned to our duties in the House of Commons. I had the pleasure of meeting with many organizations, including the Canadian Association of Midwives, which advocates for nearly 2,000 midwives across the country. I am proud to support their efforts to improve access to healthcare for women, families, and communities. Their work is essential in providing personalized and tailored care. I also met with representatives from the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association.

On Tuesday morning, in collaboration with my colleague Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, we announced a $4.3 million investment to support five energy-efficient renovation projects as part of the Greener Neighborhoods Pilot Program. Among these projects, $2 million is allocated to EnviroCentre at Carver Place in the Carson Grove neighborhood. These improvements will not only reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions but will also allow residents to save money. This program represents an important step toward creating neighborhoods that support social housing while fostering greener and more affordable communities in Ottawa-Vanier.

On Wednesday, the Bank of Canada lowered interest rates for the fourth time, reducing the benchmark rate from 4.25% to 3.75%. This significant decrease results from our responsible economic plan, which has created the conditions for rates to fall, making mortgages more affordable for Canadians. Whether you’re renewing your mortgage or buying your first home, this is a positive step.

Canada leads the G7 as the first country to cut interest rates four times, steering the economy toward a smooth landing after the pandemic recession. Inflation has dropped to 1.6%—the lowest rate in 3.5 years—and wages are rising. Our government is committed to building a future where every generation has a fair chance to succeed.

Alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, I had the opportunity to meet Jack and Dan of Kilrea Denture Clinic. They shared many stories about the impact of the care they provide to patients covered by the Canadian Dental Care Plan. In our community, 4,817 residents have been approved for care, many of whom previously couldn’t afford it. This plan is making a real difference in the lives of Canadians.

On Thursday evening, I attended the Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards ceremony. During the event, WSP Canada was recognized for a project they completed here in Ottawa-Vanier on the University of Ottawa campus! The University aimed to transform a former contaminated industrial site into the new home for its Faculty of Health Sciences. As the lead engineering consultant for this project, WSP Canada revitalized the site and designed a high-performance building made with sustainable materials. The facility actively supports the region’s Francophone and Indigenous communities. Students, faculty, and the public can move throughout the site, experiencing the Indigenous landscape with mature trees, the Open Fire Circle, the Social Heart, smart teaching labs, and unique biophilic design elements. In return, this state-of-the-art LEED® Platinum-certified facility significantly strengthens the community’s social fabric while using 57.2% less energy and producing 57.8% fewer greenhouse gases than typical institutional buildings.

This weekend, many events are being organized to celebrate the approach of Halloween! For my part, I will be at the HUB Vanier, the Muséoparc, and with the Pineview Community Association for their Halloween festivities. Come with your family and show off your costumes! There will be treats, games, music, and much more. I can’t wait to see you there!

I rose to pay tribute to Ethel Côté, a Franco-Ontarian leader and trailblazer in the social economy, who passed away on October 16. Her lifelong dedication to empowering francophone communities and advancing women's economic independence was truly remarkable. As the founder of numerous organizations, including mécènESS, and a recipient of the Order of Canada among many other honors, Ethel will be remembered as a visionary and a tireless advocate for a more just and equitable society. My heartfelt condolences go out to her family and loved ones. Her passing is a profound loss for the Franco-Ontarian community.

Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027

The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan: a plan that will pause population growth in the short term to achieve well-managed, sustainable growth in the long term. For the first time ever, the levels plan includes controlled targets for temporary residents, specifically international students and foreign workers, as well as for permanent residents.

Immigration is essential to our country’s economic success and growth. As Canada reopened following the pandemic, the needs of businesses were greater than the supply of workers available to support their recovery. We took decisive measures to attract some of the world’s best and brightest to study and work in Canada, and to integrate them into the economy quickly. This meant a faster economic recovery. It also meant that robust immigration helped prevent a recession, while contributing to Canada’s workforce.

In response to the evolving needs of our country, this transitional levels plan alleviates pressures on housing, infrastructure and social services so that over the long term we can grow our economic and social prosperity through immigration. This unprecedented plan offers a comprehensive approach to welcoming newcomers—one that preserves the integrity of our immigration programs and sets newcomers up for success. Canadians also expect a well-managed immigration system from the Government of Canada.

To learn more about this announcement, click here.

This news touches Francophone communities, so I rose in the House of Commons to talk about it.

Ensuring the vitality of Francophone communities outside of Quebec is a priority for our government, and immigration is a key tool to achieve this!

With the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, we will reach ambitious targets: 8.5% of Francophone permanent residents outside Quebec in 2025, 9.5% in 2026, and 10% in 2027!

These goals demonstrate our commitment to the growth of Francophone and Acadian communities in minority settings!

Keep in mind...

Small Business Week

It’s Small Business Week and we’ve introduced new measure to further support our small businesses, who are the backbone of our communities and vital to our economy. By reducing credit card fees, business owners will be able to save more, paired with the Canada Carbon Rebate for small businesses, which will payout 2.5B$ to businesses across the country, including many in Ottawa Vanier, helping them offset energy costs, making it easier for businesses to invest in their growth and create jobs. Proud to support these measures that strengthen our small businesses.

Update on the Canadian Dental Care Plan in Ottawa-Vanier

Launch of the Call for Proposals for the Mental Health of Black Canadians Fund

The Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, is launching an open call for proposals to allocate $1M under the Mental Health of Black Canadians Fund. Community-based organizations can apply for up to $100,000 to support projects that seek to build organizations’ capacity to develop and deliver programs that promote the mental health of Black people in Canada. The deadline to submit a proposal is November 15, 2024.

You can find the full NR here.

This open call for proposals is part of the $4M committed in Budget 2024 for the Promoting Health Equity: Mental Health of Black of Canadians Fund. This funding is designed to support community-based, culturally focused projects that aim to increase health equity and address the underlying determinants of mental health, including anti-Black racism.

You can find more information on eligibility for this open call and how to apply, here.

Please note: Informational webinars will be scheduled to support applicants in completing application materials for the Incubator Stream. An English session will be held on October 29 and a French session on October 30, to access this training please email: [email protected]

In the community

Halloween in the forest

The Museopark, in collaboration with the Vanier Optimist Club, invites kids and grown-ups to take a stroll in the Richelieu Park forest to celebrate Halloween. Little monsters can take part in several activities and collect treats along the way. A volunteer from the Lire et faire lire program will also read stories around the camp fire!

When: Sunday, October 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until we run out of stock)*
Where: Richelieu Park forest (300 des Pères-Blancs Ave.)
Cost: Free activity. No registration needed.

Don’t forget to wear a costume for the occasion!

* In case of rain, the activity will take place inside the Richelieu-Vanier Community Centre, in the Accueil Hall.

rick or Treat with the Mayor!

Mark your calendars for a spooky evening of fun at Ottawa City Hall on Saturday, October 26, from 5:30 to 8:30 PM! Join Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and your favorite costumed characters at the “Weird and Wonderful” Heritage Building, where witches, goblins, and even a Tooth Fairy await!

Here’s what you can expect:

Special treats and a journey into the Ghost Chamber and Hall of Villains!
Meet costumed characters in Jean Pigott Place.
Admission is a donation to the Ottawa Food Bank’s Baby Basics Program, making it a night of giving and ghouls!

Accessibility First! Ottawa is proud to partner with Treat Accessibly to ensure trick-or-treating is fun for everyone.
Important: This is not a nut-free event. Dress warmly, as the queue will be outdoors, and bring your own treat bag. Rain or shine, the fun goes on!

Active Living Discussions and Fun Activities for Senior

We are delighted to invite you to our upcoming event titled Active Living Discussions and Fun Activities for Seniors, which will take place on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024, at 2:00 PM. This special event is part of the New Horizons for Seniors program and is designed to help seniors discover enjoyable activities that can enhance social well-being and combat isolation.
The event will feature insightful discussions from experts on active living, along with interactive activities that will inspire you to stay socially and physically engaged. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with others, learn about new ways to stay active and share your own experiences in a fun, supportive environment.

Event Details:
•       Date: Saturday, November 2nd, 2024
•       Time: 2:00 PM
•       Location: 435 St. Laurent Blvd, Door 202, K1K 2Z6, Ottawa

We look forward to having you join us for an enjoyable afternoon of learning, sharing, and fun!

Kindly click the link below to register for the event:
https://forms.gle/Q3ACmgLsygDCWKxu9