Mona Fortier

Newsletter

December 13, 2024

A word from your MP

Dear residents,

There has been a lot of progress this week from the federal government. Last Wednesday, we received more good news from the Bank of Canada. For the fifth time this year, the interest rate was lowered to 3.25%, a first among G7 countries. Lower rates mean:

🏠 Reduced mortgage payments for homeowners and first-time buyers
💼 Relief for businesses

Our plan is working:
✅ Inflation is at 2%, within target all year
✅ Canadians are earning more, even after inflation
✅ Canada is on track to have the best growth in the G7 next year

We are building homes, removing GST/HST on essential goods, and putting more money in your pockets.

On the same day, I joined Health Minister Mark Holland at Willis College to celebrate the first anniversary of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). Since its launch, the CDCP has provided access to essential dental care for over 3 million Canadians, including 4,817 in Ottawa-Vanier. This program has delivered essential dental care to 1.2 million people. The CDCP also provides financial relief, allowing eligible Canadians to save an average of $780 by covering a wide range of dental services. With over 90% of dental care providers participating, the CDCP is helping to improve the health, confidence, and dignity of Canadians.

A reminder for parents : check your bank accounts!

Starting today, the Canada Child Benefit will be deposited into the accounts of thousands of eligible families in Ottawa-Vanier. Some families could receive up to $648.91 per child, per month.

And as announced a few weeks ago, starting tomorrow, Saturday, December 14, until February 15, 2025, all Canadians will benefit from a GST/HST holiday on a wide range of products:

• Prepared foods, including vegetable platters, ready-made meals and salads, sandwiches
• Restaurant meals, whether for dining in, takeout, or delivery
• Snacks, such as chips, candies, and granola bars
• Beer, wine, cider, and pre-mixed alcoholic beverages (under 7%)
• Children's clothing and footwear, car seats, diapers
• Children's toys, board games, dolls, video game consoles
• Books, printed newspapers, and puzzles for all ages
• Christmas trees

These reductions will help make life a little easier for Canadians, providing real relief at the checkout.

And next Monday at 4 p.m., Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, will present the Fall Economic Statement in the House of Commons.

On the community side this week, I had the pleasure of buying my Christmas tree at the Gloucester Lions Club’s annual tree sale. For over 40 years, Fashion4Women has proudly hosted the Gloucester Lions Club's annual Christmas tree sale in our parking lot, making it their largest fundraiser of the year. The Gloucester Lions Club supports numerous local charities, including the Ottawa Food Bank, Ottawa Children's Treatment Centre, Make a Wish, Canadian Council for the Blind, Crime Stoppers, and many more. 🎁❤️

If you're looking for a fresh Christmas tree this holiday season, consider purchasing one from the Gloucester Lions Club, located at 1877 Innes Road. The tree lot will be open daily from 10am to 5pm, weather permitting, starting Friday, November 29th. 🌲❄️ Best of all, 100% of the proceeds go directly to charity. Your support helps make a difference in our community—stop by and pick out your tree today! 🎅🏼

I also had the joy of participating in the third edition of the Creating Christmas Magic event, organized by the Vanier Muséopark in partnership with the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est, DeSerres, and the Vanier Community Service Centre. This magical event raised $5,000 and collected 350 gifts for the youth in our community. A heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers, organizers, and partners who made this day memorable. Together, we continue to make a difference in our community.

I am pleased to invite you to our Holiday Open House on Thursday, December 19, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at our constituency office, located at 233 Montreal Road. Come by to exchange Christmas wishes and meet me and my team. We would be delighted to welcome you and celebrate the season together!

Finally, our office will be closed from December 21, 2024, and we will reopen on January 6, 2025. If there is an emergency, you can send an email or leave a voicemail, and we will check them during this period.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

REMINDER— 6 DAYS UNTIL EMPLOYER APPLICATIONS CLOSE - Canada Summer Job (CSJ) 2025— Application period for employers

IMPORTANT / PLEASE NOTE: The application period for the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program was launched on November 19, 2024, and will close on December 19, 2024, at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). This year the CSJ Call for Applications will end before the beginning of the holiday season. Don’t risk missing the deadline and submit your funding application before December 19, 2024. For more information, please visit the Canada Summer Jobs program website.

National recruitment campaign for parliamentary guides

The Library of Parliament has launched a national campaign to recruit Parliamentary Guides for the summer of 2025.

The Parliamentary Guide Program hires university students from across Canada to offer guided tours of the Parliament Buildings and to welcome visitors to the multimedia attraction, Parliament: The Immersive Experience. This unique opportunity is open to students who are fluent in both official languages and who are enrolled at a Canadian university, at the undergraduate or graduate level, in any program of study.

More information is available on the Parliamentary Guide Program website.

Canada’s new ambitious emissions reduction target

Minister Guilbeault fulfilled duties under the Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act by announcing our ambitious and achievable 2035 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target.

Thanks to the efforts of Canadians, we have bent the emissions curve, growing our economy while cutting pollution. Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions are at their lowest levels in 27 years, outside of the pandemic. When we came into office in 2015, Canada’s emissions were set to rise by 9% compared to 2005 levels. Now, together, we are making progress towards our 2030 goal of 40-45% below 2005 levels.

Today we are building on these efforts by setting Canada’s ambitious new target to reduce emissions by 45-50% below 2005 levels by 2035. This marks a significant milestone in Canada’s path to net zero by 2050.

This 2035 target reflects the best science, Indigenous Knowledge, and expert advice, ensuring a path toward a greener, more prosperous future.

What does this target mean? It means an enhanced commitment to create good jobs, reduce costs for families, and build a sustainable economy for future generations. Going forward, the federal government will also engage stakeholders to explore technologies that remove carbon dioxide, helping companies seize clean economic opportunities from reducing emissions.

Celebrating United Nations Decade for People of African Descent

As the first UN International Decade for People of African Descent concludes, we celebrate progress and reaffirm our support for Black communities in Canada.
Since becoming the first OECD country to endorse the Decade, we have invested in:

Recognizing over 40 Black Canadian historic places, events, and figures

Supporting nearly 9,000 Black entrepreneurs through the Black Entrepreneurship Program

Establishing the Black-led Philanthropic Endowment Fund

Strengthening hundreds of organizations with the SBCCI

Launching the first-ever National Institute for People of African Descent
Let’s keep breaking barriers and building an inclusive future.

In the community